Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Tupo Pamoja Fund

The Tupo Pamoja Fund supports initiatives and organizations that benefit Black/African American communities in Stanislaus County. Grounded in resident-led decision making, the program is guided by a committee of Black/African American representatives who understand what investments will be most impactful in addressing the needs of their community.

Funding priorities for the 2026 grant cycle focus on:

• Programming dedicated to Black community building
• Education, including but not limited to:
  • K-12
  • Financial Literacy
  • Senior Education
  • Workforce Development
  • Health & Wellness

Up to $75,000 in grant funding will be awarded in the grant cycle. Funding requests may not exceed $10,000. If awarded, the award amount may vary. 

The FY2026 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) seeks to address the rapid spread of these invasive species in the Western United States. This funding opportunity aims to support proposals that align with the priorities established in QZAP 2.0, focusing on critical areas for prevention and control. Applications will only be accepted through grantsolutions.gov, and the initiative is limited to U.S. states within the Western Regional Panel.

The Cheerful Giver Scholarship, provided by the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, offers over $300,000 in financial support to students in the Greater Augusta County area pursuing health care-related education. This need-based scholarship is open to high school seniors, current college students, and adult learners, with a preference for those entering the nursing profession. The foundation aims to enhance community well-being through educational opportunities.

The Kentucky Pride Fund Composting Grant, established under Senate Bill 50, aims to support eligible applicants in diverting materials from landfills towards composting, reuse, or recycling. This initiative, part of the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Management Grants Program, encourages sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in Kentucky. By providing financial assistance, the grant fosters innovative solutions to waste management challenges, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable community.

The Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund aims to support emergency workers facing trauma and anxiety due to their roles. Established by the HealthWell Foundation, it provides financial assistance for treatment-related costs, including copayments for prescription drugs, counseling, and transportation. In 2024, the Foundation awarded over $1.2 billion to underinsured patients, ensuring no one is denied essential healthcare due to financial barriers. This initiative helps address the critical mental health needs of those who serve on the front lines.

The Empty Glass Beverage Transportation Grant Program aims to enhance the transport of empty glass beverage containers to processing facilities in California via rail. With an annual budget of $1,000,000 from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund, this program supports projects that improve rail transport efficiency, including equipment purchases, construction of new rail lines, and related personnel costs. Eligible projects must ensure operations are conducted by California-based businesses.

The Tire Incentive Program (TIP), managed by CalRecycle, incentivizes businesses to incorporate recycled crumb rubber into their products. By offering reimbursement for using crumb rubber instead of virgin materials, the program aims to boost demand for recycled materials and foster innovation in manufacturing. Eligible projects include new or improved products that utilize at least five percent crumb rubber. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also supports the development of higher-value products in the marketplace.

About Your United Way

Our Mission

United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley improves lives by uniting the helpers in our communities to advance the common good.

Our Vision

United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley will create a tangible impact on the health, education, and financial stability of our communities.

United Way Funding Process

United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley grants is how we invest local dollars in our communities to address specific community-centered issues. Funding decisions are made through an annual competitive application process.

Our grants are invested in high-performing nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services aligned with our four strategic priority areas of Education, Income (Financial Stability), Safety Net, and Health. Awardees help to improve community conditions across our regional footprint in the counties we serve: Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wood, and Wirt in WV, Athens, and Washington Counties in OH.

About the Emporia Community Foundation

Our Mission

To connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities within the Emporia area which includes Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

Sadie Jones Fund

The original focus of the Sadie Jones Fund was to provide for vision and hearing needs for individual children in Lyon and Chase counties. While the purpose has expanded, individual children are still eligible to receive assistance.

The Source Water Protection Assistance Program (SWPAP) aims to enhance public health by safeguarding drinking water supplies. It emphasizes the importance of protecting existing water sources over costly treatment solutions. Eligible applicants include public water systems and nonprofit organizations, while projects must focus on effective source water protection measures. The program encourages collaboration among various stakeholders to prevent contamination and improve water quality. Funding is available for projects that meet specific criteria, including timely completion and demonstrable impact.

The Little Falls/Morrison County Grant, established by the Laura Jane Musser Fund, aims to enhance community access and sustainability through support for nonprofit organizations in Morrison County, MN. Eligible organizations can apply for General Operating Support or Small Grants, with funding up to $10,000 for various projects. The grants prioritize measurable impacts in community engagement and organizational strength, ensuring that assistance is directed towards fostering meaningful community improvements.

The Circular Arizona Grant, formerly known as the Arizona Recycling Coalition, is a nonprofit initiative aimed at fostering an equitable circular economy in Arizona. With nearly $300,000 awarded since the 1990s, the program supports nonprofits, government agencies, and local businesses with grants up to $5,000. The focus is on measurable projects that enhance recycling efforts and reduce landfill waste, promoting sustainability and innovation throughout the state.

About VHCB

Our Mission

VHCB invests in the construction of affordable housing and conservation strategies that work together to ensure equity, resilience, and vitality for Vermont communities in perpetuity.

Water Quality Grants

The Farm & Forest Viability Program provides competitive, reimbursement-based grants of up to $50,000 to help Vermont farm businesses in water quality capital improvements. This program is funded by the State of Vermont Clean Water Budget, and there is approximately $750,000 in available funds in FY26.

Overview & Eligibility

Any Vermont farm with a gross farm income of $15,000 or more that is required to comply with Vermont’s Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) is eligible for this award. We will consider applications from non-farm entities playing an integral role in water quality management on farms, such as custom operators or non-profits. Please contact staff to ensure your entity is eligible prior to applying.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, boat launches, and campgrounds across more than 360,000 acres and welcomes more than 88 million people annually.

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

Parks and Trails Partnership Program

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with support from Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the twelfth round of competitive grants through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program. The program is administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP and DEC.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grant program is a $2.65 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, accessibility, maintenance and promotion of New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, diversity, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands. 

Eligible applicants must be registered nonprofits who have a formal memorandum or agreement with OPRHP or DEC.

Award Categories

There are four types of capacity-building grants available to eligible organizations through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program: Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants; Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants; Professional Development Grants; and Step-Up Grants.

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants strengthen the capacity and expertise of individual organizations that support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, in order to aid them in fulfilling their mission and to improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact.

A 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, boat launches, and campgrounds across more than 360,000 acres and welcomes more than 88 million people annually.

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

Parks and Trails Partnership Program

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with support from Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the twelfth round of competitive grants through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program. The program is administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP and DEC.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grant program is a $2.65 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, accessibility, maintenance and promotion of New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, diversity, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York’s state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands. 

Eligible applicants must be registered nonprofits who have a formal memorandum or agreement with OPRHP or DEC.

Award Categories

There are four types of capacity-building grants available to eligible organizations through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program: Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants; Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants; Professional Development Grants; and Step-Up Grants.

Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants

Stewardship and Public Access Capacity Grants may be used to assist organizations with the stewardship, interpretation, promotion, education, and public access of a New York State park, trail, historic site or DEC public land, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, which significantly enhances the organization’s visibility and capacity.

A 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey

Rural Health Transformation Program: Building Rural Hospital Capacity

The RHT Program is designed to provide funding for investments that will transform and sustain the way care is delivered in rural communities, specifically to improve access and outcomes, especially for individuals who are uninsured and underinsured. 

Scope of Work

The NJDOH’s Rural Health Transformation Program 2026: Building Rural Hospital Capacity focuses on increasing hospitals’ capacity to provide healthcare services to New Jersey’s rural population. The goal is to build long-term capabilities that will serve the target population for years, even after the program’s funding has ended. To achieve this goal, the program supports targeted initiatives that could include improvements in rural healthcare, workforce development and increased accessibility of healthcare services.

By increasing accessibility, supporting improvements and workforce development, the funding will help strengthen the overall health of rural New Jersey communities, in line with the DOH’s vision of making New Jersey the healthiest state in the union. 

Applicants are not required to serve exclusively uninsured or underinsured populations across their entire organization, and programs or positions supported by this grant may interact with or serve insured individuals. However, grant funds may not be used to pay for or support any services or activities that are reimbursable by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. 

The BCBSAZ Foundation for Community and Health Advancement supports charitable events that align with health improvement initiatives in Arizona. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and academic institutions. The foundation focuses on critical health issues such as mental health, chronic conditions, and health equity. Sponsorship applications must be submitted 60 days prior to the event date, with reviews conducted monthly. The foundation aims to enhance community health through strategic partnerships and impactful funding.

The Fleishhacker Foundation's Small Arts Grants program offers crucial financial support to small and mid-sized arts organizations in the Bay Area. Designed for nonprofits with budgets between $100,000 and $749,999, this program promotes the presentation of new works by local artists across various disciplines, including theater and visual arts. Grants, typically around $5,000, can be used for a range of operational costs, fostering creativity and cultural expression within communities.

The Community Benefit Initiative Reinvestment (CBIR) Grant is designed to enhance healthcare access in Eastern Oregon. Funded by the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, this initiative supports one-year projects focusing on specific healthcare improvements. Eligible applicants include various organizations like healthcare providers and food banks, addressing needs such as health technology and primary care access. Technical assistance is mandatory for all applicants. For more details, visit the EOCCO website.

The ME Project Canopy Assistance Grants support community forestry projects focused on tree planting and maintenance. Applicants, including local governments and non-profits, must attend a grant workshop prior to submission. The program emphasizes sustainable practices, enhancing community health, and improving air and water quality. A 50/50 matching requirement applies to federal funds, encouraging local financial commitment. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and share expertise for long-term forestry success in Maine.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Mental Health & Counseling Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in mental health and counseling:

• Programs and services that improve life for those with physical and mental challenges.
• We support programs that help students deal with a mental health diagnosis and life stressors, to help navigate the changes that occur during early childhood development through college.

The Policy Campaign Grants by the Deaconess Foundation empower organizations to drive systemic change through policy advocacy and grassroots efforts. With funding up to $100,000, these grants aim to support urgent campaigns that enhance voter engagement and community organizing. By strengthening local movements, the foundation seeks to address racial and structural inequities in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, fostering a path towards liberation and community well-being.

The William Penn Foundation aims to enhance caregiver support for 15,000 pregnant and parenting families in Philadelphia by 2035. The initiative recognizes the critical link between caregivers' well-being and children's development. It seeks to empower families through community-based programs that promote early learning and parenting skills. The focus includes vulnerable populations such as grandparents and immigrant families, ensuring access to resources that enable children to thrive. Progress will be measured through comprehensive grantee reporting.

The Anthony F. Cordeiro Charitable Foundation Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island that enhance the lives of families and children. Established in 2017, the foundation focuses on providing essential resources such as health services, mental health support, food, and shelter. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that align with the foundation's mission, ensuring no discrimination in hiring or service provision.

The OR Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program Mini-Grants, managed by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, offer up to $2,000 for projects that promote community engagement and volunteerism in fish habitat restoration, education, monitoring, fish culture, and research. To apply, contact your local STEP biologist and STAC member for guidance. The program aims to support initiatives that align with the goals of the STEP program while ensuring compliance with federal assistance regulations.

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation Grant supports community improvement projects in areas where Mr. Cheney's lumber company operated. Focused on one-time project grants, the foundation emphasizes sustainability and local support. Eligible applicants include public charities and government units primarily in Washington, Oregon, and California. The foundation prioritizes projects that invest in long-lasting community needs and demonstrate innovative solutions. Since 1975, it has supported over 1,200 organizations, making a significant impact in local communities.

The Ocotillo Wind Imperial Valley Fund aims to enhance the quality of life for Imperial Valley communities through various programs. It focuses on priorities such as civic engagement, economic development, youth education, disaster recovery, and health and wellness. The fund is open to impactful proposals that demonstrate relevance, measurable outcomes, and collaboration among stakeholders. Eligible applicants include 501c3 organizations and public institutions that serve the region, ensuring projects address community needs without discrimination.