Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Thomas T. and Christine Hegeman Wheatley Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2006 by Berks County Community Foundation, offers annual scholarships to Berks County residents pursuing education in medical fields such as EMT, Paramedics, Phlebotomy, or Nursing. Priority is given to current EMTs transitioning to Paramedics and applicants with a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service in a medical capacity. This fund honors the legacy of Thomas and Christine Wheatley.

What is a Community Foundation?

We are one of more than 750 similar tax-exempt public charities throughout the United States that work to make their community a better place to live. We are a local organization staffed by residents of the community and led by a board of trustees who have an in-depth knowledge of the issues that shape our County.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship

Established by the FOP Thomas Pangborn Lodge #88, this scholarship shall provide awards to deserving students pursuing an education in criminal justice.

The Barry Community Foundation supports programs and organizations that support and strengthen our community.

S.C. Blood Family Fund Grant

To fund projects dedicated to the agricultural heritage of the lives of Barry County residents, celebrating or supporting the legacy of family farms and our close-knit communities. Initiatives that benefit the Irving, Carlton, Woodland, and Castleton area will be considered.

The Illinois Women in Leadership — High School Scholarship aims to empower young women from Sangamon County who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong desire for professional growth. Offered by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, this scholarship supports graduating high school seniors and current college students who are direct descendants of U.S. Service Members residing in specific Illinois counties. It fosters the next generation of female leaders by providing financial assistance for their educational pursuits.

The Illinois Women in Leadership — Chrysalis Award recognizes women from Sangamon County who have earned their high school diploma or GED at least five years ago. This award aims to support individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and a strong desire for professional growth. The award is part of a legacy established by local banks in 1924, evolving to meet the diverse needs of the community and empower women in their personal and professional endeavors.

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 

Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. While funds can be used to support a broad range of activities, the program places emphasis on breaking the cycle of substance use and crime, combating violence, holding offenders accountable, reinforcing law enforcement efforts, supporting adjudication and enhancing technology and information sharing.

Program Areas

In general, JAG funds may be used to hire additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas:

• Law enforcement programs.
• Prosecution and court programs.
• Prevention and education programs.
• Corrections and community corrections programs.
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs.
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
• Mental health programs related to law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

This JAG award will be used to support criminal justice initiatives that fall under one or more of the allowable program areas above. Funded programs or initiatives may include multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces, crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, justice information sharing initiatives, or other programs aimed at reducing crime and/or enhancing public/officer safety.

The Military Patient Relief Fund, launched by the National Breast Cancer Foundation in partnership with the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, provides financial assistance up to $1,000 for eligible military members diagnosed with breast cancer. This fund addresses barriers to care such as transportation, childcare, housing, food insecurity, and medical costs. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone, offering support and hope to those in need.

The John & Ruth Blue Scholarship Endowment, established in 2001 by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports graduates from Watauga County high schools and residents from specialized academic institutions. This scholarship aims to empower students who excel academically, demonstrate physical vigor, and exhibit leadership in their communities. Recipients can receive up to four annual distributions if they maintain strong academic performance while pursuing a four-year college degree, fostering a legacy of educational excellence.

The Ila M. Skelton Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, supports graduating high school seniors and current college students from Sangamon County. Eligible applicants must be direct descendants of U.S. Service Members, residing in specific counties of Illinois. This scholarship aims to facilitate access to higher education at accredited institutions, including community colleges and trade schools, thereby fostering academic achievement and community engagement.

The Service Club Alliance Grant, initiated by the Exchange Club of Midland, Michigan, is designed to enhance collaboration among local service clubs. This unique partnership streamlines the grant application process for nonprofit organizations in Midland County, ensuring that essential resources are allocated effectively. Organizations can submit applications freely, with their proposals reviewed collectively by all participating clubs, fostering impactful community support and engagement.

The Marshall University Scholarship, supported by the Beckley Area Foundation, provides essential financial aid to incoming freshmen from Raleigh, Wyoming, or Summers counties in West Virginia. Established in memory of the victims of the tragic 1970 plane crash, this scholarship aims to assist eligible students in pursuing higher education at Marshall University, thereby fostering educational opportunities and community growth in the region.

The Dr. Robert W. Ikard Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of Dr. Ikard, a surgeon and author committed to education and social justice. This scholarship supports descendants of slaves in Maury County, helping them access higher education opportunities. Eligible candidates must be residents of Maury or Williamson counties, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and can reapply annually. The fund aims to foster a thriving, inclusive community through education.

The Drue Smith/Society of Professional Journalists’ Scholarship Fund, established in memory of pioneering journalist Drue Smith, supports college juniors, seniors, and graduate students from Middle Tennessee pursuing careers in journalism or broadcast news. This fund honors Drue's legacy as the first woman president of the Society of Professional Journalists in Tennessee, promoting professional development for aspiring journalists and fostering the next generation of media professionals in a rapidly changing landscape.

The Beneto Foundation provides grant funding ranging from $1,500 to $25,000 for ongoing or one-time projects that support 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Sacramento area. Special consideration is given to initiatives serving individuals with disabilities, families experiencing homelessness, or those with extremely low income. New applicants typically receive up to $5,000. Eligible organizations must focus on local community needs and not engage in political activities.

The Prince George's County Community Resilience Hub Grant Program, funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, aims to engage residents in climate change and emergency preparedness initiatives. This program acknowledges the increasing demand for resources during extreme weather events and seeks community-based organizations to establish resilience hubs. These hubs will provide essential services, communication equipment, and foster community support, ultimately enhancing local resilience to climate-related challenges.

The German Benevolent Society of Honolulu Scholarship Fund aims to support students pursuing majors in International Studies, particularly in German Studies and related fields. Eligible applicants must be residents of Hawaii, demonstrate financial need, maintain a GPA of 2.7 or above, and enroll full-time at the University of Hawai'i - Manoa. This scholarship fosters academic excellence and cultural understanding, providing vital financial assistance to deserving students.

The Bob and Cheri Suttner Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports residents from local school districts pursuing an electrical trade education. Established to promote careers in power line technology, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of skilled trades and aims to provide financial assistance for students attending technical colleges. It honors the legacy of Bob and Cheri Suttner, who dedicated their lives to the community and the electric utility profession.

The Dr. U.R. Plante Medical Scholarship, established by the Adirondack Foundation, honors the legacy of Dr. U.R. Plante, a dedicated physician in rural New York. This scholarship aims to support students from the Adirondack region pursuing medical education, with amounts up to $10,000. Eligible applicants must be accepted into an accredited medical school and demonstrate a commitment to serving their community post-graduation. This initiative not only fosters education but also encourages the return of healthcare professionals to underserved areas.

The Xander Corso Memorial Scholarship, established by the North Georgia Community Foundation, supports Hall County public high school seniors demonstrating financial need and academic merit. Launched in 2018 in honor of Xander Corso, this scholarship encourages students who exemplify service and character. Recipients must plan to attend an accredited institution within the University System of Georgia, fostering a commitment to education and community engagement.

The Pineland College/Edwards Military Institute Scholarship Endowment, established by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors from Sampson County aiming for higher education. Selection criteria include character, academic achievement, financial need, and community service. Preference is given to applicants with family ties to the former Pineland College or Edwards Military Institute. This scholarship exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for local students.

The William T. Carlisle Memorial Scholarship, administered by the North Georgia Community Foundation, offers $10,000 in financial assistance to graduating seniors from Hall County, Georgia. This need-based scholarship provides $2,500 annually for up to four years, contingent upon maintaining eligibility. Applicants must enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university and demonstrate financial need, ensuring support for local students pursuing higher education.

The Business & Accounting Scholarship, established by anonymous donors through the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, aims to support high school seniors and college students from the Fox Valley area pursuing degrees in business, accounting, or economics. The scholarship offers one award of $2,000, distributed across two semesters, to students who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75. This initiative helps foster educational opportunities and community growth.

The Toyota Industries Compressor Parts America (TICA) Community Scholarship, managed by the North Georgia Community Foundation, offers financial support to Jackson County high school seniors. Established in 2015, this renewable scholarship requires recipients to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 while enrolling full-time in an accredited U.S. educational institution. This initiative aims to foster educational opportunities and community engagement for local students, enhancing the region's overall quality of life.

The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association Grant aims to enhance the music scene in Central New York by supporting non-profit organizations that provide music programming and education. This initiative focuses on six counties, including Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, and Oswego, fostering community engagement through diverse musical activities. By funding these programs, the association promotes the creation and appreciation of music, ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for all residents.

The Darrell Wolf Trades Scholarship, established by the Clintonville Area Foundation, honors a self-taught machinist and 1982 Marion High School graduate. This $500 non-renewable scholarship supports students from the Marion or Clintonville School Districts pursuing a degree in welding or machining at an accredited technical college. Preference is given to those with relevant apprenticeship experience. Financial need is also considered, ensuring that deserving students can further their education and skills in the trades.

About Us

Bay Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization created by and for the people of the Bay Area. We offer a range of flexible giving tools to help our donors make a positive impact on the community and causes that align with their interests and passions. In addition to first-rate donor service, we manage our community’s permanent endowment and award grants to address the community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities.

Since 1982, our community has used our resources to make charitable gifts more effective. We provide maximum flexibility in establishing, managing, and distributing your gifts. Through our donors’ generosity, we can help support arts and culture, community initiatives, education and youth, environment, health and wellness, human services, and recreation in our area.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Scholarship

Inspired by the belief that love and peaceful protest can eliminate social, political, and economic injustice, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., became this nation’s most heralded civil right leader. He aroused blacks and whites alike to protest racial discrimination, war, and poverty. A champion of nonviolent resistance to oppression, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Dr. King’s life ended at the age of 39 on April 4, 1968, when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. However short his life was, he greatly advanced the cause of civil rights in this nation. His life serves as an encouragement to each of us to do all that we can to end injustice.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Scholarships are awarded each year to Bay County high school seniors (regardless of ethnicity) who actively embrace Dr. King’s dream of improving racial harmony and social justice. The scholarship award(s) will be at least $1,000 and are non-renewable. The scholarship award(s) will be presented at the annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program held each January.

This scholarship is also available to Midland and Saginaw County students through their respective community foundations.

About

Our Strong Community Framework — the first-ever philanthropic vision for the Adirondack region — guides our approach to investing in promising opportunities across our five "whole community" focus areas. In partnership with generous donors and capable nonprofits, we bring all the tools of a community foundation to bear to meet today's pressing needs and build charitable resources for the needs of tomorrow. 

Scholarships

What could be more important for the future of the Adirondack region than to educate our children? As one of five key interest areas for what we fund, creating educational pathways helps to ensure all students in the Adirondacks have meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives. Scholarships can play a pivotal role in helping students better themselves, no matter their life stage or path.

Scholarship funds at Adirondack Community Foundation have been created to benefit specific educational institutions or fields of study. The most common way we distribute scholarships is in partnership with schools across our region that manage scholarship committees that select recipients based on guidelines set forth by fundholders. We also have some scholarship funds to which students can apply directly for support. All scholarship funds use a competitive application process to make decisions.

Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship

The Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship Fund was named after Sean McCullough, a Plattsburgh High School senior who died tragically on May 14, 2005. Learn more about Sean here or watch the video above.

The scholarship supports outstanding graduating seniors from any New York State Section VII high school that plans to continue their education at the college level. Students must be a member of the school track team, embody school spirit, demonstrate academic strength, dedication, competitive spirit, and good leadership skills.

There is no student application for this scholarship. Students must be nominated by their track coach.

Scholarship amounts are up to $1,750.

Geographic Focus

New York State Section VII schools