Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The C.V.M. Scholarship Fund, established by Communities Foundation of Texas, offers up to $10,000 to graduates of Mildred Independent School District pursuing further education. Since 1953, CFT has collaborated with donors and nonprofits to uplift communities. Eligible candidates must have a GPA of 4.0 (out of 7.0) and meet SAT or ACT score requirements. This initiative aims to empower local students in their educational journeys.

H.E.L.P. Grants is a community initiative dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children in the U.S. Founded by the owners of Figaro’s Italian Pizza, it aims to provide vital resources to local schools and non-profits, especially in communities where their restaurants operate. Since its inception in 2010, H.E.L.P. has been committed to combating educational disparities exacerbated by budget cuts, ensuring that every child has access to a quality education.

The Girls on the Run Sparking Limitless Potential Scholarship, funded by The Columbus Foundation, empowers high school graduates from the Girls on the Run program to pursue higher education. This initiative not only celebrates the achievements of alumni but also addresses systemic barriers faced by girls of Color, promoting equity and leadership development. By supporting diverse pathways to education, the scholarship aims to create lasting impact and foster a more inclusive future for youth in Central Ohio.

Hemophilia Alliance Joe Pugliese Educational Award

The Hemophilia Alliance, The Alliance Pharmacy, and the Hemophilia Alliance Foundation are pleased to support the 2026-2027 Joe Pugliese Educational Award. This award is a scholarship provided annually to individuals diagnosed with an inherited bleeding or inherited thrombotic disorder who are active patients in a federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Center, in support of post-secondary educational pursuits.

The 2026-2027 education award will provide each of four recipients with $12,500 for tuition and/or any qualified educational expense to be used within one academic year of award receipt. 

It is a shared goal of the Hemophilia Alliance and the Hemophilia Alliance Foundation that this scholarship program continues for many years to help support individuals with inherited bleeding or inherited thrombotic disorders throughout their education.

Qualified Expenses:

• Tuition
• Housing or food expenses
• Tools or instruments required for educational program
• Books, computers or other supplies

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Stanley Nase Family Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of Hot Springs High School or a current resident of Fall River County pursuing a business degree.

Applicants must be graduates of Hot Springs High School or residents of Fall River County with an interest in pursuing a business-related degree, such as accounting, business management, business education, or economics who demonstrate a financial need. The selection committee wants to understand why you are interested in pursuing a business degree as part of the application process.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

McGuire-Holcomb Scholarship Fund

The scholarship was established in memory of the donor’s brother, William F. McGuire; mother, Ruth H. Holcomb; and stepfather Kenneth P. Holcomb. The scholarship provides tuition and books for the education of students who have a physical disability.

Community Lutheran Church - Hill City Scholarship

The scholarship is available to graduating seniors and home-schooled, non-traditional, and currently enrolled students from Community Lutheran Church in Hill City, SD. Additionally, please reflect on what the mission statement of Community Lutheran Church means to you.

To provide financial support to students from Community Lutheran Church in Hill City, SD.

Allied Arts Fund

These awards help talented young students further their training in their artistic field. Students must live within the boundaries of the Greater Renton Area or have a Renton address and are between the ages of 12-19. The categories under which a student may apply are all areas of visual or performing arts. Awards may be used for tuition, school fees or academic expenses such as music, lessons, books, painting supplies, etc.

Awards

• $500 - $1000

The NIH Stroke Clinical Trials Network (StrokeNet) aims to enhance stroke treatment through regional clinical enrollment coordinating centers (RCCs). Supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), this initiative promotes collaboration for clinical trials that focus on acute stroke treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation. While applications are not currently being solicited, this notice serves to prepare potential applicants for future opportunities in advancing stroke care.

East End Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

The sole purpose of this fund shall be to support agencies and other charitable causes as recommended by the Fund Advisors and approved by the Board of the Community Foundation.

Rene Hernandez Scholarship Fund

Hispanic graduating seniors in Travis and Williamson county.

Awards

• (1) $2,000.00

Cage Family Scholarship Fund

The scholarship honors the Cage Family’s commitment to support students who are working toward a college degree.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

City Barbeque Scholarship Fund-Employees/Dependents

The City Barbeque Employee and Dependent Scholarship Fund is intended to promote educational opportunities for employees, and/or dependents of City Barbeque employees, in their chosen field of study.

Award Amount:

• Five scholarships at $3,000 each

James L. Allen Scholarship Fund

The scholarship was established by James L. Allen, a dedicated community leader who served with the Columbus Urban League (1938–1954) and later with the UNCF (1960–1995), raising millions to support higher education for African-American students. He worked for many years in public accounting and real estate, and was an active member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and various other organizations. His contributions to the Columbus community and beyond have earned him numerous awards for his professional and community service.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $1,000

Roberta Jones Booth Scholarship Fund

Family and friends established this scholarship in memory of Roberta Jones Booth for her love and support of her community. This scholarship will support students from the community of the Marion Franklin Civic Association boundaries.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

The James R. and Joanne K. Burgoon Endowment, established by a bequest from James R. Burgoon, honors the couple's legacy of service and education in Westerville, Ohio. With a focus on supporting students pursuing accounting or law, this endowment reflects their commitment to community betterment. Managed by The Columbus Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the nation, it aims to foster educational opportunities for deserving candidates, particularly those with ties to Westerville.

Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by the family and friends of Scott Elliott after he lost his courageous battle against cancer. As a way to honor his legacy, the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship incorporates Scott’s life-long passion and commitment to swimming and education. He swam competitively for most of his life, and eventually would go on to become a swimming coach and mentor for 20 years at various clubs and programs around West Chester.

Scott’s impact on the West Chester swimming community is unmatchable. He was able to transform a pool deck into a magical place for so many people—a place where the strongest friendships were formed, the most intimidating obstacles were overcome, and new realizations of one’s potential began to take hold. The lessons Scott taught will not be forgotten, the memories he forged will not diminish.

The level of dedication Scott showed for swimming was only exceeded by his devotion to his wife and two children, Trevor and Piper. Scott was a very involved, loving parent and partner. He led by example through his commitment to bettering the community, his charismatic and approachable personality, his dedication to the sport of swimming, and his ever-relenting ability to persevere given any circumstance. Along with the many memories Scott’s friends and family will share along the way, the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund will serve as a constant reminder of their father’s giving nature and very beloved personality.

In Scott’s tenure as a coach and mentor, he encouraged positive development among his swimmers both in and out of the pool. This scholarship embodies Scott’s commitment to helping others become the best version of themselves.

In addition to the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund, supporters can remember and honor Scott by participating in the Annual Run to Find a Way #ScottStrong. The most recent run was held on June 4th, 2022. Visit the Run Sign Up Website by clicking here to register for this event.

The Racine Community Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations and students in Racine County through a competitive grants process. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by January 31 each year, and only those with accepted LOIs can apply. The Foundation has an endowment exceeding $78 million, allowing it to distribute over $3.2 million annually to strengthen community projects in areas like education, healthcare, and the arts. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and ongoing support for local needs.

Scholarship Overview

Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in scholarships to students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship

The Community Foundation administers the Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship. This is available to Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence County residents who were awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. armed forces or are a dependent — spouse or child, or grandchild — of a U.S. military member or veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart. Purple Heart Scholarship applications are reviewed throughout the year until all available funds for the academic year are awarded.

Jefferson County Sons of the American Legion Brian A. L'Huillier Memorial Scholarship

The Jefferson County Sons of the American Legion offers a scholarship of $500 to qualified high school graduates. The scholarships will be announced at graduation. Entry into college must occur by the second semester after high school graduation. The first $250 will be awarded at the time of high school graduation and the remainder of $250 will be contingent upon the recipient submitting_a transcript of their 1st semester college grades, which indicates a minimum average of "C", or a 2.0 cumulative index. If a "C" or 2.0 index is not obtained, then the remainder of the award is forfeited. Each candidate is required to complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours per semester in order to receive this award.

Hemophilia Alliance Foundation

Our Mission

The Hemophilia Alliance Foundation is dedicated to receiving and administering funds to enable eligible organizations in the inherited bleeding and thrombotic disorders community to build capacity in order to achieve their mission and to support direct consumer financial assistance programs.

Project Grant Guidance and Application

The goal of this grant is to enable eligible organizations to build capacity in order to achieve their mission, and to support direct consumer financial assistance programs in eligible organizations. The ceiling for local patient organizations and hemophilia treatment and sickle cell centers is $8,000; the ceiling for national organizations and the eight HHS-designated federally designated and funded regional core coordinating centers is $10,000.

Examples include:

1) projects that strengthen the organization’s ability to better serve its constituents;

2) patient/consumer financial assistance grants; and

3) regional hemophilia treatment centers’ annual meetings.

The Martha Mae Giles Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduating high school students from Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties who plan to attend college. This renewable scholarship honors Martha Mae Giles and prioritizes applicants who are members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, although it is open to all students. The foundation has grown substantially since 2000, emphasizing community support and educational opportunities.

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation offers Community Support Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI). With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, these grants support community-driven programs that promote independence and participation. Funding ranges from $25,000 to $200,000 annually for up to two years, addressing regional needs and removing barriers to access. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to empowering all individuals affected by SCI.

The Charter Fund: Scale Funding supports nonprofit organizations that operate high-performing public charter schools. It seeks leaders dedicated to expanding their impact, aiming to serve an additional 1,000+ students over the next 3-5 years. The fund offers grants and low-interest loans starting from $750,000, alongside strategic partnerships and community-building initiatives to help schools navigate growth challenges, enhance educational quality, and foster collaboration among charter leaders.

The Charter Fund: Seed Funding program supports nonprofit organizations operating high-performing public charter schools that aim to expand their reach by serving 250 to 1,000 additional students within two years. Eligible applicants must demonstrate proven leadership, strong academic performance, and a commitment to underserved communities. The fund offers general operating grants ranging from $250,000 to $600,000 to assist leaders in opening new schools, providing vital resources and cohort-based learning opportunities to foster growth and innovation.

Fishburn Family Scholarship Fund

The fund was formed with funds donated to the Karen Fishburn Memorial Fund after her passing in September 2013. Karen’s dedication to numerous Morrow County organizations and countless hours of volunteer work for organizations such as the Red Cross, Key Ministries, Morrow County Association of Business Women, Morrow Country Board of Elections, and Marengo United Methodist Church, resulted in an unprecedented community outpouring at her calling hours. Annual scholarships are the Fishburn family’s way of honoring Karen for many years to come.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $2,000

The Canine Cancer Immunotherapy Network (K9CIN) aims to advance canine cancer treatments through innovative clinical trials, paralleling the development of human therapies. This initiative is vital as pet dogs naturally develop cancer, mirroring human responses to treatments. By leveraging NIH support, K9CIN will facilitate research to enhance immunotherapeutic strategies for both dogs and humans, fostering a collaborative environment for veterinary and human medical advancements. Ultimately, this funding opportunity promotes ethical research that benefits both species.