Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

Kansas Department of Transportation 

KDOT delivers transportation that keeps Kansans moving forward.

We maintain thousands of miles of roadways to keep people and goods moving smoothly across the state. Our dedicated team plans, builds, and maintains highways, bridges, and other infrastructure with a focus on safety and innovation.

By working closely with local communities and stakeholders, KDOT aims to enhance the quality of life for all Kansans, support economic growth, and improve travel experiences. 

Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program

The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program provides state funds to local public authorities (LPAs) for replacing or rehabilitating locally owned “poor” bridges. The program aims to reduce the number of poor and load-posted bridges across the state. It targets bridges that are ineligible for the Off-System Bridge Program or too large to be adequately funded under that program. Local match requirements are based on county population density.

The KDOT Innovative Technology Program offers financial support for innovative transportation projects that enhance safety, mobility, and access in local communities. Applicants must submit a Concept Form for review before receiving an application form. Projects should utilize new technology not currently available in the area, with a minimum of 25% non-state cash match required. This initiative aims to improve Kansas's transportation infrastructure and promote economic growth.

The Iowa Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Stipend Program, overseen by the Iowa Department of Education, offers financial support for educators pursuing a specialized endorsement in dyslexia. Eligible candidates must have completed a college program, possess a valid endorsement, and be currently employed in an educational setting. This program aims to enhance the skills of educators dedicated to improving reading development for students with dyslexia, contributing to a more effective educational environment.

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

CDBG 2024 Disaster Recovery - Buyout

Purpose

This grant program is designed to help local jurisdictions move forward with critical infrastructure and recovery efforts following a disaster. FEMA requires state and local governments to contribute a “local share” or “match” toward eligible projects, but these costs can be difficult for communities already stretched thin by emergency response, recovery needs, and reduced revenues. The Non‑Federal Match Program provides CBG-DR funding support as match to ease that burden for FEMA’s HMGP and FEMA-Project Assistance Programs. In addition to assisting with required match funding, CDBG‑DR resources may also be used to enhance HMGP Buyout projects when communities can demonstrate remaining unmet recovery needs, lack of alternative funding options, and a clear connection to long‑term resilience and restoration goals.

The Grand Foundation Annual Grant supports non-profit organizations in Grand County, Colorado, awarding over $216,000 to 47 organizations this year alone. With a mission to enhance the community's quality of life, the foundation funds projects in arts, health services, environment, education, and sports. They encourage collaboration among agencies and prioritize measurable outcomes. The foundation's commitment to local needs is evident as they strive to raise sufficient funds to meet all grant requests, embodying the motto 'Give Where You Live, Work, and Play'.

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help return salmon and orcas from near extinction.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding to preserve and develop outdoor recreation resources, including parks, trails, and wildlife lands.

Congress created the fund in 1965 with the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas. All communities may compete for funding in this program.

All property acquired or developed with these grants must be kept forever exclusively for public outdoor recreation use.

Typical Projects

• Renovating community parks
• Building skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, and trails
• Protecting wildlife habitat
• Building athletic fields

Planning Requirement

To apply for this funding, grant applicants must have completed a comprehensive recreation or conservation plan. See details on the planning page and in Manual 2: Planning Guidelines.

The Inukai Family Foundation, established in honor of Richard Michael “Dick” Inukai, supports nonprofit organizations that enhance community welfare in Oregon, Idaho, and Southwest Washington. With a focus on positive youth development, educational grants, and healthcare support, the foundation promotes Japanese culture and provides scholarships for children of Dick's Auto Group employees. Through initiatives that address needs in education, senior care, and community outreach, the foundation continues to honor Dick Inukai's legacy of hard work and community service.

The Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund Grants support local nonprofit organizations in Dutchess County, focusing on arts, culture, and education. Grants prioritize projects that enhance accessibility for young people and seniors. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and serve county residents. The foundation promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in community life. Applications are encouraged for projects that align with these values, while grants are not awarded for individual support or fundraising events.

About DHHL Grants

As part of the Native Hawaiian Development Program Plan, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) makes available annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a purpose to benefit native Hawaiians. DHHL has offered grants in several program areas over the years as a means of implementing the community development component of the rehabilitation fund. Grant offerings reflect the department’s priorities and community interests.

Grant for Program Implementation located in Existing Homesteads

DHHL is seeking grant proposals statewide for improvements to facilities located in existing homesteads on Hawaiian Home Lands. The facility must serve existing homestead communities and benefit DHHL homestead lessees. Proposed projects may include but are not limited to any project listed in any HHC-approved DHHL Regional Plan, including those listed as "Potential" or "Priority" Projects. 

Projects may include but are not limited to all project phases: planning, due diligence, design, construction for infrastructure, and community facilities in existing homesteads. Projects must benefit DHHL homestead lessees in implementing their homestead visions as described in DHHL Regional Plans. Partnerships and teams of DHHL beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, including individuals and organizations, are encouraged to apply. Projects must be beneficiary-driven, demonstrate beneficiary leadership and assistance, and benefit existing DHHL homestead lessees.

TryMarine Grant

The Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership (RFHP) is seeking candidate pilot sites for evaluating two water quality treatment technologies—TryMarine and Oase Water Technology—in small urban fishing lakes (1–3 acres).

Urban fishing lakes are important community resources, providing accessible angling opportunities and supporting local outdoor recreation. Many of these lakes experience nutrient‑driven water quality impairments such as algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen, and reduced water clarity. These issues degrade fish habitat and diminish angler satisfaction.

This pilot initiative aims to identify lakes where these technologies can be tested to determine their effectiveness, feasibility, and potential for broader application across the RFHP network.

Objectives

Water Quality & Habitat Objectives

• Reduce nutrient concentrations (total phosphorus, total nitrogen).
• Improve water clarity and reduce turbidity.
• Reduce harmful algal blooms (HABs).
• Increase dissolved oxygen stability to support sportfish populations.
• Improve habitat conditions for stocked and naturally occurring fish species.
• Reduce internal nutrient loading from sediments.

RFHP Program Objectives

• Demonstrate scalable tools for improving fish habitat in small urban lakes.
• Support community‑based fisheries enhancement.
• Provide case studies and data for future RFHP guidance.
• Strengthen partnerships among agencies, municipalities, NGOs, and angling groups.

The Collective Wellbeing: Housing Grant Opportunity by the Colorado Gives Foundation aims to enhance access to affordable housing in Jefferson County. This grant supports nonprofits working on public awareness, advocacy, and policy efforts to alleviate housing burdens. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on serving the Jeffco community, ensuring impactful solutions for residents in need of stable housing options.

Cooperative Development Foundation

Mission

CDF builds the capacity of the cooperative business community to solve societal challenges, reinforce democratic decision-making, and improve economic opportunities for all.  

Cooperative Developer Professional Development Scholarships

These scholarships support cooperative developers that serve rural communities in accessing professional development opportunities that strengthen their skills, improve their practice, and contribute to the cooperative development field. Scholarships may be used for conferences, trainings, workshops, and other relevant learning opportunities that strengthen the applicant's ability to meet the needs of rural co-ops and communities.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Registration or training fees
• Travel and lodging (when applicable)

The NRF Foundation provides access to the education and opportunities needed for successful retail careers, helping people build better lives and stronger communities.

Retail Training Initiative

Building Career Pathways Through Retail Training

The NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative expands access to industry‑recognized retail training and credentials for job seekers across the United States. Through partnerships with community‑based organizations, workforce development providers, and educational institutions, the fund equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to secure meaningful employment and advance in retail and related industries.

Retail is the nation’s largest private‑sector employer and offers accessible entry points, transferable skills, and clear pathways for career growth. By investing in training that aligns with employer needs, the NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative helps individuals overcome barriers to employment while strengthening the talent pipeline for the retail industry and beyond.

Organizations selected to participate in the NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative receive support designed to help them deliver high‑quality, employer‑aligned training programs, including:

• Access to the NRF Foundation RISE Up training and credentialing program
• Capacity awards to support program implementation and delivery
• Tools and resources to help participants earn industry‑recognized credentials

Together, these resources help organizations expand their impact and better support job seekers on their path to employment and career growth.

Justamere Foundation

Our goal is to remove barriers that are keeping hard working people from being fully self-sufficient. We support programs that are addressing these obstacles, big and small, in a way that opens a path to self-reliance.

The Justamere Foundation is dedicated to working with our community partners to find innovative ways to help our neighbors through education, coaching, and connections.

Small solutions can result in enormous change. The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those needs and connect them to the right resources to make the biggest impact.

Areas of Need We Support

The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those areas that are underserved by traditional resources and see if we can make a bigger difference with direct involvement. Solutions might involve grants, non-traditional scholarships or simply making the right connection.

We focus on four main areas of need in our community:

• Trade Education: Individuals working towards obtaining a family-sustaining income encounter many small barriers that can impede their progress. We’ve partnered with local community colleges and organizations that work to eliminate the barriers.
• Veterans Resources: Veterans entering the civilian workforce can struggle to find the right fit. We’re working with organizations to support veterans with this process.
• Childhood Literacy: Reading is essential. Fostering a love of reading and learning opens so many doors as children grow up. We support organizations with programs that focus on education and literacy resources for children in underserved areas.
• Arts Education: Arts programs inspire and help children express themselves. We support summer and after-school programs in music, art, and theatre.

How do we support these areas?

• Non-Traditional Scholarships
• Grants that make a real impact

Non-Traditional Scholarships

There are many traditional Scholarship and Financial Aid resources for high school kids going on to college. This is great but it leaves a whole lot of people out of the solution. Kids who couldn’t go directly to college or didn’t finish highschool – Adults who are in a job that cannot effectively support their family and want to make a change – or anyone simply looking for a better life. The resources available to them are limited. We want to work with organizations that are addressing those challenges and see if there’s a connection to be made, an existing program to utilize or even a new program to be developed.

The Shelter Operations Support (SOS) Grant Program aims to enhance emergency shelter operations in Missouri, prioritizing assistance to programs that serve veterans. It is designed for established non-profits and community organizations with a track record of at least two years. The program provides operating and administrative funds to ensure safe temporary housing for residents facing crises, while maintaining compliance with funding restrictions and eligibility criteria.

The W. R. Grace Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status in the U.S. that focus on STEM education and basic needs like food and healthcare. Since its inception in 1961, the Foundation has contributed financial and volunteer resources to enhance community wellbeing, particularly in areas where Grace employees reside. They also match employee donations to accredited educational institutions, promoting civic engagement and support for local charities.

The Arizona Citrus Research Council (ACRC) offers grants to support research and solutions for Arizona Citrus producers. With approximately $75,000 available, projects may focus on pest eradication, production techniques, varietal development, technology enhancements, or developing HLB/ACP resistant trees. The ACRC evaluates proposals based on criteria such as prior project success, relevance to current industry issues, budget appropriateness, and applicant qualifications. All findings will be shared with local producers.

The Wilkes Family Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports students attending Concord University in West Virginia. This scholarship aims to assist with tuition, fees, and living expenses while requiring two teacher recommendations to ensure candidates demonstrate strong character and academic potential. Preference is given to West Virginia residents and graduates from Raleigh County high schools, reflecting the foundation's commitment to fostering local educational success.

The Nebraska DEE Emergency Assistance Grants provide crucial financial support for wastewater treatment facilities that have been impacted by natural disasters or unforeseen events. These grants can be paired with loans from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, ensuring that facilities can recover and maintain compliance with environmental standards. However, these funds are not intended for routine maintenance, focusing instead on urgent recovery needs.

The Sam and Maud Turner & Carole Ann Turner Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support graduating seniors from select high schools in Southern West Virginia. This scholarship encourages students to pursue higher education, offering financial assistance tailored to their specific needs and academic goals. By fostering educational opportunities, the foundation reinforces its commitment to enhancing community welfare and student success in the region.

The Robert and Margaret Sayre Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports non-traditional students aged 25 and older in their pursuit of higher education. This initiative is part of the Foundation's broader mission to enhance community welfare through charitable giving. By offering tailored scholarships, the Foundation aims to empower local students, ensuring they have the resources needed to achieve their educational aspirations and contribute positively to Southern West Virginia.

The Physician Assistant Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support students from Raleigh County, WV, pursuing a degree as a physician's assistant at accredited West Virginia colleges. This scholarship considers both merit and financial need, providing essential financial assistance to help local students achieve their educational aspirations. Through a universal application process, eligible students can access multiple scholarship opportunities with ease, ensuring a streamlined approach to funding their higher education.

Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability – Addressing Critical Needs Grant

Background

At The Chicago Community Trust, we believe that people are our region’s greatest asset. Central to our Critical Needs strategy is the recognition that access to stable, healthy and secure housing is fundamental in paving the way toward economic stability for individuals and families. Understanding the Chicago region’s formidable homelessness challenges, the Trust is offering this funding opportunity aimed at bolstering direct service organizations that provide housing and homeless prevention services. Through a human-centered approach, we are dedicated to ensuring that communities experiencing homelessness or unstable housing receive the support and resources necessary to achieve and maintain stable housing.

Need/Opportunity Statement

The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness estimates that 58,625 people experienced homelessness in 2024 – nearly three times higher than the 18,836 individuals counted in the city’s annual Point-in-Time survey. Unlike the Point-in-Time count, this estimate includes people who are doubled-up or living in overcrowded and unstable housing, revealing the broader reality of housing insecurity across Chicago.

Both reports show that homelessness is widespread and disproportionately impacts Black and Latine communities. Black residents make up about 30 percent of Chicago’s population but account for more than 50 percent of those experiencing homelessness. Latine residents also represent about 30 percent of the population and over 90 percent of those living doubled-up.

While Illinois and the City of Chicago have multi-year plans to address homelessness, philanthropic support remains essential. The Chicago Community Trust is committed to providing flexible, multi-year funding to help make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

Priority Strategies & Activities

The Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability RFP will fund programs that support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Grants will support initiatives in two primary categories:

Prevention:

• Emergency rental assistance and subsidies to help people stay in their homes
• Legal support for individuals and families facing eviction

Housing:

• Safe emergency shelter that provides healthy meals, healthcare access, and case management to help people move into stable housing
• Transitional housing with wraparound support, giving residents time to pursue education, job training, and employment
• Permanent supportive housing for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities
• Housing navigation services to reduce barriers and offer culturally and linguistically responsive support
• Specialized housing programs tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable communities, including returning residents, youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of gender-based violence

The ultimate goal is to foster sustainable solutions that promote housing stability and address the root causes of homelessness within the Chicago region.

Goals & Outcomes

The Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability RFP supports the Trust’s 10-year goal of increasing the number of households meeting their basic needs. Progress measures focus on tracking how housing programs help people move from homelessness to stable housing and stay housed, while also capturing the impact of prevention efforts that keep people in their homes.

Grant Amounts Available & Grant Term

These multi-year, general operating grants will span three years. Yearly grant amounts will be between $75,000 and $125,000. The Trust estimates it will make between 20 and 25 grant awards.

The N. Joe & Alice Rahall Family Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support students from Southern West Virginia in pursuing higher education. This scholarship rotates among eight designated schools and is awarded based on need and merit to graduating seniors and qualifying college upperclassmen. Applicants must have graduated from a high school in the 3rd Congressional District and commit to a communication class while pursuing a technology-related major.

The Natalie Jo Smith Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports students pursuing higher education at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in nursing, education, or ministry. Applicants must be West Virginia high school graduates, meet the university's academic standards, and demonstrate active participation in the Nazarene Church within the West Virginia South or North District. This scholarship aims to empower local students and foster their educational ambitions.

The Lynn Thornhill Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports students at Furman University in their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship is part of a broader initiative to facilitate charitable giving and enhance educational opportunities in Southern West Virginia. By providing financial assistance, the foundation aims to inspire students to achieve their academic goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The Leslie E. Lilly and Family Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports full-time students from West Virginia, with a preference for Raleigh County residents attending Concord University. This scholarship aims to facilitate access to higher education, reflecting the Foundation's mission to inspire charitable giving that strengthens communities in Southern West Virginia. By helping students achieve their educational goals, this scholarship plays a vital role in fostering local talent and ensuring future success.