Best Grants for International Development in Illinois

The Hazel Herring Civic Improvement Grant, established by the Woman's National Farm and Garden Association, supports projects aimed at enhancing community spaces. Eligible initiatives include community gardens, playgrounds, and beautification efforts. This grant allows members to fund new phases of ongoing projects, fostering civic engagement and improving public areas. Since its inception, the grant has evolved from an award to a funding opportunity for branches and divisions, ensuring a lasting impact on local communities.

The Barbara Hodgdon Award, presented by the Shakespeare Association of America (SAA), honors exceptional scholarship in the field of Shakespeare and Performance. Established in memory of Barbara Hodgdon, this award encourages innovative research across various media and time periods related to Shakespeare's work. Eligible submissions must be authored by SAA members and published two years prior to the award presentation. This recognition promotes new discussions and insights within the realm of Shakespearean performance studies.

The AOE Fellowship, established by the ACI Foundation in memory of Wendy O. Ward, supports undergraduate students pursuing careers in sales, marketing, or public relations within the concrete industry. Awardees receive a $10,000 stipend for educational expenses, mentorship opportunities, and recognition in industry publications. This fellowship encourages students from diverse backgrounds to apply, fostering growth and innovation in the concrete sector. By participating, students gain valuable insights and support for their academic and career aspirations.

About 

Epilepsy Wellness Advocates (EWA) is a privately funded, research-informed organization focused on improving the quality of life for people living with epilepsy through collaborative partnerships and wellness-centered initiatives.

Free from pharmaceutical or institutional influence, we are committed to developing and supporting unbiased, evidence-based approaches to epilepsy management. Our efforts center on empowering individuals, families, and the organizations that serve them with practical tools, education, and support.

Epilepsy management extends far beyond clinical settings. Together with our partners, we’re building new ways to live well with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Wellness Advocates Research Grants

Epilepsy Wellness Advocates is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with epilepsy by funding innovative research, and impactful programs with our long-term strategic partnerships for epilepsy management through alternatives to pharmacological or surgical avenues.

We collaborate with leading organizations, researchers, and wellness providers to understand and develop integrative and wellness health solutions that enhance the daily lives of those living with epilepsy. Our goal is to enable our partners and providers to impact as many people with epilepsy as possible and provide them with the tools and resources they need to reduce the impact of epilepsy on people’s lives.

Categories of Grant Funding:

• Epilepsy Integrative Wellness Programs
• Epilepsy Integrative Wellness Research Studies
• Epilepsy Education and Toolkit Programs
• Epilepsy Education Scholarships & Education Emergency Supports

Program Outcomes of Grants:

• Improve quality of life and functional outcomes for people with epilepsy (PWE) and their caregivers.
• Reduce seizure frequency, severity, and overall seizure burden through evidence-informed approaches.
• Advance personalized, whole-person epilepsy management that reduces reliance on trial-and-error care.
• Increase access to epilepsy wellness information, programs, and tools for PWE, caregivers, and providers.
• Empower caregivers as essential partners by strengthening their education, tools, and ability to navigate care systems.
• Translate research into practical, day-to-day resources that improve real-world epilepsy management and decision-making.
• Drive innovation in epilepsy wellness and integrative care, including the development and validation of scalable management models.
• Address comorbidities, side effects and other treatment burdens, and lifestyle factors that materially affect epilepsy outcomes and daily functioning.
• Strengthen the epilepsy workforce and future provider pipeline, ensuring providers understand and are trained to treat epilepsy as a whole-person condition.
• Reduce stigma and social isolation that negatively impact independence, dignity, and participation for PWE.

The ACI Foundation Future Concrete Industry Leader Fellowship provides $10,000 to undergraduate students demonstrating leadership potential in the concrete industry. Recipients are recognized in Concrete International magazine and matched with industry mentors. The fellowship emphasizes self-motivation, integrity, and collaboration, with no internship requirement. Students must attend a U.S., Canadian, or Mexican institution and submit a report detailing the fellowship's impact on their career preparation. This initiative supports the next generation of concrete industry leaders.

The ACI Foundation Concrete Practitioner Fellowship supports undergraduate students pursuing careers in construction or design. Recipients receive a $10,000 educational stipend, recognition in industry publications, and mentorship opportunities. The fellowship emphasizes innovation and problem-solving skills, preparing students for future careers. International students attending institutions in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico are eligible. The program aims to bolster the concrete industry's future by equipping aspiring professionals with essential skills and experiences.

The Ronald G. Burg Leadership Fellowship, offered by the ACI Foundation, supports graduate and undergraduate students in concrete-related programs. Established in honor of Ron G. Burg's contributions to the concrete industry, it provides a $10,000 educational stipend, recognition in Concrete International magazine, travel expenses for two ACI conventions, and mentorship. International students attending institutions in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico are eligible, with a focus on developing future leaders in the concrete field.

The Center for Scholarship Administration

The Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) provides corporations, foundations, trust funds, and individual philanthropists scholarship selection and administration management that is experienced, professional, and cost efficient while lending the program an integrity not inherent in internal selection committees.

Wilson Family Memorial Scholarship

The Wilson Family Memorial Scholarship Fund is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

You must attend full-time an accredited, public or private, four-year college, university or conservatory training college located in the United States. Recipients must be enrolled full-time each semester and must be working towards a bachelor`s degree in music, or its equivalent.

This scholarship is a multiple year grant that will continue for a maximum of 4 years as long as the student meets the following requirements: attend an accredited college, university or conservatory training college located in the United States pursuing a degree in music, or its equivalent; remain in good academic standing. Students must remain enrolled full-time, continuously throughout the four-year scholarship.

The Craft Research Fund Grant, initiated in 2005, is a key program supporting scholarly craft research in the U.S. It funds researchers and curators exploring craft history and theory, with a focus on projects that reveal new insights into craft practices, relationships between hand-made and digital technologies, and global contexts for American craft. The grant aims to encourage innovation and interdisciplinary approaches in the field, while prioritizing applications from underrepresented populations.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.  

The Foundation has a scholarship portal with a quiz to help applicants determine scholarship eligibility. 

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support our state’s students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.”  

Alexa Montez Memorial Scholarship

For a graduating senior who demonstrates community involvement, passion, teamwork, leadership, and enthusiasm for achieving group goals.

About the Foundation

There is no health without mental health. The APA Foundation is working in your community to provide the support and resources we all need to prioritize mental wellbeing where you live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Our Mission

Promote the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Our Vision

A mentally healthy nation for all – where we live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Psychiatric Research Fellowship

The Psychiatric Research Fellowship provides funding for an early research career psychiatrist to design and conduct a health services/policy-related research study using national data housed at the APA. The Fellow's research activities will be carried out under the supervision and guidance of a mentor at his/her institution in collaboration with his/her mentor(s) at the APA Division of Research. This vital program will enable the APA and APA Foundation to actively participate in sustaining and strengthening the clinical investigators workforce specifically in psychiatry.

Program Benefits

• Receive funding (up to $45,000 per year) towards a research study that will address a major research topic impacting psychiatric practice.
• Receive mentorship from established researchers in the field of psychiatry in the design and implementation of his/her research study.
• Access to secondary national data (e.g., CMS Claims data; APA Registry data) to carry out his/her research study.
• Present his/her research at one or more APA meetings.
• Opportunity to attend additional meetings that provide further mentorship in psychiatric research (e.g., Early Research Career Breakfast).
• Have access to a lifetime network of APA member experts working in the field of psychiatric research.
• Establish relationships and peer-mentorship with a diverse group of residents and fellows with similar career interests and goals.
• Participate on an assigned APA Council or APAF initiative where organizational decisions are made.
• Gain an understanding of APA Governance through service on an APA Council, Committee or APAF initiative.
• Appear in the APA Convocation of Distinguished Fellows Program Book listings.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship

Created in 2023, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program which recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing.

The scholarship is given to a Master’s or Doctoral student demonstrating leadership in aspiring to achieve or continuing to achieve Magnet designation, such as being a Magnet Program Director/Coordinator, a leader of or actively involved as a member of their quality council, clinical indicator council or similar quality improvement program.

Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is an Emeritus NEF Board Member who has dedicated many years of service to the NEF Board of Directors, as President of NEF as well as Chair of the Bylaws Committee. A nursing administrator in multiple health care service organizations spanning 50 years, Dr. Bowar-Ferres has devoted more than three decades of her professional career to the Magnet Recognition Program, serving as an appraiser, team leader and team member. Under her leadership as the Chief Nursing Officer, NYU Langone Medical Center earned two successive Magnet designations. Her dedication to the Magnet Program is ongoing. Dr. Bowar-Ferres is dedicated to excellence in practice and all that Magnet recognition means. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholar shares these values and aspirations.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Scholarships provide financial support for high school seniors in Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt County. Annually, over 70 students benefit from these awards, ranging from $500 to $10,000, to pursue higher education. Funded by generous donors, the program aims to enhance educational outcomes in the community. Eligibility includes being a graduating senior or an existing college student previously awarded a multi-year scholarship. Various criteria may apply to each scholarship.

The Philip D. Raso Scholarship, established in 2016 by the Ann G. & James B. Ritchie Foundation, supports graduate nursing students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees. To qualify, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6, hold a current RN license, and have at least two semesters of study remaining. This scholarship honors Philip Raso's legacy and promotes nursing leadership through financial assistance for advanced education.

The Botany and Beyond: PLANTS III program, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Botanical Society of America, aims to support diverse undergraduate scholars attending the 2025 Botany conference. Participants will engage in immersive mentoring, scientific talks, workshops, and networking opportunities while exploring various botanical fields. With full funding for travel and accommodations, this program fosters an inclusive environment for budding botanists, encouraging professional development in a supportive community.

The Mary Katherine "Katy" Williamson Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Katy Williamson, established by her family after her passing in 2005. This scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in healthcare, both human and animal, at accredited institutions in the U.S. Recipients may renew the award annually for up to four years, contingent on maintaining eligibility. The fund reflects Katy's love for animals and nature, aiming to empower future generations to contribute positively to society.

The Point Foundation's Internship & Professional Development Award supports LGBTQ+ and ally students seeking hands-on learning experiences to advance their academic and career goals. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. degree program and apply for a summer 2025 professional development opportunity. Funding can cover costs for activities such as conferences, research, and internships, aimed at enhancing leadership skills and representation in various industries.

Compeer Financial's High School Senior Scholarship Program offers 105 scholarships of $2,000 each to graduating seniors in its 144-county territory. Eligible candidates must demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, and a passion for agriculture. Special consideration is given to dependents of Compeer clients and students from metropolitan areas. This competitive program aims to support the future leaders of agriculture and rural America, with awards paid directly to the recipients' colleges.

Dean and Vay Lousberg Scholarship

The Dean and Vay Lousberg Scholarship Fund was established to help aid in the financing of continuing education for graduating students from Northeastern Colorado high schools.

Scholarship amount:

• $2,000

Number of awards:

• 3

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

About Panorama GlobalPanorama Global is a social impact nonprofit that empowers changemakers through radical collaboration. We help our partners navigate the winding path from vision to impact. 

What We Do

• Collaboratives - Hosting and supporting collaborative efforts to achieve common goals.
• Fiscal Sponsorship - Financial and administrative support providing lean operating models to jumpstart projects.
• Funds - Philanthropic vehicles to manage and distribute funds that fuel global initiatives.

About  Innovative Postsecondary Models Fund

The Innovative Postsecondary Models (IPM) Fund supports innovative postsecondary education models that are rethinking how education is designed, delivered, financed, and assessed for learners in the United States.

The Fund is interested in innovations that benefit all learners, but especially learners whom the data show encounter the greatest obstacles to opportunity. The goal of this Fund is not only to provide funding to innovative models, but also to learn from selected grantees on how to reduce barriers to postsecondary access and increase student success outcomes to help inform the role philanthropy can play in supporting higher education innovation.

What We're Funding

We are seeking innovative postsecondary education models that demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, meaningful improvements in how learners access, experience, and benefit from postsecondary education. We seek approaches with the potential to scale, influence the field, and inform how postsecondary education evolves nationally.

To help illustrate the types of innovations we hope to support, we have organized this opportunity around four broad themes. These themes reflect key dimensions of postsecondary innovation that have the potential to improve learner outcomes and inform broader systems change.

All four themes are grounded in a shared principle: student-centeredness. Truly innovative postsecondary models must be designed around learner needs, especially the needs of learners whom the data show face the greatest barriers to access and success in traditional postsecondary education.

Applicants are not expected to address all four themes, but should demonstrate strong alignment with at least one of the following:

Reimagining Instructional Design, Delivery, Assessment, and Student Support

• What success might look like:
  • Innovative instructional models improve student persistence, completion, and post-completion success, particularly for historically underserved learners, while maintaining or reducing costs.
  • Learners benefit from personalized, adaptive instruction and competency-based assessments that enable them to demonstrate and document skills in ways that are recognized by employers and other educational institutions.

Advancing Affordability and Financial Sustainability

• What success might look like:
  • Learners spend less overall, face reduced financial risk, and access high-quality education pathways that lead to credentials supporting economic mobility.
  • Successful models demonstrate affordability not only through reducing costs for learners, but also by maintaining or reducing the cost of delivering high-quality education through sustainable, efficient approaches.

Career and Workforce Alignment

• What success might look like:
  • Work and learning are more demonstrably connected and flexible, with evidence that skills are more directly tied to credentials and real career opportunities.

Removing Barriers for Underserved Learners

• What success might look like:
  • More learners from backgrounds and communities who the data show have faced the greatest barriers to accessing postsecondary education are able to access, complete, and benefit from high-quality credentials.

LGBTQ Community Fund Grant

In 2010, civic leaders joined in a commitment to addressing a broad range of needs within the LGBTQ community, through strategic support to nonprofit organizations that serve it.

Through an operating grant from The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust and funding support from The Chicago Community Trust, the LGBTQ Community Fund serves as a tool to educate the region about LGBTQ issues and promote effective philanthropy to achieve strategic change.

For this grant cycle, the Fund will be funding proposals that serve the LGBTQ community in two areas:

• Basic needs, or 
• Civil rights and advocacy.

Grant Amounts Available and Term

For 2026, grants may be requested for general operating support. Grant amounts will generally range from $10,000 to $40,000, and the Fund will award up to $550,000 in total grants. The grant term is one year.

The Robert (Driz) Young Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Canton/McKinley High School with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. This scholarship is designed for students who have been accepted into accredited two- or four-year colleges or universities, providing essential financial assistance to help them achieve their academic goals and pursue higher education.

The Robert & Joyce Stokes Family Scholarship, provided by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools with a GPA of 2.75 or above and at least two varsity letters. This scholarship honors the Stokes' commitment to education and service. Recipients can renew the scholarship for up to three years by maintaining full-time enrollment and a GPA of 2.75, ensuring ongoing support for their educational journey.

The Shanna Stoffer Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, aims to support Ashland County residents pursuing degrees in Education. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, continuing college students, and non-traditional students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship provides financial assistance to those enrolled or planning to enroll in two or four-year colleges or graduate programs, fostering educational advancement in the community.

The Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Scholarship Program offers financial aid ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for veterans and military dependents pursuing geoscience degrees at accredited institutions. This program facilitates educational opportunities and aids in the transition of veterans to civilian careers. Eligible applicants must provide proof of military service and demonstrate financial need, along with academic excellence and a commitment to geoscience. This initiative aims to support both active service members and veterans in their educational journeys.

Logan County Nurses Scholarship

The Logan County Nurses Scholarship is available to nursing students who reside in Logan County and have been accepted into a nursing program working towards a ADN, BSN, or MSN.

Scholarship amount:

• $2,000

Number of awards:

• 3

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The OVC FY 2026 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking aims to enhance the availability and quality of services for minor victims. This funding opportunity reflects the commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice to combat human trafficking and provide critical resources to support law enforcement and service organizations. Applications must be submitted in JustGrants by October 5, 2026, ensuring timely access to vital funding for enhancing victim support services.