Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Michigan

The Dr. H. Nicholas Hamner Undergraduate Support Fund at Western Michigan University offers financial assistance to undergraduate students in the Department of History. Established through a generous gift from Dr. Hamner, this endowed fund covers educational expenses, including tuition, fees, and books. Applications are due by March 15 and should be submitted to the department chair, providing vital support for students pursuing their academic goals.

The WMU Department of History offers the History Alumni Travel Award to support undergraduate history majors and minors in their scholarly pursuits outside the classroom. This award is designed to fund research, internships, volunteer experiences, and travel to scholarly conferences. The grant amount varies, and applications are due by March 15. Interested students should submit their applications to the department chair to take advantage of this opportunity.

The WMU Department of History offers a renewable $1,000 History Fellowship Award for newly admitted full-time freshman students majoring in history or related fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and maintain the same GPA while enrolled. The fellowship is renewable for up to four years, ensuring continued support for students who maintain their academic standing. Applications are due by March 15, and underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

The History Internship Scholarship at Western Michigan University supports exceptional history and public history students undertaking internships. This scholarship helps cover relocation costs for students required to move temporarily for their internships. Applicants must provide a resume, transcript, project description, budget proposal, and faculty mentor support. The application deadline is March 15, and the scholarship amount varies. Interested students should submit their applications to the department chair.

Undergraduate history majors and minors in Michigan can receive $50 - $500 to support scholarly and professional development activities, including research, internships, volunteer work, or conference travel. Grants from Western Michigan University may benefit teachers-in-training and future educators seeking continuing education experiences in history-related fields.

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. 

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Randy Boileau Storyteller Scholarship

• Graduating senior who resides within the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Hamilton
• Enrolling at Aquinas College, Calvin University, Ferris State University, Hope College, or Grand Valley State University
• GPA of 3.5 or greater
• Majoring in marketing, advertising, public relations, journalism, video production, graphic design, or a related subject
• 1,200-character or less answer to this question: How might you use narrative to create understanding and build community in your future career?

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity 

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan’s vast pipeline of opportunities.

Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) awards Consultation Education and Training (CET) grants on an annual basis for the development and implementation of safety and health training and services to supplement CET division activities. The CET Grant Program was initiated as part of the MIOSHA effort to help ensure a safe and healthful workplace. These grants are awarded on an open competitive basis to Michigan management/employer groups, labor/employee organizations and other non-profit groups such as universities, hospitals, and service organizations.

The Habitat Protection and Restoration grant by the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust aims to fund projects that protect and restore vital fish habitats in the Great Lakes region. Priorities include enhancing fish passage, supporting sustainable reproduction, and utilizing decision-support tools for project identification. Eligible applicants include non-profits and governmental organizations, focusing on projects within the Lake Michigan basin. This grant emphasizes community support and long-term management, ensuring impactful conservation efforts.

The Great Lakes Fisheries Trust offers grants for ecological and biological research aimed at enhancing ecosystem health and sustainable fish populations. These grants support competitive fisheries research, focusing on resilience, sustainability, and stakeholder value. The next funding cycle will open with a request for proposals in late 2026 for the 2027 program year, promoting innovative research and capacity-building efforts within the fisheries sector.

Background

The Access grant program provides funding to increase access to the Great Lakes for shore-based angling and tribal fishing. The request for proposals (RFP) is planned for release every other year in the summer on even number years (e.g., 2022, 2024, 2026, etc.). Funding is limited to sites within the state of Michigan and geographic priority will be given to sites within the Lake Michigan basin, although the GLFT will consider projects throughout the state.

Discover angling sites throughout Michigan using an interactive map of locations that have been improved, renovated, or developed through grant-funded projects.

Funding Priorities

The Trust’s priorities for the Access grant category are:

• Capital improvement and renovation of existing access sites, previously funded by the GLFT or other funding sources, that have exceeded or are nearing the end of their planned lifecycle.
• Development of new high-value sites that fill a gap in access. Eligible sites may be located on the Great Lakes or on tributaries below the lowermost barriers.

Additional project-specific considerations, priorities, and requirements are provided in the Policies and How to Apply sections.

The MRC/SOT Early Career Toxicologist Award, presented by the Society of Toxicology, recognizes an outstanding Midwest toxicologist with up to 10 years of experience. This prestigious award honors candidates actively contributing to the field or recently retired, showcasing their unique research achievements and teaching proficiency. Winners receive an engraved plaque and an honorarium, celebrating their commitment to advancing toxicology and enhancing human, animal, and environmental health.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Samuel Meengs Scholarship

• Graduating senior from one of the following high schools: Black River, Calvary Schools of Holland, Holland Christian, Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling at Hope College
• Financial need, a consideration (encouraged to submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 4.0 or greater
• Involvement in high school sports, music, or the arts preferred
• This scholarship is potentially renewable and supports one student at a time.

Startup grants are seed money for newly forming volunteer monitoring groups that want to get involved in aquatic macro invertebrate and stream habitat monitoring in wadable streams using MiCorps protocols. MiCorps staff will provide training and support to the grantees. Grantees use the information provided by MiCorps to train their own volunteers who will conduct most of the data collection work. Grantees together with volunteers identify macro invertebrates, process the data and work to turn their data results into actions that improve and protect water quality and stream habitat.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Slotman Family Scholarship

• Graduating senior or non-traditional student from one of the following high schools: Black River, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling/enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within Michigan
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Answer the following two-part question in a 3,400-character or less essay: What is your motivation for attending college and how are you being supported in this endeavor? What barriers to completing your education do you anticipate and how will you overcome them?
• Top priority given to first-generation college students.
• Priority given to students of color
• Potentially renewable for three additional years. Top priority given to first-generation college students. Priority given to students of color
• This scholarship is potentially renewable and supports one student at a time.

The NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant Program funds up to $20,000 for graduate student projects addressing sustainable agriculture in the North Central Region. Established in 2002, it supports Master's and Ph.D. students at accredited institutions. Projects can last up to 36 months, and applicants may receive only one grant during their academic career. The program aims to promote innovative solutions to agricultural challenges and enhance sustainability practices in the region.

The Exhibitions Abroad Support Grant Program, initiated by the Japan Foundation in New York, offers financial aid to U.S. museums and art institutions organizing exhibitions that showcase Japanese art and culture internationally. This program supports a range of events, including biennials and triennials featuring Japanese artists. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations from designated states, with a focus on promoting cultural exchange and understanding through art.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative offers up to $1,000,000 for the acquisition of private forest land in the Lake Superior Basin. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, local governments, and nonprofits. Projects must focus on forested properties over five acres, addressing threats of conversion to non-forest uses while enhancing community benefits. Proposals demonstrating significant public benefits and community engagement will be prioritized, especially those contributing to habitat connectivity and resilience for local ecosystems.

The Michigan Botanical Foundation Grant supports research and educational initiatives that enhance the understanding and preservation of Michigan's flora. Grants are available for projects involving rare species, environmental awareness, and educational programs. The foundation welcomes applications from individuals and organizations that align with its goals. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $1,500, with preference given to projects based in Michigan or the Great Lakes region. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is granting funding to enhance wildlife disease diagnostics at the National Wildlife Health Center. This initiative aims to strengthen parasitology services, which are crucial for monitoring and managing wildlife health. By improving early detection and surveillance of parasitic diseases, the project supports wildlife conservation, public safety, and ecological balance. This aligns with federal efforts to enhance resource stewardship and reduce regulatory burdens related to endangered species protections.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Kailey Elizabeth Jordan Memorial Fund honors a vibrant young life lost too soon. Established to support accredited Michigan horse camps, it provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities for disabled or terminally ill children aged 16 and under. This initiative not only celebrates Kailey's passions but also aims to enrich the lives of children facing challenges, fostering joy and healing through the bond with horses.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

A total of $75,000 is available across three grant types for volunteer benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring and habitat assessment in wadeable streams and rivers. Benthic invertebrates are small, bottom-dwelling aquatic animals such as larval insects, snails, worms, and beetles. Local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for the following:

• Startup grants
• Implementation grants
• Maintenance grants

Maintenance Grants

These grants are for groups who are already monitoring with MiCorps procedures. Funds can pay for staff time, equipment, and travel to MiCorps trainings and conferences, are a maximum of $3,000, and last for eight months.  

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

A total of $75,000 is available across three grant types for volunteer benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring and habitat assessment in wadeable streams and rivers. Benthic invertebrates are small, bottom-dwelling aquatic animals such as larval insects, snails, worms, and beetles. Local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for the following:

• Startup grants
• Implementation grants
• Maintenance grants

Implementation Grants

These funds support volunteer training and macroinvertebrate data collection for the purpose of assessing water quality that help state and local efforts to protect and manage water resources. Grants may be used to fund a monitoring coordinator and/or purchase water quality monitoring supplies. There is a maximum dollar amount of $20,000 per grant award for two-year projects under this funding area.

The CSA Midwest Region: Otto Thieme Memorial Internship provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in a hands-on curatorial experience with costume collections at Midwestern museums, historical societies, or universities. Awarded a $2000 stipend for an eight-week internship, students will gain valuable mentorship and training in the field of costume. This program honors Otto Charles Thieme, an influential figure in costume scholarship, enhancing students' academic pursuits while fostering appreciation for historic costumes.