Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants in Alaska assist low-income communities in planning and applying for USDA Rural Development projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes. Grants can cover up to $60,000 or 75% of planning costs, with a requirement for matching funds of at least 25%. This program aims to ensure communities have access to essential water and waste disposal services.

The Harnett County Community Foundation provides support to charitable organizations in North Carolina, particularly those addressing COVID-19 challenges. By forgoing the traditional grant cycle, the foundation aims to assist nonprofits in various sectors, including education, health, and the arts. This initiative aligns with its mission to enhance community welfare through philanthropy and direct action. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt public charities or local government units, ensuring broad support for local needs.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is offering the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Transitional Housing Program Grant, providing $2,830,905 in funding for transitional housing services for victims of crimes. This initiative focuses on individuals affected by domestic violence, human trafficking, and more, ensuring they receive necessary support. Applicants must detail housing models, budget for personnel costs, and outline distinct roles for landlords and service providers, including a mandatory case manager for each program.

The Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) aims to promote the adoption of advanced energy efficiency and decarbonization technologies in California's food processing sector. This initiative supports food processors in achieving a low-carbon future while enhancing the electric grid's reliability, especially during peak periods. By funding technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the FPIP seeks to benefit under-resourced communities and contribute to a sustainable energy landscape.

The Cemala Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Greensboro by supporting strategic investments in community projects. With an emphasis on early childhood development, transformational spaces, and workforce training, the foundation aims to build a thriving community. Organizations promoting Continuous Quality Improvement are encouraged to apply for funding. This grant is vital for initiatives that address the evolving needs of Greensboro residents and foster sustainable growth.

The Enhancement Dam Removal Design and Implementation Block Grant, administered by Watersheds United Vermont, aims to support community-driven dam removal projects that enhance water quality and habitat. This funding initiative, backed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, encourages proposals for the design and implementation of effective dam removal strategies, fostering ecological resilience and community engagement across the state.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project Capital Grant, offered by the Open Space Institute, supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and enhancing landscape connectivity. Established in 1974, the OSI has protected over 2.5 million acres in the Eastern US and Canada, focusing on land that ensures clean drinking water and wildlife habitats. This grant is specifically for projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area, promoting sustainable community benefits.

The Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) offers Beach Restoration Small Grants to support projects that enhance and conserve near-shore environments in Puget Sound. This initiative, managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to maintain resilient estuaries and shorelines in the face of climate change. Grants are provided to create demonstration sites for local landowners, promoting effective restoration practices and fostering community engagement.

The Connecticut Sea Grant College Program (CTSG) Grant supports vital applied research, education, and outreach aimed at promoting healthy coastal and marine ecosystems in Connecticut and Long Island Sound. Projects with clear relevance to the region's marine and coastal resources are prioritized, ensuring that public benefits are maximized through sustainable practices and community engagement.

The Cushman Foundation Grant aims to support community and humanitarian efforts in San Diego County. The foundation focuses on areas such as aid to seniors, arts and culture, education, and health and well-being. Eligible applicants include current 501(c)(3) organizations located in the region. The foundation is committed to giving back to the community it has served for generations, fostering positive change and promoting human welfare through its initiatives.

CAREs Flexible Funding

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson (HFW) CAREs about our nonprofit partners that provide CARE (Compassion, Assistance, Responsiveness, and Engagement) for our community. As a response to support the work done by these organizations, the HFW seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations located in Wilson, NC, for an unrestricted funds grant. Funds may be used for general operating support.

Request Range:

• Up to $15,000

As a partner organization, it is essential to note that maintaining compliance with the public support test is the nonprofit’s own responsibility. Please review the information provided on the IRS website. If you are unsure of your public support status, please contact an accounting professional. 

Purpose:

Nonprofits can utilize these funds to support any operating needs within the organization. These funds are not intended for past, present, or future programming needs.

Award Distribution:

Awards will be issued quarterly through a competitive grant process. Up to $50,000 will be issued each quarter.

The nonprofit’s mission and/or vision must align with at least one of our four focus areas.

• Access to Healthcare
• Active Living / Healthy Eating
• Alcohol / Substance Misuse
• Behavioral / Mental Health

HFW Strategic Grants

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson seeks ideas from organizations located in Wilson, NC with a desire to provide programming and services related to our focus areas.

• Access to Healthcare
• Active Living / Healthy Eating
• Alcohol / Substance Misuse
• Behavioral / Mental Health

Request Range

• The amount of the grant can vary but needs to support the development of the program.
• The board of directors prefer to be a partner in a project and not the funder of the entire project.

Funding Priorities

The foundation prioritizes:

• Innovative ideas that support the development or expansion of one or more of our four focus areas.
• Programs focused on youth through age 29.
• Eligible organizations who implement or have a desire to start evidence-based program models identified as having significant outcomes in one or more of the four focus areas.

The John C. Bock Foundation supports the preservation and enhancement of natural land areas, particularly those near Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. It aims to educate builders and developers on the importance of conserving mature woodlands and old-growth forests. The Foundation funds educational activities and research while supporting qualified conservation organizations committed to protecting these valuable landscapes. Its mission is centered on public education and the custodianship of natural resources.

The Kern Community Foundation Farmworkers Grant provides essential support to unemployed and employed farmworkers in Kern County. This grant aims to enhance their quality of life through various forms of assistance, including family support, education, healthcare, housing, food assistance, childcare, legal aid, emergency relief, job support, and transportation. By connecting generous donors with community needs, KCF fosters a healthier and more vibrant Kern County for all residents.

The TN Used Oil Grants, offered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, aim to enhance environmental quality by funding projects that establish or upgrade used oil collection infrastructure. Eligible applicants include nonprofit recycling organizations and municipalities. The grant prioritizes projects that create new collection sites, upgrade existing facilities, or establish DIY collection options. This non-matching grant emphasizes compliance with state standards, fostering sustainability and community engagement in waste management.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

Food as Medicine Initiative

The Food as Medicine Initiative, supported by the McKesson Foundation and administered by the NAFC, aims to address food insecurity as a critical driver of health outcomes for uninsured and medically underserved patients. Research continues to demonstrate the strong connection between food insecurity and poor health, including increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and certain cancers. Through this initiative, NAFC will provide $20,000 grants to member free and charitable clinics to implement or expand food insecurity screening and patient-centered interventions that improve access to healthy food and nutrition education as measured by the US Household Food Security Module or Hunger Vital Signs and patient education focused on food as medicine for eligible patients in order to increase the percentage of patients with improved food security scores within one year of project implementation.

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.

Bethany Legacy Foundation

For more than a century, the Bethany name has stood for compassion in action. Today, we carry that legacy forward by uniting the community around innovative, lasting solutions that strengthen well-being across Jefferson County, Indiana.

Bethany Legacy Foundation exists to build a healthier Jefferson County, IN. by listening first, collaborating widely, and investing wisely. Our mission is to bring people together to create sustainable change where it’s needed most.

Grants

Legacy 2030: Our Primary Focus Areas

Our six-year strategic plan aims to create a sustainable community where individuals of all ages can access the necessary resources and services to thrive. A strong workforce is the cornerstone, supported by ensuring youth, adults, and seniors have equitable access to transportation, mental health, and social services to promote well-being and independence. Our efforts and investments will focus on prevention, root causes, and initiatives that create a path to self-reliance.

The following outlines our Focus Areas, goals, and objectives for our Community and the People who live here:

Community

We aim for a Thriving Workforce that makes Jefferson County a desirable place to live and work and attracts and retains top talent.

To achieve this, we seek proposals, projects, and efforts that:

• Expand access and options for quality Childcare to improve outcomes for families and businesses
• Build stability through access to quality, safe and affordable Housing
• Expand Recreation options to promote health, connections, and a high quality of life
• Build skills and knowledge through Professional Development to enhance and advance careers

People

We aim for Strong Youth, Empowered Adults, and Stable Seniors in Jefferson County with the following outcomes if achieved:

• Kids that have a strong foundation and build resilience
• Adults that are healthy, educated, and productive citizens
• Seniors that are independent and Grow Old with Love and Dignity (GOLD)

To achieve this, we seek proposals, projects, and efforts that:

• Build Mental Health resilience and healing through holistic and preventative approaches
• Bridge distances by increasing options and access to Transportation
• Grow Social Services that strengthen and empower individuals and families

BLF uses an open application process to collect and review project ideas that align with BLF Focus Areas There are three types of applications: Long Application; Short Application; and Capacity Building Application.

BLF Grants: Short Application

• For requests of $50,000 or less in total funding, including multi-year requests
• Projects must support BLF Pillars and Focus Areas to be consider for funding
• Only one application form is submitted for review
• Approx 6-week process starting from application submission

The Mayo Clinic Community Contributions Program in Florida focuses on improving access to nutritious food. This grant supports registered 501(c)(3) organizations in northeast Florida, encouraging initiatives that align with community health needs. Eligible projects include health services, education, and youth enrichment, aiming to foster vibrant and sustainable communities. Organizations can apply for funding once per calendar year, with grants designed to enhance community engagement and address food insecurity.

The Cinnabar Foundation provides Program/Project Grants aimed at enhancing conservation efforts in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These grants, ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, support organizations that engage in impactful, grassroots conservation work. Priority is given to projects that align with the Foundation's strategic vision, including climate adaptation, wildlife habitat conservation, public land preservation, and improving air and water quality. Successful applicants will demonstrate measurable outcomes and community engagement.

The Forestland Preservation Grant Program in Washington provides financial support for the acquisition of conservation easements to protect forests from development. This initiative, part of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, aims to maintain timber production while promoting ecological benefits and public access. Eligible applicants can request funding up to $500,000 for projects that ensure sustainable forest management and habitat enhancement, contributing to the conservation of vital natural resources.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play

Bridgestone has awarded over $60 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States since 1951, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of giving back by supporting communities around the U.S.

Bridgestone works with grantseekers that offer solutions to keep society moving forward. Strong partners offer a human-centered approach to societal challenges in one or more of the following areas of focus: 

In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. 

The Rocky Community Improvement Fund Grant, established by Rocky Brands, Inc., aims to enhance local communities by providing grants that promote safety, health, and cleanliness. With a focus on addressing the needs of disadvantaged populations in Athens County, Ohio, this fund prioritizes projects that align with its mission and foster collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants include 501c3 organizations and government agencies, ensuring impactful contributions to community improvement initiatives.

The RIC Foundation's Catalyst Grants program aims to support innovative initiatives that catalyze change in Rhode Island. By prioritizing collaborations among organizations, the program addresses essential community priorities while emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Grants are available to state and local governments, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, focusing on systemic inequities. Applications are accepted annually, with a single grant awarded per cycle, fostering impactful partnerships for lasting progress.

The Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant, established by voter support in 2000, aims to enhance recreational opportunities and conserve natural resources in Sheboygan County. The grant funds various projects including land acquisitions and restorations. Eligible applicants include government agencies and 501(c) non-profits. Applications are typically available in late winter/early spring, aligning with Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship funding. The program prioritizes projects that involve public access and environmental stewardship, ensuring sustainable growth and resource preservation.

Florida Blue Corporate Giving focuses on enhancing community health through strategic partnerships with local nonprofits in Florida. Their contributions aim to address critical social determinants of health, including food security, health equity, and education. By supporting initiatives that foster economic stability and well-being, Florida Blue is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Floridians and creating lasting impacts in the neighborhoods they serve.

Competitive Community Grant- Health & Human Services- Spring Cycle

All people are healthy and safe.

We will support organizations that work to improve the following outcomes in our communities:

• Access to affordable housing
• Food security
• Safety
• Access to health care
• Mental health services
• Healthy neighborhood living conditions
• Senior services

Through direct service, policy advocacy, and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address:

• Affordable housing and shelter for homeless, rent-burdened, and at-risk populations, including eviction prevention
• Access to affordable and high-quality food, including food banks, pantries, and community centers that distribute food and promote healthy eating and work to address “food deserts”
• Efforts to address safety for vulnerable populations, including domestic violence and child abuse prevention, bullying prevention in schools, safety issues specific to immigrant populations, low wage workers and communities of color
• Access to health care, including programs providing un- and under-insured populations with culturally appropriate and equitable access to quality health and wellness programs services. Priority will be given to efforts applying social determinants of health lens to the work
• Mental health services, including school-based services, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation programs targeting marginalized communities, and groups working on cultural and generational trauma
• Building healthy communities, including built environment and infrastructure, environmental quality (toxins and air/water quality), affordable and reliable transportation, and parks and recreation
• Providing services targeted at senior well-being, including memory care, depression, audiology, dementia, exercise, home care, hospice, and medication guidance.
• Systems change, including public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to improve health and wellbeing of local residents

Grant Sizes

We offer $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 general operating support depending on your annual budget:

• Organizations with an annual budget up to $50,000 may apply for a $5,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $50,001 - $150,000 may apply for a $10,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $150,001 - $500,000 may apply for a $15,000 grant; and
• Organizations with an annual budget of $500,001 or more may apply for a $20,000 grant.