Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.

Clean Energy Career Awareness Program: Teaching Resources & Educator Training

Description

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) requests proposals from firms that will help advance a Clean Energy Career Awareness Program to serve New York State (NYS) students, youths, and teachers. Proposal will be considered by contractors who wish to provide workforce development and training services for either or both of the following Pillars:

• Pillar 1 - Clean Energy Teaching Resources: A web-based platform that contains freely accessible clean energy educational resources responsive to the needs of NYS students and teachers.
• Pillar 2 - Clean Energy Educator Training: Professional development opportunities for NYS educators to advance their understanding of clean energy in NYS.

For Pillar 1, NYSERDA seeks proposer with experience and expertise in clean energy, curriculum curation, and web design. The proposer shall develop webpage(s) that contain freely accessible clean energy educational resources that are responsive to the needs of NYS students and teachers. The proposer shall maintain the webpage(s) regularly to ensure accuracy and timeliness of resources.

For Pillar 2, NYSERDA seeks proposer with experience and expertise in both clean energy and professional development for educators. The proposer shall develop and deliver professional development opportunities for at least 2,000 unique NYS educators to advance their understanding of clean energy in NYS and remove the barriers to understanding the benefits of clean energy. The proposer shall ensure 50+% of participating educators serve and/or are from NYS Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) and/or Priority District Schools.   

A total of $5,750,000 is available, with $750,000 designated for Pillar 1 and $5,000,000 designated for Pillar 2.

The Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities Grants, initiated by the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities in 2016, aims to reduce violence during summer months. It supports community-based organizations that foster safety and cohesion. This Fund provides rapid-response grants to empower local initiatives, addressing immediate needs while complementing broader violence prevention efforts. By targeting neighborhood-based groups, it seeks to deliver timely support to those actively working for a safer Chicago.

The ISF Social Justice Short Film Grant supports emerging Muslim filmmakers in creating impactful short narrative or documentary films that address social justice issues. Launched in 2014 by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, this program aims to raise awareness and provoke dialogue about inequality and oppression. With a total of $625,000 awarded, the grant offers funding along with mentorship and networking opportunities to enhance storytelling and community impact.

The CommonSpirit Health Equity & Advancement Fund aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Colorado, Kansas, and Utah. Launched in 2021, this initiative focuses on enhancing social justice through community engagement, addressing social determinants of health, and supporting innovative health equity projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and tribal nations that collaborate to serve underrepresented communities. Funding priorities emphasize collaboration, unique health equity solutions, and leveraging additional resources.

The Giants Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations focused on community issues, health improvement, and youth empowerment. Established in 1993 by the New York Giants, the foundation aims to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations in the NY, NJ, and CT areas. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits and either youth organizations or those using funds for youth-related programming in health, education, fitness, or football. This grant fosters positive impacts in the community.

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund at Western Michigan University offers financial assistance to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students facing unexpected challenges that hinder their academic success. With a lifetime cap of $3,500, the fund addresses urgent needs such as textbooks, technology, and housing. Applicants are encouraged to seek additional resources before applying, as the fund is reliant on donations and does not provide support for anticipated educational costs.

The ISF Distribution Grant, offered by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, aims to support emerging Muslim filmmakers in distributing completed narrative and documentary films. Launched in 2014, the program fosters positive storytelling about the Muslim community. Grant recipients receive funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance their projects. With over $625,000 awarded to date, this initiative emphasizes the importance of showcasing diverse narratives through festival submissions and digital platforms, ensuring broader audience engagement.

The James A Wharton Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports students from Chelan and Douglas Counties pursuing trade education, particularly in collision repair. Open to graduating seniors and nontraditional students, this scholarship encourages enrollment in vocational programs, emphasizing a commitment to learning. Recipients may renew their scholarships by reapplying competitively, ensuring continued support for those dedicated to advancing their skills in the trades.

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) aims to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers in modernizing their operations and adopting new technologies. This initiative, managed by the Mass Tech Collaborative, provides grant funding and accelerator support to help eligible businesses navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape. By conducting thorough assessments, the program identifies effective capital investments to meet the specific needs of participating manufacturers, fostering economic growth and job creation in Massachusetts.

The Louise Taft Semple Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Cincinnati, Ohio, by providing financial support for artistic, cultural, educational, civic, and social service projects. The foundation prioritizes funding for the local arts community, education institutions promoting arts, and civic initiatives. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations and wait two years between proposals. Notably, the foundation does not support general operating expenses, individual scholarships, or projects already completed.

The PRO 2026-07 Water Safety Leading Grant aims to fund initiatives that enhance water safety for children and families in Hillsborough County. Approved by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the grant focuses on collaborative service delivery addressing urgent community needs. Grantees will provide education, swimming lessons, and safety resources while meeting strategic outcomes. This grant prioritizes children aged 1 to 18 and their caregivers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing drownings and promoting family support.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

The SGM (Ret) William T. and Mary Evans Scholarship Endowment aims to support students pursuing health-related majors in higher education. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, and commitment. Priority is given to Petersburg and Hopewell High School students. The scholarship of $1,000 assists with tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, promoting continued education and honoring the legacy of SGM (Ret) William T. and Mary Evans.

The California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) aims to enhance career technical education for students from kindergarten through grade twelve. This initiative, supported by the California Department of Education, focuses on equipping students with essential skills for employment and further education. By fostering collaboration among educators and community partners, CTEIG seeks to improve educational outcomes and workforce readiness, ensuring that students thrive in a diverse and interconnected society.

The LAFLA LEIF Fellowship Program empowers underrepresented law students to pursue public interest careers. Launched in 2021, it provides fellowships to select summer law clerks, addressing inequities in the legal profession. Along with participation in the Summer Law Clerk Program, LEIF fellows engage in weekly meetings and complete a final project. They are eligible for up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement for tuition, fostering a community dedicated to equal justice.

PADDC Community Grants Program

Our Community Grants Program brings together people, with and without disabilities, in a local community initiative to influence social change and improve the lives of everyone in the community. We support ideas that develop generic change, providing benefits to people with disabilities in settings that are the same as those available to community-at-large. If necessary, projects also change that generic community to meet the needs of people with disabilities, affirming the status of people with disabilities as full and equal members.

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) uses the federal definition of developmental disabilities, as it appears in Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (The DD Act). This definition is based on substantial physical or mental impairment function in three or more major areas of life activity and the age of onset when the disability occurred.

The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) Informatics Fellowship offers a 1- to 2-year program focused on clinical informatics, leveraging data science and health technology to enhance care delivery. Nestled within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, this fellowship encourages innovative approaches to address healthcare challenges. Mentored by expert clinician-scientists, fellows will gain hands-on experience and collaborate with healthcare leaders, fostering skills in electronic health records, clinical decision support, and telemedicine.

The Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department Joshua A. Culler Memorial Scholarship Endowment supports students from Prince George County pursuing higher education in medical fields or emergency services. Established in 2012 to honor Joshua A. Culler, a dedicated volunteer firefighter, the scholarship prioritizes applicants who volunteer with the department or are dependents of volunteers. Eligible students must demonstrate academic achievement and community involvement, ensuring a commitment to service and education.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc

Since its founding in 1869, Goldman Sachs has been a dominant force in the financial world. Built from the foundation of our renowned investment banking business, the firm has evolved its culture and expanded its offerings over time - but its commitment to client service and excellence endures.

The Goldman Sachs culture values teamwork, client service, and giving back to the communities we serve. It has been described as the foundation of the firm's success. Moreover, the people of Goldman Sachs have long valued their opportunity to give back through public service and volunteerism, humanitarian efforts, and programs that foster economic progress in communities around the world.

Goldman Sachs Community Development Grant

The Community Development Grants program aims to address critical funding gaps in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities across New York City, New Jersey, and Salt Lake City. The program provides financial support to high-impact organizations dedicated to advancing economic opportunity and community stability. 

The Equity Builders Initiative

The Equity Builders Initiative: This initiative provides multi-year, general operating funding over three years. It is designed to help organizations build capacity and sustainably deepen their impact. Awardees typically share a mission of creating upward mobility through quality affordable housing, small business development, neighborhood revitalization, and community services. Applications should align with one or more of the following pillars:

• Affordable housing for LMI communities, such as development/preservation of units, homeownership counseling, rental assistance, and eviction prevention
• Community services, such as workforce development, job training, financial health programs, and access to healthcare or early childhood education
• Meeting the needs of small businesses, such as technical assistance for businesses, access to capital, and business incubation
• Revitalizing or stabilizing LMI geographies, such as community improvements, community hubs, transit-oriented infrastructure, and disaster resilience 

The Russell Family Foundation Grant, established in 2007 in Duluth, Minnesota, supports charitable causes in the areas of arts, education, environment, health, human services, public benefit, and religion. This private foundation awards grants exclusively to organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a focus on those primarily located in Duluth. Their mission emphasizes fostering community welfare through diverse initiatives.

The Leo Zupin Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, honors the legacy of a dedicated math educator. Open to Tri-Cities students, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of motivation over past academic performance. It seeks applicants facing adversity and pursuing vocational training or a degree in mathematics. Eligible candidates must submit transcripts and other required documents to apply. This scholarship serves as a tribute to Leo Zupin's commitment to education and the community.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a sovereign nation and has three main branches of government – Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. One of our most important resources is our people.

Education

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.

Cathern Tufts Memorial Scholarship

Cathern Tufts, affectionately known as “Cat” in the offices of the CTSI administrative offices and Tribal elder woodcuts, was the Tribal Attorney for fourteen and a half years until she passed in 2018 following a short illness. She was a Siletz Tribal member who graduated from Arizona State University School of Law. She served an internship in Washington D.C. prior to going to work as an attorney. Her parents and friends wished to honor her life and achievements through this memorial scholarship. This scholarship is for students in pre-law, law, or in a natural resource field.

Marshall Community Foundation: Impact Grant

The Marshall Community Foundation reviews/awards grants quarterly and yearly based upon the size of the grant request. Grants are awarded to agencies across Calhoun County that benefit residents of the City of Marshall and surrounding townships. Grants are intended to be a flexible local funding opportunity that can respond to community needs.

Requests will only be considered for:

• Capacity Building
• New Major Projects
• Challenge Grants

The Niles Rotary Club Grant, established in 1937, supports local charitable projects in Fremont. With a focus on community significance, eligible non-profit organizations can apply for funding ranging from $500 to $5,000. The grant emphasizes measurable objectives and life-enhancing initiatives. The club also seeks matching funds from Rotary District and International to enhance its outreach, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.

The WMU Department of History offers a renewable $1,000 History Fellowship Award for newly admitted full-time freshman students majoring in history or related fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and maintain the same GPA while enrolled. The fellowship is renewable for up to four years, ensuring continued support for students who maintain their academic standing. Applications are due by March 15, and underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

The 28-0343-04 State Agency Racial Profiling Program aims to support the collection and evaluation of racial profiling data in Illinois. It focuses on enhancing agency compliance and reducing racial profiling in traffic stops through effective data management and outreach. Eligible applicants include state agencies with enforcement duties. The program seeks to promote transparency and public awareness regarding traffic stop statistics, ultimately contributing to safer interactions for all citizens on the road.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Fellowship for Independent Researchers offers a $3,000 monthly stipend for one month, targeting writers, artists, and humanists. This fellowship encourages applicants working outside traditional academic settings, welcoming scholars of all nationalities. The Newberry Library provides a rich collection for research, focusing on projects that promote social justice. Ideal candidates include independent and early-career scholars, particularly those from the Chicago metropolitan area.