Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award encourages exceptional early-career researchers to embark on independent research immediately after completing their doctoral degree or clinical training. This initiative accelerates the transition to independent research careers while supporting innovative projects across all areas of biomedical sciences. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, aiming to foster groundbreaking discoveries.

The NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program aims to support exceptionally creative scientists who propose innovative research projects with the potential to significantly impact biomedical sciences. The program encourages bold ideas that diverge from existing research trajectories and welcomes applications across all areas of the biomedical field. As part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program, this award fosters pioneering efforts that may lead to transformative advancements in health and medicine.

The WMU Department of Chemistry offers the Dr. Don Berndt Endowment for Chemistry, established in 2013 to support outstanding graduate students. This scholarship is awarded to full-time students serving as effective teaching assistants in general or organic chemistry courses, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The endowment honors Professor Emeritus Don Berndt and aims to enhance the educational experience of students within the chemistry program.

The Physicians Aid Association Grant provides essential financial support to physicians facing unforeseen hardships. Established in 1937, this initiative assists those in Los Angeles County with temporary needs such as rent, food, and utilities. It aims to alleviate the burden of unexpected challenges, ensuring that healthcare professionals receive the help they need during difficult times. The grant's focus is on compassionate aid and community support for physicians and their families.

The SLCAC Project Support Grants offer financial assistance to arts projects in Salt Lake City. With a focus on community engagement, these grants prioritize initiatives like concerts, workshops, and murals that benefit the public. The program allocates approximately $70,000 annually, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. All projects must be arts-based, open to the community, and occur within specified funding cycles. Applicants may submit one proposal per year, promoting adherence to evaluation criteria for success.

The SLCAC General Operating Support Grants provide essential funding to arts nonprofits in Salt Lake City, assisting with operational costs and promoting artistic programming. Eligible organizations, which must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in the city, can apply for grants that support projects within city limits. The program aims to distribute approximately $200,000 annually, fostering artistic vibrancy and community impact. Applicants can only submit one application per year to ensure a fair distribution of funds.

Program background

MassCEC seeks qualified vendors to provide technical services under the Green School Works Technical Assistance program for eligible public K-12 schools and districts looking to begin or supplement their decarbonization planning.

These services will reduce the cost of technical assistance for eligible, low-income public K-12 schools and districts with the goal of making decarbonization planning more accessible. Available Mass Save Scopes

• Comprehensive Building Assessment
• Portfolio Decarbonization Roadmap
• Focused Study

Available Green School Works Scopes

• Renewables (Solar plus storage and MA Class I REC Analysis)
• New! - Ground Source Heat Pump Feasibility

The Pilot Collaborative Support grant facilitates partnerships between two organizations, promoting collaboration in the arts across a 9-county region. Each organization can apply for up to $12,500, with a total funding of $25,000 available. This initiative aims to enhance cultural engagement and access to the arts, ensuring that projects benefit diverse communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits and government entities, fostering innovative projects that enrich the regional arts landscape.

The Apostle Islands Area Human Rights Fund, managed by Boreal Waters Community Foundation, supports initiatives promoting tolerance and understanding while combating discrimination. Applications are welcomed for projects in education, mediation, and celebrations that address human rights issues in the Bayfield-Madeline Island-Red Cliff region. The fund prioritizes proposals demonstrating clear objectives, effective organizational capacity, and realistic budgets. Grants are available year-round for community interventions or emergency responses to specific incidents.

Our Story - Celebrating 30 Years of Giving

The Landfall Foundation was established to support non-profit organizations and schools in the greater Wilmington area by providing individuals and businesses a meaningful way to support those in need. Our grants fund projects and programs in the areas of the arts, education, and health and welfare. All grant dollars remain local, benefitting the residents of New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

Our Mission

The mission of The Landfall Foundation is to provide support to non-profit organizations and schools serving Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender Counties. Grants are awarded for well defined projects and programs in the areas of arts, education, and health and welfare, through a comprehensive vetting process.

Landfall Foundation: Macro Grants

Macro Grants Applications are only available to Organizations that were selected during the LOI process. $10,001 to $50,000. Approximately 3-5 will be awarded annually. These grants are designed for high-impact initiatives. These selective grants will focus on projects or programs that can bring about transformative change in the community. These may include capital projects designed to improve, expand or repair existing facilities or the purchase of major equipment that supports the organization’s mission.

The Bowman-Shannon Cultural Arts Fund, managed by the Shenandoah Community Foundation, aims to promote cultural arts in Shenandoah County, Virginia. This fund supports various artistic expressions, including visual arts, music, dance, and writing, encouraging participation from all nonprofit organizations, not just those focused on arts. It empowers individuals and groups to explore their creativity through diverse mediums, enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOP) aims to enhance digital equity by providing matching funds to organizations in Austin. This initiative focuses on increasing access to technology, improving digital skills, and ensuring that all citizens can participate fully in the digital age. Eligible applicants include incorporated, tax-exempt organizations, and projects must align with GTOP goals. With a mission to foster innovation, this grant supports initiatives that bridge the digital divide in the community.

The NYSHF Special Projects Fund Grant offers one-time funding to support innovative health projects that address pressing community needs in New York. This initiative seeks to empower organizations that can enhance health outcomes for marginalized populations, while fostering systemic change. Competitive applications should demonstrate potential for replication and sustainability beyond the grant period. This fund represents a unique opportunity for organizations committed to improving public health through impactful projects.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Education / Meritorious / Service Awards

The Educational/Meritorious/Service awards recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the welding industry. From educators who have advanced welding knowledge to those who've exhibited outstanding service, these awards celebrate dedication, expertise, and the advancement of welding as both an art and a science.

Dalton E. Hamilton Memorial CWI of the Year Award

This award, administered by the Certification Committee, is given annually by the American Welding Society as a means of recognizing individuals participating in the Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) program whose inspection, American Welding Society, professional activity and civic activities are considered to have enhanced public awareness and opinion of both the Society and the CWI program or otherwise have made an outstanding contribution to the science of welding inspection.

This award is recognized at the National, District and Section levels. The nominee is selected at least 12 months in advance of FABTECH. Selections for the Section and District awards are made during the annual District Conference meetings. District and Section level recognitions are automatic but National level nominee information is submitted to the AWS Certification Committee for final selection.

• A nomination form must be submitted, along with an introduction letter of support and a complete resume or CV of the individual’s qualifications. Complete National nominations must be received by February 1st.

The Safe Passage, Safe Blocks RFA aims to enhance student safety during their commutes by funding community-based organizations to provide a visible adult presence along designated routes. This initiative seeks to reduce violence and disruptions while fostering positive youth engagement, creating a supportive environment for students, families, and school communities in priority areas. The program utilizes trained Safe Passage Ambassadors to identify and intervene in potential threats, ensuring safer travel for all.

The GA Research Awards, established by the Geologists' Association since 1858, aim to promote geological study among all members with at least one year's standing, supporting research in earth sciences. Grants, typically up to £600, can fund fieldwork, museum visits, and laboratory consumables. Non-members may also apply for limited funding for fieldwork. The initiative fosters inclusivity and awareness of geological heritage, encouraging both seasoned researchers and newcomers to explore the natural world.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

The AWS Outstanding Achievement Awards honor exceptional contributions in welding, spanning historical structures, innovative fabrication, safety, and technical advancements across various categories.

Distinguished Welder Award

This award recognizes an individual whose welding skills and experience would earn them the recognition of being an AWS Distinguished Welder.

A complete nomination packet should include information addressing the Definition and candidate's Application Criteria as outlined in the AWS Distinguished Welder Award Nomination Form. The focus of the nomination packet should include specifics of the individual's skills.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

The AWS Outstanding Achievement Awards honor exceptional contributions in welding, spanning historical structures, innovative fabrication, safety, and technical advancements across various categories.

Professor Koichi Masubuchi Award

This award is sponsored by the Center for Ocean Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The award will be given to one individual who has made significant contributions in the advancement of the science and technology of materials joining through research and development. The individual is to be 40 years old or younger and may live in any part of the world. The recipient need not be a member of AWS.

Complete nomination packets may be submitted for consideration to the AWS Awards Committee and must include an introduction letter of support and a complete resume or CV of the individual's qualifications.

The applicant is requested to indicate his/her birth year in the resume to verify that he/she is 40 years old or younger for the year in which the applicant is nominated.

Complete nominations must be received by the deadline of December 31. The award will be presented at the following year's FABTECH show. Submit your nomination to Wei Zhang at zhang.3978@osu.edu or at nationalawards@aws.org.

The Georgia Health Foundation Grant, established in 1985, supports nonprofits in Georgia addressing local health issues while encouraging collaboration. Grants are awarded to organizations eligible under IRS guidelines, focusing on charitable, scientific, or educational purposes. Applicants are urged to propose sustainable programs with regional or national health impacts. Note that the application deadline is June 1, with initial reviews in July. The foundation typically does not fund capital projects or campaigns.

Resist.

In 1967, Resist emerged out of the resistance to the Vietnam War and evolved to support the visionary frontline groups that are resisting, re-imagining, and transforming their communities for a more just and liberated world.

Resist is a foundation that supports people’s movements for justice and liberation. We redistribute resources back to frontline communities at the forefront of change while amplifying their stories of building a better world.

Our grant-making: Throughout this history, Resist has provided critical early funding to some of the most influential progressive organizations in the U.S. In total, Resist has granted more than $12 million to over 6,000 dedicated groups across the United States.

Urgent Action Fund

The 2026 Urgent Action Fund resources organizations with urgent projects or requests that include, but are not limited to, events, direct actions, accessibility, and mutual aid. Applications will open on the last Monday and close the following Friday of each month until cap has been reached. Projects that reflect escalated resistance, campaigns, events, projects or programmatic work will be prioritized.

All In Credit Union, founded in 1966, has evolved from a small financial institution to a full-service credit union serving over 197,000 members across Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. With a commitment to community support, they have contributed nearly $2 million to local charities since 2018 and awarded significant scholarships. The annual All In Grant Program offers essential funding to 501(c)(3) organizations to enhance community services, reflecting their dedication to making a positive impact in the areas they serve.

The Wheeler Charitable Trust Grant, established by Ruth A. Wheeler and Henry O. Wheeler in 1982, focuses on supporting education and various charitable causes primarily in California and Washington. Applications are accepted year-round, with a deadline of July 1 for annual review in August. The Trust aims to uphold the values of generosity and resilience exemplified by its founders, funding areas such as arts, health, and human services.

About Us

The Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) was established by the Hawai`i State Legislature in 1965 as the official state arts agency of Hawai`i. The mission of the SFCA is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai'i. Since its inception, SFCA has worked to enrich the lives of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through arts and cultural programming and initiatives. 

Performing Arts Grant

The Performing Arts Grant Program, established through Act 131, SLH2025, allocates state general funds in fiscal year 2027 to support the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The legal provisions of the Performing Arts Grant are in Section §9-XX, through § 9-XX of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes. The grant budget is contingent on the Hawai`i State Legislature appropriation.  

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 9-1 defines “performing arts” as arts or skills that are intended to be performed before an audience, including but not limited to dance, singing, musical, and theater performances. 

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is awaiting designation and approval of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that govern facilitating the Performing Arts Grant Program. . 

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund Grant, managed by the Baltimore Community Foundation, aims to enrich the cultural landscape of metropolitan Baltimore. Established in 1964, the fund supports various arts and culture initiatives, focusing on organizational effectiveness and community engagement. Grants range from $1,500 to $45,000, prioritizing inclusive and innovative programming that fosters collaboration among cultural organizations, supports local artists, and enhances the community's sense of identity.

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has been serving the people of Texas for more than a century. Since 1909, when the state founded the agency, we have been supporting the reading, learning, and historical preservation needs of Texas and its people. 

Going back to the days of the Republic, there has always been an official library and archives of Texas. While fulfilling our unique and longstanding place serving Texas government, the State Library and Archives Commission mission is also to ensure that citizens have information they need to lead informed, productive, and fulfilled lives.

Family Place Libraries™ Grant 

The Family Place Libraries Training Institute (Family Place) provides theoretical grounding and practical training for library staff in family-centered library services. By expanding the traditional role of children's services, Family Place participants build on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent or guardian involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development.

Family Place participants will be able to create the network that families need to nurture their children's development during the critical first years of life. Family Place provides training and resources to help participants redesign their library environment to:

• Create a welcoming and developmentally appropriate environment for children beginning at birth.
• Connect parents with the resources, programs, and services offered at the library and other family service agencies.
• Connect with non-traditional library users.
• Ensure children have access to resources that will allow them to enter school ready and able to learn.

The Family Place Libraries model was developed by the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, New York. Currently, there are 126 Family Place library locations in Texas. 

Applicants may submit an application to become a new Family Place Library or expand their current program to an additional location. 

The Ohio Arts Council's ArtsNEXT program offers competitive funding for innovative and experimental projects aimed at enhancing the arts in Ohio. With awards typically up to $25,000, this grant supports bold ideas that push artistic boundaries, improve accessibility, and encourage diversity in arts experiences. Projects may include collaborations, new programming strategies, or technology advancements that foster community engagement. Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to artistic evolution and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply.

The ASPCA Research Grants support innovative research aimed at enhancing animal welfare. With a total funding amount of $440,000, the grants are open to various research areas including cruelty research, access to veterinary care, applied behavior, psychological trauma, and farm animal welfare. Eligible applicants include U.S. public or private entities and Canadian universities. The maximum individual grant amounts vary by research area, encouraging impactful studies that directly benefit animals.