Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Iowa Women's Foundation Core Grants aim to support organizations that address barriers to women's economic self-sufficiency in Iowa. Since 1997, over $2 million has been awarded to initiatives that offer housing, transportation, education, employment, childcare, and mentorship. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and licensed childcare centers. The foundation encourages innovative solutions that empower women and girls, fostering their independence and leadership within the community.

The Martin M. Sacks Memorial Fund Grant, established in 1984, supports nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged youth in south central PA, particularly in Harrisburg. It prioritizes innovative programs that empower at-risk children and families. Eligible activities include counseling, after-school programs, and services for homeless women and children. The fund seeks measurable outcomes and collaboration among organizations, ensuring that grants are awarded to initiatives that provide unique solutions to community needs.

The David B. Lichtenstein Foundation, a private philanthropic organization, supports various charitable initiatives in Missouri. Established in 1947, it focuses on cancer awareness, assistance for special needs individuals, health and welfare services, food banks, and zoological education. The foundation aims to foster innovation and outreach in these areas, ensuring lasting impacts on the community through strategic funding and support. Proposals must align with the foundation's mission and be relevant to Missouri-based organizations.

Department Information

Department History

The mission of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is to protect, conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitat for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use.

Sponsorship/Education/Conservation Grants

Sponsorship/Education/Conservation Grants provide funding to organizations for projects/events that closely relate to or assist in fulfilling the Department’s mission.

The Caring For Colorado Grant Program focuses on public policy advocacy to enhance the health and well-being of children, youth, and families in Colorado. This initiative supports organizations that advocate for equitable access to resources and promote justice. Funding can be used for various purposes, including capacity building and public education. The program emphasizes collaboration with young people and prioritizes efforts that address systemic inequities.

Apply for Chicago Region Land Conservation Grants

We offer general operating and project grants to organizations that further natural and working land protection and stewardship in the greater Chicago region, with emphasis on integrating climate resiliency, advocacy, and inclusive conservation strategies. ​

Primary Goals of the Foundation’s Chicago Region Land Conservation Strategy

The Junior League of Miami Community Grants aim to empower women, children, and families in Miami by addressing food insecurity and other critical issues such as homelessness and health. Organizations eligible for these grants must hold a 501(c)(3) status and serve Miami-Dade County. The league focuses exclusively on educational and charitable purposes, fostering women's leadership through community impact. Funds cannot be used for capital costs, operational expenses, or scholarships.

Columbia Bank Foundation

Since 1927, Columbia Bank has evolved alongside the communities and businesses we serve. What began as a single branch in Fair Lawn has grown into a regional bank serving New Jersey, Staten Island and Brooklyn. Throughout that growth, we have remained focused on providing the stability, convenience and service customers expect from a trusted financial partner. Today, we offer the strength and capabilities of a larger financial institution while continuing to provide the personal service and practical financial guidance that have long defined Columbia Bank.

Alongside Columbia Bank’s mission to serve the community, the Columbia Bank Foundation helps support local charitable causes and communities with grants on a sustained basis. Our goal is to make a difference in as many people’s lives as we can and to do our part to help make our communities better, stronger and safer.

Columbia Bank Foundation Micro Grants

The Columbia Bank Foundation is committed to serving the needs of its local communities. The Foundation actively seeks and focuses on innovative programs that provide a measurable impact in the communities that it serves.

Our Micro Grant Program allows organizations that meet one of our focus areas to apply for smaller grants under a streamlined application process. Applications under the Micro Grant Program will be accepted anytime throughout the year for $1,000 to $4,999. These are reviewed internally each month. Our Focus Areas:

• Housing Programs
• Community Investment and Economic Development Programs 
• Financial Literacy and Education 
• Health & Human Services
• Food Insecurity 
• Environmental Sustainability 
• The Arts

The Washington County Community Foundation, a part of the East Tennessee Foundation, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents through innovative programs. They prioritize projects that promote life literacy among all age groups, from nutrition education to financial decision-making. Grants can reach up to $50,000, supporting initiatives that demonstrate significant community impact and sustainability beyond the funding period. Collaborative proposals involving multiple organizations are especially encouraged.

The Alaska Sea Grant Biennial Research Call invites innovative proposals for research projects focused on healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development. Established in 1970, the program aims to enhance understanding and sustainable use of Alaska's marine and coastal resources. Proposals should align with the goals outlined in the Alaska Sea Grant 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, addressing priority information needs across the state.

The Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation (HWLF) has been supporting the rights and welfare of women and children in Hawaii for over 30 years. They provide grants to local nonprofits that enhance access to legal systems, health services, and educational opportunities. With priority given to projects benefiting women and children, HWLF awards micro-grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. The foundation considers grant applications twice a year, focusing on initiatives that promote safety and independence in the community.

The Nisqually Watershed Small Grants program, sponsored by Pierce County, aims to improve environmental literacy and enhance water quality in local watersheds. By supporting nonprofit organizations, schools, and individuals, the program encourages projects such as riparian plantings and community clean-ups. Successful initiatives must align with watershed councils' Action Agendas, promoting sustainability and ecological education within the Nisqually River Watershed and beyond.

The Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Small Grants Program encourages local nonprofits, schools, and individuals to enhance environmental literacy and improve water quality. By supporting projects like riparian plantings, invasive species removal, and educational initiatives, it aims to foster community involvement in watershed stewardship. Grant funding is available for various collaborative activities, ensuring that projects benefit the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed and its surrounding environment.

Girls Giving Grants (G3), a youth initiative of Impact Austin, empowers young women in grades 8-12 to make a difference through grantmaking. Focused on serving youth in Central Texas, G3 awards unrestricted grants to nonprofit programs that positively impact children in Travis, Hays, Bastrop, and Williamson counties. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities, targeting specific youth populations and planning to utilize funds within 12 months. This innovative approach fosters community engagement and active participation in philanthropy.

The Wayne C. Kaufmann Charitable Foundation aims to enhance community welfare and support organizations that provide educational and health services, particularly for disadvantaged individuals. Key focus areas include maternal health, K-12 STEM education, mental health for veterans, support for children with Down Syndrome, and addressing violence against women and children. The foundation gives priority to Lutheran-affiliated organizations and encourages projects that empower communities.

The R.J. McElroy Trust, established in 1965 in Waterloo, Iowa, supports educational initiatives for young people. Focusing on nonprofit organizations and governmental entities, the trust offers funding for scholarships, internships, and educational programs primarily in northeastern Iowa counties. With a commitment to youth and education, it aims to continue benefitting deserving individuals, ensuring R.J. McElroy's legacy endures through impactful grants and community engagement.

The Collier Community Foundation offers General Operating Support Grants to nonprofits addressing community needs in areas such as arts, education, healthcare, and human services. Suitable for smaller organizations with budgets around $1M, applicants must demonstrate measurable outcomes and align with community needs. Eligible nonprofits must be tax-exempt, serve Collier County, and maintain an updated profile in the Foundation's Nonprofit Directory. This funding supports operational costs including staffing and materials.

The CREST program by the NSF aims to bolster research capabilities at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) through education and research integration. It specifically supports STEM doctoral programs and encourages proposals in high-priority areas such as AI and climate change. By enhancing the institutional capacity, the program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented doctoral graduates in STEM fields, thereby fostering diversity and innovation in scientific research.

The Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund, established in 2002, supports educational, health, human services, and arts programming for underserved populations in Vermont. It prioritizes organizations focused on healthcare, domestic violence awareness, and environmental conservation. Eligible applicants must have a Vermont office, while grants are not made for deficit financing or capital projects. Special consideration is given to local organizations serving Morrisville, VT, and those addressing critical health and community issues.

The REPI Challenge, initiated by the DOD's REPI Program, aims to protect critical testing and training capabilities through funded projects. Since 2012, over $193 million has been allocated to 69 initiatives, leveraging more than $512 million in partner contributions. The upcoming 2026 REPI Challenge will focus on strategic mission safeguarding, with up to $20 million available for preventing land use conflicts and enhancing military resilience, thus ensuring the longevity of vital defense capabilities.

The Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Grant Program focuses on supporting 501(c)(3) organizations in communities across Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Priorities include early childhood education, health services for families in need, community development, and environmental sustainability. While the 2025 budget is fully allocated, they encourage applications for 2026, emphasizing collaborative projects that create measurable impacts.

What is a One Young World Scholarship?

One Young World scholarships open doors for extraordinary young changemakers to join the One Young World Summit and global Community, fully funded. These fully funded leadership scholarships cover travel, accommodation, and meals so your ability to make an impact is never limited by financial constraints.

From worldwide initiatives to regional programmes, we offer scholarships for young changemakers and scholarships for social impact leaders working on today’s most urgent challenges.

We partner with civil society organisations, governments, businesses, universities, and philanthropies to make these fully funded leadership scholarships possible — ensuring the brightest minds have the platform they deserve.

Our Scholars

Our scholars demonstrate proven leadership ability, creating change in their communities. Many of our scholars are changing the world at the grassroots level, some are top-performing industry professionals, while others are paving the way politically in their countries.

dsm-firmenich Progress Foundation Scholarship

About the scholarship

At dsm-firmenich, we believe that with capability comes responsibility. By focusing on societal impact and tackling challenges at their core, we bring progress to life, creating sustainable solutions for a better future.

This commitment to lasting impact is at the heart of our purpose. We're helping to realize progress for people everywhere - from our colleagues to our wider value chain and to the societies and people we reach through our solutions. And we don't want to stop there.

That's why we have established the dsm-firmenich Progress Foundation, to make a positive difference in the world. The independent dsm-firmenich Progress Foundation is focused on driving sustainable change, empowering communities and supporting the next generation of changemakers.

The foundation is proud to offer five impactful young leaders the opportunity to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 - 6 November.

Join Us

The dsm-firmenich Progress Foundation Scholarship is looking to support young entrepreneurs making a local or global impact in communities around the globe in one of three focus areas:

• Fighting Malnutrition.
• Strengthening community resilience.
• Protecting and restoring ecosystems.  

Examples of relevant work include, but are not limited to:

• Initiatives which address micronutrient deficiencies and ensure food with the highest quality and nutritional value reach the most vulnerable.
• Initiatives which strengthen community resilience and address social inequality.
• Initiatives that restore and protect ecosystems, building nature's resilience by addressing climate action, biodiversity protection and safeguarding water systems. 

What will you receive?

Selected scholars will receive:

• Access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Hotel Accommodation in Cape Town, checking in on 31 October and checking out on 8 November.
• Travel to and from Cape Town (flights in economy).
• Catering which includes breakfast at the hotel accommodation and lunch and dinner during the core Summit days.
• Ground transport between the Summit accommodation and the Summit venue.
• Pre and post-programme in Cape Town and the opportunity to join the dsm-firmenich delegation during the Summit. 

The Kelley Foundation Grant Program provides funding to tax-exempt organizations in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, focusing on community enrichment through health services, housing, youth development, food security, arts, and environmental initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round, with a review process that may take up to six months. Note that grants are not awarded to the same organization within a three-year period, and private foundations are ineligible for funding.

The St. Johns Cultural Council offers the State of the Arts Grants, providing six $1,500 awards to support individual artists and arts organizations in St. Johns County. Applications open annually on September 1st, aiming to fund innovative projects in various artistic disciplines. Priority is given to proposals that engage underserved communities or enhance arts education. This competitive grant process encourages creative proposals while ensuring minimal application burden on applicants.

The Custer County Foundation Grant aims to enhance community life in Custer County by supporting local nonprofit organizations. Eligible groups can apply for funding in various areas, including health care, education, and community services. The Foundation prioritizes requests demonstrating broad community support and prefers to partially fund projects. All grants expire 180 days post-approval, and recipients are encouraged to report on fund usage. This initiative fosters local engagement and development for a better future.

BMO Gives is committed to fostering positive societal impact through community support and charitable initiatives. It focuses on enhancing community and economic resilience, as well as environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants must be registered charities or non-profits operating in Canada or the U.S. and align with BMO's corporate values, which promote inclusivity and non-discrimination. The program aims to support projects that address significant societal needs and empower local communities.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation offers Community Needs Grants to support capital assets and equipment for various projects in DeKalb County, Illinois. This funding aims to enhance areas such as arts, community development, education, environmental welfare, and health services. Eligible organizations can request up to $20,000, with applications opening two months before deadlines. For those seeking facility construction or expansion, the Build the Future Grant is encouraged, providing a pathway for significant funding opportunities.