Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The David B. Perry Endowment Fund, established by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, honors a dedicated community member by providing scholarships to local students. With awards typically around $1,000, this fund supports educational aspirations for residents of Kaneville and surrounding areas. It reflects the legacy of David B. Perry, who was committed to preserving his community's heritage and fostering youth engagement in philanthropy.

The Daniel W. Schindlbeck Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, established in 2004, provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in criminal justice or law enforcement. Funded by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, it honors Daniel Schindlbeck, a dedicated police officer in Aurora. The typical award is $1,000, supporting students from the foundation's service area, including Kane and Kendall counties. This initiative promotes education and community service, ensuring a lasting legacy of civic engagement.

This program aims to enhance education for healthcare professionals regarding new therapies and patient management in ulcerative colitis (UC). It focuses on multi-channel educational strategies to address the evolving landscape of UC treatment. Key areas include educating on new oral therapies, transitioning to advanced therapies, and managing isolated proctitis. Organizations such as healthcare institutions and medical education companies are eligible to apply, ensuring a comprehensive approach to improving UC care.

The Mech SS Sheldon D. Murphy Student and Postdoctoral Endowment Award, established by the Society of Toxicology, honors the legacy of Dr. Sheldon D. Murphy, a pioneer in toxicology. This award supports PhD candidates and postdoctoral trainees who demonstrate excellence in mechanistic toxicology. Nominees are selected based on the scientific quality of their abstracts, ensuring a focus on impactful research. This initiative fosters the next generation of toxicologists dedicated to advancing human and environmental health.

The H. Wayne VanAgtmael Cosmetology Scholarship, established in 2005 by Wayne Van Agtmael's family, honors his legacy in the cosmetology field. This scholarship supports high school graduates from the Tri-Cities pursuing a cosmetology degree, focusing on financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must provide transcripts and additional required documents. The scholarship aims to empower students, particularly those who are the first in their families to succeed beyond high school, in their educational journeys.

The NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program aims to enhance the research workforce by providing intensive research experiences for recent graduates. This initiative supports early-stage investigators in Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, addressing a critical shortage of researchers in the field. Participants engage in independent research, mentorship, and professional development, equipping them with skills necessary for advanced degrees and research careers in aging and dementia. The program fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration essential for advancing AD/ADRD research.

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nutrition Training Program aims to enhance the nutrition and overall health of mothers and children. This initiative focuses on interdisciplinary graduate education, equipping a skilled workforce to support Title V and other MCH programs. It seeks to expand nutrition education and career pathways while improving access to quality nutrition services. Trainees will gain practical experience through placements at health centers, ultimately benefiting families and communities.

The RRF Foundation for Aging offers research grants aimed at improving the well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Established in 1950, the foundation has awarded over $239 million to support innovative projects nationwide. Grants are targeted at nonprofit organizations proposing research with immediate implications for adults aged 60 and older, with a focus on practical knowledge and dissemination to impact policy and practice.

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 Manzer-Keener-Wefler Scholarship Fund

The Manzer-Keener-Wefler Scholarship Fund assists applicants with a field of study in or related to photography, visual arts (including graphic design). 

This scholarship is renewable.

The Junior Hamilton Memorial Baseball Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports graduating seniors from Wenatchee, Eastmont, or Westside High Schools. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.85 and have participated in a high school baseball program for at least two years. This scholarship honors Junior Hamilton's legacy, empowering student-athletes and mariachi students to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation Grants support tax-exempt organizations working to enhance lives through arts, healthcare, education, and youth programs. The foundation requires a Letter of Intent (LOI) from all applicants, emphasizing its mission to select grant recipients who align with its values. Grants are not available for political purposes, endowment campaigns, or organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, or religion. This framework ensures a focused impact on community betterment.

This grant focuses on implementing research to identify effective combinations of community-clinical linkage strategies aimed at diabetes prevention and management. It addresses the challenges faced by Federally Qualified Health Centers and safety-net clinics, emphasizing the need for coordinated approaches. The study will explore factors influencing the adoption and integration of these strategies, ultimately aiming to develop practical evidence and best practices that enhance diabetes care in primary settings.

The Scott R. MacKenzie Foundation offers grants to support innovative genetic research aimed at advancing cures for diseases like cancer, diabetes, lung, and heart diseases. Only U.S.-based tax-exempt organizations with over five years of operation can apply. The Foundation emphasizes collaboration among research entities to enhance genome sequencing and disease detection. By funding these initiatives, they aim to foster awareness and progress in genetic research for future generations.

ATS/PHA Early Career Award

One grant is available for early-career investigators interested in pulmonary hypertension research who are likely to make a strong and sustained impact in PH research. This grant is co-funded by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and ATS.

Areas of interest for proposals include:

• Investigating the pathophysiology of PH
• Elucidating mechanistic pathways
• Identifying novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers in adult or pediatric pulmonary hypertension

The project should have potential applicability to human pulmonary vascular diseases.

Applicants may request up to $50,000 for one year for salaries or supplies or a combination thereof.

The ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge RFP aims to enhance research on limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) through innovative combination therapies, particularly integrating immunotherapy with advanced radiation techniques. Proposals are encouraged to explore various aspects, including care patterns, treatment workflows, prognostic biomarkers, and toxicity management. The target budget for projects ranges from $175,000 to $375,000, with consideration given to higher requests based on scientific merit, fostering significant advancements in radiation oncology.

The Alex O. Santillanes Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of NCW, honors the legacy of Alex O. Santillanes, a dedicated youth advocate in the Yakima Valley. This scholarship supports Hispanic high school seniors from the region pursuing higher education in Washington. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and demonstrate resilience against social and economic inequities, particularly those from single-parent families. The scholarship aims to empower the next generation of leaders.

The Bertin Family Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) public charities that align with the foundation's mission of community strengthening and compassion. Grant requests are accepted annually from July 1 to August 31, focusing on program or project support rather than general endowment. The foundation values measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship, and gives preference to organizations with Gold or Platinum status on Candid.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is launching a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the NIH HEAL initiative to enhance research on joint health and pain. This initiative aims to refine the understanding of joint tissues and pain mechanisms, expand clinical phenotyping, and support preclinical testing of novel therapies. Collaborations among experts in neurobiology, pain science, and rheumatic diseases are encouraged to foster innovative solutions for joint pain management.

The Michael Herman Scholarship, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, honors a talented young soccer player who passed away tragically at 15. This scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors from the Tri-Cities area who have played soccer and wish to continue participating in college-level soccer. Financial need is not a priority, and all eligible students are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to further their education while pursuing their passion for sports.

Research Grant Program 

Providing research grants to support clinicians and scientists focused on primary immunodeficiency (PI).

Scope and eligibility

• The Immune Deficiency Foundation's Research Grant Program supports patient-centered research focused on improving the treatment, health, disease management, or diagnosis of people with primary immunodeficiency (PI), as well as research that contributes to the broader body of knowledge on PI.
• Awards range from $25,000-50,000. In addition, the Michael Blaese Research Grant Award is bestowed on the highest-scored application each cycle.
• One-year term.

The Edward J. Bouwer/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes outstanding research by emerging scholars in environmental engineering and science. This prestigious award, honoring Prof. Edward J. Bouwer, includes a plaque and a $1,500 cash prize for the student, along with a $500 prize for the faculty advisor. Additionally, a travel allowance of $750 is available for both the student and the faculty advisor to attend the Awards Ceremony, encouraging participation and celebration of academic excellence.

The Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science Education (E4) Award recognizes outstanding contributions by university faculty in environmental engineering education. Administered by AAEES and AEESP, this annual award includes a $1,000 monetary prize and $500 for travel to the E3 ceremony. Nominees should demonstrate significant impacts in curriculum development, student mentorship, and educational outcomes. Past nominations can be reconsidered for three years, encouraging ongoing recognition of excellence in environmental engineering education.

The NTSS Toshio Narahashi Neurotoxicology SS Trainee Conference Endowment Award offers a stipend of at least $250 to support deserving trainees in Neurotoxicology attending the SOT Annual Meeting. Selection is based on scientific merit and mentor support. This initiative, funded by the Toshio Narahashi Neurotoxicology Fellowship Award Fund, aims to enhance the professional development of trainees in toxicology.

The Mildred Soefer Scholarship Fund Award offers financial support to Jewish students from Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester Counties who are pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship may cover tuition, books, and living expenses. This fund aims to foster educational growth within the community and encourages applicants to apply for multiple awards they may qualify for.

The Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) Program Grant, offered by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, aims to foster the next generation of pediatric oncology researchers. This summer internship provides undergraduate, graduate, and medical students with hands-on research experience in a supportive environment, focusing on diversity and inclusion. Grants will specifically support students from underrepresented communities in the scientific workforce, enabling impactful research and mentorship opportunities to advance pediatric cancer care.

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program supports shelters across the U.S. that provide essential services to women and children escaping abusive situations. Established in 2000, this grant aims to uphold the mission of eradicating domestic violence through financial assistance to dedicated organizations. Eligibility is limited to shelters recognized by state domestic violence coalitions, while those funded in the previous cycle are ineligible. Join the fight against domestic violence by applying for this vital support.

The Bright & Early DuPage Grant supports local early childhood collaborations, ensuring children from birth to age five receive essential educational resources. Funded by the DuPage Foundation, this initiative encourages community partnerships and family engagement to enhance access to quality early childhood education. Each year, grants of up to $50,000 are awarded to strengthen local efforts in promoting child development and navigating available resources, ultimately preparing young children for success in school and beyond.