Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Alabama

The Data Fellowship by Delta Analytics offers a unique opportunity for individuals with strong technical skills in data science, engineering, or visualization to volunteer and empower nonprofits. Over a six-month commitment, participants dedicate 5-10 hours weekly to work closely with nonprofit organizations, leveraging data to drive impactful decisions. This fully remote fellowship fosters personal and professional growth while building a community of like-minded individuals passionate about using data for social good.

The SBB Research Group Grant offers $5,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations with a focus on addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. The application process is streamlined, consisting of just ten questions. The evaluation includes a review by the Philanthropy Committee, which selects nominees for interviews and finalists for presentations. Winners receive funding and further opportunities, while all finalists receive $1,000. This grant aims to empower organizations with 5 to 49 full-time employees.

The Colcom Foundation Grant: National Giving (Carrying Capacity) aims to support projects that address the impacts of human population growth on the environment. The foundation prioritizes initiatives in family planning and sustainable immigration practices to stabilize and gradually decrease the US population by 2040. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for these funds, which seek to foster a sustainable environment and ensure a quality life for all Americans.

East Alabama: Community Trust Grants

Community Trust Grants are available for services and programs provided by any nonprofit in the East Alabama area.

Nonprofit organizations may submit one EACF Community Trust Grant application for a maximum award of $3,000.

The UEF Grant Program, offered by the United Engineering Foundation, supports innovative projects that enhance the engineering profession and public welfare. With an annual budget of nearly $800,000, the program awards 5 to 10 grants each year. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Preference is given to interdisciplinary proposals that engage the community and integrate various engineering fields, fostering collaboration and addressing important societal issues.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Established in 1948, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) – a nonprofit, non-political, scholarly society – is the leading international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.  

ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program

Established in 2025, the ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides a maximum stipend of $28,000 for doctoral students at US universities, regardless of citizenship, to conduct dissertation research in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. The program is open to students in any discipline whose dissertation topics are within Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies.

Fellowship Project Scope

• The dissertation topic must be in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies
• Most of the proposed research should be conducted in Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia but the fellowship can be used to conduct research for a briefer period in secondary site(s) such as the U.S.; in cases of equally qualified applications, some preference may be given to research entirely in the region

The stipend can be spent on expenses incurred while conducting research, including living expenses, research expenses, international airfare, visa expenses, and evacuation and health insurance.

The Southeast Alabama Community Foundation (SACF) supports nonprofits in Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston counties through its Community Trust Grants. Established in 1995, SACF aims to enhance community well-being by funding impactful projects. Grants are available for various nonprofit services, fostering long-term community support. However, funding excludes individuals, partisan advocacy, and certain operational costs, ensuring that resources are directed toward initiatives that truly benefit the Wiregrass region.

The Tides Stronger Together Fund, under the Tides Foundation, provides essential support grants to fiscally sponsored partners focused on historically underserved communities. By building organizational capacity and leadership, the fund empowers community changemakers to address inequities and enhance sustainability. With a pooled funding model, it directly responds to the needs of over 120 partners, ensuring resources are effectively allocated where they are most impactful, ultimately fostering long-term community resilience.

The James L. Bass Legal Scholarship, established by the Foundation for Rural Service, honors the legacy of James Bass, who significantly impacted rural telecommunications. This scholarship supports students entering their first year of law school with a focus on rural communities. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens. Through this initiative, the scholarship aims to foster new legal talent committed to enhancing the quality of life in rural America, continuing Mr. Bass's dedication to community service.

The Science Café Mini-Grant, offered by the American Chemical Society, provides up to $500 to support Local Sections in organizing engaging Science Cafés. These events foster discussions between scientists and the community on contemporary topics, enhancing public understanding of science. By participating, local sections can encourage scientific literacy and invigorate interest in scientific issues, making it a valuable opportunity for community engagement.

The Convention Opportunity Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), supports non-student members with incomes under $40,000 to present their research at the ASEEES Annual Convention. Established in 1948, ASEEES prioritizes first-time presenters and junior scholars lacking institutional support. The grant encourages diverse scholarly contributions and is aimed at enhancing the visibility of underrepresented voices in the field of Slavic and East European studies.

The Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation, established in 1999, aims to support charitable organizations in the Grand Traverse region. It honors the philanthropic legacy of Art and Mary Schmuckal, who dedicated their lives to community service. The foundation is managed by a volunteer board consisting of family members and friends, ensuring a commitment to wise stewardship of its resources. It welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the year, focusing on making a meaningful impact in the community.

The Miller Family Foundation Grant, established in 2014, focuses on philanthropic efforts that promote 'The Common Good.' This grant supports 501c3 organizations in good standing, particularly those with an annual budget under $500,000. Non-profits can apply for immediate financial assistance through the Angel Fund, with a maximum donation request capped at 10% of their annual budget. The Foundation aims to empower initiatives that foster community, national, and global betterment.

The Regional Scholar Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), provides up to $1,000 to support travel for faculty and independent scholars from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Applicants must present a paper at the ASEEES Annual Convention and meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency in eligible countries and ASEEES membership. This grant aims to promote scholarly exchange and foster participation among junior scholars and first-time presenters.

The NCEES Foundation Grant, provided by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, aims to promote engineering and surveying licensure in the U.S. This philanthropic initiative prioritizes proposals that support the public's health and safety through education and awareness of licensure value. The foundation encourages programs that build a robust pipeline for future engineers and surveyors, ensuring their success from K-12 through higher education.

The Statistics Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, promotes research in statistical theory and methods applicable across various scientific and engineering domains. It supports projects ranging from individual investigators to interdisciplinary teams, fostering advancements in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The program emphasizes the importance of statistical methods in modeling uncertainty and enhancing scientific discovery. For more information, please visit the NSF's official website.

The R3PEATS Multi-Team Triangulation initiative supports collaborative research teams to explore a central biomedical question using diverse methods and model systems. It emphasizes the importance of identifying biological variability and ensuring the robustness of findings through replication strategies. This program is part of the NIH Common Fund's Rigor, Replicability, & Reproducibility to Promote Excellence in Science, aiming to enhance the accuracy and translation of scientific discoveries.

The Mellon Mays Graduate Assistance Program (GAP) supports alumni of the Mellon Mays initiative in their journey to graduate school. By providing resources like structured gap year activities, media resources, and mentoring, the program aims to bridge the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies. It has successfully placed over 90 scholars in advanced programs, fostering diverse perspectives in academia. GAP addresses challenges faced during the gap year, ensuring participants remain engaged and prepared for their academic careers.

The Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award supports early-career faculty committed to building inclusive campus communities. Funded by the Mellon Foundation, it offers a $20,000 stipend to assist with summer research and academic year support. Eligible candidates are assistant professors in tenure-track positions who have passed their third-year review and are engaged in fostering diversity and inclusion in their academic fields. This fellowship not only aids their research but also emphasizes their role in mentoring underrepresented students.

The Community Foundation is honored to have a variety of scholarship funds established by individuals and groups of donors for the purpose of helping younger generations of Nantucketers further their education. Each fund is unique, and criteria and goals of the scholarship vary for each scholarship.

The Community Foundation for Nantucket awards more than $90,000 in scholarships each year. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000. The most common award is $2,000. While some awards may be higher than this amount, no award amount will be lower than $1000.

Ann and Michael Rosenblatt Women in Mathematics Scholarship Fund

Provide tuition assistance to female students who excel in mathematics.

The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to bolster engineering research capacity by supporting new academic investigators. This initiative is designed for those who have not yet received significant federal funding and are affiliated with institutions below the 'very high research activity' level. By fostering innovation and mentorship, the program seeks to broaden participation in engineering research across the nation.

The ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Awards provide five $5,000 grants annually to support the professional growth of postdoctoral fellows in mass spectrometry. Eligible applicants must be ASMS members and postdoctoral fellows within three years of their Ph.D. These awards can cover costs for conferences, workshops, travel to labs, or purchasing essential professional items, fostering career advancement in this specialized field.

The ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships provide financial support ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 for faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advance their research projects. The fellowships encourage innovative research outcomes, including scholarly articles and community-engaged projects. Awardees also benefit from mentoring and networking opportunities, with additional funding for their institutions to support humanities programming. This initiative promotes diverse scholarship and collaboration across disciplines, enhancing the academic landscape for HBCU faculty.

The ACLS Project Grants for HBCU Faculty provide up to $10,000 to support early-stage project design and development over a 12- to 15-month period. This funding facilitates exploratory research and the advancement of existing projects, while offering networking and mentorship opportunities. Applicants must be employed at an HBCU and possess an MA or PhD in humanities or social sciences. The initiative encourages innovative research methods and community engagement, with a focus on higher education outcomes.

L3Harris Technologies is partnering with PLTW to inspire PreK-12 students in STEM fields by funding grants for schools to start or expand PLTW Engineering programs. With a total award of $15,000 available for the 2025-2026 academic year, this initiative focuses on public and charter schools in specific counties, especially those with high-need student populations. The program also includes requirements for grant reporting and allowable expenses to ensure effective use of funds.

Cornerstone Grants

Do you volunteer with a nonprofit organization? Would you like additional funding to start or enhance a service project? Organize your own service project!

We know that as an Elks scholar, you already uphold the cornerstones of the Foundation: knowledge, integrity, charity and community. Now, we want to help you do more! The ENF is offering fifteen $500 Cornerstone Grants to any Elks scholar interested in starting or expanding a community service project. We are also offering six $250 bonuses for projects done in collaboration with an Elks Lodge.

Looking for project ideas?

Consider a cause that you are passionate about and partner with an organization addressing that need.

Talk to your sponsoring lodge about what sort of service project they’d like to see at the Lodge. Ask them about charitable projects they are currently involved with, and see if there are any projects they’d like to see enhanced. You can find contact information for a Lodge near you here.

Funding

• The ENF is offering twenty $500 Cornerstone Grants to any Elks scholar interested in starting or expanding a community service project.
• We are also offering fifteen $250 bonuses for projects done in collaboration with an Elks Lodge.