Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Donald W. F. Ching Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Donald Ching, a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines employee. This scholarship is aimed at students in Hawaii who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to first-generation college students and those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Aviation at an accredited institution in the U.S. The fund supports educational advancement for future aviation professionals.

The Monticello College Foundation Fellowship for Women, offered by The Newberry Library, supports pre-tenure women scholars aiming for future scholarly productivity. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for research within a rich collection, fostering innovative projects that focus on women's studies. Recipients will benefit from an immersive experience in a collaborative academic environment. By prioritizing projects that effectively utilize the Newberry's extensive resources, this fellowship contributes significantly to advancing scholarship in various fields.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding initiatives to enhance the value of scientific datasets through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) methods. This program aims to facilitate interdisciplinary research and unlock new insights by applying AI for feature extraction, metadata generation, and dataset integration. Proposals should ensure data security and promote collaboration with various sectors to advance AI-driven scientific discovery. By aligning with NSF priorities, researchers can contribute to cutting-edge science and technology for broader participation in STEM.

The Graduate Student Conference Support Fund, provided by the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, aims to assist ABDs and recent PhDs in attending the Annual Meeting. This fund offers free or reduced registration for eligible students. Each year, the number of awards depends on contributions to the fund. Membership in ASECS is required for eligibility, and only one award can be granted to each recipient, ensuring broad access to this valuable support.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Awards

Cooper Black Award for Creativity

The Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement honors Mensa members whose innovative solutions and practical creativity have brought meaningful benefits to the world.

Details

The Copper Black Award annually recognizes Mensa International members who have demonstrated a specific creative achievement with practical value. This award honors innovations that have been implemented, at least in part, to benefit others.

Award Components

The Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, provides scholarships to aspiring lawyers from Franklin County, PA. Eligible candidates must have been accepted into a three-year J.D. program, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to support local talent in pursuing legal education and fostering community engagement through the legal profession.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) fosters groundbreaking research in electrical, communications, and computing systems through programs like Electronic, Photonic, Magnetic, and Quantum Devices (EPMQD) and Circuits and Systems for Communications and Sensing (CSCS). These initiatives emphasize innovative foundational research, particularly in power and energy systems, while being open to transformative ideas without immediate commercial outcomes. Funding availability will shape the portfolios of ECCS awards.

Mission

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization founded in 1923. The Council fosters innovative research, nurtures new generations of social scientists, deepens how inquiry is practiced within and across disciplines, and mobilizes necessary knowledge on important public issues.

SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grants

The SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program provides grants of up to $20,000 to US academic institutions or consortia of institutions to host Japan-based faculty for a six-week stay in the United States. This program is supported by the Japan Foundation.

Background

At the core of the Next Gen Japan Program is the idea that scholarly engagement and collaboration by students and scholars across disciplines, the boundaries of the nation-state, and cultures are central to effectively addressing the pressing concerns facing societies today.

The Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grants provides Japan-based faculty who research Japanese society an opportunity for intellectual engagement with US faculty, students, and local communities. It further provides the professor with professional development experience in presenting their work in English and conducting their own research in the US.

Hosting institutions, likewise, will gain access to international scholars and exposure to research from outside the United States.

Priorities

Priority is given to:

• Visiting professors hosted at liberal arts colleges, universities, college consortia, or community colleges located in the US South and Midwest for the duration of the grant.
• The hosting of early- to mid-career faculty.
• Engagement Plans that are designed to attract interdisciplinary audiences and support interdisciplinary networking ranging from academic fields such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the wider general public.

The National Wildlife Federation's Ecoleader Fellowship offers graduate students the opportunity to conduct impactful market research that enhances NWF's Education and Engagement programs. Selected fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend while developing vital skills, contributing to critical research goals aimed at understanding EcoLeader market segments, and analyzing best practices for environmental education initiatives. This fellowship not only supports individual career growth but also fosters a network of emerging leaders committed to sustainability.

The Luce/ACLS Collaborative Grant in China Studies offers up to $150,000 for innovative pilot activities aimed at addressing pressing challenges in China Studies over 12 to 18 months. The grant encourages collaborative proposals that enhance teaching resources, develop open-access materials, and promote professional development. Successful projects may lead to new networks, sustainability plans, or white papers. This initiative aims to foster transformative change within the academic community focused on China.

Mission

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization founded in 1923. The Council fosters innovative research, nurtures new generations of social scientists, deepens how inquiry is practiced within and across disciplines, and mobilizes necessary knowledge on important public issues.

SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Postdoctoral Fellowship

The SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program invites US colleges and universities to apply for grants to support postdoctoral fellowships. This program provides grants of up to $60,000 as partial support for the hiring of recent PhD students specializing in Japan to both teach and conduct research on Japan, within any social science or humanities discipline, at the institution for one academic year. This program is supported by the Japan Foundation.

Background

The Next Gen Japan Postdoctoral Fellowship provides an opportunity for fellows to conduct essential research early in their careers while concurrently gaining valuable teaching experience and a greater understanding of the demands of professorship through this bridge from graduate school to tenure track positions.

Further, this fellowship provides host institutions with the means to enrich the offering of Japan-related courses, in particular, while enhancing the depth of a broad array of disciplines through the use of Japan in comparison or as a case study.

Priorities

• Priority is given to applications from colleges and universities located in the US South and Midwest.
• Priority is given to institutions planning Postdoctoral Fellow course assignments that allow for the enrollment of students from a variety of disciplines ranging from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Wyoming-Sullivan Counties Bar Association Scholarship

Established by the Bar Association of Wyoming and Sullivan Counties to provide college assistance to a High School graduate from those two counties who will major in the legal profession.

The Wyoming/Sullivan County Bar Association created its annual scholarship in 2020 to provide assistance to a deserving high school graduating from those two counties who plans on majoring in the areas of pre-law, criminal justice or sociology. The intent is to encourage the graduate to pursue a career in these fields and to return to their home county upon attaining their graduate or post-graduate degree in order to provide these needed services to their local community.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois offers Opportunity Grants of up to $1,000 to support nonprofit organizations facing unforeseen events that disrupt essential services. Applications are accepted anytime, with a response provided within 2-3 weeks. Eligible organizations must serve individuals within a 50-mile radius of Peoria, IL, and be in good standing with the IRS. These grants aim to help organizations like shelters, which may temporarily close due to issues such as infestations.

The Global Micro-Residencies Grant, sponsored by the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts, supports tenure-line faculty from the College of Arts & Letters in pursuing scholarly micro-residencies abroad. With grants up to $7,000, faculty can engage in international collaboration and enhance their scholarship through prestigious host institutions outside the U.S. Additional funding is available for graduate research assistants. The program emphasizes collaborative scholarly exchange and requires prior arrangement with host institutions.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), recognizes individuals for their exceptional contributions to mathematics education over a lifetime. Established in 1994, this prestigious honor celebrates those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, teaching, and service in the field. Eligible nominees must have at least 25 years of distinguished service and may receive the award posthumously, reflecting their lasting impact on the profession.

The Josephine de Karman Fellowship, managed by the Pasadena Community Foundation, supports final-year PhD students from select California universities with a $28,000 award for the 2025-2026 academic year. This prestigious fellowship, established in memory of Josephine de Karman, aims to honor academic excellence and encourages applicants from diverse disciplines, particularly within the Humanities. Eligible candidates must defend their dissertations around June 2026 and demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.

The G. Rollie White Trust Fellowship promotes access to justice by funding a recent Texas Law graduate or judicial clerk to work with a public interest legal organization. This one-year fellowship, supported by the William Wayne Justice Center, encourages innovative projects aimed at assisting underrepresented communities. Candidates must identify a host organization and outline their proposed work, ensuring impactful legal service delivery. This fellowship exemplifies a commitment to public interest law and community support.

The American Research Institute in Turkey and the Türk-Amerikan Ilmi Arastırmaları Derneği are pleased to announce the Ilse Böhlund Hanfmann, George Maxim Anossov Hanfmann, and the Machteld Johanna Mellink Fellowships for 2026. The purpose of these fellowships is to enable nationals of the Republic of Türkiye who are PhD students at Turkish universities working on their PhD theses, or recent PhD holders and currently in Türkiye working towards a career in Türkiye, to conduct research in affiliation with universities or research institutions abroad (in North America or elsewhere) for a period ranging from three to nine months.

The Affiliate Grant – Kenneth B. Cummins Grant for Partner Affiliates, offered by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, supports creative projects that enhance the visibility of mathematics teachers and their affiliates. Eligible applicants must be NCTM associate affiliates in good standing and address significant needs in their mathematical communities. Projects should be innovative and completed within a specified timeframe. This grant fosters collaboration and engagement in mathematics education.

The Northwestern University Publication Subvention Grants support eligible faculty and graduate students with production costs or translation expenses for published works. Applicants must have a formal publication contract for a book or journal article. Priority is given to tenure-track assistant professors, and only one grant is allowed per year. Non-allowable expenses include travel, advertising, and the purchase of copies. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers the Affiliate Grant for Associate Affiliates to enhance mathematics education. This grant supports innovative projects that align with NCTM's Strategic Framework, aiming to improve visibility and engagement within the educational community. Eligible applicants must be in good standing and address significant needs in their mathematical communities. The project activities should be unique and completed within the academic year from August 1 to July 31.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

About Hans and Margo Nagel Scholarship

This scholarship provides assistance with education expenses for a citizen and resident of Henderson County who graduates from a high school in Henderson County. This scholarship is for someone who is doing things to prevent and break the cycle of desperate need and is to act as an incentive for the recipient to do something, primarily in using education, to pull his or her life together and make a better life for himself or herself and the next generation.

This is a renewable scholarship.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Individuals, families, organizations and businesses establish funds at the Foundation to carry out their charitable giving now and in the future.

Community Foundation of Henderson County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity, governed by a volunteer board of directors, that has been assisting donors fulfill their philanthropic dreams since 1982.

Our Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.

Scholarships

Community Foundation of Henderson County's Scholarship Program began in 1984. Thanks to the generosity of passionate donors, over 2,000 traditional and non-traditional students have been provided more than $10 million in scholarships to pursue higher education.

Valley Clinic Scholarship

Applicant must be pursuing a degree in the health care field who demonstrates financial need and academic merit. Applicant must be a full-time resident of the Hickory Nut Gorge community.

The NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13) program aims to fund high-quality scientific gatherings that enhance occupational safety and health research. It supports meetings that align with NIOSH's mission and priorities, encouraging the exchange of information on relevant topics. Applications should focus on advancing research in these areas, fostering collaboration among professionals. Note that training-only events are not eligible for funding under this program.

The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation's President's Grants support educational projects that enhance health professional training. The foundation prioritizes diversity, collaboration, and ethical navigation in clinical learning environments. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, primarily aligning with these priorities, and are capped at $25,000, including a maximum of 10% for indirect costs. Applications are accepted year-round from tax-exempt institutions focusing on medical and nursing education.

Parrot Head Emergency Phund Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the Emergency Phund is to aid Parrot Heads with financial assistance during difficulties resulting from a natural disaster. The Phund is maintained by the Board of Directors on the Lone Palm Foundation and applications will be reviewed by this board. Assistance approval is based on Board review and availability of funds.

Application Procedure

Please be as detailed as possible when completing your application. This will ensure The Lone Palm Foundation Board has all the information they need to review and make a decision on your application. Once your complete application and verification documents have been submitted, it will be reviewed in the order it was received. If the Lone Palm Foundation Board should need additional information, please be sure to provide this in a timely manner. Failure to provide the information in a timely manner could result in loss of consideration for funding.

Repayment and Donation

There is no requirement for repayment of the financial assistance provided through the Lone Palm Foundation Emergency Phund. We do encourage all Parrot Heads to help The Lone Palm Foundation continue its operations by making a donation once the crisis has passed. This donation will allow us to help many other Parrot Heads who find themselves in the same situation.

The Innovative Traffic Safety Enforcement (ITSE) Grant Program aims to develop effective traffic safety enforcement initiatives to reduce motor vehicle crashes caused by risky driving behaviors. It encompasses three evaluation phases, with deadlines from September 2026 to September 2027. This program seeks to fund scalable and repeatable projects that align with the Department of Transportation's mission and executive priorities, enhancing safety across the United States.