2026 Nonprofit Professional Development Grant Cohort

Loudoun County calls all interested nonprofit professionals that serve Loudoun County residents to apply for the 2026 Professional Development Grant Cohort exploring the various facets of grant-seeking and proposal development, including federal, state, foundation and corporate grant opportunities. Nonprofit professionals representing selected organizational applicants will develop proposals in response to relevant funding opportunities over the course of five, fast-paced training sessions during six weeks and walk away with a complete set of typical proposal components and a tailored application package. The training is free, but space is limited to five organizations. Nonprofits working to create a systematic development program at their organization are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is best suited for participants with entry-level experience in grant proposal writing and development, along with a general familiarity with grant application components. Experienced or seasoned grant writers may find this training introductory in nature. Applicants applying on behalf of an organization must be nonprofit organization staff, volunteer or board members that have been approved by organizational executive leadership. Following the course, participants will be required to participate in a post-course evaluation session. The date of this session is TBD. *Attendance in this professional development opportunity does not guarantee funding, indicate a commitment to apply to County grant opportunities, nor does it signify partnership with the County. View more information at loudoun.gov/granttraining.

This is a cohort opportunity offered at no cost to up to five organizations. There is no funding associated with this application. Those selected as part of the cohort will receive these grant trainings for free. On the Program Page please indicate $.01 in the funding amount category to submit the application. Additional Information on the application can be found in the application guidance document located at: https://www.loudoun.gov/5769/ARPA-Nonprofit-Professional-Development

Application Schedule Cohort Application Release- March 9, 2026 Cohort Applications Due- April 10, 2026 Cohort Announcement- May 1, 2026 Trainings Occur- End of May to beginning of July 2026 Post-Cohort Evaluation Session- TBD

Please submit one application per organization. Multiple people from each organization should attend relevant sessions.

Loudoun County Staff will take questions until April 3, 2026, one week before the application deadline, at nonprofits@loudoun.gov.

Nonprofit administration professionals, employed by organizations who serve Loudoun County residents are eligible to apply. This opportunity is best suited for participants with entry-level experience in grant proposal writing and development, along with a general familiarity with grant application components. Experienced or seasoned grant writers may find this training introductory in nature. To be accepted into the Spring 2026 Nonprofit Professional Development Grant Cohort, applicant organizations must: -Obtain executive leadership approval -Make a commitment to apply for grant funding within the next year -Make a commitment for lead applicant to attend all trainings (across their organization) -Make a commitment to participate in a post-cohort evaluation session at a date TBD. Participants are strongly encouraged to have prior related training (e.g. grant basics, budgeting for grants, developing an evaluation, etc.) and foundational knowledge of grant application components and writing. As part of this application, applicants will be required to indicate the type of professional development training or experience they have. Participants may demonstrate previous skills and abilities in their application in lieu of training attendance. You may also access Loudoun County's 2024 Grants 101 webinar as well as other past training webinars via https://www.loudoun.gov/5769/ARPA-Nonprofit-Professional-Development, in preparation for the cohort.

As a part of Loudoun County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)- State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds efforts, the Department of Finance and Procurement offers capacity-building professional development trainings to nonprofits to assist in diversifying funding and leveraging more resources in the Loudoun County community. These trainings are designed to highlight resources and best practices from peer organizations and provide hands-on technical assistance to participants.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to apply for OR participate in the cohort, please contact nonprofits@loudoun.gov. Three business days advance notice is requested.