Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

The Gerber Foundation's Novice Researcher Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for infants and young children by funding innovative research in health and nutrition. With a focus on practical solutions that can be rapidly implemented, the grant supports projects addressing everyday challenges faced by young children and their caregivers. Eligible applicants include early-career researchers, with grants capped at $30,000, making it accessible for those looking to contribute to significant advancements in pediatric care.

The ICRG Seed Grant supports innovative research aimed at understanding and treating gambling disorders. With a focus on pilot studies, secondary data analysis, and developing new methodologies, it encourages both established and early-career researchers to apply for funding up to $40,000. The grant emphasizes the importance of addressing critical issues in gambling research while ensuring the inclusion of diverse participant groups. This initiative aims to enhance public education and promote responsible gaming practices.

Our Scholarships

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been the leading source for post-secondary scholarship funding in Frederick County, and in more recent years, has provided significant scholarship support for students in Carroll County.

Our program supports nearly every area of study imaginable, with scholarships funded by generous donors who believe in the value of education. Some donors want to support students aspiring to careers similar to theirs; other donors want to give back to the community that has generously given to them. Others wish to honor the legacies of their loved ones, both living and deceased.

General Scholarships - Frederick County

The Community Foundation of Frederick County administers scholarships primarily for the benefit of Frederick County, Maryland residents who are pursuing post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, or certifications.

Approximately 60% of our available scholarships consider an applicant’s and/or their family’s financial need. To be eligible for financial need-based scholarships through the Community Foundation, you must be eligible to complete the FAFSA or for tuition reduction under the Maryland Dream Act as an undocumented student.

Scholarship awards can be used for tuition, college-sponsored room and board, books, and other fees associated with the upcoming school year.

The ASPB Excellence in Education Award, established in 1988, honors exceptional teaching and mentoring in plant biology. It recognizes individuals, regardless of society membership, who demonstrate outstanding contributions in education, curricular development, or creation of effective teaching resources. This monetary award emphasizes the importance of quality education in advancing plant science, reflecting the mission of the American Society of Plant Biologists to promote growth and development in the field.

Archaeological Institute of America

The AIA is North America's largest and oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to archaeology. The Institute advances awareness, education, fieldwork, preservation, publication, and research of archaeological sites and cultural heritage throughout the world. 

Grants & Awards

The AIA’s mission includes supporting and promoting archaeological research and its dissemination. To that end, the AIA offers a variety of scholarships, fellowships, and grants for excavation, research, publication, and site preservation.

Each year, the Institute also presents a number of awards to archaeologists, educators, authors, and others whose work has had a positive impact on the field of archaeology.

Anna Marguerite McCann Award for Fieldwork Reports

In keeping with the Code of Ethics of the AIA, which emphasizes the need for archaeologists to publish field research, the Anna Marguerite McCann Award for Fieldwork Reports recognizes an outstanding monograph that presents results from an archaeological field project (e.g. excavation and/or survey), as recommended by the Committee, in time for presentation of the award at the Annual Meeting of the Institute. Authors/editors of successful nominations must join the AIA as a member, if they are not already one, once they receive the award. For multi-authored or multi-edited volumes, this requirement applies only to the primary author/primary editor/principal investigator.

AIA members are encouraged to suggest publications worthy of the award by filling out the Nomination Form. Authors and publishers may also bring their books to the committee’s attention by filling out the Nomination Form and sending an electronic copy (eBook or PDF) for distribution to the committee. Publishers should nominate no more than two (2) books per year and should ensure that the books meet the criteria of the award. Books may be submitted for the award only once, and should not be re-submitted unless specifically requested by the committee.

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Founded in 1978, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is a tax-exempt trusted public charity that advances equity through philanthropy and community leadership. Its work is guided by a strategic plan that advances four key priorities for the region:

• Social and Economic Mobility
• Opportunities for All
• Inclusive Systems of Economic Growth
• Community Resilience

Booz Allen Hamilton Vision Scholarship Fund

In keeping with its commitment to contribute to the excellence of the future work force, Booz Allen Hamilton has established the Vision Scholarship Program. Under this program, legal dependent children of Booz Allen Hamilton employees located anywhere around the world who are pursuing an undergraduate college degree can apply for a scholarship to help defray their tuition expenses. Historically, the Vision Scholarship has been awarded to students who are at the top of their class academically and have a high level of engagement in extracurricular and community activities.

 The scholarship is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate education.

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) is offering the Project SAFE Grant Program to enhance student safety and well-being. The program aims to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with CDC guidelines. This initiative is particularly focused on supporting LEAs that face financial penalties from state educational agencies for adopting these necessary health measures, ensuring a safer learning environment.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Cathryn "Kate" George Frechen Scholarship

The Cathryn “Kate” Goerge Frechen Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 by Kay Sparks, niece of Cathryn “Kate” Goerge Frechen in her aunt’s memory. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools seeking further education in an accredited educational program in the US. The committee seeks to award a promising student who demonstrates financial need and potential scholastic ability (not necessarily demonstrated solely by grades).

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Cascade and Chelan School Districts ELL Scholarship

The Cascade and Chelan School Districts ELL (English as a second language) Scholarship provides financial support for students who have passed the Washington Language Proficiency Test (WLPT) and are pursuing further education.

About CKCF

Our Mission

Central Kentucky Community Foundation is the philanthropic focal point in the region, serving as a resource, leader and catalyst to people who wish to improve life in their community.

Available Scholarships

2026 Patrick Eldon Bergman Memorial Scholarship

The Rep. Steve Bratcher 25th District Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support students from Hardin County with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. This scholarship encourages local residents to pursue higher education by providing financial assistance, helping to foster community development and educational advancement in the region.

Eagles Soar Scholarship Fund

Tribute:

The scholarship was established by the Golden Eagle Club, Inc. in 2021. It is comprised of graduates of Hokes Bluff High School that have been out of school for 50 plus years. The award is made possible by donations and proceeds of a wind turbine in Texas via 1951 Hokes Bluff graduate, Mr. Don Street.

Award:

The scholarship benefits individuals pursuing a certificate, associate's degree, bachelor’s degree, or a State of Alabama-approved workforce training program. This one-time award is for either part-time or full-time enrolled students to attend any accredited institution of higher learning in the United States.

The Community Foundation will project and allocate the assets available for scholarship awards depending on the Fund's annual income. This Scholarship is strictly funded based on available assets. The award is renewable and may include tuition, institutional housing, books, and fees. Due to the renewable nature of the Fund, it may not be available on an annual basis. 

The American Urological Association's Residency Research Award supports urology residents in their research training, aimed at fostering future leaders in urologic research. Each award provides $10,000 for essential research supplies and resources for projects lasting 3-12 months. Recipients must dedicate 80% of their time to research during this period, ensuring they build a strong foundation for their research careers.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

W.R. "Bill" Asplund Scholarship

W.R. “Bill” Asplund (1932-2022) was a well-loved teacher in the Science Department at Wenatchee High School (WHS) from 1963 through 1987. He was a mentor to many students, instilling an appreciation for chemistry, scientific curiosity, and the natural world. He also introduced many to the outdoors as an advisor to the WHS Alpine Club, and later as an outdoor sports retailer in Wenatchee.

His childhood was harsh; he was homeless for a time. This gave him a life-long appreciation for those who helped him become a teacher and an advocate for wilderness conservation.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

National Welch’s Fred Killian Memorial Scholarship

The National Welch’s Fred Killian Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by the National Grape Cooperative and Welch’s to honor the memory of Fred Killian, a Washington State grower.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Grace Ekman Whitley Scholarship

Grace Ekman Whitley taught school in Leavenworth, Manson, Tonasket and Wenatchee High Schools. She had no children, but she loved the children in her classrooms as her own. This scholarship was established at the Community Foundation in order to support graduating seniors from Cascade, Manson, Tonasket and Wenatchee High Schools. Each year, the committee seeks to award students who demonstrate perseverance and commitment, work ethic, strong academic improvement, motivation, and who have overcome disadvantages.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Silver Star Chapter #93 Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong. The organization’s membership is comprised of women and men who sincerely reflect the spirit of fraternal love and the desire to work together for good. Silver Star Chapter #93 established this scholarship as a means of fulfilling the mission of the organization to support the local community and benefit fellow mankind.

The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research (JCC Fund) Fellowship supports exceptional postdoctoral fellows pursuing biomedical research to enhance human health. Established in 1937, it honors Jane Coffin Childs and offers three years of salary support, currently set at $72,000 for Year 1, $74,000 for Year 2, and $76,000 for Year 3. This prestigious fellowship fosters essential research in cancer and other diseases, promoting advancements in medical science across various countries.

Community Foundation of Randolph County

Our mission is to bring people and resources together to strengthen the quality of life, both now and in the future, for the residents of Randolph County.

The Community Foundation’s work falls into three major categories: grant-making, donor service, and community convening. Our most visible activities are the grants and scholarships we award each year. Most of these awards come from income earned from permanently endowed funds. Scholarships and other grants come from funds that donors have established for specific purposes.

Winchester Athena Club Students Scholarship

The Athena Club was founded in 1982 as an organization where women in local businesses and professions could meet to network with one another and to learn more about the greater Winchester community. The weekly luncheon meetings were open to all working and retired women. Named for the Greek goddess of knowledge and wisdom, the club’s purpose was to gain knowledge from the weekly speakers, to promote the role of women as leaders in our community, and to contribute to the knowledge of others by giving of themselves so that others might learn. The club has provided leadership to a variety of community organizations and has given financial support to young people who wished to take advantage of educational opportunities. The Athena Club scholarship is awarded each year to a senior from one of the five Randolph County high schools. The club disbanded in 2022, but the scholarship continues to support the club’s focus on education and leadership.

Community Foundation of Randolph County

Our mission is to bring people and resources together to strengthen the quality of life, both now and in the future, for the residents of Randolph County.

The Community Foundation’s work falls into three major categories: grant-making, donor service, and community convening. Our most visible activities are the grants and scholarships we award each year. Most of these awards come from income earned from permanently endowed funds. Scholarships and other grants come from funds that donors have established for specific purposes.

U & C Scholarship

Given to students who have been accepted into a 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning and are family members of vendors, business associates or children of company employees of B & F Plastics.

U.S. Writers Aid Initiative

PEN America is an organization of writers and their allies, and that solidarity is never more important than when members of our literary community face crises. PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative, part of the PEN America Writers Emergency Fund, offers grants for writers in the United States facing acute financial need following an emergency situation.

The U.S. Writers Aid Initiative is intended to assist fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, playwrights, translators, and journalists in addressing short-term financial emergencies. To be eligible, applicants must be professional writers based in the United States, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping address a short-term emergency situation. The fund is limited, and not every application can be supported.

Grant decisions are made on a quarterly basis by a volunteer committee of literary peers in consultation with PEN America staff, using the following guidelines to evaluate professional credentials:

• Publication of one or more books. (Writers who are only self-published or published by a press that charges for publication are not eligible.)
• Multiple essays, short stories, or poems appearing in literary anthologies or literary journals (either online or in print) in the last two years.
• A full-length play, performed in a theater by a professional theater company. Productions in academic settings qualify if the author is not a student at the time of the production.
• Employment as a full-time professional journalist, columnist, or critic, or a record of consistent publication on a freelance basis in a range of outlets during the last two years.
• Contracted forthcoming books, essays, short stories, poems, or articles for which the name of the publisher can be provided.
• Other qualifications that support the applicant’s professional identity as a writer.

Community Foundation of Randolph County

Our mission is to bring people and resources together to strengthen the quality of life, both now and in the future, for the residents of Randolph County.

The Community Foundation’s work falls into three major categories: grant-making, donor service, and community convening. Our most visible activities are the grants and scholarships we award each year. Most of these awards come from income earned from permanently endowed funds. Scholarships and other grants come from funds that donors have established for specific purposes.

Joe & Elizabethe Gardner Scholarship

This scholarship is open to a graduating senior who has applied and been accepted into a University, College, Junior College, or Technical School. Their proposed field of study must be in the area of 1) Home Economics Education, 2) Home Economics Specialty (i.e. dietetics, textiles, etc.), or 3) Home Economics related Health Occupation (listed as nursing, dental assistant, etc.).

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

Bob Schultz Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships to Level 9/10 USAG registered gymnasts in Pennsylvania.

The Special Angels Foundation Grant provides essential support for children with special needs, focusing on accessible therapy within established networks. Due to high demand, applications from outside California are temporarily suspended. The grant covers therapy expenses and requires a letter of medical necessity from a pediatric professional. Applicants must be under 18 and reside in the U.S. The foundation aims to maximize impact by prioritizing in-network resources and ensuring financial clarity for families.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

The Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond, a beloved neighbor and dear friend whose life embodied kindness, warmth and unwavering grace. Created by Ernest Frank, who considered Arlene a surrogate mother, the fund honors her legacy by supporting educational opportunities — something she deeply valued.

The scholarship fund serves as a lasting expression of love, respect and friendship, ensuring that Arlene’s spirit lives on by helping students pursue brighter futures — just as she would have wanted.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

• Must demonstrate academic achievement or academic potential.
• Must demonstrate financial need.

Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Scholarships

The CBCF scholarship is open each year. Scholarships awarded will be for the following academic year. Scholarships are available only to students who graduated from a high school in one of the counties in the CBCF Service Area: Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio. Thanks to our generous donors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF) offers scholarships to students from over 100 funds.

Cox - Justin Forrest Cox "Beat the Odds" Memorial Scholarship

Purpose

Established in memory of Justin Forrest Cox, who died at age 16. Justin was well-respected and had the ability to become friends with anyone. Destined to become great, he died before his time. Justin greatly admired those who persisted against daunting odds to achieve their goals. This scholarship is meant for those who have "Beaten the Odds."

Scholarships are to be used for books and tuition only and can be carried over to later years.