Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

The Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, aims to support land trusts in conserving private lands for bird protection. With funding for up to fourteen grants, the initiative encourages capacity building and management projects that enhance bird habitats. Eligible organizations can apply for grants to expand conservation efforts through collaboration and innovative strategies, fostering partnerships that leverage additional funding and community support. This initiative highlights the importance of birds in land stewardship and conservation.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The Genentech Foundation supports innovative projects that address systemic inequities in healthcare. They fund tax-exempt organizations, including public charities and governmental entities, located in the U.S. Grant requests must be submitted at least 60 days before the project start date. Notably, projects must align with Genentech's commitment to advancing health equity and diversity in the medical workforce. Applications for funding will be accepted starting January 2, 2026, after a temporary closure.

The Arnold Fields Community Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, provides a $1,000 award to a deserving high school senior from Hampton County. Eligible applicants must be graduating from one of the specified high schools with a minimum GPA of 2.25 and plan to pursue further education at a college or university. This scholarship aims to support local students in achieving their educational goals.

The David W. McCoy Scholarship, established by David W. McCoy in 2021, supports qualified students from Troy Buchanan High School pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields. Administered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, this scholarship aims to empower the next generation of leaders by providing essential financial resources. Eligible applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to their education, ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to thrive in higher education.

The AHRF Birtman Grant provides up to $75,000 for one year of research focused on hearing and balance disorders related to the inner ear. This grant encourages both basic and clinical studies, covering direct costs such as staff salaries and research equipment. Applicants must hold relevant advanced degrees and be affiliated with a U.S. university or hospital. An alternative budget option of $50,000 is available, enhancing eligibility for Regular grants if not awarded the Birtman Grant.

The Mary Beth Williams Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, honors the life of Mary Beth Williams, who tragically passed away in 1997. This scholarship supports students from Rappahannock County with a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrating financial need, and pursuing higher education in agriculture or related fields. Award amounts vary, reflecting the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the community.

The Abrazo/Mitchard Birthmother Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports birthmothers who have placed their children for adoption through Abrazo Adoption Associates. This fund offers financial assistance for tuition and educational expenses for full-time students pursuing various degrees. Eligible applicants include adult learners and current college students. Although the scholarship is not renewable, recipients can apply for an additional year of funding, making education accessible to those in need.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation offers Infrastructure Awards to support institutions in enhancing their capacity for childhood cancer clinical trials. These grants are aimed at smaller entities lacking necessary resources, enabling them to hire personnel and acquire vital tools to increase participation. Since 2005, the Foundation has invested over $356 million in childhood cancer research, focusing on collaboration and innovation to find cures. Institutions in the U.S. are eligible, promoting broader access to crucial clinical trials.

The Creative Native Call for Art invites Indigenous artists aged 5 to 24 to showcase their talents through diverse artistic expressions. Participants can submit works inspired by the theme of what is sacred to them and their community, with opportunities for national recognition and awards, including a grand prize of $1,000. This initiative aims to celebrate and support young artists in their creative journeys while honoring cultural significance and community values.

Lakeview Foundation Scholarship

The Lakeview Foundation provides higher education scholarships to college bound students of Eastern Van Buren County, Michigan who are pursuing a healthcare degree.

Lakeview Foundation started in 1985 as a Hospital Authority Foundation. Its existence is solely due to the hospital that was started in Paw Paw in 1939 in a house that was the summer home of David Rose, a former mayor of Milwaukee.

The hospital quickly became Lakeview Municipal Hospital and eventually Lakeview Community Hospital Authority comprising the Villages of Paw Paw, Lawton, Decatur and Mattawan, The City of Gobles, and the Townships of Paw Paw, Pine Grove, Decatur, Antwerp, Almena, Hamilton, Porter and Lawrence.

Shortly after the hospital authority sold the hospital to Bronson Methodist Hospital, Lakeview Foundation became independent and accepted a large donation as part of the sale. Lakeview Foundation enjoys a close bond with Lakeview Bronson Hospital.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.  

The Foundation has a scholarship portal with a quiz to help applicants determine scholarship eligibility. 

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support our state’s students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.”  

Anne Pressly Scholarship

To memorialize the legacy of Anne Pressly and support women who plan to pursue a career in Journalism.

The SPARK Research Match Expansion initiative by the Simons Foundation aims to enhance autism research participation among undersampled groups. By providing incentives for participants in online surveys and other research methods, this program seeks to address the demographic disparities in clinical research. This funding opportunity encourages innovative studies that prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that the research reflects the diverse population of the United States, thereby advancing scientific discovery in autism and related fields.

The EMF/Fisher and Paykel High Flow Therapy Research aims to explore the use of high flow therapy as a first-line respiratory support in emergency departments. This research seeks to assess the number of patients with acute respiratory failure who may benefit from this therapy, understand the characteristics of EMS services, and identify patient outcomes. By analyzing these factors, the study intends to enhance patient care and inform effective health policies in emergency medicine.

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation

Vision: We envision a vibrant, prosperous northern Chautauqua community, rich in opportunity today and tomorrow.

Our Mission

To realize our vision we focus on:

• strategic and responsive grant making
• encouraging local philanthropy and building permanent endowments for the future
• actively serving as a community leader and partner for the benefit and enrichment in our community.

Scholarships

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation proudly manages over 200 individual scholarship funds,

Terence J. Centner Agricultural and Environmental 4-H Scholarship

The Terence J. Centner Agricultural and Environmental 4-H Scholarship benefits student that participated in 4-H for a minimum of 3 years and completed an outstanding agricultural or environmental project.

This fund is established in memory of Harry E. and Mary Ellen Centner to honor their dedication and hard work on their family farm in the Town of Dunkirk and their leadership activities in the Chautauqua County 4-H Program.

The Fanny Vought Fink Memorial Scholarship, established by Louise Van Vliet in 2007, supports single mothers pursuing education at accredited institutions. Funded by The Dayton Foundation, a key philanthropic organization in Greater Dayton, Ohio, this scholarship aims to empower women by easing financial burdens associated with higher education. With a focus on promoting equitable opportunities, it is a vital resource for those seeking to improve their lives through education.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Music Scholarship

At a very early age in Alabama, Lee Essie Smith was a self-taught musician. After losing her mother as a young teenager, she began putting her God-given musical talent to work as a pianist for several churches. By the time she graduated from high school, she had learned the cosmetology trade and met Charlie McMillan, Jr.

After his wife’s death, Mr. McMillan continued his community service with the Democratic Party, Habitat for Humanity and Mt. Olive Baptist Church as an usher. Although he did not serve very long in the military, Mr. McMillan continues to exemplify the values and physical energy of the “Army Strong” slogan. He is the patriarch of the family – always dapper – and a regular attendee at church services.

The Quality Improvement Awards, sponsored by the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), aim to enhance patient safety during anesthesia care. This initiative invites current trainees and recent graduates to showcase their quality improvement projects. Winners will receive sponsorship to attend the Stoelting Conference in Massachusetts, where they will present their work. The APSF is committed to promoting a culture of safety and learning in anesthesia, ensuring that no one is harmed by anesthesia care.

The Emerging Scholars in Family Planning Grant, offered by the Society of Family Planning, aims to support early-career researchers in developing a family planning research portfolio. This grant provides funding for publishable scholarly research projects, including thesis or dissertation work, fostering the next generation of scholars in abortion and contraception research. By promoting diversity and inclusion, the grant seeks to build a multidisciplinary community dedicated to advancing family planning science.

The Henny Penny Leadership Award, provided by The Dayton Foundation, recognizes graduating seniors from Preble County, Ohio, or children of Henny Penny employees who exhibit exceptional leadership abilities. This award encourages students to pursue their educational goals at two- or four-year institutions while fostering their entrepreneurial spirit. The Dayton Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic partner, aims to enhance community welfare through strategic grantmaking and support for various initiatives in education, health, arts, and more.

The Herbert Scott Memorial Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation in 2016, supports graduating African-American seniors from Dayton Public Schools who are in foster care or have aged out. This scholarship aims to provide educational opportunities by funding students accepted into accredited technical schools, community colleges, or universities. The Dayton Foundation, a prominent philanthropic partner in Greater Dayton, is dedicated to enhancing the community's social and economic fabric through strategic grantmaking and support for equitable opportunities.

The Jean Penny Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation in 2022, aims to assist students from the Miami Valley in completing their college degrees. This scholarship honors Jean Penny, a Miami University graduate and co-founder of Penny and Penny Advertising, known for her love of education and generous spirit. The foundation, committed to strengthening local communities through philanthropy, emphasizes support for education, workforce development, and equitable opportunities.

The Changemakers in Family Planning Grant Program aims to address institutionalized racism in the field of family planning by providing essential support to scholars of color. Recognizing that diversity and equity are crucial for advancing research in abortion and contraception, this initiative seeks to foster an inclusive community that empowers underrepresented voices in science. The Society of Family Planning is dedicated to creating a just environment where all scholars can contribute to meaningful advancements in family planning research.

The Ken Broo Memorial Scholarship, offered by The Dayton Foundation, recognizes exemplary graduating seniors who are accepted into a two- or four-year institution and plan to major in business or accounting. This scholarship aims to honor Ken Broo's legacy of hard work and mentorship, encouraging students to demonstrate their commitment through community service and volunteerism. The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Greater Dayton, Ohio.

The Alexander-Bickley Scholarship, established in 2016, supports female graduating seniors from Dayton Public Schools pursuing STEM degrees at accredited colleges. Inspired by Manuel Bickley's entrepreneurial spirit, this scholarship aims to empower recipients to achieve academic excellence and pursue their aspirations. Preference is given to applicants who have participated in band, emphasizing the importance of creativity alongside academic goals. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and honoring the legacy of the Bickley family.

Anita Tarr Turk Fund for Breast Cancer Research

The Anita Tarr Turk Fund for Breast Cancer Research was established in October 2011 as an endowed field of interest fund. Its purpose is to distribute grants annually to one or more charitable, educational or scientific organizations conducting top-level research searching for the cause of, and cure for, breast cancer.

Anita Tarr Turk encouraged the Community Foundation for Monterey (CFMC)’s board to consider grants to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and the California Breast Cancer Research Program. The Fund may also consider proposals from organizations conducting similar research. Due to the narrow field of interest and suggested organizations in the fund’s establishing documents, organizations are invited to share research projects for CFMC to consider.

Grant Amount

• $60,000/year

The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program aims to ensure the sustainability of primary care residency training in community-based ambulatory patient care centers. By providing essential funding, this program supports the development of healthcare professionals who are equipped to deliver high-quality care, particularly in rural and underserved areas, enhancing the capacity to meet diverse health needs across various populations.