Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Maryland

The Future of Work program by the Russell Sage Foundation investigates the decline in quality of low-wage jobs in the U.S. It explores factors such as outsourcing, immigration, union decline, and technological changes. Current research focuses on minimum wage impacts, offshoring effects, and job search behaviors influencing employment outcomes, particularly for women and minorities in the post-recession labor market. This grant aims to enhance understanding of these critical issues affecting low-education workers.

The Betsy & Ryan Colwell Mentorship Scholarships for Women in Thoracic Surgery support early-career female cardiothoracic surgeons by facilitating mentor relationships and networking opportunities at the WTS Annual Conference. Each scholarship, valued at $2,500, covers conference registration, lodging, and travel expenses. Two scholarships will be awarded annually starting in 2025, aiming to empower women in a specialty where they are underrepresented and help them navigate their challenging career path.

The NIOSH K01 grant offers vital support for early-career researchers in occupational health, providing 'protected time' for mentorship and professional development. This funding aims to bridge the gap from postdoctoral training to independent research, fostering the next generation of investigators. By emphasizing skill enhancement and independence, the program plays a crucial role in advancing safety and health research. Applicants must articulate their mentorship needs and demonstrate the potential for increased autonomy in their research careers.

The Advancing Research Careers (ARC) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) supports late-stage graduate students from diverse backgrounds in transitioning to postdoctoral positions. This phased award aims to facilitate doctoral dissertation completion and subsequent career development in biomedical research. Participants will engage in mentoring, networking, and professional development activities, preparing them for impactful careers that often require postdoctoral training. Key deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to January 2028.

The Community Empowerment Matching Grant, offered by the City of Rockville, supports collaborative efforts among neighbors and organizations to enhance community health and inclusivity. Grants range from $500 to $1,000 and require matching funds through cash, donations, or volunteer hours. Projects should focus on building community, improving shared spaces, or fostering livability initiatives. Awardees must document project outcomes and provide visual evidence of their efforts, promoting a vibrant and diverse Rockville community.

The Botany and Beyond: PLANTS III program, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Botanical Society of America, aims to support diverse undergraduate scholars attending the 2025 Botany conference. Participants will engage in immersive mentoring, scientific talks, workshops, and networking opportunities while exploring various botanical fields. With full funding for travel and accommodations, this program fosters an inclusive environment for budding botanists, encouraging professional development in a supportive community.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Educator & Program Grants

Giving school theatre programs a boost

The Thespian Growth & Excellence Fund is committed to supporting the ongoing development of theatre programs and the pursuit of excellence for educators, students, schools, and communities by offering a number of grants that assist in EdTA membership, teacher support, and programmatic resources for theatre in schools.

By the end of 2024, the Thespian Growth and Excellence Fund has awarded 349 grants to 276 schools, totaling $286,167 in assistance provided to school theatre programs, many at schools with Title 1 designations.

Educator Support ($500)

Can be used for professional development for theatre educators that would benefit their students, including coursework, EdTA’s Theatre Education Conference registration fees, and related travel expenses.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

EdTA Membership Grant

Theatre matters.

It belongs in our classrooms and communities – now more than ever. Yet the role of the theatre educator has become increasingly complex, and financial support is often uncertain or even eliminated.

To help meet this moment, the Educational Theatre Foundation is proud to introduce the EdTA Membership Grant.

The Clifford D. Grim and Virginia S. Grim Educational Fund offers scholarships to deserving students from Winchester/Frederick and Clark Counties, VA. Facilitated by the Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc., the fund provides financial support for students enrolled full-time in accredited colleges. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, contingent upon reapplication each year.

The NIH invites applications for research projects focusing on developing and enhancing models for studying human health and diseases. Projects must demonstrate broad applicability across multiple NIH Institutes, addressing diseases that impact various organ systems. Successful proposals will outline the need for resources and their potential impact on diverse scientific disciplines. Applications targeting specific diseases or with limited NIH relevance will not be accepted. Deadline for submission is 5:00 PM local time.

The Robert W. Knox, Sr. and Pearl Wallis Knox Charitable Foundation Grant Program, established in 1964, supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. The foundation prioritizes projects that benefit Harris County, TX, and surrounding areas, focusing on charitable, religious, scientific, and educational initiatives. Organizations must wait one grant cycle before reapplying, ensuring fair distribution of funds. This commitment reflects the foundation's legacy of community service and support for various humanitarian causes.

The American Indian Services: Trade Scholarship offers financial support for American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing trade education. Since its inception over 40 years ago, the program has awarded scholarships to more than 35,000 Native students. Eligible applicants can receive up to $2500, with distinct deadlines for January and September awards. This initiative aims to empower Native students by facilitating access to trade school opportunities.

The Translational Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California offers a two-year opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to engage in multidisciplinary research within an integrated healthcare system. The program focuses on various areas including epidemiology, outcomes research, and intervention research, providing fellows with mentorship from experienced investigators. This fellowship aims to develop essential skills in research, writing, and grant preparation, fostering a new generation of researchers dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and policy.

The Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) Grant, offered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to enhance healthcare quality in eligible small rural hospitals across the U.S. and its territories. With a total funding pool of $1,755,000, MDH plans to award 18 grants ranging from $45,000 to $125,000. This program, which requires no matching funds, supports hospitals in meeting Medicare data system requirements and improving overall healthcare services.

The Fox Family Foundation Grant focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities through workforce development, education, and advocacy. By promoting accessibility and inclusion, the foundation creates opportunities for differently-abled individuals to thrive in their careers. With a commitment to innovative programs and partnerships, it seeks to bridge the gap in funding for disability initiatives, ensuring equitable access to meaningful careers and education for all.

The David and Jacquie Clark Family Fund, established in 2017, aims to support individuals with special needs and their families through grants to nonprofits. With a focus on Ohio organizations, the fund seeks to ensure equitable opportunities for these individuals, fostering their success and well-being. Since its inception, the fund has provided assistance to over 30 nonprofits across the U.S., enhancing programs that promote learning and growth outside traditional educational settings.

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County offers Community Arts Grants to support nonprofit arts organizations in providing enriching programming to county residents. This key funding initiative aims to promote diversity, equity, and accessibility in the arts. Organizations can apply for grants based on their budget size, with funding tiers designed to foster excellence and broaden opportunities in the local arts community. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to serving the community and maintaining good fiscal practices.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program offers significant support for aspiring journalists, providing scholarships and recognition for excellence in various media formats. Established in 1960 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the program includes multiple competitions in writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia. With up to $700,000 in awards, it encourages undergraduate students at accredited institutions to showcase their talents, fostering the next generation of journalistic talent.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports undergraduate journalism education with up to $700,000 in awards through various competitions. Open to ACEJMC-accredited students, it includes writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia contests. Each participating university can submit two entries per competition, promoting excellence in journalism while providing schools with stipends. While primarily for journalism majors, exceptions exist for photojournalism entrants, fostering inclusivity and creativity in the field.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education at the collegiate level by offering scholarships for outstanding performance. The 2024-2025 program includes 14 competitions across various media forms, with awards totaling up to $700,000. Participation is open to undergraduate journalism majors and minors at ACEJMC-accredited institutions. The program aims to encourage excellence in journalism and provides financial support to both students and their schools.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education by awarding scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. With $700,000 available, this program includes competitions across writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia categories. Each participating university can submit two entries per competition, fostering excellence in journalism. The Hearst Foundation, a long-standing supporter of educational initiatives, underlines the importance of quality journalism and supports students actively engaged in media.

About the Hertz Foundation

Empowering the Nation’s Most EXCEPTIONAL Innovators

The Hertz Foundation identifies and empowers the nation’s most exceptional innovators in science and technology, fueling a lifelong community dedicated to solving our most pressing problems.

Hertz Community

Awards & Recognition

We’ve established several awards to recognize and support Hertz community members who are accelerating solutions to significant real-world challenges, either through their individual careers or volunteering to strengthen the Hertz Foundation’s work. In addition to providing financial and professional support at a critical time, we also hope to generate more awareness within the Hertz community and inspire collaborations that build on the momentum.

Newman-Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative

The Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative provides financial and professional support to Hertz Fellows who propose the most innovative entrepreneurial projects, with particular emphasis on collaboration among fellows. Awardees receive investments up to $25,000 to fund their work and receive mentoring from successful entrepreneurs within the fellows community.

Fueling Entrepreneurs

The initiative was established by honorary Hertz Fellow Harold Newman, a former member of our board of directors and a long-time supporter of and generous donor to the foundation. Newman changed the name to the Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative in honor of David Galas, a Hertz Fellow and chairman of the board. Through Newman’s substantial endowment, this award has helped enterprising fellows co-found 11 companies and develop new technologies with real-world impact.

The funds are provided with no strings attached, only the expectation that project leaders will be motivated to share their success with the foundation.

The UPMC Microvascular Reconstructive Fellowship offers a one-year clinical program designed for qualified surgeons, focusing on mentorship in microsurgical techniques and comprehensive patient care. Participants will gain hands-on experience in reconstructive surgeries, including extremity trauma and facial reanimation, while also engaging in multidisciplinary cancer treatment. The fellowship emphasizes both clinical and didactic learning, with opportunities for research in renowned laboratories, ensuring fellows acquire a deep understanding of the field.

The Health-Surgical Care Fund Grant, provided by the Orange County Community Foundation, aims to support underfunded, volunteer-driven organizations offering surgical care for various physical or cosmetic deformities. The Fund prioritizes programs with a significant long-term impact, ensuring services are free to the community. Eligible organizations must demonstrate accountability, transparency, and a commitment to serving U.S. citizens, while allocating at least 70% of their budget to direct program expenses.

The Grant and Bridget Daugherty Nursing Scholarship, administered by the Coral Gables Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to Coral Gables High School seniors pursuing a Nursing major. The scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 for one academic year. Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and submit transcripts annually to retain funding. This initiative supports students committed to academic excellence and a career in healthcare.

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin offers a robust college scholarship program, providing over $325,000 annually to students in Portage and Waushara counties. Scholarships, ranging from $500 to $40,000, are available for high school seniors, college students, and non-traditional learners. Selection criteria include financial need, community involvement, academic achievement, and extracurricular activities, ensuring support for a diverse range of educational pursuits.

The Dave Ragan Jr. Memorial Golf Scholarship, managed by the Coral Gables Community Foundation, offers financial support to graduating seniors with a passion for golf. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate financial need, and intend to play golf at the collegiate level. This scholarship honors the legacy of Dave Ragan Jr. and aims to foster educational opportunities through sports. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded over $2.9 million in scholarships, emphasizing academic achievement and community engagement.