Best Leadership Development Grants

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

SLP Mini-Grants

The purposes of a Service Leadership Programs Mini Grant is to award grants to support Aktion Clubs, Builders Club, Key Clubs, K-Kids Club, and Circle K Clubs or division service projects.

Grants are awarded to a Florida Aktion Club, Builders Club, Key Club, K-Kids Club, and Circle K Club or division by use of the official application form that is provided by division trustees or available on the Foundation website.

The SLP Mini Grant program is less formal than the Matching Grant program and is on a first come first served basis until the funds are exhausted.

There is a simple one-page application form for the SLP Mini Grant and the maximum request is $500.00. The amount does not need to be matched by the club nor does the request need to cover capital expenses.

Grants must be used to assist a Florida Service Leadership Program Club or Division projects. 

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

Annual Service Leadership Grants

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation is honored to support the Florida District of Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs with annual grants for leadership and development training. Please find below information for state administrators.

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation Grants Committee shall review Grant Request and Funding Requests for the next fiscal year annually from the District of Florida Service Leadership Programs.

• The purpose of these funds aligns with the Florida Kiwanis Foundation objectives to support leadership development through support of Kiwanis Service Leadership programs.
• The Grant Request Form is to be completed by the District of Florida Service Leadership Program Administrator on the appropriate Grant Request Form provided by our Executive Director.
• After completion of the form, the administrator will submit the form to our Foundation Office for distribution to the Grant Committee Chair and Grants Committee.
• The Grant Committee Chair and Grants Committee will ensure the current Grant Request Form aligns with the previously presented Funding Request Form projecting required funding for their project and/or program from each Service Leadership Program. Funding Requests Forms are completed by the District of Florida Service Leadership Program Administrators to assist the Florida Kiwanis Foundation assess the projects needs of each program for the next fiscal year. This is a critical element of the Foundation’s budget planning process.

Annual Service Leadership grants vary based on the funding requests submitted by the Service Leadership Program administrators.

The California Senate Fellows Program offers a unique opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in the legislative process. Established in 1973, this prestigious program selects 18 fellows each year to engage in experiential learning, enhancing their understanding of public policy and governance. Participants gain valuable skills and insights while contributing to meaningful legislative work, fostering leadership and civic engagement. This initiative not only empowers fellows but also strengthens democratic processes in California.

The Executive Fellowship Program at California State University, Sacramento prepares future public leaders through immersive placements in state agencies. Participants engage in hands-on policy development, mentorship from senior leaders, and graduate-level seminars. This program emphasizes skill-building and professional growth, addressing California's governance challenges. It is designed for individuals eager to impact public service and enhance their leadership capabilities, making it a vital opportunity for aspiring leaders committed to public policy and community engagement.

Gulf Coast Leadership Institute

For aspiring, emerging, and experienced leaders to grow to become action-oriented individuals in their communities.

About Gulf Coast Leadership Institute

At Gulf Coast, we believe that leadership is the foundation of community. Our Gulf Coast Leadership Institute taps, trains, and connects emerging and experienced community leaders—over 425 so far—from across the Gulf Coast region. The result is a growing network of skilled, action-oriented leaders who are committed to using their new skills to help transform their communities through service.

Our Mission:

To identify and develop aspiring, emerging, and experienced leaders who reflect the diversity of our region. The program spans two months where participants take part in in-person, experiential small and large group activities that prepare them to become knowledgeable, skilled, and action-oriented leaders in their communities.

The Wake Forest Capacity Building Grant, part of the Educating Character Initiative, aims to enhance character education in U.S. higher education institutions. Established in 2023 with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the initiative has already provided $35 million in grants to 146 institutions. In 2026, new grants will be awarded to colleges and universities focused on fostering moral, civic, and intellectual character among their faculty, staff, and students.

The Institutional Impact Grants by Wake Forest University aim to support U.S. colleges and universities in fostering moral, civic, and intellectual character among their community members. In 2026, these grants will empower institutions committed to character development for faculty, staff, and students, promoting a holistic educational environment. This initiative underscores the importance of character in education, aligning with the university's mission to cultivate ethical leaders.

Background

The Community Vision Fund (CVF) is an unrestricted fund within the Community Foundation with the ability to be agile due to its discretionary nature. ​​Granting through this fund remains committed to fulfilling community needs and advancing the well-being for all in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties.

Community Vision Fund- Visionary Grants 

Focus:

Visionary grants support community-driven ideas that emerge from lived experience and grassroots leadership. They are designed to elevate voices with lived experience, encourage innovation and experimentation, and support early stage or non-traditional approaches. ​

​Grant Ranges:

• Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a one-year award​

​Grant Considerations:

In alignment with the namesake of this fund, visionary grants are focused on supporting:​

• Community-driven ideas shaped by lived experience​
• Efforts that test new approaches, pilot emerging ideas, or explore creative solutions​
• Initiatives that are just beginning or evolving but show promise for community benefit​
• Projects where there is potential for shared learning, community strengthening, or systems insights 

Onward! A Legacy Foundation

We are your local community foundation providing scholarships and grants to non-profits. We also collaborate with regional non-profits by investing their endowment funds and earn market rates of return. Onward! currently manages 170+ funds with total assets over $9.7 million. The foundation's guiding principles:

• Invest donor funds responsibly to preserve capital, provide growth, and earn income for grant making.
• Create and encourage methods for philanthropic giving to meet financial goals for a variety of donors.
• Identify, improve, and assist in addressing the needs of the Four Corners' communities.
• Foster understanding and cooperation among diverse cultural and ethnic groups.

Onward! Grant

Onward! A Legacy Foundation, in our dedication to the philanthropic health of Southwest Colorado, is opening our enhancement grant cycle for another year. 20+ years of careful work and dedication has created a foundation where investors can easily and safely make philanthropic donations to investment funds which grow and provide income for non-profit efforts, Onward! continues to enrich the four corners community.

Onward! will consider grant proposals that make significant contributions to the health and quality of life for the residents of Southwest Colorado. This may include but is not limited to programs and projects that contribute towards: social, emotional, or physical well-being, youth, diversity, economic enhancement, civic beautification, arts and culture, leadership development; in order to support any organizations that target the specific needs of our diverse community. 

The Barbara Stone Foundation

Barbara Stone served as a champion for individuals with disabilities and the Foundation strives to continue her legacy. The Barbara Stone Foundation is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization based in Greenville County, South Carolina.

Our primary focus is to influence community systems policies and culture to result in equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We do this by identifying gaps in the system, investing in or creating our own innovative programs, leveraging partnerships in the community and through our signature initiative Greenville CAN. Greenville CAN is a multi-stakeholder collective impact coalition focused on creating systemic community change through specific community projects focused on people with disabilities. Through our multi-faceted approach we believe we can achieve our vision of a community where all people with disabilities flourish.

Barbara Stone Community Leadership Award

Barbara Stone was an instrumental leader in the Greenville community when it came to the services and rights of people with disabilities. Her decades-long mission made a profound impact on the quality of life of many people with disabilities in Greenville County. Like Barbara, there are many dedicated individuals in Greenville who still carry on her legacy of service and giving. It is with great pride that the Barbara Stone Foundation has created an annual Community Leadership Award to honor an individual who has shown the same commitment, initiative and spirit. If you know of an individual who you think embodies some of the same characteristics as Ms Stone, we invite you to nominate this person. 

Barbara Stone led efforts to unify community and government leaders to establish day program options for children with disabilities and employment workshops for adults. In 1968, she helped establish a day camp for children and adults with disabilities and special needs which has grown into a wonderful summer camp called Camp Spearhead. Because of her, seeds were planted to establish many services that still exist today. Barbara’s legacy and determination to support individuals’ lives is now carried on through the Foundation which bears her name.

Utah Department of Health and Human Services

The current health and human services model and accompanying policies have led to a fragmented system of services creating unnecessary barriers and challenges to accessing care for those most in need. These systemic challenges contribute to inequities in health outcomes and determinants of health. A consolidated department will reduce these challenges and improve outcomes for all Utahns, particularly those within communities where disparities are greatest.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services will support and serve all individuals and communities throughout Utah. It will do so through effective policy and the operations of an effective and efficient seamless system of services and programs that is centered around the individuals and communities the department serves.

Multi-initiative: Sustainable Provider Revenue, Infrastructure, and Network Technology (SPRINT) Consortium

This opportunity supports the selection of an administrative partner to serve as the lead fiscal entity representing a rural healthcare consortium. The awardee will be responsible for releasing and managing competitive funding opportunities for Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) projects designed to eliminate infrastructure gaps across Utah's rural and frontier medical systems.

The awardee will propose a unified strategy addressing four core pillars:

• Capital Infrastructure (SHIFT 3.1) via minor renovations and equipment purchases;
• Financial Sustainability (FAST 4.2, 4.3) through revenue cycle optimization and alternative payment models;
• Technology and Artificial Intelligence (SUPPORT 6.1–6.5) by upgrading EHRs, deploying mandatory multi-factor authentication and endpoint detection software, and implementing clinical and consumer-facing AI solutions; and
• Interoperability (LINCS 7.1, 7.2) to enhance secure data exchange and patient portal access.

Lumina Foundation

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials.

Our mission is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy. Lumina Foundation works with governmental, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations to bring about change. We rely on communications outreach, meetings and events that engage and mobilize people, state and federal policy outreach, investments in proven and promising practices, and targeted efforts to measure and evaluate progress.

Lumina Foundation Sponsorships

Lumina Foundation believes that education provides the basis for individual opportunity, economic vitality, and social stability. With its partners, Lumina works toward a goal of 75 percent of Americans with a college degree, workforce certificate, or another high-quality credential beyond high school by 2040. Lumina’s outcomes-based approach focuses on helping to design and build an equitable, accessible, responsive, and accountable post-high school education system for all.

To request a civic sponsorship, please submit your request using the sponsorship form. Please use Google Chrome to complete this form.

St. David’s Foundation

St. David’s Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, funding over $100 million annually in a five-county area surrounding Austin, Texas. Through a unique partnership with St. David’s HealthCare, we strategically reinvest proceeds from the hospital system back into the community, with the goal of advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of our most underserved Central Texas neighbors.   

Beyond our grantmaking work, we operate the largest mobile dental program in the country providing charity care and offer the largest healthcare scholarship program in Texas, the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Program.  

Through investments and action, we are committed to centering health equity in all that we do so that all Central Texans have a fair chance to achieve optimal health with no avoidable, unjust, or systematically caused differences in health status due to ethnicity, race, age, ability, or geography.  

Where We Work

We serve a five-county region surrounding the Austin metro area, including Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Catalyzing Community-Led Change

Investing in communities with the greatest health needs so they can set their own priorities and shape the practices, policies, and systems that impact their health.

Open Call Funding Opportunity

Through the Catalyzing Community-Led Change funding opportunity, the Foundation seeks to: 

• Advance community-driven health priorities by: Strengthening locally rooted networks in communities with the greatest health needs in Central Texas; and increasing the number of individuals from historically marginalized communities trained as resident leaders. 
• Support a coordinated and connected ecosystem, or “network of networks” required for sustained, community-driven impact in health and well-being. 

About JoCo Bar

The Johnson County Bar Association has served the legal community since 1938. Through leadership, member services, professional development, and community engagement, JoCo Bar supports attorneys, judges, and legal professionals throughout Johnson County.

Johnson County Bar Annual Awards

Each year, JoCo Bar recognizes outstanding service, professionalism, leadership, and dedication within our legal community.

Liberty Bell Award

Presented to a nonlawyer for outstanding service in one or more of the following areas:

• Promoting a better understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
• Encouraging greater respect for the law and the courts
• Helping citizens recognize their responsibilities as well as their rights
• Contributing to the effective functioning of our institutions of government
• Fostering a better understanding of the rule of law

About Americans for the Arts

Building Collective Power for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading arts advocacy organization. We mobilize advocates, produce trusted research, and secure bipartisan wins that protect funding and expand arts access nationwide — work we've been doing for more than 65 years.

Americans for the Arts advances the people, organizations, and systems supporting arts and culture across America through advocacy, research, and national convening.

We envision a nation where freedom of creative expression is upheld as a fundamental human right, where arts and culture are woven into the fabric of civic life, resourced in every community, and accessible to everyone.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Strengthening Leadership Capacity of Local Arts Agencies

Given the essential role of LAAs, and to meet this important moment, AFTA seeks an energized and experienced consulting team with expertise to help it develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen leadership and field capacity across the LAA ecosystem. This work is not intended to operate in isolation, but rather to complement and build upon existing efforts already underway in the field. The focus is on identifying where AFTA can add value through targeted, strategic support that enhances and aligns with broader sector-wide initiatives. 

This effort will focus on empowering LAA agency leaders—a critical component of AFTA’s strategic direction—to expand their capacity, foster innovation, and advance equity in a rapidly evolving environment. Building on existing efforts across the field, AFTA will invest in strong, effective LAA leadership, broaden cultural access and participation nationwide, and position the field for a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future. 

With approximately 2,200 LAAs nationally validated in AFTA’s LAA Wayfinder, the selected consulting team will help AFTA gain a deeper understanding of the gaps, needs and opportunities shaping LAA leadership capacity, with attention to Native, rural, small, midsize, and large communities, and identify where AFTA is uniquely positioned to contribute. These insights will guide AFTA’s future direction in its service to LAAs nationwide and ensure AFTA’s contributions complement—rather than duplicate—the work of other entities, collectively strengthening the broader LAA ecosystem.  

In addition, by intentionally working in partnership with peer organizations and stakeholders across the field—and by understanding gaps in coverage and opportunities for growth—AFTA will be positioned to work with partners to support the expansion of the LAA network in communities where local public cultural infrastructure is limited or absent. This collaborative approach will help ensure more equitable access to arts and culture while reinforcing the role of LAAs as essential community anchors, particularly in underserved regions. 

Raymond John Wean Foundation

Established in 1949, The Raymond John Wean Foundation is dedicated to community building in the under-resourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The Wean Foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities, and disrupt the status quo to achieve its vision: empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley.

Grantmaking Philosophy

• Value Alignment - We support the development and implementation of viable solutions and organizations whose work strongly aligns with our values and whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities in which they work.

• Race Equity & Inclusion - We prioritize principles of racial equity to focus attention and resources on the Mahoning Valley’s most entrenched challenges. Our grantmaking seeks to address long-held assumptions, redistribute decision-making power, and challenge the lack of equitable access to resources, knowledge and opportunity.

• Capacity Building - We support the sustainability (strong leadership, thoughtful strategy and impact) of organizations with a focus on Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations. Each year, Wean staff engages new organizations to explore opportunities for capacity building through best practices, networking, and leadership development.

• Strategic Priorities - We focus support on viable solutions well-aligned with our mission, values, racial equity outcomes and the strategic priorities of: Community Revitalization; Economic Opportunity; Educational Opportunity; and Public and Civic Sector Leadership

Sponsorships

As a general practice, the Wean Foundation does not provide sponsorships for golf outings, award banquets, or similar fundraising events so that we can remain focused on advancing our mission and strategic priorities.

In limited circumstances, we may consider modest sponsorship support for events of particular significance to the Mahoning Valley that closely align with our mission, values, and strategic priorities. Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee approval.

Williams-Daniels Family Foundation

Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, The Williams-Daniels Family Foundation is an 501c3 non profit organization started by the late James P. Williams in 2015. The Williams-Daniels Family Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through education, economic opportunity, and meaningful community engagement. Through charitable contributions, partnerships, and volunteer initiatives, the Foundation works to inspire growth, promote self-sufficiency, and cultivate a spirit of service and environmental responsibility. The Foundation fulfills its mission through the following core pillars:

• Education – Providing scholarships, mentorship, and educational support to aspiring students pursuing higher education.
• Economic Empowerment – Equipping individuals and families with resources for financial growth and career advancement through educational, employment encouragement, and financial literacy.
• Community Enrichment – Encouraging volunteerism, environmental awareness, and community involvement by providing programs, information, and outreach initiatives that strengthen and uplift the communities we serve.

Every year, The Williams-Daniels Family foundation honors people in the inner city community to recognize their dedication and hard work.  

J.P. Williams Empowerment Award

The J.P. Williams Empowerment Award honors an individual who has dedicated themselves to empowering others through education, mentorship, leadership, advocacy, or personal example. 

Recipients are catalysts for positive change, investing their time, knowledge, and resources to help others overcome barriers and achieve success. This award celebrates leaders whose influence extends beyond their own accomplishments by equipping others to thrive and lead with purpose.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Civics Education Grant

The Civics Grant Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that promote a wider public understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system and the rule of law. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity), and other organizations to develop and support projects in their communities that foster public understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, particularly among younger Americans.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Pathways to the Profession Grant

The Pathways to the Profession Grant Program is designed to support educational, community service, or outreach projects and initiatives that support pathway programs and events that encourage high school, college and law school students, and newer lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue and succeed in a legal career through educational, networking, mentorship programs and other opportunities. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity) and other organizations to develop and support projects that make a lasting impact on their communities.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

R. Kubly Family Foundation

The goal of the R. Kubly Family Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in Monroe, Wisconsin by empowering educated and leadership-focused individuals who live and work in the Monroe area.

Grants

The R. Kubly Family Foundation will consider Grants in the following areas:

• Projects that increase the number of highly educated people to live in Monroe.
• Projects that have a direct correlation of improving the quality of life in Monroe and directly attract those with advanced degrees to move to Monroe and work in Monroe.
• Projects that contact local students who have moved away from Monroe for education or careers, to “bring them back” to Monroe.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

• Community Leadership: Create, educate and support community leaders and doers that are passionate and make things    happen in and for the community and act to create a better, stronger community in the future.
• Talent Recruitment: Bring leaders and doers to and back to the community to become part of the future for Monroe and Green County.
• Economic Development: Foster lasting economic development that creates jobs and brings in incremental benefit to the community (rather than shifting revenue from one current employer to another).
• Education: Support the base of our community through all-ages education initiatives that create leaders, doers, and well-informed citizens who support the community.
• Community Development: Encourage, facilitate and enable citizens to be actively engaged in making Monroe and Green County a better place to work and live; Support the major cornerstones that create a vibrant, dynamic and exciting community that people want to live in and be a part of.

See more details in the grant guidelines.

About the Community Foundation

Our mission:

To inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds for good, for Adams County, for ever.

Our vision:

To be a leading resource in promoting philanthropy among people of all means who wish to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to Adams County, and creating opportunities to develop and strengthen our communities.

Barbara B. Ernico Fund for Leadership Development

Barbara B. Ernico, the Community Foundation’s founding Executive Director, created the Fund for Leadership Development to help strengthen Adams County’s nonprofits.

Objective

Enable Adams County nonprofit executive directors and boards of directors to participate in training opportunities that increase their knowledge and effectiveness. Consideration may be given to training for strategic planning, reorganization, leadership development of staff and/or board members, and any other activities that will strengthen the nonprofit’s ability to carry out their mission.

$20K for changemakers with transformative ideas & firsthand insight in early childhood

About the Imagine Award

The Imagine Award by the Promise Fund offers $20,000 in flexible funding (see definition in FAQs) and a six-month cohort-based learning experience for community-rooted early childhood leaders with ideas for transformative impact. ​​Award recipients are at the idea stage and will launch a pilot within six months, testing their solutions with real users, gathering feedback, and refining their approach.

Imagine Award recipients will learn strategies for designing and executing lightweight tests for rapid learning while gaining clarity on their idea's direction using impact and business models. They will craft a compelling story about their work to build future partnerships and run a focused pilot with strong feedback loops for gathering data, all while growing alongside a supportive peer community.

What We Provide

Our grant dollars are flexible and meant to be used at award recipients’ discretion for the pursuit of tests or a pilot of a transformative idea. Read the FAQ for more information.

Direct, one-on-one support from our team to help you learn, get tailored help, and make relevant connections.

Multi-day gathering for peer connection, learning, and pilot design.

Access to a bench of mentors to guide you as you transition out of the program and navigate next steps with your pilot.

Light, tailored coaching to support pilot preparation, launch, and implementation.

Ongoing peer community and resources to continue learning and collaboration

Championing Philanthropy- for the lasting good of whitley county

Whether you are a long-time resident, a recent transfer, or someone brought up here years ago, we think you’ll agree Whitley County is a great place to call home. At the Community Foundation, we believe it can be even better. That’s why each day we work to find ways to improve our little corner of Indiana. It might mean creating a program to meet health needs, or making a grant to fund important community projects. Other times our work involves partnering with donors and tailoring options to help them meet their charitable goals.

Eli B. Michel neverlostneverlate Wilderness Scholarship

Starting in 2026 applicants will be able to apply for the award with another person. If chosen, the award amount will be split between the recipients. To apply with another person, each person needs to fill out an application. The scholarship will allow individuals to hone their leadership skills and build courage by participating in a NOLS wilderness course.

Offering powerful and authentic experiences, NOLS courses are immersive expeditions in remote, wild places with a tight-knit community of students and instructors. NOLS offers a robust number of courses throughout the year. The duration of the courses varies.

Applications will provide information on which courses the scholarship is capable of funding that year. The Community Foundation of Whitley County, Inc. is honored to hold and administer the Eli B. Michel neverlostneverlate Wilderness Scholarship. The fund is open to receive tax-deductible gifts in Eli’s memory. 

Community Foundation of East Mississippi Inc. 

Community Foundation of East Mississippi awards grants through several competitive application processes each year. Our service area includes the following 5 counties in East Mississippi: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Newton.

Meridian Jaycee Leadership Grant

The Meridian Jaycees established this endowment to create a lasting legacy of commitment to this community, inspiring future leaders for generations to come.

The Jaycees hope that the grants from this endowment will spark creativity in the development of leadership and growth for the future of Meridian and East Mississippi. Grants will provide funds for leadership training, community development, and projects that contribute to a more positive image of Meridian and East Mississippi.

Developmental Disabilities Community Advocacy Coalition

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is accepting proposals for the Developmental Disabilities Community Advocacy Coalition (DD-CAC). The budget for this project is $98,000 per year for two years. It will have an opportunity to be extended on a yearly basis through September 2031.

The contractor will provide coordination, facilitation and capacity building support for the DD-CAC so members can work together to develop a community driven policy agenda, strengthen leadership pathways, expand participation and engage in effective advocacy. The contractor will support coalition operations, member engagement, communication tools, leadership development, policy agenda creation and year-round community action activities. This work will emphasize accessibility, equity and meaningful participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Notice of Funds Available (RFP): Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

Leadership in Action

Advocacy: People with I/DD, their family members and others will participate in and have information about a broad range of leadership and advocacy development opportunities.

People with I/DD will learn self-advocacy and leadership skills each year and put the skills into practice.

H.B. 33 states:

• “(B) If the appointing authority is a board of county commissioners, appoint at least two individuals who are eligible for services provided by the county board or are immediate family members of such individuals. The board of county commissioners shall, whenever possible, ensure that one of those two members is an individual eligible for adult services or an immediate family member of an individual eligible for adult services and the other is an immediate family member of an individual eligible for early intervention services or services for preschool or school-age children;
• (C) If the appointing authority is a senior probate judge, appoint at least one individual who is an immediate family member of an individual eligible for residential services or supported living”

By passing Ohio H.B. 33, Ohio will increase the number of people with developmental disabilities serving as members of county boards of DD. In order to ensure members of county boards of DD have an understanding of the DD system and can meaningfully participate, the ODDC funded People First of Ohio to complete an assessment of the needs of current and past members (when available) that participated on executive boards, including County Boards of DD.

• Develop and implement a curriculum and/or tools for people with disabilities to increase their knowledge and meaningful participation on Executive Boards.
• People with disabilities will be involved with the development and implementation of curriculum and/or tools for people with disabilities to increase their knowledge and meaningful participation on Executive Boards.

The David M. Rubenstein Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School supports first-year joint-degree students from HKS and Harvard Business School, fostering leaders equipped to tackle global challenges. This fellowship offers financial aid, a comprehensive leadership development program, and a network of exceptional peers and mentors. Candidates are evaluated based on their commitment to public service and leadership potential. Since its inception in 2008, it has aimed to enhance the intersection of business, government, and nonprofit sectors.