Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The RWA Perseverance Fund, administered by the Romance Writers of America (RWA), supports members in financial need for their annual national dues. RWA, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to advancing the interests of romance writers through advocacy and networking. The fund is available to applicants who can demonstrate financial need and commitment to a career in romance writing. Eligibility includes submitting proof of work, while ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all members.

The OSCT: Helen A. Marandola Award, provided by the Ocean State Charities Trust, aims to enhance the quality of life for Rhode Islanders by supporting charitable organizations. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) entities operating in Rhode Island for at least two years. The Trust focuses on promoting social welfare, particularly in health, education, and housing. Grants are awarded semi-annually, with a maximum of $20,000 per application, and a strict policy on funding histories and operational costs.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation

We support our community by connecting people to resources. From grants, loans, and scholarships to business consulting and local giving, we’re here to guide and support donors and recipients alike.

Bemidji Area Arts Endowment

Nonprofits a 30-mile radius of Bemidji, Minnesota may apply for grants of up to $1,500 to support art-related projects. Grants are designed to foster and support artistic endeavors that enrich the local community and enhance cultural experiences.

The Community Outreach Grants by The Children's Trust aim to empower community partners by supporting programs that benefit children and families in Miami-Dade County. These grants typically offer funding under $10,000 for events that connect families with essential resources and learning opportunities, aligning with the organization's strategic framework. This initiative fosters partnerships and outreach efforts to enhance community engagement and support.

The Women’s Fund of Door County Community Grants support initiatives that empower women and girls through education, self-esteem building, and addressing critical issues with research-based solutions. Charities serving this demographic in Door County are encouraged to apply, especially those focusing on inclusivity and innovative approaches. With no set grant limits, the program typically awards around $5,000 per grant cycle, promoting lasting impacts within the community.

Butler Kahn’s “Make-the-World-Better” Scholarship

This scholarship is open to any student who is currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program anywhere in the world. This includes accredited community college students, high school seniors, and students who possess a GED who have been accepted or enrolled into an accredited program.

Awards

• $1,000 Scholarship Amount
• $500 2nd Place Award

The New Glarus Excellence in Education Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, supports the New Glarus School District with private resources. This endowment fund enhances educational opportunities beyond the standard budget, ensuring quality education for current and future students. Donations are welcome year-round and are tax-deductible, making a meaningful impact on the community. Grants are awarded annually for special projects that enrich the learning environment.

The WV Culture: Professional Development for Artists grant offers up to $5,000 to support professional and emerging artists in expanding their work or sharing their expertise. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public educational institutions, and arts programs that serve the broader community in West Virginia. Organizations must meet specific tax-exempt criteria and demonstrate the capacity for matching funds to qualify for this grant, promoting community engagement through the arts.

The William E. Barto Scholarship Fund, established in 1995, honors the legacy of William E. Barto, a former Navy serviceman and artist. This fund provides $4,000 annually for up to four years, supporting students pursuing a degree in the Arts. Eligible applicants must be graduates from select high schools in northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need. The fund is managed by Boreal Waters Community Foundation.

The Visual Arts Fellowships offered by the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown provide emerging artists with a unique seven-month residency program. Located near the Cape Cod National Seashore, the program supports ten artists with living and work space, along with a modest stipend. This opportunity allows fellows to create independently while engaging with a vibrant and supportive community of peers, fostering artistic growth and collaboration.

First Generation College Scholarship

Taos Community Foundation is offering a premier scholarship award to High School Graduates from Taos County wishing to pursue advancement of higher education. This scholarship is to enable a student as a first- generation learner in their family to seek higher education.

The First Generation College Scholarship is a comprehensive college scholarship that pays towards the costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies. It is a supplemental or last dollar scholarship and therefore secondary to all other grants /scholarships awarded to the scholar. After considering the student’s other community or academic institutional awards, the First Generation Scholarship Fund will pay toward the remaining costs of the scholar’s education. The amount of the scholarship is unique to each scholar and can vary from year to year, and could be up to an annual award of $15,000.00 per year for 4 years.

This is a 4 year award provided a 3.0 GPA is maintained during the award period and that all required paperwork is submitted in accordance with the Scholarship Agreement that will be presented at the time of selection.

This scholarship also allows for students to enroll at a University that is part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), as administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (www.wiche.edu). This regional tuition-reciprocity agreement enables students from WICHE states to enroll in some 145 participating public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition.

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 Arkansas Historic Marker Program Grants, initiated by the Division of Arkansas Heritage in 2017, aim to preserve and promote Arkansas's cultural and historic resources. By commemorating significant people, places, and events, the program fosters community engagement and educates the public about local history. Markers serve as lasting tributes to Arkansas's heritage, with a focus on both statewide and local histories, ensuring that the state's rich narrative is acknowledged and celebrated.

The Mineral Point Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2016, is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities within the Mineral Point School District. Managed by a local advisory board, this fund supports programming beyond the school's budget, ensuring students receive quality education. The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin oversees this initiative, emphasizing community investment in education for future generations. Contributions to this fund empower innovative educational experiences that are not typically covered by tax dollars.

Friedman Family Scholarship

The Friedman Family Scholarship was established in 1998. The award is available to graduating seniors in Taos and western Colfax counties for students pursuing advancement of higher education. The scholarship is available to those applying to 4 year colleges and universities as well as 2 year vocational/trade schools. The award is up to $ 8,000.00 paid out at $2,000 annually for up to four years if a 3.0 GPA is maintained.

The Hillsboro Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2012, provides essential support for educational programming outside the Hillsboro School District's budget. Managed by a local advisory board, this fund enhances educational opportunities for students in the district. It serves as a critical resource, enabling innovative programming that isn't typically covered by tax dollars, thus investing in the future of Southern Wisconsin's youth.

The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant, provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, supports the restoration of properties listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places and cemeteries on the National Register. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, requiring a cash match for funding. The program emphasizes maintaining historical integrity and promotes community engagement through revitalization efforts, ensuring that Arkansas's cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Broadband Ready Communities (BBRC) Program

The Broadband Ready Communities (BBRC) Program seeks to increase opportunities for investment in broadband infrastructure deployment within municipalities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This program will work to reduce procedural, policy, and permitting barriers to broadband deployment at the municipal level and to encourage broadband infrastructure investment within participating communities.

A participating municipality can register for the program on a rolling basis.

The Black Hawk Excellence in Education Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, enhances educational programming beyond the Belmont school district budget. It addresses state funding cuts, empowering teachers and students to innovate in teaching and learning. By investing in this fund, donors support quality education and ensure resources for programs typically not covered by tax dollars, benefiting current and future generations in Southern Wisconsin.

The Next Gen North Early Childhood Development Grant, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides $7,500 to support initiatives addressing early childhood development issues in New Castle County. This grant invites nonprofits to apply, focusing on equity and community-based philanthropy. It aims to foster opportunities for vulnerable families in Delaware while ensuring that funded programs do not discriminate based on race, religion, or other factors. Nonprofits are encouraged to submit proposals that align with these goals.

The AIE Arts Curriculum Project, funded by the Arkansas Heritage, aims to enhance arts education in schools across Arkansas. By providing mini-grants, the project supports initiatives that integrate arts into curricula, fostering creativity and innovation among students. The Arkansas Arts Council, established in 1966, ensures that local artists engage with students, promoting equitable access to arts education. This initiative not only enriches the educational landscape but also strengthens community ties through cultural engagement.

The LGBTQ Health & Wellness Fund RFP aims to enhance health equity for LGBT individuals in South Florida by funding initiatives that address their specific health and wellness needs. This program supports organizations dedicated to closing health disparities caused by social stigma and discrimination. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) non-profits, focusing on LGBTQ populations, and should propose interventions aligned with the Health Promotion Research Report. The goal is to foster healthier, happier lives for the LGBT community.

The ADEAGies Foundation Grant supports oral health innovations and the development of future leaders in academic dentistry. Funded by the ADEAGies Foundation, the program offers annual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for various dental programs and initiatives. The Board of Trustees evaluates proposals each March, aiming to fully fund as many projects as possible while reserving the right to offer partial funding. Grants are awarded annually to qualifying organizations.

TCF Teacher Mini Grant

Taos Community Foundation offers this competitive mini grant cycle to teachers and school professionals working with students in Taos and western Colfax counties.

Taos Community Foundation is proud to support local public school teachers and educators. We appreciate your hard work in making this community thrive! This year, teacher mini grants are open to all educators in Taos county. Any school personnel who work directly with students – teachers, counselors, librarians, etc, may apply for grants up to $200.

This supplemental grant is intended for educational projects, and does not fund operational or capital expenses. 

Women Give Taos (WGT) Grant

Nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in Taos and Western Colfax Counties are invited to apply for the Women Give Taos (WGT) grant cycle. This funding is designed to support an impactful and transformative project or an enhancement of service proposal, while meeting WGT funding priorities.

Taos Community Foundation (TCF) is dedicated to strengthening our region, ensuring Taos and western Colfax counties are vibrant places for all. Our mission is rooted in connection—supporting local nonprofits, addressing urgent needs, and fostering a spirit of generosity that unites us.

Women Give Taos (WGT), a giving circle of Taos Community Foundation, brings women together from across our community to step forward and engage in collective giving and grantmaking. The mission of WGT is to unite women as leaders and change agents while creating opportunities for families in Taos and western Colfax counties.

Through an annual $20,000 grant to a local nonprofit, Women Give Taos helps families in need while empowering each other to create positive change through local solutions.

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Barbara Hammerberg Memorial Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships to students in Marquette and Delta Counties for post-secondary education. 

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Gwinn Community Schools Alunni Scholarship

Be a graduating senior of Gwinn Area Community Schools pursuing higher education and are residents of the Gwinn Area School District and hold at least a 3.0 GPA.

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)