Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Arizona

The Fisher Family Lost Acres Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, provides financial assistance to students pursuing agriculture, horticulture, or related majors. Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students planning to enroll in accredited post-secondary institutions in the U.S. Scholarships can reach up to $3,000 and may affect other financial aid. Students are encouraged to check with college financial aid offices for guidance on potential implications.

The Diana and Leon Feffer Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, provides financial support to residents of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties. Eligible students include undergraduates and graduates attending accredited institutions in the U.S. Students can receive up to $3,000, which may affect financial aid. Scholarships can cover tuition and other educational costs, and recipients should confirm tax implications with their colleges or tax advisors.

The AOAP Swim Lesson Grant aims to enhance drowning prevention by providing financial support to aquatic facilities for swim lessons and life jackets. With a minimum allocation of $10,000 annually, the program seeks to offer at least 100 free lessons to low-income participants and distribute 500 life jackets each year. It encourages non-profit organizations to apply, ensuring a focus on education and safety in aquatic environments. This grant represents a significant step towards making swimming accessible and safe for all.

The NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) fosters innovative educational initiatives aimed at pre-college students, promoting their interest in STEM fields, especially in biomedical and behavioral sciences. This program supports both classroom projects and informal science education activities, such as after-school programs and library events. Emphasizing the development of quantitative and computational skills, SEPA seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and thinkers through engaging educational experiences.

About

Paul Newman was born and raised in Ohio by parents who owned a successful sporting goods store. He enlisted in the Navy and completed his military service as a radioman/gunner in the Pacific during World War II. Seeing his father’s business ethic during the Great Depression and experiencing the war fueled his desire to help others in need.

In 1958, Paul made his acting debut on Broadway in “Picnic,” where he also met his future wife, Joanne Woodward. Paul started a successful race car driving career inspired by training for the film Winning. He went on to win second place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest endurance race event. After years of acting and being recognized for his achievements on screen and stage, he received many accolades including an Oscar for Best Actor in The Color of Money.

Paul used his fame for good. He was dedicated to civil rights–attending the March on Washington in August 1963–women’s rights, and gay rights. He used his platform to advocate for equal pay for his female co-stars. He was a vocal political advocate committed to ending the nuclear arms race and determined to elect opponents of war and militarism. President Jimmy Carter appointed him to a United Nations General Assembly session on nuclear disarmament.

In 1982, Paul Newman and his friend Hotch founded a food company on a bit of a lark. They turned a profit selling salad dressing that first year, and did something truly radical when they decided to “give it all away” to good causes.

Paul established Newman’s Own Foundation to ensure the continuation of his philanthropic legacy after his passing. 40+ years since its founding, his first of its kind food company and its innovative business model are still going strong.

Garden Grants

Through Whole Foods Market’s Garden Grant program, schools turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity and support classroom curriculum.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Education / Meritorious / Service Awards

The Educational/Meritorious/Service awards recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the welding industry. From educators who have advanced welding knowledge to those who've exhibited outstanding service, these awards celebrate dedication, expertise, and the advancement of welding as both an art and a science.

Howard E. Adkins Memorial Instructor Membership Award

The Howard E. Adkins Instructor Membership Award is sponsored by Mrs. Wilma Adkins and family, and is given as a means of recognizing high school, trade school, technical institute or community college instructors whose teaching activities are considered to have advanced the knowledge of welding to students in their respective schools.

This award is recognized at the National, District and Section levels. The nominee is selected at least 12 months in advance of FABTECH. Selections are made during the annual District Conference meetings for all three levels. District and Section level recognitions are automatic but National level nominee information is submitted to the AWS Education Committee for final selection.

The Wilbur Awards, presented annually since 1949 by the Religion Communicators Council, celebrate excellence in communicating religious values and themes in secular media. Open to individuals and organizations, entries must have been published or broadcast in 2024. Categories include audio, audio-visual, images, and written works, allowing for both English and non-English submissions. The awards emphasize professionalism and respect in highlighting uplifting religious narratives within diverse media platforms.

The Garden Club of Houston, established in 1924, promotes gardening and environmental conservation through various community initiatives. Their funding supports nonprofit organizations and government entities, focusing on projects that enhance public landscapes, educational resources, and community gardens. Grants are not awarded for operating funds or endowments, with preference given to projects within the greater Houston area. This commitment to civic improvement underscores their mission to foster a love of gardening and environmental stewardship.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Joseph A. Burton Forum Award

The Joseph A. Burton Forum Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the public understanding or resolution of issues involving the interface of physics and society. The award consists of $5,000, a certificate citing the contributions of the recipient, and an allowance for travel to the meeting of the Society at which the award is presented. It will be awarded annually.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

The Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program aims to support organizations in their efforts to screen and educate individuals who have been exposed to radiation from uranium mining and U.S. nuclear weapons testing. This initiative emphasizes the importance of awareness and education in mitigating health risks associated with radiation exposure, ensuring affected communities receive the necessary resources and support for health management.

The Amy Clampitt Poet Residency Program, established by The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers a six-month residency for poets at Amy Clampitt's former home in Lenox, Massachusetts. This program aims to foster the study and promotion of poetry, providing a peaceful retreat for a poet to focus on their craft. Selected poets receive a monthly stipend of $4,000 and are encouraged to make their creative work a priority during their stay.

The Jim and Shirley Cook Scholarship offers a $750 award for graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education at accredited institutions. Applicants must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA-SAI and provide evidence of community service and extracurricular involvement. Preference will be given to candidates with leadership experience in FFA or the GO CAPS program, specifically those studying Mechanical Engineering, CNC programming, Welding, or Machine Tool Technology. This scholarship aims to support students who embody commitment and community engagement.

Self-Defense Grants for MMIR Day

Facilitators, educators, organizers — May 5th is the Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Relatives. In honor of that day, we are offering mini grants to host a self-defense workshop for Indigenous girls and gender-expansive youth.

Why self-defense?

• Native women are murdered at 10x the national rate
• 84% experience violence in their lifetime
• Over 5,700 Native girls go missing each year

We also name the invisible crisis:

• Indigenous people from Mexico & Central America (Maya, Nahua, Zapotec, Mixtec, Lenca, and others) living in the U.S. face detention, deportation, and disappearances that are rarely counted in MMIR data.
• When a Tzotzil 18 year old like Royer Perez Jimenez dies in ICE custody, the silence is deafening.

Self-defense must include all Indigenous relatives.

XCNC has:

• $500 mini grants for stipends, space, supplies, and translation.

What we ask:

• Plan a workshop between May 5–31, 2026, rooted in community care.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund

To honor the life and legacy of Ronald Clark "Ron" McDaniel, family and friends established the Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008. Ron, born in Harlan, Kentucky, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan at the age of 5. He was involved in the National Honor Society, Boys State, played baseball and football and graduated in the top ten of his class at Pennfield High School. He then served in the United States Air Force obtaining presidential awards and honors before he made his home back in Battle Creek. Ron managed to balance his commitment and love for his family and sports while exhibiting an unequaled work ethic, often working 7 days a week, at the same company for 38 years. This fund was established to carry on his value of education. He believed that all young adults should participate in extra-curricular activities in or outside of school while focusing on education. Most of all Ron McDaniel believed education was the key to success. Scholarships in memory of Ron will be awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in high school athletics and are seeking educational opportunities in teaching/education.

The ASTRO-AAPM Physics Resident/Post-Doctoral Fellow Seed Grant supports early-career scientists in radiation oncology physics research. Jointly funded by AAPM and ASTRO, this grant aims to foster innovation in the field, with up to two awards of $50,000 each available. Eligible applicants include medical physics residents and post-doctoral fellows who are active members of ASTRO and AAPM. This initiative strives to enhance the next generation of researchers, ensuring a commitment to advancing radiation oncology.

The Congressional Science Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for Ph.D. holders to work at the intersection of science and government in Washington D.C. This prestigious fellowship, sponsored by ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, allows participants to apply their expertise as special assistants to Congress members. The fellowship begins in September 2025 and concludes in August 2026, providing an annual stipend and relocation expenses. Ideal for early to mid-career scientists, it encourages the use of scientific knowledge in public policy.

The Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching, established by the American Geosciences Institute, honors educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership in earth science education. This prestigious award includes a $2500 prize for the winning teacher and a $1500 grant to attend the National Science Teaching Association's annual conference. The award celebrates the legacy of Dr. Edward C. Roy Jr., promoting innovation and excellence in teaching for future generations.

The Collins Medical Trust Grant, established in 1956, supports health-related research and professional education for tax-exempt organizations. Eligible applicants include institutions with approved tax status and a commitment to equal opportunity. Early career investigators are encouraged to apply, but funds cannot be used for individual benefits or political activities. The Trust prioritizes projects in Oregon and does not support product development for industry. Applications are accepted thrice yearly, with specific deadlines for timely consideration.

About Us

The Wenner-Gren Foundation is a private operating foundation dedicated to providing leadership in support of anthropology and anthropologists worldwide.

Our Mission

The Wenner-Gren Foundation is committed to playing a leadership role in anthropology. We help anthropologists advance anthropological knowledge, build sustainable careers, and amplify the impact of anthropology within the wider world. We dedicate ourselves to broadening the conversation in anthropology to reflect the full diversity of the field.

Engaged Research Grant

General

This program supports longstanding research partnerships that empower those who have historically been the subjects of anthropological research, rather than researchers themselves. Designed in alliance with individuals who have borne the impact of marginalization, these partnerships bring together scholars and their interlocutors in an effort to expand anthropological knowledge, combat inequality, and help communities flourish. The program supports projects that will make a significant contribution to anthropological conversations through collaboration and engagement.

Anthropological research involves forging ethical relationships. Researchers must acknowledge the contributions of interlocutors and compensate them appropriately for their labor and time. Projects funded by Engaged Research Grants go even further. Not only are interlocutors participants in the research, but they have an active role in determining the problems explored. This grant program targets projects, growing out of a scholar’s established relationship with a community, that show greater potential when undertaken as a partnership, beginning with the formulation of research questions and extending to data gathering, skill sharing, scholarly communication, and public mobilization. Engaged research occurs in a broad range of settings, including communities, courtrooms, government offices, and laboratories. It results in findings that are meaningful and potentially transformative for research participants and others with a stake in the collaboration. Through this program, the Foundation seeks to demonstrate how engagement can foster innovation and further anthropological knowledge.

Award Money

The maximum Engaged Research Grant is $25,000. There is no limit to the duration of the grant, and applicants may request funding to cover distinct research phases (for example, two summers) if this is part of the research design.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is continuing support for the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT), which focuses on clinical trials and biomarker validation studies for neurological disorders. This initiative aims to foster innovation in neurotherapeutics by providing essential infrastructure and expertise. The program encourages the establishment of Clinical Coordinating Centers (CCC) and Data Coordinating Centers (DCC) to enhance collaborative efforts. Note that applications are not currently being solicited.

The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science recognizes outstanding early-career scientists and engineers for their significant contributions to public engagement in science. Established in 2010, the award includes a $5,000 prize, a plaque, and recognition at the AAAS Annual Meeting. Eligible nominees must be actively conducting research in STEM fields and demonstrate engagement beyond their job responsibilities, with one awardee chosen annually.

The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant aims to enhance chemistry education by providing funding for innovative teaching ideas. Since its inception in 2008, over 700 teachers have benefited from grants of up to $1,800. Eligible applicants are U.S. high school chemistry educators, and the funding can be used for laboratory supplies, instructional materials, professional development, and student-led field studies, fostering a deeper understanding of chemistry.

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, established by NIGMS, aims to enhance research funding efficiency by providing stable financial support to investigators. This allows for greater scientific flexibility and encourages innovative studies. MIRA is pivotal for distributing funding among promising researchers, fostering groundbreaking research. The program invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded and NIH-defined New Investigators, as well as current MIRA grantees seeking renewal, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to advancing science.

The AOAP Life Jacket Grant supports aquatic facilities in drowning prevention by offering funds for swim lessons and life jackets. Administered by the Association of Aquatic Professionals, the program aims to provide at least 100 free lessons and distribute 500 life jackets annually. This initiative promotes safety education and awareness of life jacket usage, ensuring that underserved communities have access to vital water safety resources. Applications are open to AOAP members meeting eligibility criteria.

About Spirit of Blue

Our Vision

To become the nation’s leading supplemental provider of law enforcement safety equipment and training across the county.

Our Mission

Spirit of Blue is dedicated to the enhancement of officer safety throughout the law enforcement community by fulfilling unfunded safety equipment and training needs.

Safety Grant Program

Spirit of Blue’s primary initiative is the granting of safety equipment and training to municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to protect their sworn personnel. 

Most grants are 100% funded, meaning that no match is required. In the majority of cases, Spirit of Blue conducts the procurement of the goods or services being granted so that the recipient agency isn’t burdened with having to negotiate prices, place orders or track delivery. Rarely, if ever, does Spirit of Blue provide cash awards. Once selected, Spirit of Blue will provide the recipient agency with an official grant award letter outlining everything that is contained in the award. The recipient agency must gain acceptance of the grant, whether on the authority of their agency head or by working with their local governing authority as their policy may dictate. There are no reporting requirements after the award of the grant, but agencies are asked to submit a photo to be used in the announcement of their grant.

Grant Application

The Spirit of Blue Safety Grant Program is designed to award equipment, or in some cases training, that will protect officers serving on duty. You should only request items that you can articulate will have a positive impact on officer safety.

The AWG Mid-Career Excellence Award honors outstanding mid-career women scientists contributing significantly to geosciences. It recognizes achievements across academia, industry, and government, with nominees evaluated on their scientific impact and community service. This prestigious award encourages nominations from the AWG membership and the broader geoscience community, fostering recognition of women's vital contributions in the field. With a commitment to diversity, the award aims to inspire future generations of women in geoscience careers.

The American Australian Association's Graduate Education Fund offers scholarships for American and Australian students pursuing Masters, Ph.D., or Postdoctoral research in various fields, including Science, Technology, and Sustainability. Established in 2002, the fund has awarded nearly $11 million to over 350 scholars. Scholarships up to $40,000 support travel, living, and tuition costs. Applications are accepted biannually, with specific periods for each direction of study. It also includes scholarships for Indigenous students.