Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Michigan

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Northouse Nursing Scholarship

Open to full time, second year or higher undergraduate students of color who are residents of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa County attending college in the state of Michigan pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a competitive grant program for projects such as bike paths, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, and preservation of historic transportation facilities that enhance Michigan’s intermodal transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options. These investments support place-based economic development by offering transportation choices, promoting walkability, and improving quality of life. The program uses federal transportation funds designated by Congress for these types of activities.

Approximately $43 million is available annually:

• $29 million administered statewide by MDOT (Statewide TAP)
• $14 million administered by Metropolitan Planning Organizations in large urban areas

Competitive project types

• Pedestrian‑safety‑focused streetscapes
• Safe Routes to School initiatives
• Pedestrian and bicyclist improvements for transit systems
• Regional trail development
• Local-regional trail connections
• Historic transportation facility preservation

What's most competitive?

• Ideas that originate from local residents and businesses
• Robust community engagement
• High likelihood of being constructed on schedule

Project requirements

• A minimum 20% local cash match
• Compliance with federal and state standards
• Completion of planning, environmental review, and other readiness steps

The Going PRO Talent Fund, managed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, provides financial support to employers for short-term training aimed at filling skill gaps within their workforce. Applications for the fund will open on March 24, 2025, and again on April 14, 2025, for Cycle 2 of Fiscal Year 2025. This initiative helps employers develop and retain talent by ensuring training leads to industry-recognized credentials.

The Administration of Justice Grants Program, administered by the Michigan State Bar Foundation, aims to enhance the justice system through innovative projects. With over $2.2 million distributed in the last decade, the program supports law-related education, conflict resolution, and civil legal aid initiatives. Grants typically range from $12,000 to $15,000, prioritizing projects that educate the public about legal rights and responsibilities, promote conflict resolution, and assist low-income individuals in accessing justice.

The Golden Apple Scholars Program in Michigan offers aspiring educators the chance to excel in teaching within Pre-K-12 schools. Participants can receive up to $15,000 for professional development, mentorship, and job placement assistance. Eligibility includes high school seniors and college freshmen or sophomores. Scholars must maintain a 2.5 GPA, participate in training, and commit to teaching for five years in a Michigan school-of-need after graduation, fostering a new generation of committed educators.

The Michigan State Bar Foundation's grant program, "Civil Legal Aid for Low-Income Households," focuses on providing essential legal assistance to low-income individuals. With approximately $8 million in annual funding, it supports nonprofit legal aid programs across Michigan, ensuring access to justice for those facing issues such as domestic violence, wrongful foreclosures, and fraudulent debts. The Foundation plays a crucial role in advocating for fair outcomes and improving the overall justice system.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Margaret L. Palmer Scholarship

Margaret L. Palmer was born in Newberry, Michigan. She received her teaching certificate in 1927 from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. In 1956, Miss Palmer moved to Saginaw to teach first grade at North Elementary School. Retiring in 1974 after 46 years of service, Miss Palmer’s teaching made a difference in the lives of countless young people.

William H. Palmer established this scholarship in honor of his sister. “Education was so important to her,” remembered Bill, “I can still recall the opening days of school. Her enthusiasm was just bubbling. You couldn’t help but realize how teaching was more than just a job for her.”

“She influenced so many people. People still come up to me and tell me how Margaret made a difference in their lives or in the lives of someone they know. There were no bad youngsters as far as she was concerned. Good teachers like Margaret are necessary to inspire young minds. That’s why the Margaret L. Palmer Scholarship is designated for those interested in elementary education.”

The Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust – Falk Catalyst Awards support high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with up to $350,000 in funding over one to two years. These awards aim to address critical scientific challenges and enable the translation of innovative research into clinical practices. Projects focus on identifying biological markers, therapeutic targets, and developing interventions to disrupt disease processes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Scholarships

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Grand Rapids Chamber ATHENA Eileen DeVries Scholarship

Open to undergraduate students who identify as female and who are over age 29, who will attend either GRCC, GVSU, Calvin, Aquinas, Davenport, Cornerstone, or Kuyper and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Scholarships

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Harry J. Morris, Jr. Emergency Services

Open to students who are residents of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, or Ottawa County attending a college in the state of Michigan studying Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic, or Firefighter with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

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.

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.

Karri B. and David E. Jasperse Scholarship

• Graduating senior from Holland Christian, Black River, West Ottawa, or Holland High School
• Enrolling in a bachelor's degree program in mathematics, science, or engineering at an accredited public post-secondary school within Michigan
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 3.0 or greater

Marshall Community Foundation

The Marshall Community Foundation is a partnership of endowed funds established by individuals and organizations. A Board of Trustees, comprised of local community leaders, invest the pooled endowments. Income generated is then available for grants that address charitable needs in our community. Staff and trained volunteers monitor the grants to ensure fulfillment of the grant agreements.

The full circle of philanthropy is poetry in motion. The Foundation receives your gifts, grants to local non-profits, who in turn, give back by providing services to the community. Truly, the Foundation is all about improving the quality of life and making this a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Coury and Kesselring Natural Resources Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to Calhoun County residents seeking to further their education in natural resources or a related field at any Michigan college or university. Applicants may enroll at a two-year institution with plans to complete at a four-year institution. 

Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years however, applicants must submit updated supporting materials. 

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Scholarships

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Hill Machinery Scholarship

Open to undergraduate students attending a college in the state of Michigan who are studying technology-related fields with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Preference to Challenge Scholar students through 2032.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Melbourne & Alice E. Frontjes Scholarship

Open to students who are residents of Kent County for 3+ years, attending CMU, WMU, GRCC, MSU or U-M and with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Scholarships

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Horning Marshall University of Michigan Scholarship

Open to full time undergraduate students who are residents of the City of Grand Rapids, attending University of Michigan and with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The Delta Dental Foundation's Community Mini Grants provide up to $10,000 to local nonprofits promoting oral health care in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. These grants focus on enhancing access to dental care for at-risk populations, educating communities about oral health, and supporting innovative programs. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with strategic aims and the ability to achieve impactful results. This initiative seeks to improve community health through dedicated funding and support for effective oral health programs.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization founded in 1978 that inspires and facilitates charitable giving to improve quality of life in the Greater Kansas City region and beyond. From its modest beginnings, the Foundation has grown into one of the nation’s most respected public charities, managing billions in charitable assets and administering thousands of funds for individuals, families, and businesses. Through donor-advised funds and other giving vehicles, it helps donors give strategically and effectively while providing education, leadership on key community issues, and personalized guidance that amplifies lasting community impact.

John Luttig Scholarship Fund

The John Luttig Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to deserving graduating high school seniors from Michigan who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. The scholarship supports motivated students with a minimum 3.25 high school GPA who have been accepted into LTU’s B.S. Architecture program and enroll directly after high school. Awards are supplemental to existing academic scholarships, with consideration given to financial need, work experience, and community service. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain eligible. The scholarship offers a total award of $2,000, disbursed in two equal payments in August and January.

The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program for FY 2026 offers $3 million in grants to support the development of mitigation banks for agricultural producers with wetlands. Proposals are prioritized based on the number of wetlands and conservation compliance requests in states such as Georgia, Illinois, and Minnesota. This competitive program is designed to enhance conservation efforts while providing financial opportunities for eligible entities.

MI Healthy Climate Challenge

The MI Healthy Climate Challenge (The Challenge) is Michigan’s boldest call to action yet—putting millions in green energy grants into the hands of Michiganders to accelerate the clean energy transition.

There has never been a more urgent time to act. To reach our climate goals, Michigan must rapidly scale renewable energy, electrification, energy storage, and efficiency efforts. The Challenge is designed to break down barriers, spark new partnerships, and launch transformative projects that deliver real impact.

These grants will fuel high-impact initiatives that cut emissions, create good-paying jobs, and unlock even greater investment in Michigan’s clean energy economy. From energy efficiency and electrification to innovative financing models, we’re seeking bold, catalytic proposals that push boundaries and deliver real solutions for communities.

Local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and more—if you’re ready to lead in the clean energy transition, Michigan is ready to invest.

The "Challenges"

Throughout the year, the MI Healthy Climate Challenge will launch a series of grant competitions to drive clean energy deployment and unlock additional investment across Michigan. 

Go Big, Go Clean is the fourth grant program of the MI Healthy Climate Challenge supporting industrial decarbonization feasibility studies that help Michigan industries evaluate practical near-term decarbonization interventions while also identifying the technologies, conditions, and support needed to achieve deeper emissions reductions over time. Funding can be used to support studies, assessments, analyses, and related planning work that support industrial decarbonization at Michigan facilities. 

The program is designed not only to inform facility-level decisions, but also to help the State of Michigan understand what will be required to accelerate decarbonization across Michigan’s industrial sectors. In addition to highlighting what is feasible today, studies should help clarify what is not yet feasible, what is missing, and what role the state and other partners can play in expediting progress towards industrial decarbonization.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

About Us

The Community Development unit focuses on creating vibrant, sustainable and unique places by providing economic development services and programs to attract and retain talent in Michigan communities.The global economy has drastically shifted how municipalities and regions establish and maintain a competitive advantage. Success is determined by the ability to attract and retain the best people and ideas. These "knowledge workers" balance job opportunities with lifestyle, seeking more than just employment when deciding where to live. The concept of placemaking considers cultural and natural amenities, resources and social and professional networks.

MiPlace is a website dedicated to community development and placemaking in Michigan. Content on this site is relevant for communities, developers and individuals interested in topics ranging from redevelopment and brownfield tools to crowdfunding. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @miplacenews to find updates and latest news.

Michigan Certified Local Government (CLG) Program

Communities across Michigan routinely and purposefully choose to engage preservation activities because of their role in supporting community character, sense of place, economic vitality, and quality of life. From Calumet to Detroit, many of these communities have taken the next step and joined the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, thus making a formal commitment to preservation by engaging in a partnership with SHPO to plan for effective preservation strategies. Through the partnership, Michigan SHPO provides technical assistance and funding support for preservation activities in these communities.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) strives to promote better health outcomes, reduce health risks, and support stable and safe families while encouraging self-sufficiency.

Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC) Compensation Program

The Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC) Compensation Program may help crime victims and their families with the financial costs of crime. We may cover costs including medical and dental treatment, non-medical remedial treatment, counseling, funeral expenses, crime scene cleanup, grief counseling, residential security, relocation expenses, transportation, loss of earnings or support, and other necessary services not paid by other sources. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

The Michigan Justice Fund Rapid Response Grant Program aims to support Michigan-based advocacy and service organizations with urgent funding needs. Grants between $1,500 and $10,000 are available for time-sensitive projects that enhance justice reform efforts. There is no application deadline, and decisions are made within 30 days. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing, or fiscally sponsored organizations, located in Michigan.

The JFNY Grant for Arts & Cultural Exchange supports U.S. non-profit organizations aiming to enhance understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Eligible projects include performances, workshops, and exhibitions, with priority given to those with additional funding and in areas with limited access to cultural events. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior for online projects and three months for others. The grant covers expenses like travel, publicity, and artist fees, and is reimbursed upon project completion.

The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) offers Planning Grants of up to $20,000 to foster community-based Local College Access Networks (LCANs). These grants aim to enhance college readiness and completion among low-income and first-generation students in Michigan. MCAN provides tools, templates, and technical assistance, alongside a requirement for grantees to match 25% of the award. Applications are accepted anytime, with reviews conducted year-round, except during the fiscal year-end from September 1 to 30.