Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Franklin Research Grants support noncommercial research by funding travel to libraries and archives, purchasing research materials, and covering fieldwork or laboratory expenses. With a maximum award of $6,000, these grants are aimed at scholars with a doctorate or equivalent publications, excluding Ph.D. candidates. Grants are taxable, not retroactive, and are not intended for conference attendance or publication costs. The program encourages young scholars and allows reapplications after two years.

This funding opportunity invites academic and research institutions to enhance shared biomedical research facilities through the purchase of modern scientific equipment. Aimed at core laboratories and animal research facilities, the program seeks to improve operational efficiency and strengthen research-auxiliary activities. Note that the funding does not cover individual research instruments or indirect infrastructure components. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time.

The Fujieki Family Foundation Scholarship Fund supports graduates of Hawaii public high schools, established in 2018. Eligible applicants must be Hawaii residents with financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and plan to attend an accredited college or university in the U.S. Preference is given to those pursuing an AAS degree. This scholarship empowers local youth by providing essential financial support for their higher education.

The National Biomedical Research Centers (NBRCs) aim to enhance biomedical research by providing advanced equipment, scientific expertise, and innovative human-based models. Supported by NIH and other federal agencies, this initiative focuses on reducing reliance on live animal models through the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The program invites applications that propose actionable plans to refine and replace animal use, promoting innovative research at centers with existing nonhuman primate colonies.

Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship will provide need-based scholarships of up to $2,500 to service-oriented college freshmen who have completed a minimum of 60 hours of community service within the last 12 months. Awards will be issued in the 2025-2026 academic year, and may be renewed annually through the senior year.

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to the positive development of youth and future leaders. Through providing programs focused on financial literacy, education, mentoring, health and wellness, and early childhood development, the Foundation promotes the preparation of succeeding generations of leaders.

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 Stewart C. Watson Memorial Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, provides a $5,000 stipend to graduate students focusing on joints, bearings, or seismic systems in concrete structures. This scholarship supports educational pursuits and recognizes recipients in Concrete International magazine. Eligible candidates must be full-time master's or PhD students and should not have exceeded their second year of a master's or fourth year of a PhD program. This initiative promotes innovation in the concrete industry.

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 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) program by the Legal Services Corporation aims to enhance legal services for low-income populations through innovative technology. It encourages partnerships with justice organizations and supports projects that improve service delivery and efficiency. With a minimum funding request of $40,000, the program seeks to implement new strategies or enhance existing technologies to provide high-quality legal assistance. The initiative fosters replication of successful methodologies from previous projects and other sectors.

The Schneider Electric SkillPointe Scholarship aims to close the skills gap in America by providing $3,000 scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in building automation and related fields. Funded by the SkillPointe Foundation, this initiative is designed for students enrolled in relevant training programs who are passionate about energy and sustainability. With a proven success rate of 95% in training completion and 97% employment, this scholarship empowers workers to thrive in high-demand industries without requiring a four-year degree.

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.

Law Student Assistance Scholarship

Students entering their third year of law school (current second-year students approaching the third year).

Selection based upon:

• Financial need, above-average law school academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership in undergraduate and law school activities and in community, school, and church.

Awards

• Up to $3,500 in scholarships

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 Dream Big Technology Grant by KindCause.org aims to empower registered 501(c)(3) organizations by funding the implementation of Salesforce CRM. This initiative enhances nonprofit operations, enabling better donor management and campaign efficiency. With automated workflows and integrated tools, nonprofits can improve fundraising efforts and save valuable resources. Successful applicants will receive tailored technology roadmaps and potential funding for essential packages, ensuring they maximize their impact in the community.

The American College of Bankruptcy Foundation offers a Pro Bono Grant aimed at supporting legal services organizations that align with its mission. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, with some exceptions for innovative projects up to $20,000. Eligible initiatives focus on bankruptcy law and pro bono assistance, while ineligible projects include lobbying, fundraising, and those not directly related to debtor-creditor education. The Foundation encourages efforts that promote legal aid for disadvantaged communities.

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.

The Waltman - Howard Scholarship Fund

The Waltman – Howard Scholarship Fund was established by Kevin Howard, a 2015 graduate of Harper Creek, in honor of Sharon Waltman’s distinguished teaching career at Harper Creek Community Schools. Mrs. Waltman was Kevin’s 4th-grade teacher at Beadle Lake Elementary. She has made a tremendous impact on his life as she has done for countless other students in our community. Since finishing a successful 4th-grade year, Kevin and Mrs. Waltman have maintained a friendship to this day. Mrs. Waltman’s class helped inspire Kevin’s career in social impact. Mrs. Waltman is within a few years of retirement and is excited to see where the next chapter takes her. This scholarship is intended to recognize and support a Harper Creek student who embodies Mrs. Waltman’s dedication to education and her commitment to making a positive impact in one’s community.

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

William and Patricia Moises Scholarship

Be current college/university students or community college students. Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited community college, four-year college or graduate school in fall.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Judge and Mrs. Robert D. Horowitz Legal Scholarship Fund

The Judge and Mrs. Robert D. Horowitz Legal Scholarship Fund was established to assist high school graduates in Stark, Columbiana, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Wayne or Holmes County, Ohio. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites U.S. researchers to apply for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) in Arctic Sciences. This initiative aims to support innovative research that enhances understanding of the Arctic's changing environment and cultural systems. The program seeks to foster early career scientists and strengthen STEM workforce development, while also promoting collaboration across federal and international partners to advance Arctic research and logistical capabilities.

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.

The Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation provides crucial support for early-stage biomedical researchers in the first four years of their tenure-track positions at American institutions. With grants of $75,000 annually for up to three years, this funding aims to help investigators advance their projects towards securing independent funding. The foundation emphasizes the importance of a clear project description and requires a one to two-page lay summary, making it accessible to both scientific and non-scientific board members.

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.

The National Science Foundation's FINDERS FOUNDRY program fosters collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to address challenges in learning and workforce development. By creating innovative, evidence-based solutions, the program enhances educational outcomes and prepares students for a digital future driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). It emphasizes early exposure to AI, encouraging partnerships across various sectors to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions. The program includes phases for planning and development, aligning with national priorities.

The Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) initiative aims to enhance the engineering workforce through integrated research and education. It focuses on developing ethical engineers who can adapt to a changing technical landscape. PFE supports diverse training contexts, including formal education, internships, and community experiences, ensuring clear pathways into the profession. This initiative fosters collaboration among engineers, technical workers, and communities, enhancing the skills needed for global competition and technological advancement.

The Organizational Change in the Professional Formation of Engineers (ENGINEER:OC) initiative promotes innovative research and activities aimed at transforming engineering education and workforce development. Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), it seeks to enhance access to quality engineering programs across diverse institutions. Projects may involve implementing new curricular innovations or adapting existing models to different contexts, ultimately advancing the professional formation of engineers and fostering inclusive educational pathways.

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 PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Phillips 66, aims to expand access to quality STEM education in underserved communities. With a total grant of $10,000 available for the 2026-2027 academic year, the initiative focuses on middle and high school programs that foster student engagement in engineering and computer science. Priority will be given to schools with high-needs student populations, ensuring equitable educational opportunities and workforce preparedness for future generations.

The HEAL Initiative aims to enhance therapeutic medical devices through team science research, focusing on the mechanisms that drive their effectiveness. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) seeks to improve clinical outcomes by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. This initiative invites teams with expertise in engineering, biology, and clinical care to explore innovative device-based therapies. By understanding how these devices work, the program hopes to optimize existing technologies and inspire new designs, ultimately improving patient care.