Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Tim and Sharon (Hemmeter) Buren Scholarship, managed by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors and current students from Mapleton or Northwestern high schools. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and gain acceptance to an accredited college or vocational school. This scholarship encourages educational advancement, providing crucial financial assistance to both traditional and non-traditional students, thereby contributing to the community's future prosperity.

The Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, support research in clinical medicine across various fields, including internal medicine and psychiatry. Each fellowship provides $40,000 annually for up to two years, contingent on satisfactory progress. Eligible candidates include those with recent M.D. or Ph.D. degrees, and applicants must conduct research under a scientific advisor in the U.S. Preference is given to those with limited postdoctoral training.

Mission

The Fish Family Foundation of Maine is a faith based charitable organization located in Bangor, Maine. Founded in 2007, our mission is to provide resources for many initiatives including, but not limited to, missions, education scholarships, ministries, medical research, and employment creation. The Fish Family Foundation of Maine is primarily funded by the family. However, contributions from like minded individuals and organizations is appreciated. The Fish Family Foundation of Maine has a balanced strategy of making funds available for immediate needs, while also investing to build a perpetual earning endowment ensuring the Foundation's successful future.

Missions:

We support needs of missionary organizations including sponsorships for young people who wish to attend youth group sponsored mission trips. We ordinarily make one time contributions but on occasion have made up to a three year commitment. 

Education/Scholarships:

The Foundation makes scholarships available to Colleges, Universities, and other Schools for student enrollment and expenses. We also consider new construction, existing renovation, equipment, and support material contributions.

Independent Churches and Ministries:

We accept a wide variety of requests, including, but not limited to: materials, equipment, new construction, renovations, programs, and services. 

Medical Research:

We support medical research opportunities close to our hearts and organizations that our family and friends have experienced. 

Job Creation:

We Support organizations that fund entrepreneurs in impoverished areas to start small businesses providing services and employment to the community.

Requests are considered by the trustees the first week of each month. Foundation payments are made by paper check in US dollars and are reported to the appropriate tax agencies. While we certainly wish that we could contribute to all the applications that meet our funding criteria, there are times when when available funding is limited and we are not able to contribute to some very worthy causes. If we are not in a position to help in the timeline requested, we will keep the information on file for possible consideration in the future. 

The ECMC Foundation focuses on eliminating equity gaps in postsecondary education by 2040 through strategic grantmaking and investments. They support organizations aiming to remove barriers to completion, build institutional capacity, and transform the postsecondary ecosystem. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, government entities, and postsecondary institutions. However, funding is not available for personal scholarships, political activities, or projects outside the U.S. that do not align with the Foundation's mission of diversity and inclusion.

The Edward P. Suchecki Family Scholarship, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports local high school senior athletes pursuing a business career. Named after Ed Suchecki, a dedicated coach and businessman who valued education, this scholarship prioritizes financial need and favors football and golf players. Applicants must submit their transcripts and other required documents. This initiative aims to empower young athletes to achieve their educational goals.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) was established in 2007 to support veterans facing challenges that traditional systems could not fully address. From its earliest days, DVNF has been focused on closing critical gaps in care and providing resources that help veterans rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

Guided by this commitment, DVNF developed its Health & Comfort programs, offering emergency financial assistance, housing transition support, food assistance, comfort kits, and wellness initiatives. These programs are designed to meet veterans where they are and to provide practical solutions that restore hope and stability. Today, DVNF continues to grow as a trusted national nonprofit. Every day, our team works with a clear purpose: to change lives for the men and women who have served our country.

Veterans Food Assistance Program

It is our goal to ensure that no veteran goes hungry by providing essential food assistance and household support, fostering stability and well-being in the lives of our veterans and their families.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program (VFAP) is designed to provide a one-time grant of essential food and household support to veterans and their families, ensuring no veteran goes hungry. With the rising cost of living, especially food prices due to inflation, this program offers a much-needed lifeline to those who have served our country. Once approved, the DVNF program team will handle the shopping for you.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program provides a one-time grant per household to support different family sizes, given the rising cost of food:

• Married Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Married - No Children up to $250
  • Married - 1 Child up to $300
  • Married - 2 Children up to $450
  • Married - 3+ Children up to $500
• Single Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Single - No Children up to $200
  • Single - 1 Child up to $300
  • Single - 2 Children up to $350
  • Single - 3+ Children up to $450

The BJA FY 2026 Tribal Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program aims to enhance Tribal justice systems through specialized technical support. This funding opportunity addresses critical issues such as violent crime and substance-use related crime, including opioids. By assisting federally recognized Indian Tribes, the program promotes the development of sustainable legal and corrections infrastructure while fostering collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. Applications are due by October 28, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The Joette P. Delia Curiano Scholarship is designed for graduating high school seniors from specific schools in the Greater Capital Region who plan to pursue a degree in health care or nursing. Applicants must demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. This scholarship is part of a universal application process, allowing students to apply for multiple scholarships with one form, thereby increasing accessibility to educational funding.

The Les Paul Foundation Grant supports innovative music education and medical research related to hearing loss. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based public charities under 501(c)(3) and avoid religious, political, labor, or business affiliations. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance music production, performance, and STEM/STEAM initiatives, particularly those benefiting individuals in challenging situations. Proposals must detail how they will share Les Paul's legacy in their work.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking applications for studies that explore how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk, emphasizing the need for innovative research in this area. This funding opportunity encourages the participation of researchers who focus on the long-term impacts of bariatric surgery beyond weight loss and diabetes, addressing critical gaps in understanding the disease mechanisms involved. Key deadlines for application submissions span from February 2025 to October 2027.

Delta Workforce Grant Program

The Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP) is an initiative designed to build long-term community capacity and increase economic competitiveness by providing grants to support workforce training and education programs throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

DWP supports projects and initiatives that create a more vibrant economic future for the Delta region by expanding opportunities to recruit, train, and retain a diverse and local workforce; aligning workforce and economic development strategies; creating sustainable talent pipelines; establishing or enhancing locally/regionally significant sector-based partnerships; and supporting enhanced workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming or services.

The Child Neurology Foundation offers a Summer Scholarship for first, second, or third-year medical students interested in neurodevelopmental disabilities or child neurology. This scholarship provides $3,500 for clinical research focused on neurodevelopmental disabilities in children or young adults, conducted under the supervision of a qualified subspecialist. Applications are evaluated based on their importance, originality, and contribution to the medical student's development.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Patient Care Fund

The NAFC Patient Care Fund supports direct patient services that expand immediate access to care. This funding is designed to help NAFC members meet urgent patient needs by supporting clinical supplies, expanded services, contracted providers, transportation assistance, medication access, and other direct care resources.

About

Created by the community for the good of the community, the GLCCF is here to turn problems into opportunities through strategic grant making and initiatives created to address our region’s most pressing needs. We work with you to identify your charitable goals, and we ensure that they are carried out efficiently.

Work with us to make the kind of impact you want to see in your community. Let us take on the financial complexities and paperwork, while you focus on the important things like fostering good works throughout our community.

When you give to the Greater Lake City Community Foundation, you are making an investment that will benefit the community, now and in the future.

GLLCF Nursing Scholarship

To award annually a scholarship to a qualified applicant who intends to further his/her education toward a degree in nursing.

The Whitaker Foundation, established in 1975, supports arts and parks initiatives in St. Louis, Missouri. By funding arts organizations and park projects, it enriches community life through creativity and shared spaces. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and provide free public programming. The foundation does not fund playgrounds, sports leagues, or individual grants, ensuring support is directed towards impactful community projects that promote relaxation, beauty, and celebration.

The Robert L. Johnson Memorial Research Grant, offered by the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society, supports graduate students in aquatic plant management with grants of up to $10,000. This initiative promotes research that advances the management of aquatic ecosystems and fosters educational opportunities. Recipients are required to present their findings at the annual conference, contributing to the society's mission of sustainable aquatic resource management and ecological preservation.

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.

Martha Rodriguez Scholarship Fund

Martha Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 2025 by Lisa Ackerman, close friend and then Director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Raised in Gary, Indiana and a true New Yorker, Martha died as the result of traumatic head injuries from a tragic accident just outside her NYC apartment. Martha Rodriguez gave in life, working as a nurse helping patients navigate the trauma of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In her death, she was lauded by the President of LiveOnNY, an organization that coordinates and oversees organ donations, for her last selfless act of giving. Martha donated organs that gave life and hope and helped three people lead better lives. Her zest for life was contagious, and her dedication, compassion, and expertise left an indelible mark on the lives of countless MSKCC patients and caregivers. She was a friend and mentor to many. She loved being a nurse at MSKCC and worked for more than 28 years as a nurse practitioner and for the last 15 years of her life dealing with breast cancer patients. This scholarship is awarded to nurses studying in master's or doctoral programs who are dedicated to oncology care, or women’s health, or are Latinx nurses.

The ABPN Dorthea Juul, PhD, Education Research Award offers up to $100,000 for research projects aligned with the ABPN's mission of enhancing lifelong learning and certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists. Two awards each in psychiatry and neurology are available annually, with projects lasting up to two years. Eligible applicants must hold faculty appointments or have confirmed offers, comply with conflict of interest policies, and, if MDs or DOs, maintain ABPN certification and licensure.

The Alkermes Pathways Research Awards program aims to foster research in neuroscience, specifically targeting schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. With grants up to $100,000, it supports early-career investigators exploring critical areas, including sleep and circadian disturbances related to these conditions. This initiative addresses the urgent need for innovative solutions in mental health research, empowering the next generation of scientists to make impactful contributions in understanding and treating these complex disorders.

The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, provides a $7,500 annual scholarship for doctoral students completing coursework at accredited institutions. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in pre-candidacy scholarships and a total of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. The Foundation encourages research in areas such as acute care, cardiology, pulmonary health, and PT education, fostering a new generation of skilled researchers in physical therapy.

Who We Are & What We Do

On November 26, 1997, a small group of citizens with an abundance of enthusiasm embarked on a mission to secure the quality of life in our region now and forever. By yearend, they had a modest $1,050. Through commitment and vision, the Quincy Area Community Foundation expanded and grew to become the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. 

Serving 12 counties on both sides of the Mississippi River, we operate as a bridge between our donors’ charitable visions and the nonprofit organizations that bring those visions to life. 

Communityworks Endowment Fund

Communities in Illinois, Missouri, and across the country face challenges in early childhood education, workforce development, and land use and protection. However, many lack the resources to address and advance them. In 2003, the Grand Victoria Foundation (GVF) launched the Communityworks initiative to strengthen Illinois Community Foundations’ ability to do so.

After securing three rounds of support from GVF and leading a two-year effort to identify challenges and opportunities in these three target areas, your Community Foundation established its Communityworks Endowment Fund, which is open to 501(c)(3) organizations or units of government that advances workforce development, childcare, and early childhood education in Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties, IL.

Meanwhile, the Community Foundation continues to evaluate changing needs and opportunities in these critical focus areas in order to make strategic, meaningful grants.

CommunityWorks Fund Priorities

ISSUE AREA 1

Early Childhood Education Long-Term Vision:

• To have a large pool of educated providers who see themselves as professionals who take advantage of the ongoing opportunities to grow in their field.
• To educate parents on the benefits and value of choosing quality child care.
• Increase revenue streams for child care providers over and above parent fees and raise value / respect for child care profession.

Early Childhood Education Short-term Vision:

• Improve the quality and quantity of the region’s child care settings.

Goals:

• Encourage providers to maintain and improve the quality of their child care programs.
• Increase community awareness of child care's impact on our communities.
• Strengthen the relationship and involvement between parents, providers, and employers.
• Improve provider retention in the child care field.

ISSUE AREA 2

Workforce Development Long-Term Vision:

• Ensure current and future workers are prepared with the skills needed to fill a variety of existing, expanding, and new employment opportunities that provide livable wages and benefits to ensure workforce sustainability.

Workforce Development Short-term Vision:

• Improve essential and technical skills in the region.

Goals:

• Identify high-priority workforce needs and individuals to help fill them.
• Increase access to and participation in skills training to fulfill high-priority workforce needs.
• Reduce barriers for individuals to enter the workforce.
• Provide supports for individuals to successfully remain in the workforce.

The ScotiaRISE initiative by Scotiabank aims to foster economic resilience among disadvantaged groups over ten years, with a budget of $500 million. By focusing on enhancing educational opportunities, facilitating employment for newcomers, and removing barriers to career advancement, ScotiaRISE seeks to create a more inclusive society. This program highlights the importance of collective efforts in supporting individuals and communities to thrive, ensuring everyone has the chance to rise above challenges and contribute positively to their environments.

The Mantle Cell Lymphoma Fund, managed by the HealthWell Foundation, provides financial assistance to underinsured patients diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The fund covers prescription drug copays and Medicare Part B premiums, with a maximum award of $8,500. Eligible patients must have insurance that covers their medication and meet specific income guidelines. The foundation aims to reduce financial barriers to essential treatments, ensuring that patients receive necessary care without undue financial strain.

The Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing family support, women's and children's health, and animal welfare. It aims to fund programs that promote beneficial human-animal interactions and early intervention in addiction prevention. Eligible organizations must have a valid 501(c)(3) designation. Grants align with at least one of the foundation's focus areas, ensuring impactful contributions to community welfare and well-being.

The Princess Grace Awards support early career artists in theater, dance, and film with unrestricted cash grants of $15,000. Open to U.S.-based artists, the awards recognize both creative generators and performance-based creatives. Nominations are required from non-profit organizations or previous award winners, ensuring a robust evaluation of artistic merit. With a focus on nurturing talent, the Princess Grace Foundation honors the legacy of Princess Grace of Monaco by fostering the next generation of artists.

The Stanford Children's Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease offers Intramural Seed Grants to promote innovative research in pediatric diseases. This program supports high-risk, high-reward projects, encouraging multi-PI collaborations across disciplines. Awards of up to $100,000 per year for two years are available, aimed at generating preliminary data for future funding applications. Eligible applicants include Stanford faculty holding specific university positions. Proposals should focus on advancing understanding of pediatric IBD and celiac disease through various research approaches.

The Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease offers funding for postdoctoral fellows and instructors to conduct innovative research focused on pediatric IBD and celiac disease. This initiative aims to nurture future researchers and prepare them for independent funding opportunities. Eligible research includes basic, clinical, epidemiological, and health policy studies related to maternal and child health. Funding supports substantial salary and benefits, ensuring commitment to impactful research in this critical area.