Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Minnesota Department of Education is offering grants for remodeling, constructing, or repurposing gender-neutral single-user restrooms. This initiative supports safe and healthy school environments, aiming for improved accessibility and student health. Grant amounts can reach up to $150,000, with a maximum of $75,000 allocated per site. At least 80% of funds must be dedicated to restroom projects, while 20% may be used for engagement and implementation activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to student safety.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 1, provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, offers grants up to $5,000 to support arts organizations with an operating budget of $0 - $74,999. This funding aims to enhance Minnesotans' access to the arts through operational support, organizational capacity efforts, and diverse arts programming in the 9-county region of southcentral Minnesota.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 2, offered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, provides up to $10,000 to arts organizations within a 9-county area in southcentral Minnesota. This grant supports operational costs, enhances organizational capacity, and funds arts programming, ensuring equitable access to diverse art forms for the community. It specifically targets organizations with annual budgets between $75,000 and $199,999, promoting sustainable arts initiatives that enrich local culture.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 3, offered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, provides up to $15,000 for arts organizations with an annual operating budget of $200,000 or more. This funding aims to enhance access to the arts in a 9-county area of southcentral Minnesota, supporting operational needs, organizational capacity, and arts programming. Eligible projects may include staff support, facility improvements, or programming events, fostering a vibrant arts community.

The Excellence in Education Teacher Mini-Grant Program, provided by the Siouxland Community Foundation, aims to enhance educational quality for children in Siouxland. Grants of up to $500 for individual teachers and $1,000 for teams support innovative classroom projects that improve student learning. This initiative addresses the critical role of teachers in fostering student success by offering funding for resources often unavailable through traditional channels, thus promoting creativity and engagement in education.

The Joan Mitchell Fellowship supports 15 US-based artists in painting and sculpture with $60,000 over five years. It offers crucial financial resources, skills development, and community building. The fellowship also includes workshops, consultations, and opportunities for residencies, particularly for those in their fourth year or beyond. The program emphasizes diversity, encouraging nominations from underrepresented artists to foster a rich cultural discourse in the arts.

Virginia Natural Gas is committed to supporting organizations that assist transitioning military personnel and disabled veterans through its Military and Veterans Grant. This initiative reflects the company's dedication to community service and employee involvement, aiming to make a significant impact in the lives of those who have served. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities and operate within the service area of Virginia Natural Gas, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need.

The 1st Year Teaching Learning Community Fellowship at Montana State University provides a $5000 housing grant for first-time, full-time undergraduate students pursuing teaching degrees. This opportunity is aimed at Montana residents, especially those from rural high schools. Recipients must participate in community programming and enroll in specific education courses during their first year, fostering a supportive academic environment for future educators.

The Smith Family Foundation's Odyssey Award aims to drive innovation in biomedical research by funding high-risk, high-reward projects from junior investigators in Massachusetts. Launched in 2017, this initiative seeks to empower researchers to explore impactful ideas that could lead to breakthroughs in health care, particularly for underserved communities in Greater Boston. Institutions can submit up to two applications, fostering a competitive environment to support the brightest minds in science.

The BRAID Fellowship, initiated by Interfaith America, addresses rising prejudice in higher education by fostering a national network of undergraduate student leaders. This program empowers students to promote respect and cooperation across diverse backgrounds. Each fellow receives a $1,000 project award and a $2,000 stipend, along with opportunities for specialized training and community engagement. Through this initiative, Interfaith America commits to cultivating a diverse cohort that represents a wide range of religious and ideological perspectives.

About RRCF

Who We Are

Since 1999 we have been fostering philanthropy in South and East King County and acting as a connector around people, place and purpose. Our mission is to ignite the power of philanthropy – by connecting people, ideas and resources – to support and engage our community.

We partner with individual philanthropists and non-profit organizations to provide solutions to today’s challenges, so that together we can work toward our vision of a vibrant, equitable region where communities flourish and everyone thrives.

Scholarships

Helping to educate the next generation

The Renton Regional Community Foundation manages a number of scholarship funds and strongly supports your dream to pursue a post-secondary education. In 2025 we awarded $117,950 to 27 students. 

In 2026, 22 scholarships are provided due to the generosity of Renton Regional Community Foundation fund holders.

This scholarship was established in 2018 for the purpose of furthering the education and overall development of a student who has lost a parent prior to graduating high school.

The Twice is Nice Fund Grant, offered by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, aims to empower local nonprofits to support seniors in need. This grant encourages innovative proposals that address social determinants of aging, providing up to $25,000 for creative solutions. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Charlottesville area and demonstrate leadership, capacity, and community benefit in their proposals. Partnerships among organizations are encouraged to enhance effectiveness.

The AΩA Fellows in Leadership Program, established by the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, aims to cultivate leadership skills among mid-career medical professionals. Recipients receive $30,000 to develop a year-long project focused on enhancing their leadership capabilities. This initiative emphasizes servant leadership and innovative thinking, addressing the increasing complexities in healthcare. The program seeks to empower leaders who can effectively navigate the evolving landscape of medicine while promoting the core values of the AΩA society.

The Monroe Excellence in Education Fund, managed by The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, provides vital support to the Monroe School District. With over 700 charitable funds totaling more than $50 million, the foundation enhances the quality of life across nine counties in Southern Wisconsin. This fund plays a crucial role in funding educational programs that are not typically covered by tax revenue, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education for future success.

The Harry W. Clarke Memorial Scholarship Programs, established by friends to honor Harry Clarke's commitment to education, offers renewable scholarships for graduating seniors from public high schools in 29 westernmost counties of North Carolina. This initiative promotes access to accredited two-year community colleges for students, including those from specific academies and home schools. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, established in 1978, manages substantial assets to support educational opportunities and charitable endeavors in the region.

The Heffington Scholarship is a memorial fund honoring Nina Weintraub Heffington, established by her family and friends to support students from Cashiers and Highlands. This scholarship aims to empower local high school graduates and seniors who plan to pursue further education at accredited institutions. Nina's legacy of kindness and dedication to youth education lives on through this initiative, encouraging community engagement and academic achievement among the next generation.

The Akron Community Foundation's Community Fund Grants for Civic Affairs support nonprofits in Summit County to enhance community well-being through citizen engagement and quality-of-life programs. Grants promote organizational strength, systemic impact, accountability, and inclusiveness, ensuring that funded initiatives address immediate needs while fostering long-term improvements. Eligible applicants must be approved 501(c)(3) organizations serving the region, while ineligible requests include endowments, scholarships, and direct financial support to individuals.

The Rotary Club of Asheville Harry R. Morrill Scholarship supports high school seniors in Buncombe County pursuing higher education. Established by the Rotary Club, it aims to assist meritorious students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. Eligible candidates include those from local public, private, and homeschool settings. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit organization, manages this scholarship to enhance educational opportunities and foster a commitment to learning among youth in the region.

Wayne Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship benefits students who are children of employed or independent, exclusive sales representatives or insurance agents of Alfa Mutual Insurance Company or its insurance affiliates or subsidiaries. Awarding is based on academic achievement.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript

Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi

The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi manages 314 donor-established funds and has disbursed over $48 million to support more than 1,000 charitable organizations and activities recommended by its donors, as well as charitable programs established by the foundation. Established in 2002 with a generous grant from the Maddox Foundation, the Community Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization. The Foundation serves Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Yalobusha counties. 

Win Winogrond Memorial Scholarship

Mark Winogrond has established a scholarship in memory of his older brother, Henry “Win” Winogrond, Jr., who passed away in Clarksdale in 2014. The scholarship will help an outstanding graduate of Coahoma Community College to complete a four-year degree at a college of the recipient’s choice.

Win was a lifelong fan of the blues. In Clarksdale, he restored historic buildings as lodging for national and international travelers making pilgrimages to America’s “Home of the Blues”. Win served with distinction in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart as a decorated member of the Special Forces. He continued to assist the U.S. government throughout a long and distinguished career. He traveled to more than 300 counties. Win was buried, with an honor guard, at Arlington National Cemetery.

Wyndall Ivey Scholarship

The scholarship has been established in memory of Attorney Wyndall Ivey, a 1992 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School (Lanier Academic Motivational Program), the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington and Lee University School of Law. Eligible applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and plan to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript, Essay and References

Tommy C. Turner Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established to benefit graduating seniors of any Elmore County high school who attend a school that is part of The University of Alabama system (e.g., The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama in Huntsville or The University of Alabama at Birmingham). Scholarships may be renewed annually. The criteria considered are the applicant’s need, academic performance and ability.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript, Essay, References, Copy of IRS 1040A or 1040EZ and Interview

The Built to Play Skatepark Grants, funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation, aim to support the creation of free, public skateparks in low-income communities across Southeast Michigan and Western New York. With grants up to $250,000, the program emphasizes community involvement, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. It prioritizes projects designed by experienced contractors that engage local skaters in leadership roles. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles and combating childhood obesity through active play.

Bailey and Friends Grant

Financial support from Bailey and Friends focuses on several categories including: spay/neuter, quality shelter care, adoptions and foster care, emergency relief, therapy/companion training, community education on responsible pet ownership and other programs to ensure that dogs and cats have the chance to live healthy, happy lives in stable environments.

Bailey and Friends strives to improve the lives of dogs and cats primarily in underserved communities and rural areas where services are limited. Small ‘mom & pop’ operations with limited capacity to provide needed services are encouraged to apply.

As a new extension of the Golisano Foundation, financial resources for grants are limited. Our average award is in the $5,000 – $10,000 range, however, smaller and larger grants will be considered. Please call the office for further discussion before starting the online application.

Applications for programs, capital projects or community planning initiatives related to the field of animal welfare will be given consideration.

Community-wide strategies involving alliances/coalitions/collaborations that bring together the expertise and perspectives of various stakeholders; that can identify and grow best practices and effective programs; that are easy to replicate and share broadly with other communities will be given consideration.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Teacher Awards recognize outstanding PK-12 teachers in Ohio, providing $7,500 awards to selected individuals nominated by their superintendents. Established in 1959, the foundation honors the legacy of Martha Holden Jennings by focusing on teachers and students often overlooked by philanthropic efforts. Winners are chosen by an educator committee and celebrated at an annual banquet, with additional nominees eligible for $1,000 Awards of Excellence.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation offers the Superintendent Award to honor outstanding Ohio superintendents. Established in 1959, the award recognizes the commitment of educators and supports public school leadership in Ohio. With a $10,000 grant payable to the winner's district, the award aims to highlight the importance of effective educational leadership. Nominees must have a minimum of five years of experience as a superintendent and hold a Master’s Degree and state certification, ensuring a high standard of excellence.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, established in 1959, is dedicated to supporting Ohio's public-school teachers and students. Through its Jennings - Fund for Teachers, the foundation offers grants up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for teams to foster innovative teaching solutions. The foundation emphasizes the importance of teachers addressing their own challenges and encourages proposals that empower students as changemakers in their communities, enhancing educational experiences and professional growth.