Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Muskegon County Michigan State University Alumni Association Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Muskegon County MUS Alumni Association, which established the Muskegon County MUS Alumni Association Scholarship of the Muskegon County Community Foundation. This scholarship encourages Muskegon-area students who have graduated from Muskegon Community College to transfer to Michigan State University.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Margaret A. Wright Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Margaret Wright, who established the Margaret A. Wright Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Margaret worked as a secretary for the Norge Corporation, the County of Muskegon and Muskegon Construction. She enjoyed sewing, ice skating and exercising at the Y. When she passed, she left a gift through her estate to create a scholarship fund that will support will support Muskegon County graduates that are pursuing a specific trade or skill.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Muskegon Eagles / Monsignor Kehren Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Muskegon Eagles, Chapter 668, and Monsignor Kehren, who established the Muskegon Eagles Monsignor Kehren Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Monsignor Kehren served St. Mary's Church in downtown Muskegon for many years. When he died, Chapter 668 of the Muskegon Eagles established this in his honor. The award is supported through an annual bowling tournament held by the Eagles. Thanks to their generosity, the spirit of Monsignor Kehren endures as part of the Muskegon community, granting the lasting gift of education to the youth of Muskegon County.

The Connecticut Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program provides vital technical and financial support to local communities facing urgent threats from natural disasters such as floods and fires. This program, managed by the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service, enables swift action without the need for a formal disaster declaration. Eligible sponsors can initiate projects focused on restoring watershed health, ensuring safety, and enhancing community resilience against future environmental hazards.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Muskegon Surgical Associates Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Muskegon Surgical Associates, P.C., who established the Muskegon Surgical Associates Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The doctors in this surgical group wanted to fulfill their corporate responsibility and contribute back to the community. This scholarship award is for medical school students.

The Women’s and Girls’ Fund Grant, supported by Kern Community Foundation, aims to empower women and girls in Kern County through educational initiatives. With at least $80,000 allocated for 2024, the fund prioritizes requests that enhance educational attainment and address critical needs. The focus for 2021-2025 is Education, promoting awareness and advocacy among women to foster positive social change. This grant encourages long-term solutions to societal challenges faced by women and girls in the community.

The Small Grants program, administered by the Community Foundation of Howard County, offers funding for one-time opportunities and short-term crises. Grants up to $5,000 are available on a rolling basis, emphasizing emergency requests. Organizations may receive only one grant per year, ensuring that funds support projects with high community visibility and responsible financial management. This initiative aims to address immediate needs while promoting sustainability in local nonprofits.

The Dog Field Trips/Short-Term Fostering Grant from the Petfinder Foundation aims to support organizations in purchasing essential supplies for short-term foster and dog field-trip programs. Grants ranging from $500 to $1000 are awarded monthly until funds are depleted. Eligible organizations must be Petfinder members in good standing, provide contact information, and submit a grant report post-funding. This initiative helps ensure that adoptable pets do not face euthanasia due to a lack of resources.

The Survey and Planning Grants program, managed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, offers funding ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for various historic preservation projects. Eligible activities include historic designation reports, municipal preservation planning, and pre-development studies. Applications can be submitted anytime, and grants are awarded during monthly meetings of the Historic Preservation Council. It is essential to contact the funder to discuss project eligibility and funding availability before applying.

Drug Checking Technologies Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services invites agencies currently participating in the DHS Naloxone Direct Program to apply to receive drug checking technologies at no cost for community distribution. The drug checking technologies available through this program include fentanyl test strips, fentanyl test strip kits, xylazine test strips, and xylazine test strip kits. 

Background

Drug checking technologies are an evidence-based method to prevent overdose deaths by educating people about the substances they are using.

Program overview

This DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program will provide:

• Test strips packaged in boxes of 100.
• Test strip kits individually packaged in a plastic zip bag with three fentanyl test strips or xylazine test strips, three mixing cups, three sterile waters, and three 10 mg scoops. 

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Nan Riekse Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Nan Riekse, who established the Nan Riekse Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Nan Riekse has a lofty dream; it is her desire to inspire. By establishing the Nan Riekse Scholarship and the Nan Riekse Donor Advised Funds, she has taken an important step toward realizing her dream. Her Scholarship will support non-traditional students attending Muskegon Community College who have financial need. Her scholarships will target adult women who may be attending school after raising their children or perhaps rebuilding their lives following a divorce. The Donor Advised Fund will be used to benefit local churches and a senior care center. Nan is an outstanding example of the "Power of One".

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is set to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for randomized controlled trials examining the long-term effects of nutritional interventions on risk factors for age-related chronic conditions. This initiative seeks to enhance understanding of how various dietary practices can influence health throughout the life span, emphasizing the need for studies with at least five years of follow-up. Researchers are encouraged to prepare collaborative proposals in response to this upcoming funding opportunity.

The PLTW Gateway grant, funded by PPG Industries, aims to support schools in implementing PLTW Gateway programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Schools must offer two different PLTW units over two years and complete grant reporting. Eligible schools include public and charter institutions in cities like Huntsville, AL, and Detroit, MI. The total grant amount is $10,000, distributed equally over two years, enabling schools to enhance their STEM education offerings.

The EQT Foundation offers the PLTW Launch grant to support schools in expanding their existing PLTW Launch programs. Eligible schools must actively participate in PLTW Launch and can utilize the funds for program enhancements, such as adding new modules or training more teachers. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities in STEM for students in specific counties of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, ensuring broader access to innovative learning.

The PLTW Launch - New Program grant, provided by the EQT Foundation, aims to support schools in implementing PLTW Launch programs for the upcoming academic year. Eligible public and charter schools in Greene and Fayette Counties, PA, and Marshall and Wetzel Counties, WV, can apply for funding to cover participation fees, required technology, and necessary training expenses. This initiative will enhance STEM education and prepare students for future careers.

The Madison Rotary Foundation's Student Veterans Assistance Fund supports veterans in need of financial aid for urgent living expenses. Established by generous donations, this fund assists eligible veterans, including those enrolled in local colleges, with housing, utilities, medical costs, and textbooks. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including residency and service requirements, to qualify for this one-time grant. This initiative honors the sacrifices of veterans and aims to ease their financial burdens during their educational pursuits.

The Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation invites applications for the RFP- Improving Instructional Quality in Hawaii’s Independent Preschools. This initiative seeks to enhance early education quality through adherence to NAEYC standards, focusing on relationships, curriculum, teaching, and assessment. Grants totaling $200,000 will be awarded primarily to 501(c)(3) organizations within Hawaii, emphasizing the importance of collaborative partnerships and community engagement to foster equitable educational opportunities for children aged 0-5.

The Limited Competition grant supports High Impact Specialized Innovation Programs to enhance clinical and translational science capabilities at UM1 CTSA Program Hubs. Eligible applicants include primary UM1 CTSA hub organizations, aiming to address significant gaps in research and development. Successful proposals will foster foundational innovations for broader dissemination among CTSA hubs, paving the way for future advancements in clinical practices and research methodologies.

The PLTW Gateway program, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance educational opportunities for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are available to assist schools in implementing or expanding PLTW programs, which are designed to foster hands-on learning in STEM fields. Eligible public and charter schools can apply for funding to cover essential program costs, ensuring more students have access to innovative educational experiences.

The Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust collaborates with PLTW to enhance the accessibility of PLTW Gateway programs for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are intended for the implementation or expansion of these programs in under-resourced schools, covering costs related to launching or expanding PLTW initiatives. Eligible applicants include public and charter schools in Massachusetts, and the grants support various allowable expenses, ensuring equitable access to quality education.

The PLTW Launch program, funded by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance access to STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are available for under-resourced schools to implement or expand PLTW programs, covering expenses like training and necessary materials. This initiative not only supports educational growth but also empowers teachers and students, fostering a stronger foundation in science and technology. Schools can apply to benefit from this valuable resource for educational enhancement.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. This initiative provides grants to under-resourced public and charter schools, enabling them to implement or expand PLTW Launch programs. By fostering interest in STEM disciplines, it helps prepare students for future careers. Eligible schools can apply for funding to offset costs related to program implementation, ensuring broader access to essential educational resources.

Chevron has invested in PLTW Launch programs in Mississippi, offering grants to support innovative educational experiences for K-12 students. With over $24 million invested since 2009, Chevron aims to enhance learning in various states. Schools in specific districts can apply to implement PLTW Launch modules, fostering hands-on learning. This initiative also emphasizes the importance of technology and resources in education, ensuring students receive the tools they need to succeed in STEM fields.

Chevron is supporting the expansion of PLTW Launch programs in Mississippi, committing funds to enhance educational experiences for K-12 students. With over $24 million invested nationally since 2009, the initiative aims to provide transformative STEM education by increasing access to PLTW modules, training additional teachers, and serving more students in targeted school districts. Schools in Moss Point, George County, and Ocean Springs are particularly encouraged to apply for these grants.

Participatory Budgeting Community Garden Development Grant

About Grow Boston

GrowBoston is the City of Boston's Office of Urban Agriculture, and part of the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH). MOH has been supporting the development of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces for more than 25 years through the Grassroots Program, which is now part of GrowBoston. GrowBoston works to increase community gardens, urban farms, and other food-growing spaces throughout Boston; support innovative food production strategies; provide technical assistance to prospective and existing gardens and farms; develop resources for gardeners, farmers, and other residents; and coordinate with other City departments associated with food production in Boston. For more information, visit GrowBoston online.

Grant Description

GrowBoston is offering a total of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to support community gardens in Boston's neighborhoods with limited access to affordable food. This program will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to build community gardens on underutilized land for public access and use, prioritizing areas where people have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. This project will create a healthier environment, beautify the community, address food insecurity, and build camaraderie among residents. Garden operations must have a robust rodent management plan. The public purpose of this grant program is to invest in public community garden spaces for Boston residents. This funding opportunity is a direct outcome of resident-led decision-making through the City’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process established through a voter-approved ballot initiative in November 2021.

Total Amount Available for Grant Program:

• $500,000.00

Award Amount per Grant per Organization:

• Organizations may apply for grant award between $50,000.00 and $300,000.00

Design & Construction Standards

• Preserves desirable site conditions and features.
• Promotes accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• Repairs or replaces inadequate site infrastructure or furnishings.
• Maintains or restores visibility throughout the site.
• Appropriate site assessment and soil conditions.
• Ensures health and safety of gardeners or users of the open space.
• Appropriate treatment or remediation of any site hazards or contamination.
• Addresses concerns and needs of abutting residential property owners.
• Provides site improvements posing minimal risk or liability to landowner.
• Incorporates energy, soil, and water conservation measures.
• Avoids the use of any invasive plant species.
• Limits the use of impermeable surfaces.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day.

Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.

Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Protecting our food supply;
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Cultivating our agricultural economy.

Cream of the Crop Awards

The Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards recognizes school districts, early care centers, and family day cares that go above and beyond to promote foods grown and raised by Minnesota farmers and producers. Whether it’s through locally sourced meals served in your cafeteria, community events to connect families and farmers, or food focused classroom lessons, we want to celebrate all the creative ways you connect your students and kids to Minnesota Grown food!

Award Categories

1) Cream of the Crop Winners

One winner from each category will be selected. Scoring will be based on applicants’ promotion and procurement of Minnesota grown and raised foods during the 2025-2026school year.

• School District of the Year
• Early Care Center of the Year
• Family Day Care of the Year

2) Outstanding in the Field Honors

Additional applicants will be honored across three levels:

• Golden Drumstick Honorees
• Silver Squash Honorees
• Bronze Berry Honorees

3) Producer Appreciation Pick

Applicants will have the opportunity to nominate a Minnesota Grown producer that has been an outstanding partner in their Farm to Kids program. Reviewers will randomly select a nominated producer to be the 2026 Producer Appreciation Pick.

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin gives everyone the opportunity to make significant and lasting gifts to their community.

We manage over 320 funds that enhance Portage and Waushara counties. Together with our generous donors, we create a strong culture of philanthropy in Central Wisconsin.

We are a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and grants to organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in Portage and Waushara counties.

James & Lynne Johnson Family Scholarship

The Community Foundation proudly supports students in Portage and Waushara counties with over $325,000 in scholarships annually, thanks to the generosity of local individuals and families. Award amounts range from $500 to $40,000, opening doors to educational opportunities.