Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund, managed by the Main Street Community Foundation, aims to support local artists in Bristol and surrounding towns. Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 are awarded annually to individual artists to foster creativity and skill development. Eligible candidates must have resided in the area for at least two years, promoting artistic growth and cultural enrichment within the community.

What is DCNP?

The DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) exists to help strengthen nonprofit organizations in DeKalb County. Stronger organizations that are effective, well-run, resilient, efficient, and sustainable can enhance the quality of life in DeKalb County – which is our ultimate purpose!

Mission Statement:

The DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership strengthens the nonprofit sector through leadership, professional development, and collaboration.

Future Leaders Internship (FLI) Grants

DCNP members can apply for matching funds (up to $500, dollar for dollar) to support paid internships. Applications are accepted year-round. 

Kieth and Serena Cockrell Scholarship

This program was established in honor of long-time HBCU and UNCF supporters Kieth and Serena Cockrell, who are passionate about education and paving the way for future leaders. Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of North Carolina and a high school senior graduating from any public, private, or charter high school in Mecklenburg County, Union County, or Cabarrus County during this current Spring 2026 term.

Renewable Up to $30,000 Over a Four (4) Year Period. Up to $7,500 Per School Year.

The Winston-Salem Foundation's Small Grants program provides funding up to $1,000 for organizations in Forsyth County, NC, prioritizing asset-based approaches and inclusivity. The program supports projects that enhance social capital and demonstrate feasibility and impact. Eligible organizations must have an annual income of $150,000 or less. Grants for athletic teams are capped at $500, while grants for individuals and religious activities are not supported. This initiative aims to foster community cooperation and improvement.

The Lucia C. Harrison Endowed Memorial Geography Scholarship at Western Michigan University supports exceptional juniors and seniors majoring in community and regional planning, geography, teaching geography, and tourism. Each scholarship is awarded based on the availability of qualified applicants, with a junior award of $1500 and a senior award of $500, both credited directly to the student’s tuition account.

The George & Elizabeth Davis Trusts Grant provides funding for Protestant charitable and religious institutions in Kansas City, Missouri. It supports general operating and program needs, but not capital requests. Grants last for one year, ensuring that organizations can sustain and enhance their services. This grant aims to promote the development of community-focused initiatives in the region, fostering a stronger support network for local religious institutions.

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Established in 1998 as a Nevada nonprofit 501(c) 3 Corporation, the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada has distributed more than $200 million in grants and scholarships from over 300 charitable funds to strengthen our Nevada home. 

Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Scholarship Program is intended to help students cover the ever-increasing cost of tuition. Some of our scholarships are based on financial need, but others represent an award for achievement. These scholarships typically go to students who have excelled in an academic area or have shown they can balance academics, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. There are also scholarships designated for students who have overcome adversity, students pursuing degrees in high-need areas, and adult learners outside the traditional college age group. Community Foundation scholarships can help cover tuition, books, and on-campus housing.

Claudine Williams Harrahs LV Employee Scholarship

You are eligible to apply for the Claudine Williams Harrah’s LV Employee Scholarship if you meet all of the following requirements:

• your parent or legal guardian has been a full-time employee of the original Harrah’s Las Vegas property for three (3) consecutive years at grade L14 or below (including all H and S grades
• your parent or guardian continues to be employed by Caesars Entertainment either at Harrah’s Las Vegas or another Caesar’s property for three consecutive years on the date the application is submitted
• your family income shows a need for tuition assistance
• you are a high school senior or college student with a minimum cumulative unweighted 2.75 GPA
• you have a minimum 1200 SAT or 20 ACT score
• you agree to maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average and provide a copy of your unofficial transcripts at the end of each semester you are receiving a scholarship for review prior to annual scholarship renewal

The Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement position at Forecast Public Art invites talented individuals to explore the intersection of public art and civic engagement. This six-month fellowship offers a $5,000 stipend for research aimed at fostering democratic participation through public art. The selected Fellow will conduct in-depth research, develop a public-facing report, and contribute to a national public art policy platform focused on justice and human dignity.

The Crossroads Fund: Seed Fund Grant supports organizations and groups in the Chicago Metropolitan area that promote social change. It focuses on collaborative, risk-taking, and strategic efforts that yield concrete community benefits. With a maximum grant of $15,000, it is open to 501(c)(3) organizations and those with fiscal sponsorship or bank accounts, prioritizing those with annual expenses under $500,000. This fund fosters diverse forms of activism, ensuring financial support for established and emerging community-based groups.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Cruelty Research

Proposals that address cruelty toward equines, cats, or dogs from any angle or relevant discipline (e.g., public policy, law, criminal justice, criminology, veterinary forensics, community engagement, prevention/intervention, human behavior change). Of particular interest is research that a) increases understanding of the perspectives of key stakeholder groups (e.g., law enforcement/animal control, veterinary professionals, animal shelters/rescues) or b) investigates the effectiveness of cruelty prevention/response efforts at the community or system level. Also of interest is research that heightens awareness of animal cruelty and builds knowledge that informs and engages key community stakeholders and allied professionals in preventing and responding to this animal welfare issue.

Proposals that include a shelter-researcher partnership aspect are especially encouraged. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclusion of both shelter and academic staff on the study team, the creation of a shelter-facing deliverable, an implementation prospectus that includes a feasibility assessment and identified partner shelter, etc.

The Anna C. Lawler Charitable Trust Grant focuses on supporting impactful projects in Venango County, PA. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate a commitment to community service. The trust prioritizes initiatives that provide measurable outcomes, collaborate with other entities, and address significant community needs without duplicating existing services. Organizations should have a minimum of three years of operational experience and present evidence of past successes to qualify for funding.

This grant aims to address drug shortages by exploring the landscape of products susceptible to health fraud and finding ways for outsourcing facilities to fulfill these needs. By funding research and development, the initiative seeks to enhance the production of critical medications, thereby stabilizing the drug supply chain and protecting public health from fraud-related risks.

The Fern and Gladys Moyer Memorial Trust provides funding primarily for charitable organizations and municipal agencies in Northumberland and Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania. Grants support program development, special projects, and equipment enhancements but rarely cover total project costs. Eligible applicants include organizations exempt under the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust favors community support through local contributions and volunteerism, while ineligible requests include personal needs and religious or political activities.

The AAC Major Arts Partners Grant, managed by the Arkansas Arts Council under the Division of Arkansas Heritage, provides essential funding for established nonprofit arts organizations with a budget averaging $1 million or more over three years. This grant aims to support local arts agencies and enhance cultural opportunities for Arkansans through a General Operating Support program, ensuring the promotion and preservation of Arkansas's rich heritage.

The Meijer Children's Health Care Grant Cycle supports nonprofit health organizations in Montcalm County, focusing on programs that improve healthcare access for indigent children. Over eleven million dollars has been distributed by the Greenville Area Community Foundation to enhance community health initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and municipalities. The grant prioritizes projects that strengthen families, promote self-reliance, and yield significant community benefits. Applications will be reviewed for final approval by an Advisory Committee.

Through the generosity of fundholders and donors, NCCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to assist students in Northwest Connecticut with the cost of higher education.

NCCF awards more than $530,000 in scholarships a year. 

SVNA Educational Enrichment Program Scholarship 

Academic Focus:

• Health care professionals pursuing continued education in a health care field, except pre-med

Award Average:

• $10, 000 renewable up to 4 years

Consistent with the SVNA’s mission to provide the best home health, hospice and preventative care, this scholarship supports health care professionals pursuing continued education in a health care field who reside in Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon or Warren. 

The MJF Program Grants, awarded by the Montana Justice Foundation, have provided over $8 million to nonprofit organizations in Montana. These grants support legal services for vulnerable populations, enhancing access to justice and legal education. They prioritize organizations aiding low-income Montanans, helping them navigate legal challenges and improve their quality of life. The foundation emphasizes the importance of effective legal representation and alternative dispute resolution to foster community well-being and self-sufficiency.

Through the generosity of fundholders and donors, NCCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to assist students in Northwest Connecticut with the cost of higher education.

NCCF awards more than $530,000 in scholarships a year. 

Eugene F. Zordan and Erminia Zordan Scholarship Fund

Academic Focus:

Unspecified

Average Award:

• $4,300

Established by Marie Zordan, this scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students who lives in NCCF’s *20-town service area.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - William H. Young Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by an anonymous donor, who established the William H. Young Memorial Scholarship of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship provides assistance to an associate degree-seeking student who demonstrates academic excellence based on either a high school or college academic record, with preference to students interested in the Social Service discipline.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - Student Emergency Needs Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College, who established the Muskegon Community College Student Emergency Needs Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship was established to provide scholarships to Muskegon, Ottawa or Newaygo County students.

The Western Michigan University Dames Endowed Scholarship, established in 1997, provides financial support up to $500 for eligible graduate students. This competitive scholarship aims to assist exceptional candidates who have demonstrated financial need and have completed at least 15 graduate credit hours while maintaining good academic standing. Applicants with no graduate appointment support are preferred, and recipients cannot hold certain other awards. This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for deserving students to alleviate educational costs.

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender Counties

Grant Range:

• $500 - $1,000

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania Counties

Grant Range:

• $500 - $1,500

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington Counties

Grant Range:

• $500 - $1,000

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties

Grant Range:

• $500 - $3,000

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes Counties

Grant Range:

• $200 - $1,000

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Alamance, Durham, Orange and Person Counties

Grant Range:

• $500 - $1,500