Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

The Pat and John MacTavish Fund, established in 2007 by John Mac Tavish in memory of his wife Pat, provides scholarships aimed at encouraging young women to pursue higher education in the hard sciences. Awarded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, scholarships are competitive and based on criteria such as financial need and academic achievement. Applicants from Northern Ottawa County or specific school districts are eligible. The fund emphasizes the importance of education in fields such as math, chemistry, and computer science.

The Cecelia Springmeyer Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation, aims to support North and South Decatur students pursuing post-secondary education in law enforcement, criminal justice, animal husbandry, agronomy, or teaching. Applicants must reside within the Decatur County Community Schools district and may receive a minimum scholarship of $1000 to ease their educational costs. For more details, visit ndsdscholarships.com.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation offers the Environment and Land Use Grants to support nonprofit projects that promote environmental education, protection, and sustainability within the Lake Charlevoix Watershed. This initiative encourages collaboration and innovative approaches to community needs, fostering long-term positive impacts. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits, government units, and educational institutions that serve the Charlevoix County area. The Foundation prioritizes well-planned proposals that align with community goals and benefit natural resources.

Mission Statement

Beckley Area Foundation exists to inspire and facilitate generous charitable giving that advances our community.

The Beckley Area Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities across Southern West Virginia.

Scholarship

Supporting Student Success

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Margaret Thorne-Dilley Scholarship for Science Teachers Scholarship

Eligibility

Equally weighted as a need and merit based award for a Raleigh County high school graduate with a 3.5 cumulative GPA; Pursuing baccalaureate degree in education at an accredited institution; Preference will go to students pursuing a science field including the biological, physical and natural sciences. If none apply with the preferences listed, mathematics will also be considered.

The Menasha Corporation Foundation, established in 1953, supports nonprofit organizations across North America, focusing on community betterment, education, environmental sustainability, and health initiatives. Grants are awarded to projects that enhance the lives of individuals and strengthen communities, particularly in areas where Menasha Corporation operates. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and prioritize non-public funding. The foundation also encourages involvement from Menasha Corporation employees in supported projects.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants to nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building projects and essential equipment, requiring recipients to cover at least 50% of costs. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tribal entities. Priority is given to projects enhancing community services, education, and environmental stewardship, supporting initiatives that foster human flourishing and demonstrate diversified funding.

The Zimmerman, Edward and Beverly Memorial Scholarship Fund offers $1,000 to West Noble High School seniors pursuing higher education at a college or university, with priority given to those demonstrating community service and maintaining a GPA between 2.50 and 3.00. Preference is also given to students studying agriculture, education, social work, or accounting. This scholarship reflects the values of its donors, Edward and Beverly, who were dedicated community members and supporters of local education.

The Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation Grant supports a range of subjects including education, children's welfare, medical care, medical research, and Jewish philanthropic endeavors. Established in honor of Cindy Silvian, the foundation has awarded over $30 million since 2008. Applications are by invitation only, and organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria to be considered for funding. This year, the foundation allocated over $2.4 million to more than 110 organizations, highlighting its commitment to impactful philanthropy.

The Strategic Projects: Capital Grants by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust offer vital funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. These grants support transformative projects that enhance community well-being through construction, renovation, and infrastructure investments. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities. The Trust emphasizes projects that demonstrate strong community impact and funding diversification, ensuring sustainable growth and lasting benefits for the communities served.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Creating Equitable Pathways to STEM Graduate Education initiative aims to foster partnerships between Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and graduate programs to enhance equitable learning environments. Grants of up to $500,000 will support projects addressing systemic barriers, promoting effective practices, and ensuring seamless transitions from MSIs to advanced degrees in various STEM fields. The initiative seeks to create lasting impacts on student access and success in graduate education.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Creating Equitable Pathways to STEM Graduate Education initiative aims to foster partnerships between Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and graduate programs. By addressing barriers in graduate education, the initiative seeks to promote equitable learning environments. Planning grants will support collaborations that assess needs and develop systemic changes to enhance pathways for students in STEM fields, ensuring that all students can thrive in their academic pursuits.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's initiative, "Creating Equitable Pathways to STEM Graduate Education: Seed," aims to enhance graduate education access for students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The program provides grants of up to $500,000 to foster partnerships between MSIs and various higher education institutions. Projects should focus on overcoming barriers to success in graduate studies, including recruitment and admission processes, thereby promoting equitable learning environments in STEM fields.

The ISF Social Justice Short Film Grant supports emerging Muslim filmmakers in creating impactful short narrative or documentary films that address social justice issues. Launched in 2014 by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, this program aims to raise awareness and provoke dialogue about inequality and oppression. With a total of $625,000 awarded, the grant offers funding along with mentorship and networking opportunities to enhance storytelling and community impact.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

David W. Moore Memorial Scholarship

Open to graduating seniors from Atwater, Golden Valley and Oakdale pursuing a degree in agriculture, ag-related fields, animal science or teaching or primary healthcare. Students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement and have a 2.5+ GPA.

Award Amount:

• $2,500

The Responsive Grants program by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area aims to support transformative charitable projects across various sectors including arts, education, and health. Open to eligible nonprofit organizations, the program provides funding for both existing and new initiatives with a focus on sustainable impact. Priority is given to proposals that align with the foundation's mission and demonstrate organizational capacity, ensuring community needs are effectively addressed.

The ISF Documentary Film Grant supports emerging Muslim filmmakers creating impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Established in 2014, this grant has allocated $625,000 to over 111 filmmakers, focusing on projects in production or post-production. It offers funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, emphasizing journalistic integrity and originality. Eligible projects must depict American Muslim themes and be consistent with ISF's mission of using art to influence public policy and opinion.

The ISF Impact Campaign Grant supports completed short or feature-length films that aim to create a positive societal impact through outreach and community engagement. This grant is available to all filmmakers, focusing on projects that depict American Muslim narratives. Recipients will receive funding along with mentorship to enhance their impact campaigns, which must include a comprehensive proposal detailing goals and success metrics.

The Michael Gregory Boyd Scholarship, offered by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, supports high school seniors from Troy-area schools who aim to pursue higher education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community service and belong to the African American or African descent groups. This scholarship opens doors for students seeking 2- or 4-year college programs or technical training, fostering educational growth and community involvement.

The ISF Distribution Grant, offered by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, aims to support emerging Muslim filmmakers in distributing completed narrative and documentary films. Launched in 2014, the program fosters positive storytelling about the Muslim community. Grant recipients receive funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance their projects. With over $625,000 awarded to date, this initiative emphasizes the importance of showcasing diverse narratives through festival submissions and digital platforms, ensuring broader audience engagement.

The Russell Sage Foundation offers Dissertation Research Grants to support innovative research addressing key social science questions. Focus areas include behavioral science, immigration, and economic inequality, particularly benefiting underrepresented doctoral students. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for projects that demonstrate rigorous methods and relevance to U.S. social conditions. The foundation prioritizes diverse applicants and those lacking funding resources to ensure impactful research outcomes.

The James A. and Faith Knight Foundation Grant Program, established in 1999, focuses on enhancing community support in Jackson and Washtenaw Counties, Michigan. It prioritizes general operating support for nonprofits, aims to protect the natural world, and advocates for women and girls' empowerment. The foundation underscores the importance of sound financial practices, governance, and diversity in grantmaking, fostering trust between funders and grantees while addressing critical societal issues.

The Herbert Family Foundation Grant focuses on philanthropic efforts that promote healing and fight hunger. Founded by Jim and Judi Herbert, both Distinguished Alumni of the University of Tennessee, the foundation supports health and food charities. It aims to advance medical research, education, and hunger relief initiatives, emphasizing sustainable practices and nutritional assistance. The foundation's mission reflects its commitment to impactful charitable causes that resonate personally with the founders.

GardenScape Professional Association/Ted Burnett Memorial Scholarship

To award scholarships to residents of the Genesee-Finger Lakes region who are students of horticulture/landscaping.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $1,000; paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Osborn scholarship

The Osborn scholarship is for BIPOC students with demonstrated financial need, who are enrolled in or planning to pursue an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in landscape architecture or civil engineering. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated a commitment to developing public infrastructure and/or public places in the State of Washington. The intention of the scholarship is to create opportunities for those who have faced historic barriers to access to these professions in the United States. The scholarship founders believe that the design challenges of the 21st century require diverse voices to solve. They look forward to the stronger design solutions to which future scholarship recipients will contribute. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the grit, resiliency and aptitude that is necessary for success in these professions. This may be demonstrated by any combination of at least two of the following characteristics: overcame a significant personal challenge to maintain at least a B average at school, honor roll grade point average, demonstrated ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, demonstrated service contributions to their community.

Awards

• $5,000 - $10,000