Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Friends of Carver Scholarship - Barrett Scholarship, provided by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports current high school seniors from IDEA San Antonio schools or Carver Academy with a minimum 2.5 GPA. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years for students pursuing full-time education in any accredited U.S. institution. Preference is given to Black/African American young women, promoting educational equity and community development in San Antonio.

Community Foundation of Mendocino County

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is a county-wide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County Scholarship program provides scholarship opportunities for local students to help pursue their educational goals and achieve their higher education dreams.

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County provides scholarships for all seven regions of the county, as well as for specific academic and professional goals.

Elmer Albertson Scholarship

Created by the Elmer Albertson Trust to to help grow the future workforce of Mendocino County for those attending a Community College, other than Mendocino College, or a Vocational Program (e.g., Registered Nurse, Cosmetology, Dental Assistant, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Medical Assistant, Culinary Arts, Electrician, etc.)

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Sidney High School Alumni Scholarship

Selection based upon:

• Financial need; academic ability; community, religious, and school service; recommendations.

Must be enrolling in a trade school or pursuing a two-year or four-year degree.

Awards

• One $2,000 scholarship

The Franque and Phillip Curtis Scholarship, provided by the San Antonio Area Foundation, offers financial assistance to graduating high school seniors from Bexar or Kendall County who demonstrate a need for aid to pursue higher education. This renewable scholarship supports full-time students in various fields of study at accredited institutions within the USA. Established to enhance community impact, it has been empowering students since 1964, ensuring they can achieve their educational goals and improve their quality of life.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating female from Scranton or West Scranton High School who is a resident of Lackawanna County.

The APAF: Jeanne Spurlock, M.D. Minority Fellowship Achievement Award, established in 1999, acknowledges the significant contributions of former fellows of the Minority Fellowships to the psychiatry profession and the minority community. This award promotes continued engagement in the fellowship program while honoring Dr. Jeanne Spurlock, the program's founder. It aims to enhance psychiatric education, improve access to quality care, and support the professional needs of its members, fostering collaboration in mental health fields.

The NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) aims to enhance understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) through genomic research. By leveraging patient cohorts and advanced data science, the IBDGC seeks to identify genetic risk factors and develop predictive biomarkers for disease outcomes. This initiative will improve medical management and advance precision medicine for IBD patients, addressing the need for effective diagnostics and treatment strategies in this chronic condition.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Scranton or West Scranton High School who demonstrates an interest in the arts.

Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund

Sophia Joe graduated from Capital High School in 2023 and the University of San Diego in 2026 with a degree in Marketing and a minor in International Business. During high school, she was a four-year member of the Dance Team and served as Treasurer and Vice President of the National Honor Society, completing more than 100 hours of community service. She also worked her final two years of high school at local businesses in downtown Olympia. Throughout her academic career, Sophia earned recognition on the President’s List at South Puget Sound Community College and received the Donald R. Knauss Trustee Merit Scholarship at the University of San Diego.

Sophia’s passion for travel and global learning helped shape her vision for this scholarship. While studying abroad, she worked alongside students from diverse backgrounds, deepening her appreciation for the importance of access to opportunity. As a member of a family that has been part of the Thurston County community for more than 20 years, Sophia created this fund to support local students who work hard, demonstrate leadership, and aspire to make a positive impact.

The Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund encourages graduating seniors from Thurston County who are pursuing studies in business or a related field to develop their vision for leadership and positive change, both within their community and beyond.

Applicants will be evaluated on their impact, leadership, and vision, as demonstrated by:

• Community service involvement or a commitment to helping others.
• Leadership or responsibilities outside of school, including work, volunteering, or caring for family members.
• Thoughtfulness and vision, as demonstrated by a supplemental essay responding to the question: “What community project or initiative do you think would make the biggest positive impact in Thurston County, and why?”

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to either a graduating senior pursuing a post-secondary degree, or a currently matriculating student already so enrolled, who lives in Lackawanna or Wayne county and who is pursuing a degree or certificate in environmental science or a related field.

The NIDDK is expanding its Gastroparesis Consortium into the Disorders of Gastrointestinal Interoception Consortium (DGIC) to explore various GI disorders linked to interoceptive processing. This initiative aims to include multiple Clinical Research Centers and a Scientific Data Research Center, focusing on multidisciplinary approaches to uncover mechanisms connecting GI function to symptoms. The effort seeks to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for future clinical trials, enhancing understanding and treatment of complex gastrointestinal conditions.

The Dan Trant Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, supports Westfield residents who are student athletes. This fund is part of a broader initiative, offering over 160 scholarships to assist students pursuing diverse fields of study. Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited institutions. Awards can reach up to $3,000, with students advised to consult financial aid offices regarding any potential impacts on their aid packages.

The Elizabeth Pinkerton Family & History Happened Here Scholarship, offered by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, awards $1000 to students with a minimum GPA of 3.5. This scholarship targets full-time or part-time students interested in history and writing, encouraging community involvement. Applicants must submit an essay showcasing how community contributions enrich society. It aims to support students from various eligible schools in the Elk Grove area, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and historical appreciation.

The Francisca H. Eschauzier Scholarship, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports current high school seniors from Bexar County pursuing higher education. This scholarship covers tuition, fees, and books for students enrolled in associate or bachelor's degree programs. It aims to assist those who lack financial resources to attend college, ensuring that deserving students can further their education and enhance their future opportunities.

The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce Scholarship offers $2000 to students pursuing business or management fields at 4-year universities, community colleges, or vocational schools. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and participate in school and community activities. An essay expressing interest in business or management is required. This scholarship supports the educational aspirations of students in the Elk Grove Unified School District area, fostering academic growth and community engagement.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Todd Epsten Memorial Scholarship

This opportunity was established in 2014 in honor of Major Brands’ third-generation leader, Todd H. Epsten, who lost his brave battle with brain cancer in 2012. The scholarship provides aid to several students each year, whose academic efforts and community involvement reflect Todd’s commitment to “building our business by building the communities we serve.” Students must be a current full-time employee or spouse/domestic partner, child or grandchild of a current full-time employee of Clever Little Girl, LLC; Clever Little Girl Foundation; or Eagle Brands Sales who will be or are attending a community college, professional program, undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate program at an accredited college.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Foundation Scholarship 

The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Foundation Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors, current four-year, community college or trade/vocational school students
• Plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in an accredited four-year undergraduate university, community college or trade/vocational school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• This opportunity is open to all applicants, with a focus on those furthest from opportunity and having a demonstrated financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Frances F. Bourque Scholarship Fund Endowment established by Old School Square Center for the Arts

This scholarship honors Frances Bourque’s extraordinary legacy by nurturing the next generation of arts visionaries. It exists to ignite in young people the same passion for creative expression and cultural preservation that has defined Frances’s remarkable life of service.

EEF Undergraduate College Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to college students to support their programs in environmentally-related fields of study. Prior EEF HS winners are encouraged to apply for continued financial support.

The EEF Undergraduate College scholarship award can be as much as $4,000 for a student's sophomore, junior, or senior year. The Foundation generally awards four Undergraduate College Scholarships each year.​ These scholarships were established to benefit students from the Geneva Lake area.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Eleanor and Simon Weissberger Scholarship

The Eleanor and Simon Weissberger Scholarship applicants should:

• Reside within the 92113 zip code
• Be graduating high school seniors
• Plan to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university, community college, or licensed career/technical school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have parents who did not attend college
• Show a strong commitment to their community as demonstrated by their involvement in extra-curricular activities and/or community or faith-based service
• Not major in political, social, ethnic studies, and advocacy work

The Florence Emma Eichler Scholarship, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students pursuing any field of study in the USA. Applicants must be full-time students maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA, having graduated from high schools in Bexar or Llano County. This renewable scholarship provides funding for tuition, room and board, and transportation fees, aiding in the educational journey of deserving students for up to three years.

The Daily Bread Grants, offered by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, aim to support congregations with feeding ministries. Starting from November 1st, organizations can apply for $500 grants to help alleviate hunger in their communities. Priority is given to rural ministries, and applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted or until November 15th. This initiative not only provides immediate assistance but also encourages further financial support for food-based services.

The MHM Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports full-time students pursuing a career in healthcare. Eligible applicants include graduating Texas high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, exhibit strong academic performance in science, and demonstrate community involvement. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, covering tuition, fees, and books. Since 1964, the foundation has contributed millions to enhance the quality of life in San Antonio through education and community support.

The Ronald Dean Estes Scholarship, established in 2011, honors the legacy of Ronald Dean Estes, a dedicated resident and lawyer of Wenatchee. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from Chelan or Douglas counties, or Ritzville High School, who exhibit strong leadership and a passion for learning. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, and show involvement in community activities. Preference is given to first-generation college students.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Vocational Education Merit Award Fund

The Vocational Education Merit Scholarship was created to provide scholarships to two graduating high school seniors who have excelled academically and is a nomination based award.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Future Teachers Scholarship, offered by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, supports aspiring educators from the Elk Grove Unified School District. This scholarship is available to full-time students attending a four-year university or community college, with no specific financial need required. Applicants must engage in community activities and submit an essay reflecting on their community service experiences. Eligible schools include Elk Grove High and several others, with a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.

The Marshall O. Bell Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, offers financial assistance to current high school seniors in Bexar County. This scholarship supports students pursuing any area of study, requiring full-time enrollment in an accredited institution. Renewable for up to three years, it aims to alleviate the financial barriers to higher education, assisting students in achieving their academic goals and enhancing their community.