Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Breakin' It Down Conference Scholarship offers financial support to nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising professionals, as well as students, to attend the 2025 Breakin' It Down Conference in Chicago. It aims to assist individuals from under-represented communities, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The scholarship covers full registration fees, providing opportunities for networking and professional development in a supportive environment.

The IU Health Values Fund Grant Pilot & Feasibility Program supports early-career researchers in advancing their careers and securing funding. It emphasizes pilot clinical trials that align with IU Health's core values: purpose, excellence, compassion, and teamwork. This program is designed to benefit patients in the IU Health system by fostering innovative research that meets medical and scientific standards, ultimately contributing to the improvement of healthcare outcomes.

The SOMA Foundation Grant supports Christian organizations aligned with its Statement of Faith, focusing on the West Central Georgia Health District and Russell County, Alabama. Established in 2014, it aims to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ through effective, collaborative, and sustainable ministries. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations. Ineligible entities include endowments, social clubs, and those outside the U.S. or its territories. The foundation seeks ministries that document outcomes and align with its priorities.

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.

Heather Clair Miller Salisbury State University Fund

The Heather Clair Miller Salisbury State University Fund scholarship was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide four-year, renewable scholarships to at least two students who have faced social, economic, or educational barriers due to systemic gender inequity, who are attending Salisbury University, and who meet minimum entrance requirements.

Award Type: Renewable Award (subject to committee recommendation). 

The Song-Brown Certified Nurse Midwifery Training Programs aim to support organizations training nurse midwifery students for underserved areas in California. This initiative includes recruiting students committed to serving in these communities, providing counseling and placement support, and offering relevant preceptorship experiences. By addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in critical regions, the program enhances access to primary care and improves health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

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.

Herbert A. and Charles E. Kester Scholarship Fund

The Herbert A & Charles E Kester Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation by Kevin & Tracy Walsh to honor the memory of their dear friend Charles Kester & his father Herbert by providing funds for students who will be attending The University of Pittsburgh & will be pursing a degree or studies in Education. Both Herbert & Charles strongly believed in giving back & helping others when they could, this scholarship continues their legacy.

Award Type: Multi-Year (up to 4 years). Recipients must maintain enrollment and major requirements.

Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains

Our mission at the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is to improve the region’s quality of life through the power of philanthropy. We do this by offering individuals, families, and businesses the most effective charitable giving tools available in the marketplace today. Founded in 1998, the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is honored to work with hundreds of donors, nonprofits, advisors, and civic leaders to achieve dreams for making the Endless Mountains region of Northeastern Pennsylvania an even better place to live for everyone.

Scholarships

Many generous individuals, families, and businesses have established scholarship funds to provide support to graduates in our region. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors.

Robert and Diane Turrell Family Scholarship

Established by Robert and Diane Hill Turrell. Provides a post-secondary scholarship to a high school graduate who is a student of good moral character and who demonstrates financial need through their Student Aid Report. Students from Lackawanna Trail, Tunkhannock, Elk Lake, Homeschooled and Wyalusing Valley High Schools may apply. Priority will be given to students living in Habitat for Humanity Housing. The recipient may re-apply during each of the remaining years of undergraduate study until reaching the age of 25.

The Culture Forward Grant, initiated by the Svane Family Foundation, allocates $5 million to support arts and culture projects that engage families, students, and young professionals in Downtown San Francisco. Open to individual artists and organizations, this initiative emphasizes community revitalization and collaboration, ensuring projects are completed within a year. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate potential for impactful engagement in the local cultural landscape.

League of Chicago Theatres 

The League of Chicago Theatres was founded in 1979 by a small group of theaters formerly known as the Off Loop Producers Association. Their mission was to enrich and sustain the economic and cultural life in Chicago by developing marketing, advocacy and information services to strengthen the operations of member theatres. 

Today the League serves many functions for the community including audience development, advocacy, government relations, grant-making, and professional development. The League remains an organization that is governed by our membership and is proud to serve more than 200 theaters. Our membership encompasses a diverse list of companies including not-for-profit and commercial operations, suburban and city-based, all-volunteer storefront operations and large regional theatres. 

ComEd Powering the Arts Program

Purpose and Overview

Exposure to the arts is vitally important for the health of our communities. Coming together to share a cultural offering is a way to cultivate community and achieve social connection, which inspires and uplifts us all. Arts and culture should be accessible to everyone. Through this program, ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres look to reach audiences that have otherwise been unable to access the richness of cultural offerings throughout the ComEd service area.

Experiences in the arts increase creativity across the spectrum of human endeavor. Each experience provides audiences with further opportunities for interaction, whether they are inspired to educate themselves further about the topic, create a work of art themselves, or perhaps to attend another event. Each exposure enhances the quality of life for the audiences but can also change lives in profound ways.

Recognizing that access to art is crucial to the quality of our lives, ComEd has partnered with the League of Chicago Theatres to support cultural institutions in northern Illinois in their efforts to reach new and diverse audiences. The ComEd Powering the Arts program has been designed to assist local institutions in these efforts by providing funding for some expenses toward these goals.

Applicants may request funding for either $20,000 or any amount up to $10,000. Requests for funding between levels ($10,001-$19,999) will not be considered.

The Jasiri L.K. Whipper Scholarship Endowment, established by the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina in 2009, honors Jasiri Whipper by providing an annual scholarship for students attending historically black colleges or state-supported colleges in South Carolina. This renewable scholarship aims to empower students and address educational equity, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to community development and support for future leaders.

The Kylie Erin Gillette Scholarship Fund, established in 2016, honors the spirit of Kylie Gillette by providing annual scholarships to students from Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester counties. This initiative, supported by the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, aims to empower local youth and foster educational opportunities. By addressing community needs and investing in the future, this fund reflects a commitment to building equity and opportunity in the region.

The Students First Grant, initiated by the Beckley Area Foundation in 1996, supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing student learning in Raleigh County classrooms, from Pre-K through 12th grade. With a maximum funding of $750 per project, educators can submit two independent applications for distinct initiatives. The grant prioritizes projects that directly benefit students, excluding funding for classroom items not related to instruction, party supplies, or uniforms.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is set to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for randomized controlled trials examining the long-term effects of nutritional interventions on risk factors for age-related chronic conditions. This initiative seeks to enhance understanding of how various dietary practices can influence health throughout the life span, emphasizing the need for studies with at least five years of follow-up. Researchers are encouraged to prepare collaborative proposals in response to this upcoming funding opportunity.

The IATSE Local 798 Fund offers emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This support helps cover essential living expenses, including housing, utilities, and healthcare, to prevent eviction or service shut-offs. Eligible applicants must be union members for at least two years and have experienced unforeseen financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control, such as injury or natural disasters.

The Miccio Foundation offers Standard and Mini Grants to organizations in Iowa dedicated to animal welfare. Eligible groups include shelters and humane societies with 501c3 status. Grants can fund projects like spay/neuter programs and facility renovations, aiming for immediate, measurable impacts in local communities. Standard grants may reach up to $10,000, while Mini grants offer up to $1,500. The Foundation prioritizes projects that enhance animal health and operational efficiency.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University aims to develop visionary leaders by offering full funding for up to three years of graduate study. Open to applicants from all backgrounds, it emphasizes independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic engagement. Each year, 100 scholars are selected based on academic achievement and commitment to global challenges, preparing them to tackle complex issues. This unique opportunity fosters a diverse community of innovators committed to positive change.

The Leadership Coaching Program by Hutchinson Community Foundation provides financial support for individuals and teams to engage with leadership coaches. This initiative aims to foster philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration within Reno County, enabling participants to tackle adaptive challenges effectively. Grants of up to $1,800 are available to cover costs for up to six coaching sessions over six months, facilitating conscious decision-making and action towards community development.

The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to transform open-source research into sustainable ecosystems that tackle national and societal challenges. This initiative promotes innovation across various sectors, including AI and cybersecurity, by fostering strong governance and broad user engagement. PESOSE invites proposals to establish and enhance open-source ecosystems, ensuring their safety, security, and effectiveness in meeting emergent needs.

The ROSES25: B.2 Heliophysics Foundational Research program invites proposals for foundational research in heliophysics. The submission deadline for Step-1 proposals is May 1, 2026, with Step-2 deadlines announced 60 days prior. Amendments include an increase in Step-1 proposal length from two to three pages and clarification on budget expectations per award. Individuals may serve as Principal Investigators for only one proposal, with exceptions for specific institutional requirements.

Ozzy's Fund, named after a rescued cat, aims to improve animal welfare in central Georgia. It prioritizes funding for animal rescue, spay/neuter programs, and efforts to prevent cruelty. The fund supports nonprofits directly working with animals, ensuring that initiatives promote their well-being. Projects must focus on tangible outcomes for animals rather than public awareness campaigns. By fostering community engagement and direct service, Ozzy's Fund seeks to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable animals.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is offering grants for community-based services targeting substance use disorders. This initiative aims to expand access to essential services while addressing gaps in care across the state. Eligible organizations can apply for project budgets up to $500,000 annually, with at least 12 contracts expected to be awarded. The funding supports prevention, treatment, and support services to enhance the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians.

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.

Prehospital Follow up and Treatment Program MOUD

Purpose for Which the Grant Program Funds Shall be Used

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) seeks applications to fund New Jersey State-licensed Mobile Intensive Care (MIC) providers for emergency assessment, initiation, and follow-up or interim treatment using Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). This program will also facilitate patient referrals to substance use disorder care and resources through NJDOH's Electronic Rapid Referral Platform.

Qualifications Needed by Applicant to be Considered for a Grant

Category A Funding: New Jersey State-liscenced Mobile Intensive Care (MIC) provider

Category B Funding: An approved Mobile Intensive Health (MIH) program under N.J.A.C. 8:49 et seq., or initiate an application for such within 30 days of receiving the notice of award for this funding, as applicable.

The Knight Foundation Fund, established in 2002 by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, aims to foster engaged communities in Milledgeville and Baldwin County, Georgia. With an annual grant allocation of approximately $90,000, the fund supports initiatives that enhance civic engagement, attract and retain talent, and connect diverse communities. Organizations must be in good standing as nonprofits or government entities to apply, ensuring impactful projects benefit local residents.

St. Louis City Senior Fund

The St. Louis City Senior Fund envisions the City of St. Louis as an aging-friendly community where older residents can thrive in environments that best support their well-being.

Direct Services Grants

Purpose of this RFP

The City of St. Louis Senior Citizens’ Services Fund (St. Louis City Senior Fund) is seeking proposals from non-profit organizations or government entities for one-year grants.

Applicants must provide programs or services for older adults in the City of St. Louis that fall under one of two focus areas for this funding round:

• Caregiving Support OR
• Case Management & Resource Navigation

We will prioritize support for:

• Organizations who have a history, commitment, and established local presence for serving older adults living in the City of St. Louis;
• Programs and services that are evidence or experience-based and adapt to and reflect the people they seek to serve;
• Programs and services that have limited availability and could expand their reach with grant funding or are threatened due to changes in funding; and/or
• Programs and services focused on serving residents that have limited to no access to similar existing services due to financial, language, mobility, or other barriers.

The Bolivar Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program, supported by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, aims to enhance community development in the Bolivar and Polk County region. This program invites 501(c)(3) organizations and other IRS-approved entities to apply for grants up to $3,000 to support their initiatives. The foundation focuses on fostering collaboration and effective grantmaking to improve the quality of life for local residents.

The F.I.S.T. Grant, offered by the Steuben County Community Foundation, supports nonprofit and school projects that positively impact the youth of Steuben County. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for initiatives such as educational trips and creative projects that empower youth to give back to their community. Eligible applicants include school employees and nonprofit organizations, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of community leaders.