Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The High School Career and Technical Education Grant supports the expansion and modernization of educational programs for high school students in rural communities. This initiative aims to equip students with the skills needed for high-demand industries, fostering economic growth and community development. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Intent starting April 1, 2025, with specific deadlines for consideration. The Patterson Family Foundation emphasizes collaboration to enhance access to quality education and job opportunities.

School Behavioral Health Services Comprehensive Expansion

This RFA will deliver prevention, early intervention, and treatment services by Community Based Organizations (CBO) providers within the Comprehensive School Behavioral Health Model in 52 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS).

DBH will allocate funding to develop and further expand the District’s Comprehensive School Behavioral Health System in the District’s schools. The school behavioral health services will be aligned with the behavioral health unmet needs/gaps within the school. The array of services includes prevention, early intervention and treatment. Additionally, the selected CBOs will participate in the overall evaluation of the implementation.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.

Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) serves to improve the health of rural Kansans by expanding primary and secondary prevention programs, securing local access to primary care, building a sustainable rural health workforce, enabling value-base care and harnessing data and technology.

This office works closely with the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance in supporting rural health systems and the communities they serve to improve access and outcomes in health care. 

Five Kansas RHTP Initiatives

• Improving rural Kansas’ health outcomes and transforming the delivery system by implementing and sustaining initiatives that promote preventative health care and address root causes of diseases,
• Enhancing rural health care providers’ efficiency and sustainability,
• Attracting and retaining a highly-skilled health care workforce,
• Sparking growth of innovative care models in rural communities that improve quality of care while reducing costs, and,
• Fostering the use of innovative technologies to increase access to care for rural Kansans

Open RHTP Funding Opportunities

• Regional Partnership Grant Program 
• Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Conversion/Transformative Capital Investment (CAP) Grant 

Regional Partnership Grant Program 

The $44 million RPGP grant enables eligible providers to participate in collaborative arrangements that promote preventive health care and address the root causes of disease, enhance rural providers’ efficiency and sustainability, attract and retain a high-skilled health care workforce, spark growth of value-based care models, and foster the use of innovative technologies. 

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

John E. Thomasson Scholarship

The John E. Thomasson Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 to support postsecondary educational opportunities for youth of African American or other minority heritage in the Louisa County (Virginia) Public Schools or Fluvanna County (Virginia) Public Schools. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to students who have been admitted to an accredited two-year technical school, four-year Historically Black College or University or the school of their choice. Preference will be given to applicants planning to attend Virginia State University, Hampton University, Virginia Union University, or Norfolk State University.

Estimated Award Amount

• (2) $1,000 

The Climate Innovation Fund Grant Program, administered by the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, supports innovative local projects aimed at mitigating climate change in Calgary and Edmonton. Focusing on technology demonstration, collective impact, and policy advancement, this program provides essential funding for scalable, low-emission initiatives. Organizations are invited to apply for funding across four key areas, fostering community-driven solutions to the climate emergency and contributing to long-term sustainability efforts.

Montana Department of Commerce

Mission

The Department of Commerce effectively and efficiently delivers programs and resources through technical assistance, funding/investments, training/consulting, promotion, research, reporting and outreach to provide affordable housing and create sustainable business and economic growth to enhance community vitality to benefit the citizens of Montana.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

Created under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program is the largest federal block grant that is designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Montana’s HOME funds are allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Montana Department of Commerce administers the program and grants these funds to local governments, nonprofit organizations and private developers to develop and preserve affordable housing for or offer homebuyer assistance to income-eligible individuals and families. An individual may not apply directly to the HOME Program.

The HOME Program does the following:

• Expands the supply of affordable housing for Montanans with low- and very low-incomes
• Improves the means of state and local governments to implement strategies to achieve adequate supplies of decent, affordable housing
• Provides both financial and technical assistance to participants to develop model programs for affordable housing

Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Commerce accepts applications for homebuyer downpayment assistance programs on a rolling basis. Grants covering a two-year period are awarded to eligible entities seeking to undertake homebuyer activities locally. HOME funds are used to provide subsidy to individual homebuyers and costs associated with administering the homebuyer program. Grantees determine maximum subsidies based on their local housing markets and targeted beneficiaries, and ensure that home purchase prices follow HUD-determined limits. Generally, 5% of HOME investments are matched.

The Presenter Consortium for Jazz Grant, offered by Chamber Music America, supports U.S.-based presenters collaborating to engage professional jazz ensembles. This grant provides up to $39,000 for expenses like ensemble fees, concert production, and marketing. Each consortium can include up to three presenters and aims to enhance the jazz experience through live performances and streamed concerts. Eligible projects must involve CMA’s New Jazz Works grantees, fostering creativity and community engagement in jazz.

About Us

At DECD, we are more than two dozen experts whose broad mission is to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, our experienced staff can help.

CDBG Public Service Grant Program

The Public Service Grant (PSG) Program addresses community and business resource needs by providing funding for operating expenses, equipment, and program materials for activities which will benefit low/moderate income (LMI) persons.

Project Benefit: Eligible PSG projects must provide benefits to one of the groups of persons listed below and be in support of an identified business or non-profit entity:

Participants in a program where 51% or greater of the persons receiving benefit from PSG activities are determined to be LMI.

Persons who are members of the following groups that are currently presumed by HUD to meet benefit requirements. The presumption may be challenged if there is substantial evidence the group served by the project is most likely not comprised of principally LMI persons;

Abused Children (Does not include “at-risk” youth) • Battered Spouses (Does not include all victims of domestic violence) • Elderly Persons (62 years +, or 55 years + for housing) • Severely Disabled Adults • Homeless Persons • Illiterate Adults • Migrant Farm Workers • Persons Living with AIDS

All communities applying for PSG funds must certify that: The activity represents a new service to the community; or a quantifiable increase in the level of an existing service;

Maximum PSG Amount: $50,000

The Workforce Training Support Program aims to assist Illinois manufacturers by providing financial support for workforce training. This initiative addresses the challenges of training and retaining skilled workers in the manufacturing sector. By covering up to 50% of training costs, the program encourages employers to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring a safe and productive work environment. This program supplements existing initiatives, ultimately strengthening the Illinois workforce and supporting local businesses.

Ohio Arts Council 

The Ohio Arts Council was created in 1965 to foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage. With funds from the Ohio Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, the OAC provides financial assistance to artists and arts organizations. The Council accomplishes this charge in two primary methods; first, through the various grant funding programs that the Council operates to provide support to artists and to make arts activities available to a broad segment of Ohio's public; and secondly, by providing services that help to enhance the growth of the arts.

ArtsRISE

The Ohio Arts Council strives to support the arts in all communities throughout the state. ArtsRISE is designed to support organizations working to expand access to activities to a broad range of participants, address accessibility and other aspects of welcoming program design, present arts programming of culturally specific or ethnic organizations, and support meaningful engagement with other constituent groups.

Awards may support: 1) organizations whose staff and board represent these specific communities; and/or 2) organizations’ efforts to improve their programs' access.

The National Standard for Arts Information Exchange Project (NISP) defines culturally specific populations as American Indian/ Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; Ohio has traditionally included the addition of Appalachian to this definition. 

The Coach Kevin Ferguson Scholarship Endowment supports continuing education through scholarships, prioritizing students pursuing careers in Physical Education or those with a connection to the Prince George High School Baseball Team. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. The scholarship funds tuition, fees, and educational expenses, reinforcing Kevin Ferguson's legacy of fostering academic and athletic excellence among young athletes in the community. Applications are reviewed annually by the John Randolph Foundation.

The Vitality Grants aim to enhance arts and culture in the eight-county region of New York by supporting nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on fostering access to cultural opportunities in underserved communities, ensuring sustainability for local organizations, and celebrating the region’s diverse cultural heritage. With a new grant cycle starting in early 2025 for educational programs, these grants are crucial for enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The Van Beuren Foundation provides program and project grants aimed at improving health, education, and community well-being, primarily in Newport County. Their funding priorities include supporting children and youth, enhancing community health, fostering economic growth, and promoting quality public spaces. They encourage innovative approaches and collaboration while welcoming proposals that benefit both local and broader communities. Organizations must demonstrate a clear impact on these priority areas to secure funding.

The Aulani Resort 10th Anniversary Scholarship, offered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, supports students from West Oahu pursuing degrees in Travel Industry Management or Hawaiian Studies. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and be residents of Hawaii. This scholarship not only fosters educational growth but also emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage and community engagement, ensuring that future generations of students can thrive academically and professionally.

The Weaver Foundation Grants support agencies in the Greater Greensboro area, focusing on education, youth programs, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, equity, social justice, urban open spaces, and economic development. While they do not accept unsolicited applications, letters of inquiry are welcomed. The foundation does not provide funding for individuals, partisan programs, or travel-related expenses, and funding decisions occur quarterly, allowing for multi-year commitments when necessary.

The IDNR: State Duck Stamp Funding program supports the development of waterfowl propagation areas in the Mississippi Flyway. Funded by sales of State Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, it focuses on projects in Canada and the U.S. that enhance waterfowl populations. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations aiming to implement the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This initiative not only fosters wildlife conservation but also strengthens ecological sustainability in the region.

The HEAL Initiative aims to address the complex interplay between chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD), affecting 40-60% of OUD patients. Through the IMPOWR initiative, this funding opportunity seeks to develop integrated care strategies that enhance treatment delivery at health systems levels. By identifying effective interventions and collaborative care models, the initiative strives to improve patient outcomes in managing both chronic pain and OUD, while emphasizing the roles of various healthcare professionals in this integrated approach.

The Paul Jorgensen Conservation Research Grant, offered by the Anza-Borrego Foundation, supports undergraduate and graduate students conducting ornithological field studies in Southern California's Colorado Desert and Peninsular Ranges. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to assist with fieldwork costs, honoring Paul D. Jorgensen's legacy. Special consideration is given to research conducted within state parks, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of California's unique desert ecosystems.

The State Shelter Subsidy Grant (SSSG) program assists individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness by providing grants to local agencies in Wisconsin that provide emergency shelter and supportive services. Emergency shelter programs applying for this grant must have a need for additional funding due to the renovation/expansion of an existing shelter facility, the development of an existing building into a shelter facility, the expansion (or development) of shelter services, or the inability of a shelter program to obtain adequate funding to continue providing their existing level of service.

The SSSG program provides operation funds to emergency shelter and motel voucher programs that have additional funding needs due to:

• Renovation/expansion of an existing emergency shelter facility
• Development of an existing building into an emergency shelter facility
• Expansion (or development) of emergency shelter services
• Inability of an emergency shelter program to obtain adequate funding to continue to provide an existing level of service 

The Driving a Cleaner Illinois program, managed by the Illinois EPA, offers funding for mobile source electrification projects. This initiative utilizes resources from the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, and the EPA's Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program. As funding is limited, applicants are encouraged to apply promptly to support cleaner transportation solutions in Illinois.

The Workforce Retention Funding program, managed by North Dakota Health and Human Services, aims to bolster the rural healthcare workforce by providing grants to critical access hospitals and their clinics. With approximately $10 million in funding, the initiative supports retention strategies such as employee incentives, childcare partnerships, and professional development. By enhancing workforce sustainability, this program addresses healthcare access challenges in rural communities, aligning with the state's goal to improve overall health outcomes.

The Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program (BSNLRP) aims to enhance California's healthcare workforce by offering loan repayments to registered nurses who serve in medically underserved areas. Funded through a nominal surcharge, the program provides up to $15,000 in loan repayment for a 12-month service commitment, thereby supporting the delivery of essential healthcare services in qualified facilities across the state.

The Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program (LMH) aims to enhance California's healthcare workforce by offering loan repayments and scholarships to mental health professionals serving underserved areas. Funded through a $20 surcharge on licensing fees, this program seeks to increase the availability of trained mental healthcare providers. Eligible professionals may receive up to $15,000 in loan repayment for a 12-month service obligation, thereby addressing critical gaps in mental health services across the state.

The Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program (STLRP) aims to enhance California's healthcare workforce by providing loan repayments to physicians who commit to serving in medically underserved areas. Established in 2003, the program offers eligible physicians up to $105,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a 36-month service obligation. This initiative seeks to improve access to healthcare in communities that face physician shortages, thereby promoting the retention of primary care physicians.

The Lead Service Line Replacement Fund, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocates $15 billion to assist communities in replacing lead service lines. It offers principal forgiveness loans to disadvantaged areas and low-interest loans for others. Eligible applicants include local governments and non-profit water companies. Funds can cover various activities such as the removal of lead lines, restoration of sites, and updating inventories. Applications are accepted year-round, with awards made quarterly.

The INTESOL Wendy Wildman Long Scholarship, established by Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, supports current or former English learners from Indiana. It aims to provide educational funding for college or vocational training, with preference given to students of color. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate financial need, ensuring access to opportunities for historically marginalized communities in Central Indiana.

The Harry M., Miriam C. and William C. Horton Fund Grant, established in 1948, supports public, charitable, educational, or religious purposes primarily benefiting the people of Rhode Island. The fund, created by Miriam Horton in memory of her husband and son, occasionally provides general operating support through one-year grants. Priority is given to requests focusing on basic needs, food, shelter, and healthcare, ensuring vital assistance to local organizations.