Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

About Community Foundation of South Alabama

Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to over 500 funds and awarded over $98 million in grants and scholarships throughout the eight counties of southwest Alabama, improving the lives of many residents in our corner of the world.

We amplify the gifts from generous donors through wise investment, support others in efforts to enhance our community, and lead and collaborate on initiatives which have a broad impact.

Scholarships

The more than 40 scholarship funds at the Foundation were created by generous donors who wanted to help the students in our community achieve a brighter future. We are committed to assisting the most promising students with scholarships for professional certificate programs, two and four-year undergraduate degrees and graduate school. The scholarship funds at the Foundation award grants to high school, community college and university students to be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Roland and Jean Fry Scholarship

For Mobile County Public High School senior who demonstrates financial need, has a good GPA and can attend any college.

The Waneta Drake Miller Edmison Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is designed to support individuals aged 24 and older from Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, or McCook counties in South Dakota who are pursuing further education. Applicants must be enrolled in at least twelve credit hours at an accredited institution and have completed at least six credit hours in a degree program. This scholarship exemplifies the commitment to lifelong learning and community enrichment.

About Community Foundation of South Alabama

Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to over 500 funds and awarded over $98 million in grants and scholarships throughout the eight counties of southwest Alabama, improving the lives of many residents in our corner of the world.

We amplify the gifts from generous donors through wise investment, support others in efforts to enhance our community, and lead and collaborate on initiatives which have a broad impact.

Scholarships

The more than 40 scholarship funds at the Foundation were created by generous donors who wanted to help the students in our community achieve a brighter future. We are committed to assisting the most promising students with scholarships for professional certificate programs, two and four-year undergraduate degrees and graduate school. The scholarship funds at the Foundation award grants to high school, community college and university students to be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Poarch Creek Indian Community Scholarship Fund

Annually, the Poarch Creek Indian Community Scholarship Fund will award a minimum of one scholarship to a male student and one to a female student. Applicants must be a resident of the State of Alabama or one of the following counties in Florida: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington or Gadsden. Academic merit, community involvement, and other factors such as financial need and/or workforce demand, will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications

About Community Foundation of South Alabama

Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to over 500 funds and awarded over $98 million in grants and scholarships throughout the eight counties of southwest Alabama, improving the lives of many residents in our corner of the world.

We amplify the gifts from generous donors through wise investment, support others in efforts to enhance our community, and lead and collaborate on initiatives which have a broad impact.

Scholarships

The more than 40 scholarship funds at the Foundation were created by generous donors who wanted to help the students in our community achieve a brighter future. We are committed to assisting the most promising students with scholarships for professional certificate programs, two and four-year undergraduate degrees and graduate school. The scholarship funds at the Foundation award grants to high school, community college and university students to be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Pat Piercy Education Trust Fund

The scholarship is for sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending full time at USA, majoring in math, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, botany, or geology. Student must reside in Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, or Washington and have a GPA of at least a 2.8. The student must meet all previous requirements to be considered for renewal.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

GIAR Grandmother’s First-Generation Scholarship

This scholarship is established in the memory and honor of Gramie Georgina, Grandma Isabella, Grandmother Ann, and Grannie Ruth, all first-generation women who were never able to attend college. This scholarship is only accepting renewal applications for 2026.

Helps First-Generation Young Women living in Nevada or Hawaii.

The scholarship funds the undergraduate or graduate college education of first-generation young women of Portuguese, Mexican, Central American or South American ancestry, under the age of 25. The term first-generation is defined here as a young woman who has immigrated to the United States of America and become a naturalized citizen or the daughter of an immigrant of Portuguese, Mexican, Central American and South American Ancestry. The student must be a resident of Nevada or Hawaii.

This scholarship is a one-time award of up to $5,000 based on need (which will be verified through your attached FAFSA and Financial Aid documents). One scholarship may be awarded to cover the full cost of attendance at UNR (up to $25,000), also based on need. All awards have the potential to be renewed with reapplication.

The Hovland Scholarship, offered by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, supports college students of Norwegian descent. Eligible applicants must be full-time students entering their third year at an accredited four-year institution in the U.S., maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need. Multiple renewable scholarships are available, contingent upon meeting requirements and funding availability. This scholarship aims to enrich the quality of life through education and philanthropy.

The ETC Performing Arts Funding Grant, established in 1975, aims to support non-profit performance groups across the United States. With grants up to $5,000, the initiative seeks to encourage artistic expression and innovation. Applicants must be U.S.-based organizations, including 501(c)(3) non-profits and accredited educational institutions. However, funding does not cover salaries, travel, or events. Preference is given to groups producing original work. The competitive nature of the grant means that meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding.

The Berkeley Hall Charitable Foundation Grant supports local nonprofit organizations in Bluffton, South Carolina. Since 2008, the foundation has raised over $3.4 million to address basic human needs within the community. With a strong commitment to service, Berkeley Hall fosters a unique blend of private club sophistication and Southern hospitality, while ensuring that the community's most vulnerable members receive essential support through a rigorous grant application and evaluation process.

The Altrusa Club of Dayton Ruth Richardson Scholarship honors Ruth Richardson, a dedicated educator who championed higher education for her students despite financial challenges. Established through her efforts in the 1980s, this scholarship supports Montgomery County high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and financial need, ensuring that deserving students can pursue their college dreams. The scholarship reflects Ruth's legacy of leadership and community service, empowering future generations to achieve their educational goals.

The Colleen O'Toole Memorial Scholarship, established in 1992, honors Colleen O'Toole's dedication to Dayton Power and Light. It provides financial assistance to children of full-time AES Ohio employees, helping to cover tuition costs. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship not only supports educational aspirations but also commemorates a valued employee who served her community faithfully for over 25 years.

The Early Career Conference Grants support emerging researchers at ACU member universities, providing up to GBP 2,000 to attend conferences in Commonwealth countries. This funding covers essential expenses such as registration fees, flights, accommodation, visa costs, and health insurance. These grants aim to enhance professional development, foster networking opportunities, and facilitate knowledge sharing among early career academics. Eligible applicants must be within 7 years of starting their academic careers and actively participate in the conference.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) facilitates a streamlined application process by merging various grant categories, including Food Safety, Environmental, and Energy. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience among farmers, promote renewable energy, and improve food safety practices. By simplifying access to funding, the program empowers agricultural operations to adopt sustainable practices, thereby safeguarding natural resources and boosting economic resilience within the farming community.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

Caesars Nevada Team Member Scholarship

This year, Caesars Entertainment is partnering with Phil and Jennifer Satre to match the scholarship funding.

Paid work, internships, and volunteerism will be a weighted selection tool used by the committee. This is a one-time award; awards may be single- or multi-year.

Kala Art Institute

Founded in 1974 by Archana Horsting and Yuzo Nakano as an international workshop rooted in the local community and forum for ideas, Kala Art Institute provides exceptional facilities to professional artists working in and across all forms of printmaking, digital media, film, video, and sound, book arts, photography, and performance.

Misson

Kala Art Institute’s mission is to help artists sustain their creative work over time through its Artist-in-Residence and Fellowship Programs, and to engage the community through exhibitions, public programs, and education.

Curatorial Fellowship Program

We are excited to launch a new Curatorial Fellowship this cycle at Kala. For the inaugural program, we are accepting applications from Bay Area curators, artists, and cultural workers to provide research and exhibition development opportunities. The year-long program culminates in an 8-10 week exhibition in the Kala Gallery.

Curatorial Fellowship Resources

For this pilot program, Kala will select and support one Curatorial Fellow who will receive a $3000 stipend, an available desk in the gallery office for exhibition research and development, a Kala art class or workshop, access to Kala’s permanent collection of over 2,500 prints and works on paper, mentorship by Victoria Sung, Phyllis C. Wattis Senior Curator at Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, support from Kala’s exhibitions and collections team, Mayumi Hamanaka and Sonya Castillo, and exhibition support (Kala will pay an additional 40 hours directly to Kala’s installers for for install/deinstall and up to $3,000 for artist honoraria, shipping, materials, and other misc exhibition costs for the Curatorial Fellow’s 8-10 week exhibition in the Kala Gallery to take place between September 2027 – January 2028.)

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

Harry H. Loudenslager Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a college-bound, male graduating high school senior who is a resident of Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, or Cape May counties. Scholarships are based on need and merit.

PLTW Gateway

Ameren has partnered with PLTW to inspire students and provide the hands-on STEM learning experiences necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom. Ameren is a long-time supporter of K-12 STEM education in the region and is working with PLTW to provide grant support to schools interested in implementing or expanding their PLTW Gateway programs.

Middle school is a time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they're passionate about today and how that relates to who they'll become tomorrow. During this transitional time, PLTW Gateway's 10 units empower students to lead their own discovery. The hands-on program boosts classroom engagement and excitement, drives collaboration, and inspires “aha! moments” and deep comprehension. And as students engage in PLTW's activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they see a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.

Through this partnership, Ameren has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting or expanding PLTW Gateway programs beginning in the next academic year.

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

PLTW Launch

Ameren has partnered with PLTW to inspire students and provide the hands-on STEM learning experiences necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom. Ameren is a supporter of K-12 STEM education in the region and is working with PLTW to provide grant support to schools interested in implementing and our expanding their PLTW Launch programs.

PLTW Launch's 43 interdisciplinary modules bring learning to life. The program empowers students to adopt a design-thinking mindset through compelling activities, projects, and problems that build upon each other and relate to the world around them. And as students engage in hands-on activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge.

Through this partnership, Ameren has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting or expanding PLTW Launch programs beginning in the next academic year.

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

Otto A. Huth Scholarship Fund

Aging out of foster care or child welfare custody in Nevada?

The Otto A. Huth Scholarship Fund is established to provide support for youth who are about to age out of foster care or have already aged out of foster care in the state of Nevada who are seeking support for post-high school education (university, community college, business school, and trade school) at institutions located within the United States. Applicants must apply before their 21st birthday.

Applicants may apply for a scholarship for a maximum of 5 years for up to $40,000 in total. Annual scholarship awards are not to exceed $10,000. Scholarship awards may cover tuition, on-campus room & board, books, student health insurance, on-campus meal plans, and other education-related expenses.

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 Studio Glass Grant, offered by the Arizona Glass Alliance, supports the creation and appreciation of studio art glass. This grant welcomes proposals year-round that align with the AGA's mission to promote education and outreach in the glass art community. Preference is given to Arizona-based applicants and AGA members. Recipients are encouraged to share their experiences through a talk within a year of receiving the grant, highlighting their accomplishments with the funding.

The Phoenixville Health Care Foundation offers Mini-Grants for Information Technology, providing up to $5,000 for eligible health and human services nonprofits in the greater Phoenixville region. Grants support computer hardware, software upgrades, and training associated with equipment. Interested applicants should consult with staff before applying, as grants are reviewed monthly and funds are available until exhausted. This initiative aims to enhance technological capabilities for local nonprofits serving the community.

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 Helen and Mario Garbin Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students from NCCF's 20-town service area pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. With an average award of $500, this scholarship reflects a commitment to fostering education and community engagement. The foundation emphasizes attentive grant-making and collaboration to address local needs, ensuring that donors and organizations effectively work together for impactful results.

The Albert C. and Rose Turri Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students pursuing a degree in electronics or electrical engineering. Established in memory of Albert and Rose Turri, this scholarship awards two $1,000 grants to eligible students residing in NCCF's service area. It aims to empower local talents to achieve their educational goals while championing community causes through dedicated support.

The Women’s Impact Fund has introduced the Spark Awards, offering $5,000 unrestricted grants annually to inspiring women leaders in Mecklenburg County. These awards support individuals driving community transformation, emphasizing the importance of caring for those often overlooked in philanthropic efforts. Recipients not only receive financial support but also a year-long membership to enhance their leadership connections. This initiative aims to combat burnout and highlight the vital contributions of women in various fields, encouraging more investment in community-driven change.

The Keep Playing the Game Scholarship, funded by The Dayton Foundation, supports University of Dayton Sport Management alumni pursuing further education or professional development. This initiative encourages alumni to break out of their comfort zones and seek advancement opportunities. Awards can be used for graduate school, training, or approved career-related expenses. The scholarship embodies the spirit of continuous personal growth and aims to empower alumni to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their fields.

The K-5 STEM Grant Program, initiated by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology, aims to enhance STEM education in elementary schools. With funding up to $25,000 for schools and $2,000 for individual educators, the program focuses on increasing hands-on, evidence-based STEM learning. The initiative seeks to address the low engagement in science among young students, ultimately preparing them for future STEM careers and improving overall educational outcomes in Nevada.