Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Regional Public Interest Awards recognize eight outstanding law students annually for their dedication to public interest law. Selected by the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee, each recipient demonstrates exceptional commitment through volunteer work, internships, and clinics. Awardees receive a $250 cash prize and a commemorative plaque, celebrating their significant contributions to their communities and the legal profession.

The Design-Your-Own Fellowship by Equal Justice Works allows lawyers to create personalized projects addressing critical legal needs in underserved communities. Participants collaborate with preferred organizations to develop innovative solutions while receiving substantial financial support, health benefits, and professional training. This program not only enhances access to justice but also promotes diversity within public interest careers, empowering candidates to make meaningful impacts in their chosen fields.

The Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, established in 1975, awards $25,000 to the best book of poetry published in the U.S. the previous year. It includes a ten-day residency at Glen Hollow, New York, and distribution to Academy of American Poets members. Eligible poets must be U.S. citizens or residents and submit original works published in the prior year. Self-published books and translations are ineligible, promoting excellence in contemporary American poetry.

The Zimmer Biomet Foundation, established in 2018, supports health care professionals through fellowship funding aimed at enhancing education and clinical research. This private foundation focuses on improving community health and advancing STEM education, while also promoting diversity and inclusion. Importantly, funding decisions are made independently of any commercial interests in Zimmer Biomet's products, ensuring a commitment to quality education and patient care.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Ina White Hereford Memorial Scholarship

David J. White, son; Cozine A. White Short, daughter; and Mitzi Short, granddaughter, established this fund in memory of their mother and grandmother, Ina Fern (White) Hereford. This memorial fund initially provided scholarships for students, grades 3-6, attending the Gloria S. Friend Christian Academy at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the Ina Fern (White) Hereford Scholarship provides financial support to college-bound youth who are members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Ina Fern (White) Hereford (1910-2000) was born in North Wilkesboro, NC, and lived in Columbus, OH for most of her life. She was a faithful member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for over 60 years. She served as the church clerk and for 12 years, she served as the Church Secretary. Affectionately known as “Mother Dear,” her great mission in life was to be a teacher and storyteller. She told Bible stories at the Juvenile Detention Center located at 50 E. Mound Street for more than 16 years. She exemplified a tower of faith and strength in God. All whose lives were touched by this beloved Christian woman were truly blessed. She left a legacy that is admired and remembered.

The scholarship honors her legacy – her love for God and her church, her passion for education, and her tireless effort to “put feet on her prayers.”

The ASPCA's Rescue Effect Campaign Grants provide $1.8 million to support animal welfare organizations in the U.S. during a crucial adoption initiative. Eligible non-profits can receive funding based on their intake of adoptable pets and commitment to hold fee-waived adoption days. The program aims to promote responsible pet adoption and community involvement, making a significant impact on animal welfare during the months of August to October.

The Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship is a transformative year-long program designed for experienced educators and systems leaders. It offers intensive professional development through coaching, in-person and virtual learning experiences, and community building. Participants tackle real-world challenges in their districts using the CREATE framework, enhancing their leadership skills and impact. The fellowship aims to reimagine K-12 public education by supporting leaders in creating sustainable solutions for improved student outcomes.

The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown offers a prestigious Writing Fellowship for emerging writers. This seven-month residency, running from October to April, provides a $1250 monthly stipend, private accommodations, and a $1000 exit stipend for relocation. With a legacy of supporting notable writers like Louise Glück and Jhumpa Lahiri, the fellowship emphasizes self-directed creative time. Application fees vary by date, starting at $40, to enhance accessibility for all applicants.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Grants

The South Dakota Community Foundation offers an array of grants to help state nonprofits realize their dreams and continue investing in their communities. 

Lamport Family Foundation College Grant

The purpose of this grant is to provide scholarships to graduates of Marshall County schools in memory of Steve Lamport and the Lamport Family. Applicants must exhibit the qualities of leadership, good citizenship, honesty, and personal initiative. The amount and number of scholarships awarded shall be determined by the Advisory Council and will be based on the amount of funding available for distribution. Funds will be distributed for the second semester (or quarter) and will be distributed directly to the postsecondary institution. 

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

South Dakota Beadle Club Foundation

To provide financial support for South Dakota Beadle Club activities and scholarships.

The South Dakota Beadle Club took its name from General William Henry Harrison Beadle who served the people of South Dakota in many ways in promoting a sound system of public schools. One of the stated purposes of the South Dakota Beadle Club is to emulate the motives and ideals of General Beadle in his support of the public schools of the state. 

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Scholarship Fund of The Stephen H. Barmakian Family Foundation

Stephen H. Barmakian was born in Cambridge, MA on July 5, 1926, a son of the late Haroutune Kevork and Armenoohi Barmakian. He grew up with his brother Haig in a tight-knit and loving family, and the two brothers, although four years apart, were as close as twins. Stephen was a standout athlete and talented enough on the baseball field to have been signed to a major league contract by the Boston Red Sox. His plans to work the diamond were interrupted by World War II and a few months after graduating from Watertown High in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army. Stephen’s older brother and best friend, who he affectionately called ‘Haigy,’ had been fighting with General George S. Patton’s Third Army since the liberation of Europe had begun earlier that year. On the first of February, 1945, Haigy was killed in action fighting with his unit in Germany and the world changed forever for Stephen and his family. It took weeks for the news to come home to Watertown, and even longer to reach Stephen. Following his discharge from the Army at the war’s end, Stephen enrolled at Northeastern University and later transferred to Boston University, all while resurrecting his baseball career. He played for a time with the Saint Louis Browns organization. Until his retirement, Stephen worked for the federal government as a public relations specialist. He was a member of Pequossette Lodge A.F. & A.M., and had been a life member of The Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts. He remained active and independent all his life and was known to walk for miles well into his eighties. He is remembered by many dear friends, including Joseph Balian and Madeline Ives.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Fred F. and Herman M. Dreier Scholarship

The scholarship was founded to support students from Muskingum County, Ohio who plan to pursue an education in engineering, pre-medicine, agriculture, or veterinary science.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Donald Franklin and Marilyn Good Holdren Scholarship

Marilyn Good Holdren was born in 1938 in Chillicothe, OH. She received her formal education at Huntington High School and Franklin School of Science and Arts. She served as a medical transcriptionist at Chillicothe Hospital for eight years, and spent the remainder of her life dedicated wo her work and friends at Battelle Memorial Institute. In 1963, she met the love of her life, Donald Franklin Holdren, and in 1975, they were married.

The DAV Charitable Service Trust provides essential support to empower veterans in leading dignified lives. This private funder focuses on rehabilitation programs, mobility enhancements for veterans with disabilities, and assistance for aging and homeless veterans. Additionally, it addresses the needs of veterans affected by recent conflicts and supports their caregivers and families. Grants are available to eligible organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, ensuring that the trust's mission effectively reaches those who have served.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Carol Strip Whitney Scholarship

The Carol Strip Whitney Scholarship represents a life of passion, as she has taught gifted children for 45 years. Dr. Carol believes in the abilities of gifted children to make this world a better place. These children will be our leaders, our researchers, our inventors. It is her belief that an investment in their futures can only serve to awaken the important aspects of learning for the world of tomorrow. 

Applicants to the scholarship intend to be among the leaders of the next generation.

The Advancement Grant Program provides flexible matching grants to support Los Angeles County school districts in delivering quality arts education. With funding up to $25,000, the program enables districts to invest in projects aligned with their arts plans, ensuring sustainable practices beyond the grant term. Backed by the Funders Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors, it leverages public and private resources to enhance instruction in various art forms, including dance, music, and visual arts.

The Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, provides financial support to aspiring leaders in aviation. With over $518,900 in scholarships available for 2025, this program aids students whose families are involved in the A.A.E. community. Applicants are evaluated based on academic performance, financial need, and community engagement. This initiative not only helps students pursue their education but also strengthens the future of the aviation industry.

Franklin County Retired Teachers Association Peggy Grate Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Franklin County Retired Teachers Association scholarship fund assists current teachers in a Franklin County public school system as they return to school to pursue their Master's degree.

Award Amount:

• Two $1,000 graduate level scholarships

David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant Program

The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), today announced the launch of the David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant, a new $1.5 million, 10-year commitment to support the health and well-being of military and veteran communities by prioritizing social connection.

Each year, $150,000 will be awarded to one nonprofit serving military and veteran communities to support programs that strengthen connections, improve well-being, and increase stability for individuals and families navigating key life transitions.

How the Grant Supports Military Communities

The Courage in Service Grant will support nonprofit organizations that deliver:

• Programs that reduce isolation and strengthen resilience among military families through peer support
• Community-centered health and wellness hubs offering physical activity, wellness programming, and mental health support
• Transition-focused services that help individuals and families navigate key military life moments such as deployment, relocation, recovery, and reintegration

About

Since awarding our first grants in 2002, the Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) has provided over $1,400,000 in grant funding for more than 50 local nonprofit organizations who serve the people of Lawrence Township. Operating with a completely volunteer board of directors, the LTCF serves as a careful clearinghouse for funds donated by corporate sponsors who have entrusted this significant funding to the Foundation.

In 2023, The Lawrence Township Community Foundation established the LTCF Community Service Scholarship to recognize outstanding Lawrence Township students with a history of volunteering in Lawrence Township.

Amount

$500 (two honorees will be selected and announced in late May)

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) CMH

This scholarship was established to assist dependents of an active member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Columbus, Ohio Chapter.

Award Amount:

• $1,500

Emma Carter Browning Scholarship Education Plan Fund

Graduating or have graduated from High School in the following Texas Counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Hamilton, Shackleford and Stephens.

Awards

(3) $3,000.00

About Us

Our mission is to serve as a catalyst in maximizing the skills and creativity of educators at the K-12 levels and in cultivating pioneering approaches to teaching that result in dynamic student learning.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation sponsors proposals that enhance student learning and educational quality, paying particular attention to those that best serve the at-risk and under-funded, including:

• Curriculum that excites and challenges
• Inquiry projects that promote reflection and growth
• After-school programs that enrich and inspire

The Foundation partners with individuals to expand educational opportunities for America’s youth that inspire students by nurturing their curiosity about the world and their place in it. Funding includes scholarships that provide far more than just tuition and books; grants that benefit the lives of more than just those who receive them; and results that reach far beyond the classroom in which the projects are introduced.

Student Teaching Scholarships/Mentoring

Designed to instill a lifelong, passionate commitment to education and learning at the highest level, McCarthey Dressman scholarships offer financial and mentoring support to educators who will be student teaching in their final year of a qualified teacher education program. Foundation mentors offer one-on-one guidance and attention to nurture the next generation of teachers. Scholarship recipients acquire and strengthen exemplary teaching practices that promote learning by their own students.

The Foundation awards one-year scholarships in the amount of $6,000 each to college students enrolled in teacher education programs at New Mexico State University; the University of California, Santa Cruz; The University of Texas at Austin; and Stephen F. Austin State University.

Consider applying for this scholarship if... 

• you are interested in maximizing your student teaching experience
• you believe that working with a mentor would add to your training experience
• you can provide documentation of financial need for the year in which you will be student teaching

The Lingnan W.T. Chan Fellowship Program provides transformative educational experiences for Chinese students in the U.S. through service learning and intercultural exchange. Inspired by Professor Wing-Tsit Chan, this program emphasizes a commitment to service, personal growth, and leadership development. Fellows engage with non-profit organizations, gaining practical experience while living with American families and participating in seminars and reflection meetings, fostering intercultural understanding and professional skills.

The Ladies’ Branch of the New Bedford Port Society Scholarship, managed by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, supports students with familial ties to the sea or descendants of seamen. This scholarship aims to promote education in maritime-related fields. Eligible applicants must reside in specific SouthCoast communities or plan to pursue maritime sciences. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over $50 million to enhance the region's educational, humanitarian, and cultural landscape.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.

William and Eleanor Cleveland Scholarship

The scholarship provides assistance to dependent children of members of Columbus Division of Fire.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $1,000