Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Louisiana

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Application Guidelines

The Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Fund makes this scholarship available to students studying criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, or pre-law

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the total amount of $1,500, split evenly per semester (i.e., $750 Fall Semester, and $750 Spring/Semester).

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Epilepsy Scholarship Fund

The Epilepsy Scholarship Fund was established in memory of David S. Izard, who lived in Canton, Illinois, and was active in football, track, and basketball. He graduated from Western Illinois University and worked as an Assistant Manager at Wal-Mart in Georgia. Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 3½, David lived a full and active life. He passed away on December 5, 1992, just fifteen days before his 27th birthday. Additional contributions have also been made in memory of other individuals. 

The fund provides scholarships to students pursuing an education at a junior college or four-year college or university.

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 John H. and Ruby M. Laurie Charitable Scholarship offers a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from Camdenton High School with a minimum GPA of 3.5. This renewable scholarship supports students enrolled in accredited colleges or vocational schools, encouraging academic achievement. Preference is given to those pursuing a Business degree. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare through educational support and resource development, fostering future leaders in the region.

Native Voices Rising (NVR) offers grants to empower Native-led grassroots organizations in the U.S. With over $16 million awarded since inception, NVR focuses on enhancing lives through collective action and advocacy. Eligible organizations must be Native-led and engage community members in policy improvement efforts. NVR supports initiatives addressing environmental justice, health, and youth involvement, with a commitment to fostering leadership and social change within Native communities.

The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship, established by the American Fisheries Society in 2007, honors a dedicated fisheries scientist. This $15,000 award supports graduate students engaged in thesis research on marine conservation topics. Applicants must be enrolled in a North American university's M.S. or Ph.D. program and be AFS members in good standing. The fellowship encourages innovative research addressing various conservation issues, not limited to fisheries.

The Jean T. Grant Scholarship, established by The Columbus Foundation, honors the legacy of Jean Terry Grant, a devoted librarian and arts advocate. Providing $1,000, this scholarship supports graduating seniors from Columbus City Schools pursuing studies in music or the arts. Jean's commitment to education and the arts inspires future generations, ensuring that her passion for creativity and philanthropy continues to impact the community positively.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Rogers and Meredith Scholarship (College) ($4,000) 

This renewable scholarship is available to students who have been residents of Epworth Children’s Home, Thornwell Home for Children or students who’ve been in custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. 

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Homecare Assistance Grant

MS Focus understands the daily needs and challenges that must be met by both those with MS and their caregivers. In order to meet these needs in the most timely and efficient way possible, our Homecare Assistance Grant connects you to the best available local services. Should resources within your community not be available, direct support may be provided on a temporary basis.

Available Services include:

• Home Care - Personal hygiene services, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and transportation to and from appointments are all services that can be provided for a limited time.
• Therapy Visits - Based upon individual need, an appointment with an occupational, physical, or speech therapist can be arranged. Through education and training, these therapists can help to foster independence, self-esteem, and better quality of life for the person living with MS.
• Respite Care - Respite allows primary caregivers the opportunity to tend to themselves, or other family business, with the assurance that their loved one is being cared for by a properly trained individual. This service is provided on a short-term basis for a scheduled period of time. 
• Coming Home - Returning home from a stay at the hospital can be a difficult time of transition. We offer a four-hour visit from an aide who will meet the patient at the hospital, provide transportation home, and then get the patient settled comfortably at home.

Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts

Scholarships will be awarded annually from this fund for college-bound students from any Cattaraugus County High School committed to advancing their skills in any aspect of the arts. Preference will be for graduating seniors of Ellicottville, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, West Valley, Salamanca or Franklinville/Ten-Broeck Academy high schools. First preference will be for students pursuing the fine arts, with second preference for students pursuing performing arts fields. This award is not limited to students majoring in art.

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.

The TeenWorks Scholarship, offered by the Central Indiana Community Foundation, supports Indiana residents participating in TeenWorks programs. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship can be used for educational expenses at accredited institutions, including tuition, required fees, and books. Preference is given to applicants attending Indiana schools. The scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for students committed to their academic success.

The St. Catherine of Alexandria Scholarship, established by Robert and Elaine Damler, aims to support Marion County residents facing significant personal hardships. This scholarship is designed for students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions, with a strong preference for those demonstrating financial need and overcoming challenges such as being first-generation college students or from single-parent households. The scholarship covers essential educational expenses and encourages applicants who are committed to improving their lives.

About Us

The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation.

SWCS Emerging Leaders Program Alumni Award

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) who have demonstrated a commitment to conservation leadership and active participation in the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Three $500 cash awards will be granted to support professional development, Society membership, conference fees, or other career-enhancing opportunities.

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.

Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship

Established by Ben and Rose Schwabenbauer, former long-time teachers in the Olean City School District, this fund awards scholarships for graduating seniors from Olean High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Portville Central School or Bradford Area High School who will be attending a 4-year college with a preference for students majoring in education, particularly elementary education; criminal justice or a law enforcement-related field; or healthcare-related fields of study. 

The NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award for Established Investigators (K18) supports seasoned researchers in enhancing or redirecting their research through new skills acquisition. This funding opportunity addresses critical questions in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences. Key deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to February 2027, ensuring ample opportunity for researchers to apply and contribute to these vital fields.

The NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award (K18) supports established investigators in enhancing or redirecting their research efforts. This program is crucial for acquiring new skills relevant to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences. Key deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to February 2027, including specific dates for AIDS-related grants, ensuring timely funding opportunities for innovative research.

The Clark and Ruby Baker Foundation Grant aims to support charitable organizations that align with the philanthropic mission of the Baker family, focusing on Methodist-affiliated educational institutions, aid for disadvantaged children, and assistance for the sick in Georgia. The Foundation considers funding for construction projects of educational and medical facilities, ensuring that grants are awarded to meet specific community needs and promote long-term benefits.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

The Harry Sudakoff Foundation Grant supports qualified charities in Sarasota, Florida, focusing on arts, community, education for youth, environment, human services, and science. Established by builder Harry Sudakoff, the foundation prioritizes organizations with a history of support. Grants are restricted to 501(c)(3) entities, excluding individuals and certain funding types like endowments and operating expenses. A commitment to impactful contributions is central to the foundation's mission.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Barbara Miller Meeker Art Scholarship

Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.

Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.

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.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5413 - Comparison of PFAS Contributions to Agricultural Systems

Grant Information

• Report per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations from a variety of agricultural inputs, including animal manures, fertilizers, pesticides, composts, soil amendments, seed coatings, and biosolids-based products.
• Compare the impact of the various agricultural inputs on PFAS concentration in the soil profile over varying timeframes.
• Evaluate the fate and transport of different inputs to PFAS contributions in agricultural systems at field-scale.
• Determine the relative contributions from biosolids-based products and other inputs to help develop and prioritize risk management strategies.

The Lou Moneymaker Legacy Scholarship for the Blind & Visually Impaired, established by the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation, aims to support Indiana residents pursuing education at accredited institutions. This scholarship prioritizes blind or visually impaired applicants and requires demonstration of financial need or barriers to obtaining a post-secondary credential. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, room, board, and books, facilitating educational opportunities for deserving students.