Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation's Herrnstein Family Fund Grant supports local 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that make a significant community impact. Established by community members in 1997, it funds projects that enhance quality of life in the region. The foundation prioritizes tangible requests directly benefiting clients. Ineligible proposals include those from religious organizations, discriminatory groups, and requests for administrative expenses or fundraising efforts. This grant exemplifies community-driven philanthropy aimed at fostering long-term positive change.

The Greater Chapin Community Foundation Grants aim to support charitable organizations in the Chapin area, which includes Ballentine, White Rock, and Peak. These grants prioritize activities that develop skills for productive living, leverage matching funds, and provide opportunities for underserved populations. Eligible organizations must be recognized as charitable under IRS guidelines and agree to acknowledge the foundation in their promotions. This initiative seeks to enhance community strengths and address critical local needs.

The Competitive Grant from the Selinsgrove Fund offers funding opportunities for nonprofit and governmental organizations to enhance community life in Selinsgrove and nearby areas. Grants up to $2,500 are available, with a total of $20,000 earmarked for various charitable projects, including youth programs. Eligible applicants must ensure that all funds are utilized within the local area. This initiative aims to support programs that directly benefit residents and enrich the community.

Who is the Oldham County Community Foundation?

The Oldham County Community Foundation (OCCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Louisville, was formed in 2010 by a group of Oldham Countians who are committed to enriching our community today, tomorrow, and forever. Our goal is to attract charitable dollars that will forever benefit nonprofits providing services for the benefit of the Oldham County we call home.

The Oldham County Community Foundation Advisory Board is seeking grant proposals. We plan to award approximately $48,000 worth of grants from our community funds. In 2023, approximately $40,000 was awarded to 21 organizations with an average award of $1,900.

What is the focus of the 2026 grants? 

Grants may be made to any organization that serves members of the Oldham County community at the discretion of the OCCF Grant Committee.

Grant requests can support programs or a project including tangible, one-time purchases such as equipment or furniture. The funds can also be used to buy new hardware or software, provide training opportunities for staff, and address other needs critical to improving the organization’s efficiency or effectiveness.

The Kermit T. & Ella M. Kuck Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation of Shelby County, supports organizations in New Knoxville and Sidney, Ohio. Eligible applicants include IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities and those applying through a fiscal agent. The fund encourages efficient use of community resources and coordination among organizations, while also welcoming small grant requests. Projects requiring multi-year funding are considered, emphasizing sustainability and collaboration within the community.

The Bicycle Hotel Casino offers sponsorship and donation opportunities to support various worthy causes through a structured Board Review Committee. To qualify, organizations must submit a formal request at least 60 days before their event. This includes a Donation Request Form and a letter detailing the organization's purpose and alignment with the casino’s mission. The casino prioritizes requests from registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, ensuring that each project aligns with their philanthropic goals.

The Do Something Great Awards celebrate individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact in Macon County. Sponsored by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation for 22 years, the Award of Excellence in Inclusion honors those advancing diversity and inclusion. Nominations should showcase ongoing commitments to these values and advocate for underrepresented populations, highlighting specific contributions and community involvement. The 2026 honorees will be revealed in February.

Mission

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization founded in 1923. The Council fosters innovative research, nurtures new generations of social scientists, deepens how inquiry is practiced within and across disciplines, and mobilizes necessary knowledge on important public issues.

Driving University Impact: Expanding the Public Exchange Network

With generous support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Social Science Research Council is pleased to invite U.S. R1 research universities in SSRC’s College and University Fund for the Social Sciences to apply for funding to join the Public Exchange Network. Public Exchange is a new network that turns university research expertise into real-world action and impact. Foundedat the University of Southern California in 2020 and expanded to Washington University in St. Louis in 2025, Public Exchange connects researchers with government, nonprofit, and industry partners to tackle pressing challenges—from disaster recovery and climate solutions to food insecurity and homelessness prevention. Since its founding, Public Exchange has developed high-impact collaborations between 48 partners and 142 researchers including:

• CLEAN LA and CLEAN STL: One of the largest free soil testing programs for lead in Los Angeles County following the January 2025 wildfires, and a related program in St. Louis to test soil and air for contaminants following the May 2025 EF-3 tornado;
• The California Solar Canal Initiative: An ambitious public-private research collaboration to advance solar panel infrastructure along California’s 4,000 miles of open aqueduct, conserving water and generating renewable energy;
• Food Base LA: LA County’s first food systems data dashboard, helping LA County and non-profit partners target distribution of millions of pounds of food and related resources to families experiencing food insecurity;
• ShadeLA: A people-powered campaign to cool Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics by advancing natural and built shade cover in the region.

Partners have included the City and County of Los Angeles, the State of California, the City of St. Louis, Yelp, Solar AquaGrid, the United Nations Foundation, Keck Medicine of USC, the Southern California Association of Governments, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Department of Angels and many more. In addition to real-world impact positively affecting millions of lives, Public Exchange collaborations have resulted in over $18m in research funding, some helping to incubate new centers or areas of research, more than 40 academic journal publications, hundreds of media hits, and dozens of student career opportunities. 

The Public Exchange Model

Public Exchange is a partner-driven program, working collaboratively with external partners to: (1) define a research scope, timeline, and deliverables; (2) identify the right team of multidisciplinary academic experts to analyze the problem; (3) provide project management from concept and strategy development to project outputs and tools delivery; and (4) manage the public and stakeholder engagement related to the project, as well as communications and design needs. Public Exchange staff are not researchers, but come from government, industry, and non-profit backgrounds, uniquely equipping project teams to understand partners’ needs and lead projects to action. Staff oversee activities including partnership and proposal development, funder cultivation, research translation, dissemination, and communications, impact and scaling strategy, administrative support, cross-sector convening, and more, to maximize the real-world impact of university expertise. Public Exchange builds results-driven teams that deliver measurable impact and lasting solutions for partners.

How the Public Exchange Network Works

No single university – even a large R1 – has enough faculty expertise available to meet the needs of every partner. The Public Exchange Network was designed to help universities work together seamlessly to build robust partnerships and generate more collective impact. Universities joining the network are independent but affiliated members, with full control over their own program and project portfolios. As a national network with local, on-the-ground capacity, Public Exchange Network members can also share approaches that work, scale solutions to common problems, and build cross-regional partnerships together. 

As an institutional partner in the Public Exchange Network, universities will build capacity to develop, test and implement solutions to the most urgent problems in their regions and beyond. Universities joining the Public Exchange Network get:

• The tools, templates and training they need to start right away;
• A shared brand they can plug into on day one;
• A network of faculty, past and potential partners and philanthropic relationships, benefitting everyone in the network. 

SSRC Public Exchange Network Expansion Grants

Public Exchange Network Expansion grants will cover 75-80% of the minimum estimated annual costs for two years to launch a new Public Exchange. To launch a Public Exchange, universities must have the following in place: (1) a staff executive director with experience launching and leading social impact partnerships, (2) a project seed fund, and (3) a modest operations budget. We also recommend some in-kind project management support from an existing university staff member. The grant includes a two-year Public Exchange Executive Director (ED) compensation subsidy of $300,000 to launch the Public Exchange on campus, and a 2-year license to use the Public Exchange brand. New Public Exchange Network members will also receive ongoing support and guidance from current Public Exchange leadership and staff at USC and WashU, including recruitment support and intensive training for hiring and onboarding an executive director, a sub-site on the Public Exchange website, incubation and project management support from current Public Exchange staff, and a suite of tools for developing and implementing Public Exchange projects.

In addition, every university in the Public Exchange Network benefits from central communications support (currently housed at USC), and access to a collaborative network of project partners, researchers, and funder relationships. Separately, SSRC will select a local research fellow to study and document how the Public Exchange model develops within and between host institutions during the grant term, and how the Public Exchange Network universities work together to effect larger-scale change. 

Expectations

Institutions selected to join the Public Exchange Network are expected to:

• Hire an Executive Director who can launch and lead efforts to incubate social impact projects with public and private sector partners;
• Have in place before public launch: (1) an executive director, (2) a seed fund, (3) a modest operations budget, and (4 – recommended) some in-kind project management support. 
• Develop and sustain at least three high-impact research partnerships during the two-year grant tenure;
• Invest modest resources during the grant term that demonstrate commitment to continuing the Public Exchange model after the end of philanthropic support. This is estimated at approximately $85-$90k annually (with some variation considering local labor markets) to support an operations and project seed fund and any additional capital needed for the Executive Director hire beyond the subsidy. 
• Coordinate with the SSRC research fellow who will examine the impact of Public Exchange at their university and across the network. 
• Work with faculty across their university. Public Exchange can live anywhere within a university at the school or central level. The majority of Public Exchange projects to date at USC and WashU have included researchers from two or more schools, and grantees must be able to work with faculty university-wide. 

The Airport Noise Ordinance Neighborhood Impact Fund, established by the Long Beach Community Foundation, allocates fines from airlines violating noise restrictions at Long Beach Airport. This fund supports projects that enhance the lives of residents affected by flight path noise. Eligible applicants include US-based, 501(C)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities in good standing with the IRS, focusing on benefiting the communities under the flight paths.

Florida Talks Grants, supported by the Florida Humanities Council, provide funding for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and educational entities to host engaging speakers who explore Florida's history, culture, and heritage. The program includes a standard honorarium for speakers and offers travel reimbursement for smaller organizations. Through these initiatives, Florida Humanities aims to promote civic engagement and preserve the state's rich cultural resources, making programs accessible to the public and fostering community dialogue.

The Fondy 100 Gives Grant invites 100 community members to contribute $100 each, creating a collective fund to support impactful local projects in Fond du Lac. Eligible projects must demonstrate immediate positive community benefits and have a budget of approximately $7,500. Non-profit organizations, including schools and municipalities, can apply. This initiative emphasizes community involvement and appreciation for local generosity, fostering a spirit of collaboration to enhance the Fond du Lac area.

The Edgar County Community Foundation (ECCF) aims to enhance the quality of life in Edgar County through philanthropy. They accept grant applications from local nonprofit organizations for innovative social initiatives, program studies, and capital improvements. Priority is given to projects addressing underserved populations and fostering collaboration. Grants are one-time awards, and only one application per organization is allowed each year. ECCF is committed to supporting new programs that meet community needs.

The Community Opportunities Grant Program, managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, offers flexible funding to address urgent needs and unforeseen opportunities for organizations in the Rockford region. Typically, $30,000 is allocated each fiscal year, with specific criteria for eligibility. Organizations can apply for funding to tackle emergencies or leverage matching grants, ensuring that support is directed toward enhancing community services and addressing critical situations effectively.

The Schenectady Foundation's Emergent Needs & Open Grants program supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing community well-being in Schenectady County. With a focus on equitable access to healthy food, neighborhood revitalization, and emergent needs, the Foundation is investing $2 million in 2025 to catalyze transformative change. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations that serve marginalized populations and demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and impact.

The Schenectady Foundation, founded in 1963, invests significantly in community development within Schenectady County, NY, with plans to allocate $2 million in grants in 2024. It supports transformative projects through its Micro Grant program, offering funds of up to $10,000 for innovative ideas that enhance local initiatives. The Foundation prioritizes projects that promote equitable access to healthy food and neighborhood revitalization, aiming to drive impactful changes in the community and improve residents' well-being.

The Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund Grant, managed by West Central Initiative, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Fergus Falls area. This private fund supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to community improvement through funding, programs, and technical assistance. The Millers established this grant to honor the kindness they experienced, ensuring a lasting positive impact in their community. The goal is to foster neighborliness, generosity, and empowerment among residents.

The Community Foundation for McHenry County offers Mission Grants to support local charitable organizations. These grants are aimed at funding general operating costs for programs and projects that align with the Foundation's mission and values. Eligible applicants must be located in McHenry County or demonstrate significant impact in the area. This initiative highlights the Foundation's commitment to enhancing community resources and addressing local needs effectively.

The Community Foundation for McHenry County offers Transformational Grants aimed at supporting innovative projects that address community challenges. These grants encourage collaboration among agencies and are open to 501(c)(3) public charities and local government entities. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to serving McHenry County residents, ensuring projects align with the Foundation's mission. Not eligible are organizations needing fiscal sponsors or those promoting religious activities. Grant funds cannot be used for capital campaigns or individual support.

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque offers Community Impact Grants to enhance community policies and practices in Dubuque, Clayton, and Clinton counties. These grants prioritize innovative projects that empower vulnerable populations and strengthen community well-being. The Foundation encourages collaborative initiatives and welcomes seed grants for promising ideas that address significant local issues. By investing in nonprofits and building capacity, the Foundation aims to create sustainable community-wide solutions, ensuring that all residents can thrive.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

The Proposition 68 Technical Assistance Program by the California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy allocates up to 10% of its funds for aiding disadvantaged communities. This program provides essential application assistance to ensure better access to funding, helping communities navigate the complexities of project management and grant writing. By offering resources and peer mentoring, the program aims to empower applicants, especially those in high-need areas, to successfully complete their conservation projects.

The Richard A. Henson Award for Nonprofit Excellence, established by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, honors nonprofit organizations demonstrating exceptional contributions to the community. This award recognizes programs that embody Mr. Henson's commitment to community needs and entrepreneurial spirit. Nonprofits within the tri-county area are eligible, and nominees should exemplify excellence in leadership and resource mobilization to address critical community challenges.

The Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award, established by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, honors individuals for their exceptional and selfless contributions to community service. Recognizing the legacy of Frank H. Morris, the award celebrates those who embody high ethical standards and humanitarian ideals. Awardees will select a nonprofit organization to receive a monetary grant, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to enhancing community welfare and supporting local nonprofits.

The St. Francis New Generation Fund Grant, managed by the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, supports charitable initiatives within St. Francis, Kansas. This endowment fund allocates 5% of its average three-year earnings for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational, governmental, or religious institutions. Note that individual and business grants are excluded. Applications are accepted annually as announced by the board.

The Hardenbergh Foundation, established in 1950, supports charitable organizations in the East Metro, Ramsey, and Washington Counties, and the St. Croix River Valley. The Foundation offers approximately 100 grants annually, primarily for general operating support, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. Additionally, it awards capital grants between $50,000 and $250,000 to eligible applicants, emphasizing the importance of IRS 501(c)(3) status and financial documentation in the application process.

The Community Service Program (CSP) Grant, administered by the Fulton County Department of Community Development, aims to enhance the well-being of Fulton County residents through collaborative, results-driven initiatives. Eligible agencies must have 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and can request funds to support innovative projects that address pressing community needs. The program emphasizes accessibility and evidence-based practices, ensuring services reach all residents, regardless of their financial situation.

The Montgomery County Foundation offers General Distribution Grants aimed at nonprofit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations in Montgomery County, PA, with budgets under $3 million. These grants, typically due in September, support operational funds for organizations. Applicants must take a year off after receiving grants for three consecutive years. The foundation prioritizes community needs and responsible fund stewardship to enhance the quality of life in the region.