Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Arthritis Foundation is inviting proposals for research aimed at understanding and predicting the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This includes identifying risk factors and mechanisms to prevent or slow the onset of RA. The program encourages innovative studies from early and mid-career investigators affiliated with U.S. institutions, with funding options that support both pilot and large research awards. The ultimate goal is to enhance outcomes for RA patients.

The Jack and Fay Netchin Medical Student Summer Fellowships, offered by the American Brain Tumor Association, provide $3,000 grants to medical students eager to engage in brain tumor research under the guidance of experienced mentors. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of neuro-oncology researchers, fostering a deeper commitment to advancing treatment and understanding of brain tumors for those affected by this challenging diagnosis.

Davie Community Foundation

Founded in 1988, Davie Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of Davie County residents, today and for generations to come.

Mission: The Davie Community Foundation inspires philanthropy to strengthen Davie County for present and future generations. Vision: We envision Davie County as a vibrant community where everyone can thrive!

Warren "Zip" Jones Grant

When Warren “Zip” Jones, former Davie Class of 1978 starting quarterback needed a double lung transplant, his friends raised funds to cover the cost. Sadly Jones died on September 7, 2009 before he was able to have the operation.

With the remaining funds, the Warren “Zip” Jones Fund was established to help Davie County residents experiencing an urgent financial need resulting from a critical, life threatening, and/or terminal illness.

The Coco Gauff Tennis Scholarship

The Coco Gauff Tennis Scholarship will provide a need-based scholarship of up to $8,500 to eligible HBCU student-athletes competing on their intercollegiate tennis teams. Awards will be issued in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Richard I. Stessel Waste Management Award, presented annually by the Air & Waste Management Association, honors outstanding achievements in waste management. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the science and practice of waste management, including technological advancements, waste regulation, and educational excellence. Named after Professor Richard I. Stessel, the award promotes innovative solutions for environmental sustainability, encouraging professionals to serve as role models in the field.

Mission

The Mission of the Muskingum County Community Foundation is to improve quality of life in the community by nurturing opportunities and serving needs through collaboration and philanthropy.

Vision

The Envisioned Future of the Muskingum County Community Foundation is that Muskingum County’s quality of life attracts organizations and people to pursue their dreams and practice their passions.

A. Porter Spirit of ZHS Fund

A long time teacher at Zanesville High School. As a new teacher ZHS embraced her and she embraced the Blue Devils. Annette Porter is a first generation college graduate from a single parent home. While her parents supported her decision to go to college, it was necessary to incur personal debt which was and is common. This scholarship is available to help those students who may need a little financial help to take the first step toward college, and also make the collegiate experience less burdensome.

Becoming a Blue Devil was a process. Annette had a lot of help along the way, from Principals, Asst Principals, teaching peers, friends and family, so in an effort to pay it forward she has created this scholarship. “ Everyone of my students had potential, the most difficult thing was to convince them to work toward achieving it”. This scholarship will be awarded to a Blue Devil, not necessarily the most “spirited” but the Best Blue Devil who demonstrated all of the qualities that make up a Blue Devil.

The Jean Theodore Lacordaire Prize, awarded by the Coleopterists Society, recognizes exceptional doctoral research in beetle biology and systematics. This annual prize is open to nominations for the best published paper derived from Ph.D. dissertations, focusing on Coleoptera. Eligible works must be published in widely available journals or books in any language using the Latin alphabet. Nominations are submitted by the scientific community, ensuring a prestigious selection process.

The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) program aims to enhance maternal health outcomes by providing technical assistance across all U.S. states and territories. This initiative focuses on implementing best practices to improve safety during childbirth, ultimately saving lives. By supporting jurisdictions and birthing facilities involved in AIM, the program seeks to promote quality improvements in maternal health care, ensuring safer births and better health for mothers and infants.

Ocean State Media Scholarship

The scholarship offers awards to residents of Ocean State Media’s demographic market area who demonstrate promise of a successful career in the fields of journalism and/or media.

Scholarship Award Details

Established by Rhode Island PBS in 2017, the Ocean State Media Scholarship offers awards to residents of the station’s demographic market area who demonstrate promise of a successful career in the fields of journalism and/or media. Awards of up to $15,000 will be awarded annually and are renewable for an additional three years.

The Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation's 'Transformation of Mental Health Care Program' seeks innovative research into improving mental health care access for children and adolescents, particularly from under-resourced backgrounds. Applications are invited for studies that build on promising pilot work, focusing on scalable delivery models and technology use. Eligible applicants are academic researchers based in the U.S. who can demonstrate rigorous research capabilities. The foundation plans to award up to two grants of $100,000 each year for two years.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund

The Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for high school seniors graduating from Allegheny County Schools who wish to major in visual, performance or media art.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Autism Care Today SOS Program is dedicated to providing immediate assistance to families affected by autism across the United States. Established in 2005, this program addresses urgent needs for effective treatments and services for autism spectrum disorders. Unlike typical grant cycles that may take up to 12 weeks, the SOS Program prioritizes those in critical situations, ensuring timely support based on available funding. Eligibility includes a family income below $45,000 and a demonstrated immediate need for treatment.

The Autism Care Today Grant provides vital funding assistance to families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders across the United States. Since its inception in 2005, it has supported over 1,562 families with more than $1.85 million in grants. The program focuses on enhancing the quality of life for children with autism through various initiatives, including safety measures, assistive technologies, and behavioral therapy funding, while also addressing the unique challenges faced by military families.

Casey's Cash for Classrooms Grants support K-12 public and nonprofit private schools through funding for physical improvements, material needs, teacher support, and community engagement. In 2025, $900,000 was awarded across 80 grants, allowing schools to enhance their learning environments. With a commitment to community engagement, Casey's has donated $15 million since 2019, emphasizing their dedication to making life better for communities and guests. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000, with funds required to be used within 12 months.

The OREF/Goldberg Arthritis Research Grant aims to support innovative research proposals focused on arthritis treatment, particularly arthroplasty. It seeks to foster new investigators by providing seed funding for projects that demonstrate clinical relevance and potential for practical application. Proposals must highlight their orthopaedic significance and aim to advance research that could lead to larger scale funding opportunities, enhancing the field of orthopaedics.

The Guy Bradley Award, established in 1988 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), honors individuals who have made significant contributions to wildlife law enforcement. Named after the first wildlife officer killed in the line of duty, this award recognizes the vital role of law enforcement agents in wildlife conservation. Eligible candidates include current and retired personnel from state and federal agencies who have demonstrated exemplary dedication to protecting wildlife and advancing enforcement goals.

The INCLUDE Project aims to enhance the health and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome by generating comprehensive genomic and multi-omics data. This initiative encourages applicants to submit samples to NIH-supported resources, facilitating the exploration of molecular mechanisms related to health conditions associated with Down syndrome. The data will be shared via the INCLUDE Data Hub, promoting collaboration within the research community, though no direct funding is available to applicants.

The Terry Linda Potter Scholarship, awarded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students from Northwest Ottawa County pursuing health-related degrees. Established in memory of Terry Linda Potter, this scholarship prioritizes financial need and academic performance. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to further education and submit necessary documentation, including transcripts and recommendation letters. This fund honors Terry's legacy, providing vital financial assistance to aspiring healthcare professionals in the Tri-Cities area.

The National Network of STI Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) aims to enhance the education and training of clinicians and disease intervention professionals in STI patient care. This initiative focuses on improving the ability of healthcare providers and systems to effectively diagnose, manage, and counsel individuals at risk for STIs, ultimately reducing morbidity and enhancing public health outcomes on both local and national levels.

The VFW Post 2326 Ward-Goff Memorial Scholarship, established by Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Ward and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goff, honors their sons who served in the Vietnam War. This scholarship provides financial assistance to children and grandchildren of active military personnel and veterans. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit necessary documents, including transcripts. The scholarship emphasizes financial need and aims to support outstanding students pursuing their educational goals.

The Abortion Bridge Collaborative Funds, initiated by the Women Donors Network, aim to enhance abortion access across the U.S. in response to the 2022 Dobbs decision. The fund prioritizes support for 501c3 organizations committed to reproductive justice, focusing on immediate community needs and sustainable solutions. Emphasizing grassroots leadership and innovative approaches, the fund seeks to build a robust infrastructure for reproductive care, ensuring equitable access for all individuals in need.

The B-Fund Grant by the Brem Foundation aims to enhance early detection of breast cancer by funding crucial screening and diagnostic tests for women in need. This initiative supports entities in the DC metro area, providing financial assistance for services like mammograms and ultrasounds, while ensuring equitable access regardless of socio-economic status. However, it excludes costs related to post-diagnosis care, employee salaries, and administrative expenses, promoting targeted and effective use of funds in the fight against breast cancer.

The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, established in 1988, supports photography programs at museums and public institutions. It promotes photography's recognition alongside other art forms and contributes to HIV/AIDS medical research. Notably, it has funded major galleries and initiatives, donating significant collections to renowned museums. The Foundation aids curators in developing photography exhibitions and provides financial support for acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications, ensuring Mapplethorpe's artistic legacy endures.

"Slipperman” Music Scholarship in Memory of Timothy J. Gilles

The “Slipperman” Music Scholarship in Memory of Timothy J. Gilles recognizes the hard-working graduates of Herkimer and Oneida counties pursuing their secondary education in a music-related field.

Candidates are identified by Utica Dollars for Scholars.

Fred W. Homann Jr. Research and Education Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to Marshall area residents or former graduates pursuing higher education in the health sciences with preference given to applicants with a particular interest in research/preventative medicine. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA average in their previous year of education, whether it be high school or college, or postgraduate. Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years. 

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Amy & Hank Stockton Scholarship

The Amy and Hank Stockton Scholarship benefits graduating high school seniors who attend public high schools in Napa County and will be pursuing post-secondary education in a trade, technical or vocational school, community college, or four-year college/university. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply; scholarship funding may not exceed 4 years of support.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Shelby County Youth Soccer Scholarship

Selection based upon (in order of priority): 

• Soccer involvement as a player, referee, and/or coach, demonstrated passion for soccer, a recommendation letter from a soccer coach or soccer mentor is REQUIRED, and an additional essay of no less than 100 words and no more than 200 words on a designated topic.

Awards

• Two $1,000 scholarships – One to a male applicant and one to a female applicant.