Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Oklahoma

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

Alex Shives Scholarship Application Guidelines

The purpose of the Fund is to distribute scholarships to assist qualified recipients in their pursuit of higher education who have graduated or will be a graduating senior from either Papillion LaVista or Papillion LaVista South High School and who have participated on the boys or girls golf team at either high school.

The Fund shall annually distribute one (1) scholarship in the total amount of $2,500, split evenly per semester (i.e., $1,250 Fall Semester, and $1,250 Spring Semester).

The Dr. D. Walter Cohen Teaching Award, provided by the American Academy of Periodontology, offers a $10,000 grant to support new periodontal educators. This funding aims to facilitate their entry into teaching and research careers in periodontal education. Eligible candidates must be in their third year of an accredited periodontal post-doctoral training program in the U.S. and demonstrate a strong commitment to education and research in this field.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund

The Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation by the late Mr. John F. Yoney, to provide to graduates from Chartiers-Houston High School, Peters Township High School and Canon McMillan High School.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) aims to enhance STEM undergraduate education and research at HBCUs. It offers various funding opportunities, including Research Initiation Awards, Targeted Infusion Projects, Implementation Projects, and Broadening Participation Research Centers, to support innovative educational goals and broaden participation in STEM fields. Proposals are due on various dates, ensuring multiple opportunities for institutions to engage with this vital funding.

The Abbey Mural Prize, established in 1932, supports the creation and restoration of public murals across the United States. This prestigious award, administered by the National Academy of Design since 1940, emphasizes projects that enhance community engagement and social activism through art. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000, with a total annual funding cap of $125,000. Eligible applicants include artists, architects, and nonprofit organizations committed to impactful mural projects.

About Us

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Our Promise

To help you help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

James G. and Marguerite Cook McQuillen Scholarship Fund

Mrs. McQuillen was a retired schoolteacher. She taught for 39 years before retiring, and trained many student teachers during her tenure. The scholarship, in memory of the McQuillens, benefits graduates of high schools in and around Nelsonville, Ohio.

The Society of Family Planning aims to document the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of medication abortion up to 97 days, addressing a critical gap in abortion care. With medication abortion comprising 63% of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023, this funding opportunity seeks to generate vital data beyond the FDA's 70-day approval, promoting evidence-informed and person-centered clinical practices for those needing abortion care later in pregnancy.

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.

Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club Scholarship

Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with a minimum 2.5 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens.

The FFAR Fellows Program, led by North Carolina State University, provides PhD students in food and agriculture sciences with essential leadership and professional development training. Over three years, fellows engage in in-person meetings, virtual sessions, and mentorship opportunities, enhancing their skills and networking. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program, have a confirmed financial sponsor, and demonstrate readiness to participate. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and broadens career pathways beyond academia.

The FFAR Fellows Program offers professional development and leadership training for PhD students in food and agriculture sciences across the U.S. and Canada. Led by North Carolina State University, the program includes in-person meetings, virtual sessions, and mentorship opportunities. Students receive a combined stipend of $65,000 annually, with a minimum of 50% sponsorship from non-academic sources. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, career exploration beyond academia, and the development of essential skills for future leaders in the field.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.

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.

Levi Otis Teague, Hazel L. Teague, & Jo Ann Teague Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a Cherokee Nation citizen and have completed high school courses at any of the Oklahoma School of Science and Math (OSSM) centers in the Cherokee Nation. Applicant must have 60 credit hours, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and live in the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area. Preference given to those who have a plan on giving back to the citizens of the Cherokee Nation.

David Webb Memorial Scholarship

To provide financial support for graduates of Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Faith, Dupree, Timber Lake, Mc Laughlin and McIntosh High School.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Larry Waters Scholarship

The Larry Waters Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors from Kearny High, Eastlake High, and Southwest High schools who plan to enroll full-time in a four-year university, or community college with the intent to transfer to a four-year university, anywhere in the U.S.
• Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Lauer Scholarship

The Lauer Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating seniors from a San Diego County public high school who plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Be actively involved in serving their community as demonstrated by their involvement in extra-curricular activities, community service or work experience and must describe how they plan to give back to their community during and after college
• Have demonstrated social responsibility and a high level of integrity
• Have parents who have not received a college degree
• Have a demonstrated financial need

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Lehman Family Scholarship

The Lehman Family Scholarship applicants should:

• Be graduating seniors from Lincoln, Morse or San Diego (downtown San Diego only) High Schools
• Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• Have a commitment to their community as demonstrated in their involvement in extracurricular activities, work or volunteer experience or church activities
• Preference for foreign born children of immigrant parents

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Leon and Margaret Williams Scholarship

The Leon and Margaret Williams Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors
• Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university in the United States in fall
• Plan to pursue a career in health or the healthcare field
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have a commitment to serving their community as demonstrated by their extra-curricular, work, church, or volunteer activities
• This opportunity is open to all applicants, with a focus on those furthest from opportunity and having a demonstrated financial need.

OREF/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant

Solicits investigator-initiated proposals focusing on research in the science of biologic – reconstruction, bone regeneration, transplantation - allografts, and including stem cells for graft transplantation.

The American Surgical Association's Surgical Leaders Fellowship Grant aims to develop future academic surgical leaders while promoting diversity in leadership roles. The program includes shadowing experiences and skill development, allowing fellows to assess their readiness for leadership positions in surgery. Each fellowship provides $5,000 in funding for visits to two academic institutions, enhancing professional growth through mentorship with established leaders in the field.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

Theo and Evelyn Yakel Scholarship

Theo and Evelyn Yakel Scholarship applicants should:

• Be graduating high school seniors who are children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of members of the Retired Employees of San Diego County, Inc. (RESDC)
  • Letter from the Retired Employees of San Diego County, Inc. (RESDC) on official letterhead verifying that you are a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of a RESDC member is required.
• Plan to enroll full-time at a community college or four-year university in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Be United States citizens

Patrick J. Kiley / Houston AGC Scholarship

Benefiting employees, dependents of employees, and/or interns of AGC Houston member firms OR students involved in AGC Student Chapters.

Award Amounts

Multiple awards are given each year. Scholarship award amounts will vary for each selected scholarship recipient.

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.

Martha (Marti) Aleshire Farrington Scholarship

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited four-year post-secondary institution with a 3.0 GPA. The award is renewable for up to five years.

The Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship, funded by The American Occupational Therapy Foundation, supports emerging OT scientists focusing on sensory integration and processing research. This $5,000 scholarship aids doctoral candidates in conducting impactful studies, contributing to the field of occupational therapy and enhancing care delivery. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program, have defended their dissertation proposal, and conduct research at a US institution. The scholarship emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices for underserved communities.

The Bridget McCabe Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, aims to support students at any life stage who demonstrate a passion for learning. With an annual award of up to $1,000, this non-renewable scholarship encourages applicants with a minimum 2.5 GPA who have graduated from a high school in Southern Arizona. The initiative reflects a commitment to nurturing future leaders and ensuring access to education for deserving students.

The Twomey Family Scholarship, managed by The San Diego Foundation, supports current or former foster youth pursuing higher education. It aims to assist students attending community colleges, universities, or graduate schools in the U.S. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate financial need and community commitment. Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded over $59.5 million to help students achieve their academic goals.

Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Challenge Grant

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population beginning in adolescence and persisting into adulthood. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

To address the needs of children and adolescents living with HS, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2026 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant to support an early-to-mid career investigator for a one-year project focused on a high-priority, patient-centric research topic.

Focus

Proposals should address one or more of the following high-priority research topics:

• Predicting treatment effectiveness and risk utilizing real world evidence and/or experience
• Early disease and factors involved in severe disease development
• Optimizing surgical and procedural approaches to minimize pain, shorten healing time, and reduce recurrence
• Improving recruitment of diverse and representative populations for clinical studies, trials and advanced therapeutics

Funding:

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle

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.

Pathology Laboratory Associates Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in a medical science field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area.