Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits

The Dr. Frank N. Nelson Scholarship at Montana State University supports students enrolled in the Pre-Veterinary Program or those planning to attend an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 and demonstrate a commitment to the veterinary profession in Montana. This scholarship aims to foster future veterinarians who will contribute positively to the agricultural and health sectors in the state.

The Pat Sanchez Women’s Fellowship, established in 2022 by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) in collaboration with Opsis Architecture, supports mid-career women in architecture. This fellowship provides up to $3,000 for professional development opportunities such as conferences and specialized seminars focused on firm management and leadership. AFO encourages Oregon-based women architects to apply, emphasizing the importance of advancing their skills and leadership roles within the profession.

The Distinguished Service Award, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), recognizes individuals for their lifetime commitment and significant contributions to pediatric surgery. This prestigious honor highlights a nominee's wide-ranging impact on the field and their dedication to advancing surgical care for children. Nominations are vital, as the frequency of the award is determined by the APSA Board, ensuring that exemplary service is celebrated appropriately.

The KEF: Promising Practices Grant, offered by the Kennett Education Foundation, provides up to $5,000 for innovative classroom and extracurricular programs that enhance K-12 education. Grants are available throughout the year for educators in the Kennett Consolidated School District, promoting projects that align with educational goals. This initiative encourages creativity and supports the development of unique educational experiences, ultimately benefiting students and the wider community.

The Robert E. Gross Award for Excellence in Pediatric Research and Achievement, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association, honors an individual whose significant contributions have transformed pediatric surgery practices. This prestigious award recognizes enduring changes in clinical management that are widely accepted by pediatric surgeons as standard. Nominations are required for this award, which showcases the commitment of APSA to advancing surgical care for children through advocacy and education.

About our scholarships

We partner with Civic Federal Credit Union to provide both professional development and student scholarships.

Over many years, the scholarships have provided nearly $3.5 million to credit union members to further their education. This investment not only advances the professional development and educational goals of Civic members, but also strengthens the communities they serve — amplifying their leadership impact and deepening their ability to drive meaningful change across North Carolina.

Civic Foundation Scholarship

Each year, Civic proudly awards $5,000 scholarships to 25 Civic members who are graduating high school seniors and are planning to attend a four-year college or university. These one-time scholarships are paid directly to the student’s school in a single installment and may be applied toward tuition, textbooks, computers, or other educational expenses.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund

This fund was established to provide scholarships for any type of further education beyond high school including college, junior college, vocational, technical or other trade schools.

The type and amount of aid may include, but is not necessarily limited to tuition, room and board, books, etc

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund

The Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund supports a successful path for our employees, their children and step children to attain a degree or trade school degree creating an increasingly valuable asset for themselves and their families.

Length of employment is taken into consideration when applying, There are no restrictions on length of employment or full or part time status. Applicants will be considered based on academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities and financial need.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Jerry Sharp Memorial Scholarship Application

This scholarship is in memory of Jerry Sharp who promoted motorcycle racing throughout Missouri.

Consideration will be given to financial need and the student’s work and community service record. 

These scholarships will be supplemental for students who have already earned athletic and/or academic scholarships. This scholarship is not automatically renewable, however, students may reapply for subsequent years.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Helen Anita and William E. Evans, Jr., M.D. Scholarship Fundicate

Dr. Bill, as he was affectionately known, practiced family medicine in the Greater Kansas City area all of his working life. He was ably assisted by his devoted wife (Helen) Anita for most of that time. Since Dr. Bill was a disabled veteran, he had occasion to frequent the VA hospital and held a special place in his heart for numerous employees of the hospital. His burning desire was to reward those special people who had administered to him by setting up this program to offer monetary assistance to their children. The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide scholarships to the children of employees at the Kansas City VA Medical Center who plan to attend summer camp.

Consideration will be given to an applicant’s financial need, extracurricular involvement and past academic performance. Scholarship assistance shall be awarded primarily to applicants who wish to use the assistance to attend a summer camp in the Greater Kansas City area, although camps outside the Kansas City area may also be considered.

Scholarship recipients are required to submit a written reflection following the completion of the camp, which describes his/her experiences and specifically details what the recipient learned from this opportunity.

The scholarship is non-renewable. Previous applicants and past recipients of the scholarship may reapply each year.

The Josephine C. Otto Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports students aged 17-30 who are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter, MI. Applicants must be enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours) and demonstrate financial need. In 2025, the foundation awarded over $650,000 across 26 scholarship funds, showcasing its commitment to enhancing the educational opportunities for youth in Washtenaw County.

The Linda Grasselli Sprankle Scholarship, managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports African American, Latino/Hispanic, and first-generation college students from Washtenaw County. Eligible applicants must be high school graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and demonstrate financial need. In 2025, the foundation awarded over $650,000 across 26 scholarship funds, empowering local youth to pursue their post-secondary education and achieve their academic goals.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Brian's Fund Scholarship

Brian’s Fund Scholarship will be awarded to an eighth grader who has been accepted at one of the following Kansas City Catholic high schools: Bishop Miege High School, Bishop Ward, Cristo Rey, Notre Dame De Sion, Rockhurst High School, St. James Academy, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Pius X, St. Teresa’s Academy or St Thomas Aquinas.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

American Truck Historical Society: Louis Semple Clarke Educational Fund

The American Truck Historical Society’s Louis Semple Clarke Educational Fund scholarship provides one (1) annual scholarship to graduating high school seniors or undergraduates who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year accredited U.S. college or university or vocational/technical school that have certification programs.

Financial need, community service, and extracurricular activities will also be taken into consideration. Applicants are restricted to Autocar Company employees and family members (child, stepchild, or grandchild). Preference for all scholarships will be given to applicants pursuing positions in the trucking or transportation industry.

Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in equal payments.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

American Truck Historical Scholarship Fund

The American Truck Historical Society’s George Schroyer Memorial Scholarship Fund provides two (2) annual scholarships, and the Cummins Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship to graduating high school seniors or undergraduates who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year accredited U.S. college or university or vocational/technical school that have certification programs.

Financial need, community service, and extracurricular activities will also be taken into consideration. Applicants must be family members (child, stepchild, or grandchild) of current members in good standing for 2 years of the American Truck Historical Society. Preference for all scholarships will be given to applicants pursuing positions in the trucking or transportation industry.

The Morse B. Barker Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports students attending Washtenaw Community College. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, reside in Washtenaw County, hold a high school diploma, and be aged 18 to 30. Recipients must enroll in at least nine credit hours and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Previous recipients may reapply for the award up to two additional times, contributing to their educational advancement.

The Nathan Lyndell Hall Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Community High School. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and demonstrate two years of community service. This scholarship aims to assist students in pursuing their education at two-year or four-year colleges or universities, contributing to the future of Washtenaw County youth.

The Pipe Dream Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Michigan or Eastern Michigan University. Eligible applicants must be Polish nationals living in the U.S. on a valid visa or have Polish parents, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In 2025, over $650,000 was awarded across 26 scholarship funds to enhance educational opportunities for Washtenaw County youth.

California Department of Public Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public’s health and shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Public health is for everyone; not just in emergencies but in everyday life — from heart health and mental wellness to food safety and the prevention of infectious and chronic diseases. Our programs and services, in collaboration with local health departments, state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Injury and Violence Prevention (IVP) Branch

Mission

To prevent and reduce Domestic Violence (DV) by accelerating the adoption, implementation, and impact of policy, system, and environmental (PSE) change strategies within California communities. 

Local Training and Education Program for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (DV)

Purpose

The California Department of Public Heath, Injury and Violence Prevention Program (CDPH/IVPB) is soliciting applications from eligible entities for its Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP) Program. The primary purpose of this Request for Application (RFA) is to implement local community organizing and/or public health policy, system, and environmental change efforts to increase public awareness of Domestic Violence (DV) and support community-led efforts to adopt and implement primary prevention strategies that improve the scope and quality of services provided to victims of DV.

The Fund for Excellence in Education Grants provides funding opportunities for classroom teachers in Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties. It supports special projects and professional development that enhance classroom learning and educational outcomes. Grants are available for various initiatives, including writing and STEM programs. Eligible applicants include all K-12 teachers in licensed and certified schools across these counties, ensuring a broad impact on educational quality.

The Rachael Townsend Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports female students majoring in Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate a commitment to physical education and leadership within the community. This scholarship aims to empower young women to excel in their academic pursuits while fostering diversity and social responsibility, ultimately contributing to the enrichment of Washtenaw County's youth.

The Richard D. & Grace P. Leslise Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports students pursuing Retail, Business, or Marketing at Washtenaw Community College. This scholarship prioritizes residents of Washtenaw County who demonstrate financial need and a desire to advance their education. With over $650,000 awarded in 2025 across multiple scholarship funds, this initiative aims to enrich the educational opportunities for local youth and foster community growth.

The Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports undergraduate students pursuing a major or minor in German Studies at Eastern Michigan University or the University of Michigan. Applicants must be enrolled full-time, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is part of a broader initiative that awarded over $650,000 to local students in 2025.

The Welcome Home Scholarship, offered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports honorably discharged veterans returning from active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. This scholarship is part of a broader initiative that awarded over $650,000 in 2025 to help local youth pursue post-secondary education. It aims to ease the transition back to civilian life for veterans, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed in their educational endeavors.

The CREW in the Community Education Scholarship, offered by the Communities Foundation of Texas, empowers female students pursuing degrees in Qualified Fields of Commercial Real Estate. Since 1953, this initiative has fostered educational and professional advancement for women in the Dallas area, providing scholarships up to $5,000 annually. Eligible applicants include high school graduates and current students from designated North Texas counties, promoting economic independence and community growth.

The Lynda Andrus Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports nursing students at Eastern Michigan University. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of life in Washtenaw County by providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. In 2025 alone, over $650,000 was awarded across 26 scholarship funds, reflecting the commitment of local donors to empower the youth of the community.

The Robert E. Newsted Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Detroit Public Schools. This initiative is part of AAACF's broader mission to enrich the quality of life in Washtenaw County, through generous donations that have funded over $650,000 in scholarships in 2025 alone. This fund aims to assist students in their pursuit of higher education across the nation.