Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Nebraska

The ISF New Student Scholarship supports orphaned or former foster care students in their pursuit of higher education. By providing financial assistance and mentoring, ISF empowers these students to overcome obstacles and thrive academically. Recipients are selected based on their moral character, commitment to personal growth, and readiness to engage in leadership training. This initiative aims to transform lives and foster the next generation of leaders.

Pathway to Careers, a Sedona/Verde Valley CTE Scholarship Summer Courses

This fund is designed to meet the employment needs of the Sedona/Verde Valley area communities through the establishment of a new career pathway. The Fund supports any Sedona/Verde Valley high school graduate currently residing in Sedona/Verde Valley who is already attending, or plans to attend, an accredited community college or technical/vocational school in pursuit of an Associate's degree, license, or certificate.

Northern New York Community Foundation

Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

Next Step Education Program

The Community Foundation’s Next Step Education Program is an ideal opportunity for students and working professionals who are pursuing career advancement and educational growth. The program aims to help individuals as they pursue postsecondary education and career training. It is designed to assist students of all ages, including recent high school graduates, adult learners, and nontraditional students, as they work to earn undergraduate degrees, professional certifications, or technical credentials that will advance their professional goals.

Whether enrolling in an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school or gaining industry-recognized certifications, the Next Step Education Program aims to help individuals achieve lasting success.

This opportunity is made possible by the generosity of donors who believe in the power of lifelong education. Their support ensures that more people in our community have access to the training and education they need to reach their goals.

Award amounts may be used for tuition, books, and course-related expense.

What educational avenues can I pursue?

The Next Step Education Program supports a wide range of educational and professional development pathways, including:

• Micro-credentials and professional certifications to strengthen skills or secure employment
• Courses or programs that lead to a degree
• Technical and trade school training for hands-on, high-demand careers
• Enhanced skills programs for career advancement or to help obtain new employment, such as Microsoft Office programs and more
• Programs at local BOCES campuses
• Professional licensing programs, including CDL and other industry-specific certifications

Thurman G. Adams and Hilda McCabe Adams Family Scholarship

Award:

• One-time award of $1,000.

Thomas A. & Mary Jo Russo Scholarship

Award:

• 4-year award of $5,000 per year. Students may be eligible to renew their scholarship for up to three additional years, provided they continue in the same degree program. 

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Anna Belle Mitchell Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate, graduate student or community member currently pursuing pottery. Three pictures of artwork must be included with application for consideration. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Barbara Jean Dyer Scholarship

Applicant must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, major in art and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Fremont Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Fremont Area Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Fremont area by connecting donor interests with community needs and serving as a leader and catalyst in the development of solutions. Since 1980, generous donors in the Fremont and surrounding areas have invested their charitable dollars to be transformed, through careful stewardship and deep community knowledge, into positive local impact. Over $20 million in grants has been given through the Foundation.

The Fremont Area Community Foundation focuses its grant dollars in five interest areas including arts and culture, civic improvements, education, health and recreation and social services. Field of Interest Funds are also available in these areas to give donors the option to focus their charitable giving in a specific interest area.

As nonprofit organizations, local governments and businesses strive to tackle issues of concern, the Fremont Area Community Foundation collaborates with other organizations in the community to work toward a common goal. Through these collaborations, community partners leverage collective knowledge, creativity and resources for a greater impact than any of us can make alone.

Youth Philanthropy Grants Program 

The Fremont Area Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Grants Program allows kids grades K-12 to come up with innovative projects that are philanthropic in nature and help our community grow and change for the better.

Projects for the Youth Philanthropy Grants Program should have a positive effect in the community. Project ideas could be something you've been thinking about for a while, or even a completely new idea. The main goal is for all projects to benefit others in the Fremont area. You could save something, create something, or change something. How will you make a difference in our community? Grab a friend, form a group, or set out on your own, and start planning your next great idea to give back to the community that has done so much for you! 

• Those who are funded will receive up to $1,000 to implement their projects.
• Unless you already have one, we will pair you with a club or organization that will serve as your mentor and help you complete your application and/or project!
• The Foundation may accept multiple applications from the same organization or individual within a year, however no more than two requests will be funded in a calendar year to the same group or individual.

Ken Cicerale Memorial Music Scholarship

Award:

• One time award of $1,000. 

Uta Landy Complex Family Planning Scholars

Complex family planning subspecialists, with their focus on providing care for people with complex abortion and contraception needs, are well-positioned to produce abortion and contraception research that ultimately shapes clinical practice and medical education. As members of a subspecialty, they hold the potential to leverage the resources of academic medicine in service of research primed for impact.

As one of its core strategies, the Society of Family Planning seeks to convene a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and multidisciplinary community of all engaged in the science and medicine of abortion and contraception. Providing early-career research support to fellows currently training in complex family planning is an important step toward actualizing this strategy. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support fellows currently in training at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited Complex Family Planning sites in developing independent research portfolios. The grant deliverable is the completion of a publishable scholarly research project.

Funds and duration

The maximum grant award is $7,500. Funds may be used to support expenses that are directly related to research (eg, statistical support, translation services, equipment, participant reimbursement, and travel directly associated with conducting research). No indirect costs are permitted for this award. The duration of the award period is 12 months. Funds will be available for immediate use, contingent on receipt of a signed award agreement and documentation of IRB approval or exemption for project activities. Up to 20% of the requested award amount may be used as stipends to support time or to present findings at an academic conference. We encourage scholars to submit their work for presentation at a broad array of conferences. We anticipate supporting up to ten scholars via this funding opportunity.

Keisha M. Michael Memorial Scholarship

Essay: Topic:

• “How a college education will help me make an impact on the community and affect my life.”

Award:

• One time award of $1,500. Awardees can re-apply.

The Wilmington Country Club Centennial Scholarship, managed by the Delaware Community Foundation, offers a one-time award of $2,000. This scholarship is aimed at current or former employees of SoDel Concepts in Sussex County who are pursuing a degree at an accredited institution. In 2024-2025, the DCF awarded a record $850,000 in scholarships to support students' educational pursuits, promoting equity and opportunity in Delaware.

The LACCW Resilience Scholarship Program, initiated by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women, supports women in overcoming personal and academic challenges. Established in 1999, it has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships, emphasizing resilience and determination. Eligible applicants must reside in Los Angeles County and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while enrolled in accredited educational programs. This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also motivates women to achieve their academic goals despite adversities.

The Catalyst Adventure Grant, offered by the American Alpine Club, supports individuals and teams from underrepresented communities in climbing. Awards range from $250 to $2,000, aiming to overcome barriers to access. The grant promotes skill progression in various climbing disciplines, emphasizing community engagement. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens or green card holders of all experience levels, with expeditions required to occur between June 15, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Health, Patient, and Science Focused Giving

At Genentech, we invest in bold ideas and innovative solutions that address systemic inequities in science and medicine to advance a more just healthcare system. We focus on efforts that diversify the scientific and medical workforce, advance health equity, and help our communities thrive. We also further advance excellence in medicine and healthcare through our grants for independent medical education. Including efforts to advance health equity, support patient needs, engage the scientific community, and provide co-pay assistance. 

There are multiple ways to apply for funding. Before you submit an application, we encourage you to explore the following materials to learn more about our opportunities for funding, eligibility requirements and considerations, and the process for submitting a proposal within our Funding Request System (gFRS).

Delaware Fine Arts Scholarship

Awards:

• One time award of $5,000. Students may reapply each year. 

The Saw Island Foundation provides Social Change, Faith-Based, and Special Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on community betterment. They support initiatives that enhance economic security and promote Christian education. While active engagement is primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, they welcome extraordinary projects aligned with their mission. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The foundation does not fund individual grants, political activities, or lobbying efforts.

The White-Reinhardt Grant offers funding for projects that enhance agricultural literacy among K-12 students. With grants of up to $1,000 available, state and county Farm Bureaus can initiate new educational programs or expand existing ones. This initiative, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and its Women’s Leadership Committee, honors the contributions of Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, aiming to bolster agricultural knowledge across the nation.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the skills of child abuse professionals. This initiative will promote coordinated investigations and improve intervention strategies for child abuse victims. By providing essential training on effective interviewing, investigative techniques, and interagency collaboration, the program seeks to elevate the quality of care and support available to affected children and families. Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

Alice O. Rydell Interior Design Scholarship

Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation.

The Henry Luce Foundation’s Religion and Theology: Responsive Grants program seeks to enhance understanding of religion in society by supporting innovative projects that challenge traditional narratives and foster diverse voices. With a focus on racial justice and public discourse, the program encourages organizations to explore the intersections of religion, culture, and social movements. This initiative aims to cultivate inclusive knowledge communities and promote scholarship that contributes to a more equitable future.

The Lynne Sherwood Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, aims to support local youth in achieving their educational aspirations. This competitive scholarship considers various factors including financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must reside in West Michigan and submit necessary documents such as transcripts and the Student Aid Report. Lynne Sherwood's legacy as a community leader and educator continues to inspire future generations through this scholarship opportunity.

The Girls Flag Grant, offered by USA Football, aims to empower youth and scholastic organizations to establish girls-only flag football programs. This inclusive initiative provides tailored support, including equipment, playbooks, and marketing resources. With a commitment to fostering growth in the sport, each grant is customized to meet the unique needs of the organization, ensuring long-term success and engagement in the game. Organizations must enroll with USA Football to apply.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the ability of state, Tribal, and local agencies to effectively address cases of missing and exploited children. This initiative will support multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement and child protection personnel, to improve investigations and prosecutions. By providing essential resources and training, the program seeks to strengthen responses to protect vulnerable children and combat related public safety issues.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Heidi Norris Scholarship

Auglaize, Shelby or Mercer County residents majoring in Respiratory Therapy or a closely related field who are one year removed from high school, surpassed college freshman status and, have maintained a college GPA of not less than 2.5, and who are pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.

Selection based upon:

Financial need, academic ability, community and school service, and recommendations.

Awards

• One $1,500 scholarship

The BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program aims to enhance Adult Treatment Court operations, focusing on preventing overdoses and reducing substance use among high-risk adults in the criminal justice system. The program integrates judicial supervision, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery support services to improve outcomes for participants. This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice highlights the commitment to public safety and addressing critical issues like the opioid crisis.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Herbert H. and Antoinette V. Schlater Scholarship

Must be enrolling in adult education, a trade school or pursuing a two-year or four-year degree.

Selection based upon:

Financial need; academic ability; community, religious, and school service; recommendations.

Awards

One $2,500 to a Sidney Electric Co. employee’s child and one $2,500 scholarship to an Area Energy & Electric employee’s child