Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Georgia Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant supports local governments in acquiring lands and developing outdoor recreation facilities. Established in 1965, it has allocated over $120 million to Georgia, with annual funding expected to reach $5-7 million. The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match and has a bi-annual cycle, offering approximately $12 million for the 2024-2025 period. Eligible applicants include qualified local governments and recreation authorities in good standing.

The Aging Services Leadership Fellowship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, is a one-year non-clinical program for recent master's graduates or mid-career professionals with at least five years of experience. The program emphasizes cohort learning, community building, and skill development in aging services. Participants engage in specialized training, networking events, and mentorship opportunities designed to foster leadership and cultural humility, ultimately preparing them to lead in the aging services sector.

Brian Thiele Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of Brian Thiele, provides financial assistance to students who exhibit characteristics similar to those for which Brian is so fondly remembered. This includes playing varsity and/or club soccer, achievement of personal and academic goals, overcoming obstacles to meet his goals, competitive spirit, leadership and a special caring for community. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. 

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit's Community Mission Fund aims to support non-profit organizations in Georgia with grants up to $5,000, totaling $50,000 for 2025. This initiative focuses on strengthening agriculture and enhancing rural communities by fostering partnerships that promote farmers and their families. Eligible applicants must operate within the 79 counties where AgGeorgia conducts business, ensuring that the fund's resources directly benefit local agricultural development and community quality of life.

Danial & Joeanna Smith Education Scholarship

The scholarship was established through a bequest from the estate of Danial and Joeanna Smith for the purpose of providing educational scholarships to permanent residents of Van Buren County and who are planning to pursue a bachelor's degree at a four-year college/university. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

The Site-Based Clinical Training Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to enhance clinical healthcare training throughout Minnesota. With a funding estimate of $4,657,000 for FY 2026, this grant prioritizes rural primary care and oral health training. Eligible applicants include clinical training sites actively enrolled in the Minnesota Health Care Program, which must demonstrate their commitment to addressing healthcare shortages in underserved areas. This initiative supports the development of a skilled healthcare workforce.

The DTA Foundation: Dental Hygiene Scholarship, in partnership with the Benco Family Foundation, provides up to $10,000 to dental hygiene students from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative honors Lawrence and Sally Cohen's contributions to the field. With a generous $1M endowment, the scholarship aims to support aspiring dental hygienists, ensuring increased accessibility to the profession and recognizing those who demonstrate passion and commitment to dental care.

The RIF: Basic Human Needs Grants provide crucial support to community agencies in Rhode Island, offering up to $5,000 for emergency assistance programs. These grants target organizations delivering essential services such as food, clothing, housing, and utilities assistance. The funding aims to help both new initiatives and established programs, ensuring they can meet the needs of Rhode Islanders in crisis. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply, emphasizing the importance of local support for vulnerable populations.

The Steuben County REMC Operation Round Up Grant supports nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Steuben County. Applications are accepted quarterly, and projects that address root causes and foster collaboration are prioritized. The fund aims to stimulate economic development while uplifting community members through philanthropic initiatives. Eligible projects must primarily benefit residents of Steuben County, and special consideration is given to those aligned with the strategic goals of established nonprofits.

Peter & Inez Schonveld Scholarship

This scholarship was established through a bequest from the estate of Inez Schonveld to provide scholarship assistance to graduating high school seniors and graduates of the Kalamazoo Public School District.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. 

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

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 Seeds For Stewardship Grant by the CHS Foundation aims to enhance agricultural leadership and improve rural community safety. This initiative supports member cooperatives and local organizations with matching grants, fostering innovative projects that benefit rural America. Eligible applicants can receive up to $10,000 annually, promoting priority areas such as agricultural education and farmer well-being. The program has positively impacted over 200 communities, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and community investment in rural development.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925

KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.

Scholarships & Education Grants

For All Levels of Education After High School

Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.

Gail & Hilda Oster Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established through a bequest from the estate of Gail and Hilda Oster for the purpose of providing meaningful support to graduating high school seniors or graduates, who are residents of Van Buren County or graduating high school seniors or graduates of high schools within Van Buren County, who are planning to pursue or are pursuing bachelor's degrees in the fields of education, mathematics or science; or enrolling or enrolled in a Veterinary Technologist or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

Multiyear Award; Renews Annually

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925

KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.

Scholarships & Education Grants

For All Levels of Education After High School

Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.

Evelyn Prince Memorial Scholarship

The Evelyn Prince Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Evelyn Prince, an avid golfer and academic achiever. Her love for education and athletics continues to inspire, providing opportunities for young women who share her passion for golf and higher learning.

Multiyear Awar; Renews Annually

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925

KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.

Scholarships & Education Grants

For All Levels of Education After High School

Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.

Earl Haas Hackett Catholic Prep Scholarship

This fund was established by Earl Haas to recognize graduating high school seniors from Hackett Catholic Prep.

Multiyear Award; Renews Annually

The ASHP Foundation offers Professional Advancement Scholarships for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and graduating pharmacy students, enabling them to attend national meetings for networking and professional growth. For the 2025 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, scholarships include full registration and $1,000 for travel support. This initiative aims to enhance professional development opportunities within the pharmacy community, fostering connections and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals.

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 Lischewski Family Fund for Aspiring Collegians

The Lischewski Family Fund for Aspiring Collegians applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors
• Plan to enroll full-time at a community college in California with the intent to earn an Associate of Arts or similar accreditation within two years
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Be engaged in their community through their involvement in extra-curricular, volunteer activities or work experience
• Have a demonstrated financial need.

The Scott Family Scholarship, offered by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors in Republic County, Kansas, particularly those from USD 109. This scholarship aims to assist students in pursuing further education, emphasizing academic excellence with a minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. Eligible recipients can renew the scholarship for up to four years, provided they maintain full-time enrollment and meet GPA criteria, ensuring long-term educational support.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Dinn Brothers Student Athlete Award Fund

Supporting one male and one female scholar athlete from western Massachusetts

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Donald A. and Dorothy F. Axtell Grant Scholarship Fund

Supporting Protestant students from Hampshire County

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Edward P. Boland Scholarship Fund

Edward P. Boland served as the representative to the United States Congress for 36 years. His public service spanned 54 years of dedication to the people of western Massachusetts. He was the first chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a longtime member of the Appropriations Committee overseeing departments such as HUD, NASA, Veterans, NSA and many other federal departments. Education was his top priority and upon retirement this scholarship fund was created to assist the students of western Massachusetts

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

Weissbuch Family Scholarship

Have resided in San Diego County for at least four years and have a demonstrated financial need.

The CALT Emerging Traditional Artists Program, funded by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, supports early-career Appalachian traditional artists with $5,000 grants and personalized professional development. Artists engage in learning opportunities, including workshops and mentorship, to enhance their skills. Eligible applicants must be traditional artists from designated Appalachian counties in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia, at least 18 years old, and in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts. This initiative fosters cultural preservation and artistic growth in the region.

The Award for Diversity Course Design, initiated by the Society for Music Theory, aims to enhance diversity, inclusion, and social justice in undergraduate music theory courses. Starting in 2025, two annual awards will recognize outstanding syllabi: one for core theory curricula and another for topical courses. This initiative encourages original contributions that embody inclusive pedagogy, with winning entries showcased on the SMT website to foster evolving best practices in music education.

The RWA Perseverance Fund, administered by the Romance Writers of America (RWA), supports members in financial need for their annual national dues. RWA, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to advancing the interests of romance writers through advocacy and networking. The fund is available to applicants who can demonstrate financial need and commitment to a career in romance writing. Eligibility includes submitting proof of work, while ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all members.

The Community Outreach Grants by The Children's Trust aim to empower community partners by supporting programs that benefit children and families in Miami-Dade County. These grants typically offer funding under $10,000 for events that connect families with essential resources and learning opportunities, aligning with the organization's strategic framework. This initiative fosters partnerships and outreach efforts to enhance community engagement and support.

The Women’s Fund of Door County Community Grants support initiatives that empower women and girls through education, self-esteem building, and addressing critical issues with research-based solutions. Charities serving this demographic in Door County are encouraged to apply, especially those focusing on inclusivity and innovative approaches. With no set grant limits, the program typically awards around $5,000 per grant cycle, promoting lasting impacts within the community.