Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

The John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Program aims to enhance research infrastructure and training at higher education institutions to address health disparities. Key objectives include improving physical infrastructure, acquiring research equipment, developing technical expertise, expanding academic science programs, and recruiting accomplished researchers. This limited competition invites applications from eligible organizations, with a rigorous peer-review process to ensure only high-quality proposals receive funding.

About Us

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.

About Our Scholarships

Our scholarships exist thanks to local families, friends, and organizations who have partnered with the Community Foundation to memorialize or honor someone, celebrate their alma mater, or promote a chosen career field. The creation of a scholarship fund can affect the donor as much as the recipient. 

The Community Foundation of Washington County, MD offers more than 100 scholarships for graduating high school students and non-traditional students in continuing education. 

The Thomas J. Bowers Aviation Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund created in honor of Thomas J. Bowers to provide scholarships to deserving Washington County students who are active members of the Civil Air Patrol and express a desire to pursue a degree in an aviation-related field.

The Lisa Walder Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports female students pursuing degrees in fields such as Foreign Language, Liberal Arts, and Business. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students enrolled in accredited institutions. With a focus on financial need, this renewable scholarship offers funding for up to three years, emphasizing academic achievement with a required GPA of 2.5. This program aims to empower women through education and community growth.

The Richard “Rick” Roy Washburn Memorial Scholarship Fund supports students pursuing construction careers within 75 miles of specific Minnesota high schools. Named after a dedicated Ulland Brothers Inc. employee, this scholarship offers $1,000 annually for up to two years, promoting education in fields like Diesel Mechanics and Civil Engineering. Eligible applicants must maintain a 2.8 GPA and demonstrate community involvement, ensuring they are well-rounded candidates for this financial assistance.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

Stephen J. Roy Memorial Scholarship

The Stephen J. Roy Memorial Scholarship is available to high school seniors who reside in Larimer County and are interested in law, government, debate, or similar law-related educational activities.

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) invites proposals for research aimed at enhancing national security through scientific study and experimentation. Managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, this unrestricted acquisition encourages small businesses to participate. Proposals must demonstrate substantive research results and comply with federal regulations, ensuring a competitive selection process. The BAA supports exploratory and advanced development programs, with a focus on practical applications and potential experimental testing.

Local Data for Equitable Communities CFP

This call for proposals (CFP) invites eligible nonprofit organizations in the U.S. to apply for a grant to collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. Improving these conditions is key to achieving health equity where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. Structural racism is one of the leading barriers that results in inequities in conditions within and across communities. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) expects to award up to 30 grants of $50,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months. The Urban Institute, as the national coordinating center for this program, is collaborating with RWJF on program design, grantee support, and communications.

Local data can be valuable tools to make progress on building places that offer everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. Community organizations and residents can use data to understand challenges, set priorities, advocate for what is important to them, and hold others accountable for promised changes.

The goals of the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program are to:

• Inform public policy and improve the physical, social, and economic conditions of places
• Build local capacity to use data for action
• Strengthen the use of equitable data practices
• Document successful practices for more communities to learn from and adapt

Funding

• Type of Award: Awards funded under this opportunity will be structured as grants.
• Number of Awards: Up to 30 awards will be funded.
• Amount of Award: Each award will be up to and including $50,000.
• Award Duration: Awards will be nine months.

The AccessLex Bar Success Research Grant Program aims to fund innovative and rigorous studies focused on the bar examination, including predictors of performance and effective preparation methodologies. By encouraging collaborations among educational institutions and stakeholders, the program seeks to enhance bar passage rates for at-risk students. Grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 are available for projects lasting 12 to 24 months, promoting well-designed research that addresses critical issues in legal education.

The Perry J. Gehring Diversity Student Travel Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who are presenting at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting. Awardees, selected from participants in the SOT Undergraduate Diversity Program, receive a plaque and a travel stipend to support their attendance. This initiative honors Perry J. Gehring's legacy in promoting diversity in toxicology and encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in biomedical sciences.

• Access to Quality Health Care Services (e.g., physical & mental health; substance abuse; wellness programs)
• Human & Social Services (e.g., families & children; immigrants & refugees; domestic violence & sexual abuse survivors; veterans; people experiencing homelessness; people in crisis)
• Education
• Youth and Childhood Development
• Senior Citizen Enrichment Services
• Community Services

The William Thomas McHugh and Lou Gower McHugh Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, supports students from Middle Tennessee attending accredited law schools. It honors Bill McHugh's legacy, a devoted lawyer and veteran. Applicants must maintain a C average and preference is given to those attending Cumberland School of Law. This scholarship aims to promote legal education and uphold the values of integrity and service in the legal profession.

The Inja & Kwang Choi, MD Family Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, supports deserving seniors from local high schools who aspire to pursue careers in medicine or engineering. With over $800,000 in scholarships distributed in 2023, this initiative helps students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher achieve their educational goals, fostering the next generation of professionals in critical fields.

The Paul Lawson Memorial Aviation Scholarship is dedicated to supporting deserving students aged 15-25 from Maryland and West Virginia who are pursuing aviation lessons. Established in memory of Paul Lawson, this scholarship aims to empower young individuals to achieve their dreams in aviation. Offered by the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, it reflects the commitment of local families and organizations to enhance educational opportunities in the community.

About Us

A Vibrant Region with Opportunity for All

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all. Our team of experienced staff and dedicated trustees is committed to boldly leading and supporting transformational community investments. We channel charitable contributions from donors through nonprofit partners that are meeting current community needs and steward community resources responsibly to ensure greater capacity for the future.

No organization has all the answers, but together, with our partners and donors, we have the means and the will to chart a new course—one that will build upon generations of philanthropy and strengthen the fabric of Herkimer and Oneida counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

We help those seeking educational opportunities that will enrich their lives—and enhance our community.

Please note that scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties are awarded through a variety of different mechanisms, including by school district selection, public application, or through our community partners, such as Utica Dollars for Scholars.

Wallace S. and Janis J. Sweet/Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Scholarship

Awarded by Wallace S. and Janis J. Sweet/Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund established through the generosity of many friends of the Sweet Family to help deserving students pay for expenses of an education beyond the high school level.

Candidates are identified by Utica Dollars for Scholars.

Invest in Others

The Invest in Others 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation amplifies, celebrates, and inspires the charitable work of the financial services community.

We provide a platform for financial professionals to make an impact on the causes they care about, channeling the philanthropy and volunteerism of the finance industry to make a difference where it’s needed most. We provide critical grant funding for nonprofits nationwide, helping fill gaps left by shrinking budgets and growing need.

Invest in Others Awards

About the Awards

The Invest in Others Awards recognize the charitable work of financial advisors and honors recipients at an annual awards gala in Boston.

Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists will be selected in each of the five categories with one recipient being chosen for each award.

Award finalists and recipients will receive grants from Invest in Others for their designated charities:

• Honorable mentions will receive $2,000
• Finalists in all five categories will receive $25,000
• Recipients in the Catalyst, Community Service, Emerging Impact, and Volunteer of the Year categories will receive $60,000
• The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will receive $100,000

Community Service Award

Presented to an advisor who has made an outstanding impact on a community through leadership contributions to a nonprofit organization for at least 3 years. He or she has not only contributed to the long-term sustainability of the nonprofit, but also has an established record of motivating and inspiring others. This includes serving with distinction as a fundraiser, board member, or other executive position.

The Resilient Student Scholarship, established in 2023 by AIAA and Club for the Future, aims to support high school seniors pursuing STEM degrees at U.S. institutions. This $10,000 scholarship is designed for students facing unique challenges, including disabilities or socioeconomic hardships. Recipients will receive mentorship from AIAA professionals to guide them toward successful careers in aerospace, fostering a new generation of innovators in the field.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Lewis G. and Margaret R. Curtis Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Lewis and Margaret, who established the Lewis G. and Margaret R. Curtis Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Margaret Curtis wished to establish two scholarships; one for females pursuing careers in nursing or health care careers and the other for a male pursuing a vocational, technical or trade career scholarship. Mrs. Curtis, a nurse in the area, provided for this fund in her will in memory of her husband and herself. She stated that the income be used to award scholarships in two fields, nursing and vocational training.

GBA1 Parkinson's Disease Research Catalyst Program

The GBA1-PD Research Catalyst Program seeks to build a deeper, globally integrated understanding of GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease by aligning efforts across geographies and maximizing the value of shared datasets and research assets. Funding will support hypothesis- driven projects with an emphasis on integrative, cross-cohort analyses and the systematic characterization and standardization of models to enable broad use by the research community.

Funding

Duration: 12 to 24 months

Award Amount: Up to $300,000. Requested support should be commensurate with work proposed.

These budgets include direct and indirect costs. For academic and for-profit institutions, no more than 15% or 10%, respectively, may go to indirect costs. 

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Stanley Sutherland, Jr., who established the Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Education was important to Maxine Sutherland. She graduated from Muskegon Junior College in 1940, received her nursing degree from the Hackley School of Nursing in 1942, and continued her education over the years until she received a B.S. in Education from Western Michigan University. Nursing was also important to Maxine, and over the years she was employed by Hackley Hospital, Visiting Nurses, and the office of her brother, Dr. Griffith. In her memory, her husband, Stanley Sutherland, Jr., has established the Maxine G. Sutherland Memorial , a donor advised , which will assist Muskegon County residents to pursue careers in nursing and other health related fields as well as support other projects and programs that were equally important to her.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education in any field at a college in the United States. Applicants must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA and are encouraged to have a background in varsity athletics. This scholarship reflects the foundation's commitment to empowering students and helping them achieve their educational aspirations.

The Edna Haberle Visual Arts Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Cherokee County and surrounding East Texas counties who plan to pursue a major in visual arts. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of education in achieving dreams and considers financial need, requiring FAFSA submission. Applicants must demonstrate artistic potential and commitment to their field of study to be eligible for this one-year support opportunity.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

• MyPath- Goldberg Scholarship Fund for MVCAP
  • Awarded to Trumbull County or Mahoning County students participating in MyPath programming or advising, with priority given to students who are or have been in foster care. 

The Frances Cowan Gibson Fine Arts Scholarship, offered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating seniors and current college students pursuing visual arts. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of education in achieving artistic ambitions. Applicants must be from Smith County and are not required to demonstrate financial need. It rewards students dedicated to their artistic studies, allowing them to continue their education in visual arts at any college in the United States.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Solomon Valley Community Foundation

Solomon Valley Community Foundation's mission is to be a catalyst for positive change; engaging partners and inspiring local philanthropy. We leverage resources to overcome obstacles, create lasting legacies, and contribute to the strenth of Mitchell County.

Fine Arts Future Development Scholarship

The Fine Arts Future Development Scholarship supports two different areas of study:

• Higher education for graduating seniors
• Summer music camp for junior high or high school students

Fine Arts Future Development Higher Education Scholarship

Graduation high school seniors in the Solomon Valley area, including Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties, that are pursuing a major in Instrumental Music or Art.

Renewals: Scholarship recipients may reapply as part of the total applicant pool. ​

The Kathy’s Kids Scholarship, established in honor of Kathy Smith, provides educational support for young women in the Longview area facing challenges. Administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, this scholarship aims to empower graduating seniors to pursue their educational goals. With a focus on financial need, applicants must be from participating high schools and demonstrate resilience in overcoming adversity. Scholarships of $1,500 are available and may renew annually, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities.

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship Fund

Mike Petronchek was a well known musician in our community. During the 40′s Mike played trombone in Angie Sgro and Johnny Murphy’s Dance Band. He loved the Big Band sound and attended many of the formal dances that were held at Laube Hall in Freeport to benefit charity. Mike served as a radio operator with the 8th Air Force during World War II because of his great “ear”. He received his bachelor’s degree from IUP and his master’s from Penn State.

For nearly four decades Mike shared his love of music with children here in Armstrong County. He was the Ford City High School music director from 1958 through 1984 and organized the county’s first elementary school band at Lenape Elementary. In his honor, the Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship Fund was established for Ford City High School graduates pursuing an education in music.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.