Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Louisiana

Tides Foundation

Tides is a partner for justice in the social sector, working closely with doers and donors to build the power of historically excluded groups who face systemic barriers. We provide fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, impact investing, and a variety of grantmaking solutions to advance social justice and equity. 

Through Tides Foundation, we partner with individuals and families, foundations, corporations, and social change leaders to design and deliver social impact initiatives that shift decision-making power back to the communities we serve. Our mission is our North Star — and a beacon for those who share our commitment to social justice. Together, we work to shift resources and power to communities historically denied both, so they can create a just and equitable future.

Neighborhood Power Grant 

The VYV Neighborhood Power grant entails a swift and concentrated allocation of resources to a designated geographic area to attain immediate, quantifiable outcomes within that specific area before or immediately following a pivotal date.  

The grant is designed to be a short cycle, rapid response investments in esteemed neighborhood-based organizations and leaders who mobilize civic participation within a defined local footprint. These grants support small teams collaborating closely with the community to enhance turnout and engagement around pivotal civic events.  

The tiered structure ensures a “right need, right time” approach by matching funding to an organization’s specific capacity and geographic footprint. 

Tier 3: Emergent Opportunity Areas B

• The Target: Medium-to-large-sized organizations. 
• The Logic: Targeted at groups rooted in entire regions or multiple neighborhoods with consistent engagement history and multiple paid staff.

The WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program celebrates and promotes local folklore, legends, and folklife as vital aspects of cultural heritage. Targeted at 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities across 14 US states, it aims to enhance cultural tourism by commemorating community stories. Successful applications typically focus on folktales, historical legends, and community traditions, while excluding purely literary works or personal folklore that lacks broader community significance.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

About QuikTripQuikTrip believes in investing in the communities in which our employees live and work. Every year, QuikTrip donates 5% of our annual net profit to qualified 501c3 non-profit agencies, which includes our United Way campaign match, support for National Safe Place agencies, Folds of Honor scholarships and many other agencies that support at-risk youth and early childhood education.Mission: To wisely invest dollars in community efforts that will help impact (in measurable terms) individuals in our society who are dependent on the charitable support of others. We believe the most effective way to do that is to invest our contribution dollars and volunteers in strategic efforts that help those at risk reach their functional capacity as successful, independent citizens.About QuikTrip Charitable GrantsQuikTrip funds 501c3 agencies located in the cities in which we have stores and our employees live and work. Funding can include: “in-kind” products (coupons, gift cards or product donation), formal grants, fundraiser/event sponsorships and employee volunteer time.Focus Areas:

• Creating Safe Communities
  • First Responders: QuikTrip is proud to partner with law enforcement and first responders in every market we serve, making sure that they have the tools, training and support they need to keep our communities safe and to return home safely to their families after each shift.
  • Homeless Outreach & Alternatives to Police Response: To significantly reduce non-emergency calls and help people in crisis get back on their feet, QuikTrip funds dedicated homeless outreach teams across our communities. These teams engage individuals experiencing homelessness and living in encampments – connecting people to services, shelter, detox and long-term care.

• Creating Strong Communities
  • Ending Homelessness: We support emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, diversion and prevention programs, and more.
  • Mental Health & Substance Abuse : We know that healthy communities are safe communities, which is why we invest in detox and substance abuse treatment centers, and behavioral health centers and services to end the perpetuation of cycles of trauma and addiction.
  • At-Risk Youth: We especially prioritize services for at-risk youth – those aging out of foster care, justice-involved or without stable support systems.
• Additional Community Commitments
  • United Way: Employee donation matching in all markets.
  • Folds of Honor: Scholarships for families of fallen or wounded service members and first responders.
  • National Safe Place: QT stores serve as Safe Place locations for youth in crisis, with trained staff ready to assist.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the South. It offers various types of grants, including for educational programming and historic preservation, with a focus on southern studies. Eligible recipients include public charities in the southeastern United States. The Foundation's Junior Board of Trustees also awards grants to preservation projects in east central Georgia, emphasizing youth engagement in cultural heritage.

CSX Charitable Investments provide essential in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations focused on supporting military members and community first responders. Through intermodal transportation services, CSX offers equipment and rail services to help reduce transportation costs for eligible organizations. The program also includes occasional donations of railroad materials and equipment based on availability. CSX prioritizes support for organizations operating within its service areas, promoting community betterment and development.

The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, established in 1989, offers financial support to students pursuing degrees in horticulture across 16 southeastern states. Administered by the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, this scholarship honors the legacy of Sidney B. Meadows, a dedicated advocate for education in the horticultural industry. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria related to academic standing and residency, with preference given to those intending to work in the field after graduation.

Background

The Volunteer Louisiana Commission administers federal grants from the AmeriCorps agency. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps Volunteers (formerly known as “members”) in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities through an approved national service position. Volunteers may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, Volunteers earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that Volunteers can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

State Formula RFP process

This RFP process is open for current AmeriCorps Louisiana programs in year 2 or 3 of a 3-year State Formula grant cycle (known as a State Formula Continuation applicant) and any New organizations applying for a 3-year grant cycle. FY27 RFP awards will begin in and after August 2027.

The Holt Family Foundation, originally founded as The Daybrook Foundation post-Hurricane Katrina, aims to enhance community life in Louisiana. It offers grants to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations focusing on arts, early childhood education, and community engagement. Additionally, the Foundation provides college scholarships to Louisiana students, emphasizing innovative programs and education to foster positive community development. Its mission reflects the founder's commitment to supporting local families and organizations.

The WNAN Natural History Research Grant supports research in biological natural history within western North America. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for five authors to assist with travel, supplies, and other research-related expenses. This initiative particularly encourages applicants from institutions where research is not the primary focus, aiming to foster diverse contributions to natural history.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation's Collective Impact Grants aim to improve health outcomes by addressing critical shortages in the healthcare workforce across Louisiana. By inviting community-level proposals, the Foundation seeks sustainable solutions to enhance access to healthcare services, tackle issues like heart disease and mental health, and promote collaboration among local organizations. This initiative supports the Foundation's commitment to the well-being of Louisianians through targeted funding and community engagement.

The Boo Grigsby Foundation, established in 2007, supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana, focusing on education, health services, arts, human services, community initiatives, and conservation. With over $2,500,000 donated, the foundation aims to enhance community welfare through diverse programs and initiatives, ensuring all residents have access to vital resources and opportunities for growth.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

Target Range Grant Program

The Target Range Grant Program supports the development of safe, public, and accessible shooting facilities in Louisiana to provide and promote:

• Additional recreational shooting and archery opportunities to the citizens of Louisiana
• Safe and responsible firearms ownership and use
• Shooting sports participation
• Locations for recreational shooters, hunters, and archers to practice their skills within reasonable proximity to their homes.

This program is administered through the Wildlife Restoration Program Fund in Louisiana through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. This federal program receives funding from federal excise tax generated by sales of certain firearms and archery equipment. 

The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, awarded by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, supports first and second-year medical students conducting research over 2 to 12 months. With a total funding of $7,000, students can receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,000 for presenting their findings at national conferences. Eligibility requires enrollment in schools with active AΩA chapters, while those taking a year off for research or holding a PhD are ineligible.

Department of Public Safety and Corrections

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections consists of three main divisions:

• Corrections Services oversees the custody and care of adults in prison and includes adults under probation and parole supervision.
• Public Safety Services encompasses Louisiana State Police, the Office of Motor Vehicles, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Highway Safety Commission.
• Youth Service oversees the juvenile justice system in Louisiana.

Emergency and Transitional Housing Program

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) is seeking housing providers to join the Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETH) program to provide participants with stable short-term housing and food access on a per diem basis.

The Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETH) program provides limited funding to increase access to short-term housing for individuals at risk of homelessness and who are under the supervision of the Division of Probation and Parole or have recently been released from state incarceration. The ETH program aims to provide emergency and/or transitional housing to stabilize the reentry process until longer-term housing can be found, improving their chances of having a successful reentry experience.

This program shall be funded by a portion of the savings allocated to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) for reinvestment in programs and services that reduce prison admissions and recidivism.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

Creative West

Established in 1974 as a nonprofit U.S. Regional Arts Organization (USRAO), Creative West was founded on the belief that place matters to the creative process. Fifty years later, communities of place, practice, experience, and identity remain fundamental to our work, framing our understanding of how culture is creatively produced and collectively experienced.

Creative West empowers artists and culture-makers with direct, practical resources, delivered regionally.

We offer practical, equity-centered learning experiences and funding opportunities that connect and inspire artists, culture-bearers and communities to build a more inclusive sector, strengthen the arts field, and catalyze change.

National Arts Futures Fellowship

The National Arts Futures Fellowship (NAFF) is a six-month virtual leadership development program rooted in democracy, wellness, and belonging. It calls on early and mid-career arts and culture professionals from all backgrounds to step into their power as civic leaders and cultural innovators—building the skills, networks, and vision needed to shape a future where creativity drives justice, care, and connection.

Fellows join a national network committed to strengthening public life, nurturing collective wellness, and fostering deep belonging across communities. Together, they learn, experiment, and act—advancing a shared vision of leadership that is sustainable, community-rooted, and future-focused.

Each fellow enters NAFF with a Personal Action Project (PAP)—a concrete idea they will develop and implement with support from peers, coaches, guest experts, and flexible seed funding of $250–$1,000. Projects may include launching a cultural initiative, organizing a community campaign, supporting artist-led advocacy, seeking a public leadership role, or piloting another form of civic or community action. Throughout the fellowship, each project evolves through coaching, peer feedback, strategy sessions, and real-world experimentation. Fellows conclude the program by sharing their project, leadership growth, and next steps at the National Fellows Summit.

What’s New in Cohort Two?

• Cohort Two expands NAFF from six to seven monthly sessions and adds two new elements that support fellows in moving their Personal Action Projects from development into implementation:
• Seed Funding: Fellows may request $250–$1,000 in flexible funding to test, pilot, or implement their projects during the fellowship.
• Artists Thrive Framework: Fellows will use the framework to assess their work, identify opportunities for growth, and strengthen artist-led advocacy, collaboration, and community impact.

Guiding Principles

• Democracy — Use the arts to strengthen civic participation, expand public trust, and make decision-making more accessible and inclusive.
• Wellness — Treat care, rest, and healing as strategic leadership tools for sustaining movements and communities.
• Belonging — Create spaces where leaders can thrive together across differences, build trust, and celebrate shared humanity.

What kinds of projects are supported?

Examples: Running for office, launching cultural programs, organizing campaigns, supporting policies. Projects can be local, regional, or national in scope.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building opportunity aims to enhance the capabilities of university researchers in eligible states. Managed by the DoD, this initiative focuses on increasing the number of researchers capable of conducting relevant science and engineering research. The program also seeks to strengthen institutions of higher education and improve their competitiveness for federal research funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth in financial assistance for scientific research.

The Globe Life Texas Rangers Baseball and Softball Grant Program supports nonprofit baseball and softball initiatives across five states, including Texas and Arkansas. This program aims to enhance youth sports by providing funding for essential needs such as field renovations, equipment, and uniforms. Since 2012, it has awarded over $1.1 million to more than 150 organizations, ensuring children have access to the joy and community of sports. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth aged 18 and under.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

The LA Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is designed to enhance land management practices for agricultural producers in Louisiana. By offering tailored conservation plans, CSP aims to improve productivity and protect natural resources. With a focus on sustainable practices, participants can increase crop yields, enhance wildlife habitats, and adopt innovative conservation activities. This program is a crucial part of the USDA's efforts to support working lands and promote environmental stewardship across 70 million acres nationwide.

State and Tribal Wildlife Grants

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides federal funding to the states for conservation of nongame species and their habitat. The goal of the program is to prevent these species from being listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This important program supports conservation of species that are not hunted or fished, many of which had no previous source of conservation funding. In addition, the program’s focus on proactive conservation measures designed to halt or prevent population declines is key, as conservation is often more effective and efficient before species undergo declines sufficient to warrant Endangered Species Act action.

The Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) offers a Production Grant aimed at supporting Southern documentary filmmakers. With funding made possible by the MacArthur Foundation, SDF prioritizes nonfiction projects in production that showcase the rich tapestry of Southern stories. Up to seven grants of $15,000 each will be awarded to help elevate underrepresented voices and narratives. Applicants must have ties to Southern states and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply.

The Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship, managed by CommunityGiving, supports central Minnesota student athletes and leaders to pursue higher education outside their home states. This scholarship aims to expand students' horizons and experiences, with a total award of $5,000 available. Open to high school seniors from specific schools, applicants are encouraged to apply online and demonstrate their leadership or athletic skills. This initiative enhances educational opportunities and fosters personal growth among local youth.

TC Energy’s Build Strong program supports vital organizations in communities near its operations. By providing grants, scholarships, and in-kind support, the program aims to enhance safety, education, environmental protection, and community well-being. Eligible applicants include non-profits and community groups addressing local needs. Ineligible activities include operational expenses and for-profit endeavors. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating measurable community impact, fostering a collaborative relationship between TC Energy and local stakeholders.

The Express Health Information Outreach Awards aim to enhance public health by increasing access to biomedical information for U.S. health professionals and the general public. These awards support projects that improve health information literacy among consumers and caregivers, ensuring they can effectively find and utilize health information. Focused on partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve health outcomes through informed decision-making.