Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Partnership Grant by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs supports projects that enhance Iowa's arts and culture landscape. These discretionary grants align with the Iowa Arts Council's strategic goals for 2022-2026, focusing on regional arts convenings and initiatives that foster community well-being. Eligible organizations can apply to strengthen collaboration and improve arts practices, thereby enriching the quality of life in Iowa through cultural engagement.

The Stateline Community Foundation offers Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the Stateline Area. Organizations eligible for funding must utilize the grants for programs and services that directly benefit the community. Letters of Inquiry are required five business days before the application deadline of December 15th. This initiative supports charitable efforts and fosters community development.

The Do Something Great Awards, presented by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, recognize extraordinary individuals who have significantly impacted Macon County through their dedication and service. This award, specifically honoring the Ray Batman Nonprofit Professional of the Year, celebrates professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community support, particularly during challenging times like the pandemic. Renamed in memory of Ray Batman, a revered community leader, the award continues to inspire others to contribute to societal betterment.

General Operating Support II

General Operating Support II Grants (GOS II) are available to non-profit arts and/or humanities organizations located in Montgomery County, MD that have had both cash operating expenses and revenue of at least $150,000 for the last three completed fiscal years. FY27-28 grants will be awarded for activities occurring from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.

New! AHCMC has eliminated the match requirement.

By awarding GOS II Grants, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) seeks to:

• Encourage organizations to maintain an active, two-way, ongoing relationship between the organization and the community in the planning, participation, and evaluation of public activity/activities, which include intentional strategies for diversity, equity, access, and inclusion;
• Promote stability in arts and humanities organizations by providing a base of funding to support operating budgets;
• Help ensure diverse arts and humanities experiences for constituents of Montgomery County;
• Stimulate local support and involvement in the arts and humanities, including volunteer participation, audience development, and financial contributions;
• Strengthen the scholarly and artistic capabilities of arts and humanities organizations;
• Improve and/or stabilize the management infrastructure and effectiveness of arts and humanities organizations.

The Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program supports emerging nonprofit founders in creating sustainable growth and impact. The program includes eight live workshops on nonprofit management, fundraising, and access to resources from Givebutter. Selected organizations receive scholarships and the chance to apply for $4,000 in grant funds. Eligibility is limited to 501c3 nonprofits or those under fiscal sponsorship with budgets under $500,000, fostering a community of committed leaders ready to make a difference.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering $4.85 million in Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Grants to support local governments and tribes in enhancing clean energy project processes. This funding aims to streamline siting and permitting for projects like solar and wind energy, facilitating predevelopment work and interagency coordination. Eligible applicants include port districts, cities, and federally recognized tribes, with priority given to those demonstrating project readiness and alignment with clean energy goals.

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

The Ringgold Foundation

Mission of the Ringgold Foundation:

We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern: Improving the quality of life in Ringgold County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our region meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these funds that help our region meet the challenges of changing times. 

The Ringgold Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Ringgold County by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our communities with a way to give back.

The Ringgold Foundation Grants

Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving Ringgold County. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Ringgold County. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT)." This initiative aims to support financial assistance applications from entities focusing on innovative chemical technologies that enhance supply chain resiliency and reduce costs. The program seeks to advance the production of chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks, fostering domestic manufacturing and improving environmental safety.

The M D Anderson Foundation is a Houston-based philanthropic organization that supports medical care, scientific research, and community initiatives. Established to honor Monroe Dunaway Anderson, it provides significant funding to enhance healthcare, biomedical research, and education. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong leadership and long-term impact, focusing on improving health outcomes and community infrastructure in Texas. Its legacy includes the ongoing support of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a leader in cancer treatment and research.

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme offers funding for early career researchers from the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands to engage in research collaboration in Japan. This program supports scholars in their academic pursuits while fostering international research partnerships. Eligible candidates must have a doctorate and a research plan with a Japanese host. The fellowship includes financial support for travel and living expenses, enhancing the research experience for awardees.

Blue Mountain Community Foundation

Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF) started in 1984 based on the idea that the area needed a place for donors who cared about the community to make long-term charitable investments. A group of 36 local leaders and citizens, under the guidance of Pete Peery and John Reese, met and resolved to form a community foundation. Too many endowment gifts from people who cared deeply about their communities were lost to local control for lack of a community foundation. Since 1984, BMCF has received and grown assets to exceed $115 million in more than 440 charitable funds which benefit the entire community!

Milton-Freewater, Athena, Weston Community Grants 

Funding Focus: General operating support

The Derby Community Foundation offers the Community Enrichment Grant to support innovative projects that enhance the quality of life for residents within the Derby community. Nonprofit organizations and government entities can apply for up to $10,000 in funding through a competitive application process. The grant aims to connect resources with community needs, fostering philanthropy and collaboration. Applications are accepted annually from July 1 to September 30, encouraging impactful initiatives aligned with the Foundation's mission.

The Owen-Carr Townships Community Fund Grants aim to enhance the communities of Owen and Carr Townships and Medora, Indiana. Administered by the Community Foundation of Jackson County, this fund accepts various forms of donations to support local projects. Community members have established a permanent endowment to secure funding for future initiatives. The grant proposals are reviewed quarterly, fostering a collaborative effort to improve local infrastructure and support community-driven projects.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Rising Changemaker Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Rising Change Maker Award recognizes an individual or group under the age of 30 that has improved the community through dedicated action and exhibit extensive commitment to the missions they care about. This award is open to nominees who have contributed energy, expertise, or funds to projects throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Project or Program Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Outstanding Project or Program Award recognizes a dynamic, innovative, or unique project or program working to serve our region. This award is open to nominees who conduct programming throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

The Virginia Academy of Science offers Small Project Research Grants aimed at supporting initiatives that enhance understanding of natural systems in Virginia and human impacts on them. Eligible applicants include members of the Academy, with a focus on projects that provide seed funding for scientific investigations. Past projects have successfully updated significant research on local ecosystems, fostering a collaborative approach to scientific inquiry and community engagement in Virginia's environmental issues.

The Turner Foundation Grant, established in 2001, aims to improve the quality of life in Springfield and Clark County through community investments. It supports tax-exempt non-profits that serve local residents and have a governing board. However, it does not fund individuals, churches, legislative groups, or annual campaigns. The foundation promotes a spirit of hope and creativity, contributing to a thriving community.

The Hirschfeld Family Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations in Nebraska, focusing on projects that aid disadvantaged communities. Established in 1993, the foundation prefers time-limited requests over ongoing budgetary support. Priority is given to local organizations in Central and Western Nebraska that demonstrate community involvement and efficient operations. Grants are available for projects that align with the foundation's mission to promote well-being and make a meaningful difference.

The Willson Center Research Seminar Program at the University of Georgia provides $2,000 for faculty-led interdisciplinary discussion groups on specific research topics. This grant is aimed at tenured or tenure-track faculty and is intended to facilitate the visit of external scholars to the campus. Applications are open for the upcoming academic year, focusing on fostering collaborative research initiatives among faculty.

The Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty program, funded by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust, provides financial support to help new faculty positions in natural sciences at private colleges in five states. Grants match institutional funds 1:1, up to $36,000, to assist with start-up costs, including cash and in-kind support, ensuring institutions can attract qualified candidates while enhancing research capabilities.

Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. Working with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the world, our initiatives have impacted over 4.4 million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and in 27 countries to date.

Digital Promise was authorized by Congress in 2008, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and formally launched by President Barack Obama in September 2011. Startup support came from the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Corporation of New York, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then, Digital Promise has grown rapidly with support from both original and new funders.

AIMS EduData Initiative

The Advancing Innovative Math Solutions (AIMS) EduData Initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, seeks to build sustainable and scalable research infrastructure to advance math learning. AIMS EduData especially encourages applications from graduate students and early career professionals, educators with research roles, such as those working in district research offices, and researchers located at minority serving institutions or Title I school districts. Successful applicants will conduct original research using datasets provided by leading digital learning platforms (DLPs) and participate in a growing community.

RightOn Education and Teachley Math RFP

For education researchers and practitioners

Benefits for successful applicants:

• Opportunity to investigate associations between features of a Digital Learning Platform and mechanisms supporting student learning, engagement, motivation, and instructional practice.
• Opportunity to contribute to the education R&D movement by expanding its capacity and skills, providing feedback to DLPs about the utility of their datasets and insights about their features, and demonstrating the affordances and value of conducting research through DLPs.
• Involvement in a dynamic, supportive community of digital learning providers and researchers
• Two proposals will be funded

This solicitation offers opportunities to run experiments in two DLPs. One enables research with Teachley Math, an intervention that includes interactive digital games and problem-solving modeling tools, lessons and formative assessment data for students in grades K-5. The second enables research with RightOn Education, an online digital learning platform for grades 7-10 that allows teachers to create or select math games, engage students in feedback and reflection on their thinking, and access real-time information about student misconceptions. 

Teachley Math

Teachley Math is particularly interested in research investigating:

• Through what mechanisms does feedback shape outcomes?
• What sequences of tool actions best predict eventual correctness?
• What are common error patterns and do they vary by grade level?
• Do process measures add predictive validity beyond final-answer accuracy?

The Capital Projects Grant Program, offered by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, supports organizations that own or rent facilities, intend to own facilities, or seek capital project support for permanent assets in the arts and humanities. It aims to promote stability and growth, preserve infrastructure, ensure access to quality spaces, reduce displacement risk, and foster access for all residents.

The Indiana CTSI Core Facilities offer Pilot Funding for research projects that utilize advanced technologies and expertise. This funding program encourages proposals that showcase scientific merit and the potential for generating extramural funding or novel intellectual property. Successful projects are expected to lead to new grants or enhance existing ones, thereby contributing to the growth of research and innovation within partner institutions.

Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. Working with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the world, our initiatives have impacted over 4.4 million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and in 27 countries to date.

Digital Promise was authorized by Congress in 2008, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and formally launched by President Barack Obama in September 2011. Startup support came from the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Corporation of New York, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then, Digital Promise has grown rapidly with support from both original and new funders.

AIMS EduData Initiative

The Advancing Innovative Math Solutions (AIMS) EduData Initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, seeks to build sustainable and scalable research infrastructure to advance math learning. AIMS EduData especially encourages applications from graduate students and early career professionals, educators with research roles, such as those working in district research offices, and researchers located at minority serving institutions or Title I school districts. Successful applicants will conduct original research using datasets provided by leading digital learning platforms (DLPs) and participate in a growing community.

RightOn Education and Teachley Math RFP

For education researchers and practitioners

Benefits for successful applicants:

• Opportunity to investigate associations between features of a Digital Learning Platform and mechanisms supporting student learning, engagement, motivation, and instructional practice.
• Opportunity to contribute to the education R&D movement by expanding its capacity and skills, providing feedback to DLPs about the utility of their datasets and insights about their features, and demonstrating the affordances and value of conducting research through DLPs.
• Involvement in a dynamic, supportive community of digital learning providers and researchers
• Two proposals will be funded

This solicitation offers opportunities to run experiments in two DLPs. One enables research with Teachley Math, an intervention that includes interactive digital games and problem-solving modeling tools, lessons and formative assessment data for students in grades K-5. The second enables research with RightOn Education, an online digital learning platform for grades 7-10 that allows teachers to create or select math games, engage students in feedback and reflection on their thinking, and access real-time information about student misconceptions. 

RightOn Education

RightOn Education is particularly interested in research investigating questions related to the following areas (illustrative research questions are provided below):

• Student confidence and math self-efficacy: How do patterns of student confidence differ across correct and incorrect responses, and how do they vary by question or Common Core standard?
• Productive struggle, metacognition, and learning from misconceptions: How do different types of reflection prompts (e.g., self-directed vs. peer-directed explanations) affect the likelihood of optional hint submission and the length of student-generated hints?
• Student motivation and engagement: How do different incentive conditions influence student participation in optional activities, and how are they associated with student correctness and confidence?

The South Wayne Community Fund, established in 1998, enables residents of South Wayne to contribute enduring charitable gifts to their community. Annually, the advisory board awards grants to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and government agencies that implement charitable programs benefiting the South Wayne area. As a component fund of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, it supports local initiatives and fosters community engagement.

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input on the urgent need for gigawatt-scale electricity generation and transmission due to rapid demand growth from data centers and advanced manufacturing. The U.S. electric grid faces significant challenges, including limited capacity and aging infrastructure, which could hinder timely interconnection of new energy sources. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on overcoming regulatory and operational barriers to meet this escalating demand.

The Regular Fellowship at the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg provides exceptional researchers with a chance to engage in focused study, free from typical academic distractions. This fellowship spans 3 to 10 months and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, especially for those with doctoral degrees obtained over five years ago. While stipends can reach up to 5,000 EUR monthly, candidates must secure their own research infrastructure. Applications should be submitted at least one year prior to the intended start date, ensuring ample preparation for a successful fellowship experience.