Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Georgia

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

The Asia-Pacific region, home to over half the world's population, faces challenges due to its development goals, which strain natural resources, communities, and cultural heritage. These issues are exacerbated by adverse environmental changes. While research has shed light on these problems, it's clear that more challenges lie ahead. The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) is well-positioned to generate new knowledge and solutions for these evolving global change and sustainability issues by supporting collaborative research and scientific capacity development activities, particularly those aimed at training the next generation of early career professionals.

APN 2025 Call for Proposals: CRRP 

Through the competitive Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP), we promote regional research that has potential to improve our understanding of global change and its implications while contributing to a sound scientific basis for policymaking in areas affected by global change. Under this pillar, APN supports collaborative research that contributes to the evolving science-policy arena, including the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, IPCC, IPBES, post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Decade of Ocean Science as well as ongoing and new global change and sustainability research programmes.

Activities of interest under the CRRP Programme

APN promotes regional collaborative research that improves understanding of the physical, biological and human dimensions of change in the Earth system and advances actionable science that informs decision-making. APN accepts proposals that engage at least 3 member/approved countries in the region, and prioritise collaboratively designed, actionable research with non-academic stakeholders. Proposals must address one or more of the following activities:

• Collaborative research on global change and sustainability that particularly addresses GAPS, ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS and ASSESSMENT work.
• Collaborative research that develops PATHWAYS and MECHANISMS to achieve sustainable development, and develop adaptation strategies.
• Collaborative PLACE-BASED INTEGRATIVE RESEARCH, particularly from developing countries.
• Collaborative research that is CO-DESIGNED to contribute to the Paris Agreeemnt, Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030), and the accumulation of scientific knowledge at IPCC, IPBES, etc.

The Rally Family Emergency Fund, initiated by the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, offers financial assistance to families with children diagnosed with cancer. This support is crucial in alleviating the financial burden from treatment costs, travel expenses, and other related bills. The goal is to help families focus on their child's well-being during challenging times. By addressing immediate financial needs, the fund empowers families to navigate their journey with less stress and more support.

The CIF Capacity Builder Awards by Endeavor Health focus on enhancing community health through strategic investments. With over $38.5 million allocated to local partnerships, these awards aim to address critical areas like healthcare access, food insecurity, and workforce development. Designed for nonprofit organizations, the awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 annually for 1-2 years, fostering long-term community impact and advancing health equity in the service areas.

About

Being deeply connected to the community means more than providing access to excellent healthcare. It means understanding, and investing in, the health needs of our community.

Through our Community Investment Fund (CIF), Endeavor Health has awarded more than $38.5 million to 59 local partnerships dedicated to enhancing community health and wellbeing, advancing health equity and supporting local economic growth. Together, we’re committed to helping everyone in our communities be their best.

Award categories

Through the CIF, we will make meaningful and intentional investments through impact awards and capacity builder awards. These awards are intended to meaningfully advance the health of our community over time towards three bold aspirations through investments in five areas of focus.

We aspire to a future where:

• A person’s zip code does not determine how long they will live
• Hunger and homelessness in our communities are history
• The healthcare workforce is thriving and representative of the communities we serve

To help advance these aspirations, the CIF will invest in the following areas:

• Access to healthcare
• Behavioral health
• Food insecurity
• Housing insecurity
• Workforce development for careers in healthcare

Impact awards

• Designed for 5-year initiatives where organizations come together to drive measurable impact and longer-term change in the communities we serve by improving existing systems and innovation
• Emphasize strategic cross-sector and/or intra-sector partnerships between community-based organizations
• Uplift community members of greatest need
• Directly align with CIF areas of focus and meaningfully contribute to CIF goals
• Award amount: $1 million per year, up to 5 years

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

About QuikTripQuikTrip believes in investing in the communities in which our employees live and work. Every year, QuikTrip donates 5% of our annual net profit to qualified 501c3 non-profit agencies, which includes our United Way campaign match, support for National Safe Place agencies, Folds of Honor scholarships and many other agencies that support at-risk youth and early childhood education.Mission: To wisely invest dollars in community efforts that will help impact (in measurable terms) individuals in our society who are dependent on the charitable support of others. We believe the most effective way to do that is to invest our contribution dollars and volunteers in strategic efforts that help those at risk reach their functional capacity as successful, independent citizens.About QuikTrip Charitable GrantsQuikTrip funds 501c3 agencies located in the cities in which we have stores and our employees live and work. Funding can include: “in-kind” products (coupons, gift cards or product donation), formal grants, fundraiser/event sponsorships and employee volunteer time.Focus Areas:

• Creating Safe Communities
  • First Responders: QuikTrip is proud to partner with law enforcement and first responders in every market we serve, making sure that they have the tools, training and support they need to keep our communities safe and to return home safely to their families after each shift.
  • Homeless Outreach & Alternatives to Police Response: To significantly reduce non-emergency calls and help people in crisis get back on their feet, QuikTrip funds dedicated homeless outreach teams across our communities. These teams engage individuals experiencing homelessness and living in encampments – connecting people to services, shelter, detox and long-term care.

• Creating Strong Communities
  • Ending Homelessness: We support emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, diversion and prevention programs, and more.
  • Mental Health & Substance Abuse : We know that healthy communities are safe communities, which is why we invest in detox and substance abuse treatment centers, and behavioral health centers and services to end the perpetuation of cycles of trauma and addiction.
  • At-Risk Youth: We especially prioritize services for at-risk youth – those aging out of foster care, justice-involved or without stable support systems.
• Additional Community Commitments
  • United Way: Employee donation matching in all markets.
  • Folds of Honor: Scholarships for families of fallen or wounded service members and first responders.
  • National Safe Place: QT stores serve as Safe Place locations for youth in crisis, with trained staff ready to assist.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) program supports postdoctoral fellows in transitioning their research to extramural institutions. The program includes a mentored intramural phase (up to two years) followed by an extramural phase (three years), totaling five years of support. Applications have multiple deadlines, including October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others. Successful transition depends on the awardee's progress during the mentored phase, evaluated by NHLBI.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within specific states. They prioritize initiatives that enhance community welfare, especially in agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status to apply, and preference is given to those involving Perdue associates. Ineligible requests include those from religious, political, or individual-focused groups. This program emphasizes broad community benefits over organizational affiliations.

The Big Bets Fellowship: Economic Opportunity in the United States is a transformative 4-month program designed to empower emerging leaders to tackle economic challenges head-on. With a focus on innovative solutions for job creation, affordable housing, and equitable access to resources, the fellowship equips participants with essential skills and a supportive network. The initiative aims to drive systemic change and promote sustainable economic prosperity, addressing inequalities while fostering resilient communities across the nation.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The Perot-Fiero Foundation Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, aims to enhance community welfare by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations and churches in Macon-Bibb County. Focus areas include tutoring, meal programs, transportation, and assistance for the physically or mentally disabled. With a total of approximately $40,000 available per grant cycle, the fund seeks to empower local organizations committed to fostering strong, thriving communities through targeted philanthropic efforts.

The Rusty & Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship supports aspiring undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students from ASHRAE Region IV. This one-year scholarship is available to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or in the top 30% of their class, studying at accredited institutions with recognized ASHRAE student branches. The scholarship aims to foster the next generation of professionals dedicated to sustainable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions in the built environment.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project - Capital Grants Application Fall 2025 by the Open Space Institute aims to enhance conservation across the Appalachian Mountain region. With a focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and community benefits, this initiative supports the acquisition of land and conservation easements. As a vital climate refuge, the Appalachians play a crucial role in safeguarding habitats and providing public recreation opportunities for the 26 million residents living in this area.

The Rural Community Development Initiative Grants aim to support non-profit organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally recognized tribes in enhancing housing and community facilities. These grants can be utilized for training sub-grantees in homeownership and business entrepreneurship education, as well as providing technical assistance on strategic planning and alternative funding. Eligible recipients include public bodies and organizations in areas with populations under 50,000, ensuring community development in rural settings.

The J. Bulow Campbell Foundation, established in 1940, focuses on grantmaking in Atlanta and Georgia, prioritizing capital projects in education, youth development, human services, public spaces, and cultural institutions. With a legacy of over $800 million awarded, the Foundation reflects the values of its founder, J. Bulow Campbell, emphasizing careful stewardship and Christian principles. While open to neighboring states, grants are generally restricted to tax-exempt institutions, excluding individuals and certain funding purposes.

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Transformation Grants

Transformation Grants support individual instructors, teams of instructors, and entire departments, along with supporting professional staff, in replacing their existing commercial textbooks and materials in a specific course with no- or low-cost-to-students learning materials. These materials can include the following:

• Adoption, adaptation, and/or creation of Open Educational Resources (OER), such as open textbooks and ancillary materials.
• Adoption of library materials available in GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries at no additional cost to students.
• Adoption of no-cost materials outside of OER, such as freely available websites and multimedia.
• Adoption of low-cost materials, not exceeding $40.00 total per student.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

The James E. Huffer and Betty J. Huffer Foundation aims to support non-profit organizations that enhance community welfare through educational, artistic, and humanitarian initiatives. The foundation prioritizes multidisciplinary efforts that demonstrate a strong commitment to regional service and impactful contributions. Focus areas include arts, environmental stewardship, health sciences, and youth education. Organizations must confirm tax-exempt status and provide financial documentation to be considered for funding.

The Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, offered by the National Forest Foundation, invites graduate students to engage in hands-on conservation projects. This fellowship provides practical experience, mentorship from conservation professionals, and training in collaborative leadership. Fellows will gain a deep understanding of forest management and expand their professional networks. With a focus on developing future conservation leaders, the program seeks students passionate about public lands and community engagement.

The CFGA Extra Wish Grants, offered by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, aim to support nonprofit organizations in the metro Atlanta area by providing funding for specific needs beyond operating budgets. This initiative connects donors with impactful funding requests, enhancing the daily operations of small to mid-sized organizations. By addressing unique and tangible items, the Extra Wish program fosters equity and prosperity in the region, empowering nonprofits to make a significant difference.

The Alice Huffard Richards Fund provides environmental grants aimed at conserving and stewarding the natural resources of the West Georgia Region. The fund supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits engaged in river monitoring, recycling projects, and community education initiatives. Grants are specifically for projects in Carroll, Haralson, or Heard counties, promoting environmental awareness and community engagement to protect local ecosystems. This initiative empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to their environment.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, provides formula funds to support gun violence reduction programs and initiatives. For this project, grant funds can be used by eligible entities to expand the capacity of existing accountability courts to assist participants who may be most likely to become involved with violent crime and support the implementation of peer support programming, which is a vital part of the continuum of care for efforts to combat the effects of violence. Funding will specifically support the implementation (including specialists’ certifications and training) of peer support programming, which is a vital part of the continuum of care for efforts to combat the effects of gun violence.Applicants are limited to units of local government in the State of Georgia to apply on behalf of accountability courts that provide criminal justice and civil proceeding services to communities within Georgia. Priority consideration will be given to 1) existing recipients under the FY 2022-2023 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant or 2) those that meet the less-than-$10K eligibility criteria. 

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Continuous Improvement Grants

Continuous Improvement Grants support projects that increase the sustainability of open educational resources through the creation of new open materials, the revision of existing open materials, and new research regarding the use of open materials in instruction.

Continuous Improvement Creation and Revision Projects include:

• Revision of OER used in existing courses
• Creation of ancillaries for existing OER courses
• Replacement of current OER in courses with new/improved OER

For the purposes of this grant, we define a substantial improvement and/or adaptation as the major adaptation and/or improvement of a resource through updates for accuracy, accessibility, clarity, design, and formatting. We define ancillary materials as any materials created to support substantially the instruction of a course using an existing OER.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) supports postdoctoral fellows and research trainees in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, facilitating their transition to independent research roles at extramural institutions. Key deadlines for applications include October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others, providing ample opportunity for qualified investigators to advance their careers.

The HOPE Career Grant supports Georgia residents enrolled in approved certificate or diploma programs at eligible institutions. Available to those receiving the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant, this funding aims to alleviate educational costs for students in critical career fields identified as vital for the state's economic growth. The grant is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which has been facilitating access to education since 1965.