Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) offers Mid-Career Fellowships to scholars in Europe, aimed at fostering innovative research that challenges existing frameworks. Candidates should typically be 10 years post-PhD, although exceptions may apply. Awards, up to £75,000, provide relief from teaching duties for up to one year, enabling researchers to focus on groundbreaking interdisciplinary projects across social sciences and humanities. The ISRF encourages diverse applications, including from the humanities and natural sciences.

The Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) offers Independent Scholar Fellowships aimed at advancing social sciences through innovative research. Funded by private philanthropists, these fellowships support independent scholars in Europe who do not hold academic appointments. Applicants, typically PhD holders, can seek funding for research projects addressing new empirical problems. The maximum grant is £28,750, which can cover research expenses and support for non-academic work for up to one year.

The South Central Iowa Community Foundation has been enhancing the quality of life in Union County since 1993. This private foundation supports charitable initiatives by providing funding to 501(c)(3) organizations and government units. They prioritize community projects, endowment building, and responsible stewardship of donations. Eligibility includes organizations operating in Union County, with restrictions on funding for existing debts and operating expenses. Their mission is to empower donors in their philanthropic efforts.

The GCF Community Grants program, funded by the Gorge Community Foundation, seeks grant proposals from nonprofit agencies within the Columbia River Gorge area. With a focus on charitable initiatives, this program emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and demonstrated community needs. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities or operating under such, and proposals for capital campaigns will not be considered. This funding opportunity supports a diverse range of projects aimed at enhancing local communities.

Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Established in 1948, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) – a nonprofit, non-political, scholarly society – is the leading international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.  

ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program

Established in 2025, the ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides a maximum stipend of $28,000 for doctoral students at US universities, regardless of citizenship, to conduct dissertation research in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. The program is open to students in any discipline whose dissertation topics are within Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies.

Fellowship Project Scope

• The dissertation topic must be in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies
• Most of the proposed research should be conducted in Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia but the fellowship can be used to conduct research for a briefer period in secondary site(s) such as the U.S.; in cases of equally qualified applications, some preference may be given to research entirely in the region

The stipend can be spent on expenses incurred while conducting research, including living expenses, research expenses, international airfare, visa expenses, and evacuation and health insurance.

The AHA Mini Grant supports public humanities projects in Alabama, accepting applications monthly. It is particularly aimed at first-time applicants, encouraging them to consult with AHA’s grants director for project verification. Funding is available for a broad range of initiatives, emphasizing active public participation and strong humanities content. Mini Grants offer a simplified application process without requiring cost share matches, ensuring accessible support for diverse projects aimed at enhancing community engagement.

The Individual Humanities Fellowships support scholars for two consecutive months of full or part-time work on humanities projects, providing necessary compensation for their research efforts. To be eligible, applicants must commit to at least half-time work, ensuring a continuous performance period. This fellowship encourages diverse outputs, including articles, books, translations, and digital resources, with the North Carolina Humanities Council requesting samples of the completed work.

The LEH Rebirth Grants support initiatives that promote the humanities through public engagement, including diverse projects like festivals, documentaries, and educational programs. The grants prioritize community involvement and balanced viewpoints, ensuring humanities scholars lead the projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Louisiana. Ineligible projects range from individual grants to those focused solely on the arts or scholarly audiences. The program encourages a wide participation across varied audiences, with an emphasis on underserved communities.

The Darby Town Community Endowment Fund Grant, established by Richard and Barbara Ackerman in 1999, offers funding up to $5,000 for projects that benefit the local Darby community. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and exempt governmental units. The funded projects must be sustainable and address unmet community needs, while one-time events and partisan activities are not eligible for support.

The Community Foundation of Will County offers Community Partner Grants to enhance quality of life through strategic partnerships with not-for-profits. The grants focus on collaborative projects that address critical community needs, improve organizational capacity, and promote sustainable fundraising efforts. This initiative seeks to foster a culture of philanthropy across diverse groups within Will County, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to benefit the community at large.

The Chilton Area Community Foundation's Community Fund provides grants to enhance the quality of life for residents in the Chilton Area School District. Funded by donations and fundraising events, including an annual golf tournament, the foundation prioritizes community needs. Eligible applicants include public charities, schools, and government units, focusing on unique, sustainable, and community-oriented projects. Ineligible requests primarily concern general operational support and real estate-related funding.

The Phoenix Club of Nashville Grant supports nonprofits making a positive impact on the lives of children in Middle Tennessee. Founded in 2001, the Phoenix Club has a legacy of fundraising for local charities, having raised millions for various causes. To apply, interested organizations can complete an initial request questionnaire available on their website. This opportunity allows nonprofits to connect with a network of leaders dedicated to community service and enhancement.

The Idaho Humanities Council (IHC) offers Major Grants to support programs that leverage history, culture, and literature to foster public dialogue. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, require a draft submission a month before the final application. The IHC aims to engage out-of-school adults by promoting local humanities projects that explore the human experience, support cultural organizations, and facilitate conversations across Idaho.

The Patagonia Regional Community Fund, established in 1998 under the Arizona Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in eastern Santa Cruz County. It provides essential support for organizational capacity building, direct service projects, and capital expenditures. The Fund invites applications from 501(c)(3) organizations and emphasizes fiscal accountability. It seeks to empower local initiatives while adhering to a non-discrimination policy. Grants are competitive, with no guarantee of continued funding beyond the initial year.

The TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme supports young scientists from least developed countries to enhance their research skills. Participants holding an MSc or higher can visit esteemed research laboratories in Italy for three months. The program aims to promote collaboration in sustainability science aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funded by UNESCO-TWAS and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it covers travel and living expenses, fostering international scientific partnerships.

About Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC)

The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and daily operations are managed by a small, professional staff. The foundation benefits Fayette County through personalized donor services and serves as a supportive community leader, grantmaker, and scholarship provider.What is a Community Foundation?

Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities.About the Grant

• The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is accepting grant requests for reusable items that will enhance the classroom(s). 
• Any teacher, school counselor, or administrator in the Laurel Highlands School District or Uniontown Area School District is encouraged to apply.
• Requests from $750 up to $10,000 will be considered. A maximum total of $30,000 may be awarded this grant cycle.

Nebraska Humanities Council

The mission of Humanities Nebraska is to help people explore what connects us and makes us human.

There are two organizations that fall under the Humanities Nebraska umbrella — the Nebraska Humanities Council is the entity that conducts programs and makes grants. The Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities works with the Council to secure private funding and advocate for public funding at the state and federal levels to support these programs. A third organization, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, serves as the endowment for both Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency.

Sower Award in the Humanities

Humanities Nebraska presents the Sower Award in the Humanities annually to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska. This contribution can be made through any combination of time, expertise, or resources. The selection committee will consider how nominees have helped enrich the lives of Nebraskans through the humanities: history, literature, culture, philosophy, and all the ways we explore what it means to be human.

Each year, the Sower Award in the Humanities is presented prior to the annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities. The award recipient must be present. In some past years the Sower Award was presented to organizations or communities; as of 2016, only individuals are eligible for nomination. Current board and staff members of Humanities Nebraska are not eligible.

Previous honorees have included:

• Talented humanities faculty who have taken the humanities to the public beyond their classroom;
• Committed volunteers dedicating their time and energy to enhancing the cultural life of Nebraska;
• Thoughtful journalists and filmmakers bringing the humanities to bear on important public issues;
• Generous philanthropists who have directed significant financial support to humanities-related programs and projects accessible by Nebraskans

The Idaho Humanities Council offers Research Fellowships to foster scholarship in the humanities, targeting scholars with a minimum of a Master's degree in relevant disciplines. These fellowships support research time and resources, encouraging presentations to both academic and public audiences. Eligible projects can originate from any humanities field, with an emphasis on public engagement. The program seeks to enhance understanding of diverse human experiences through research and public discourse.

The Brillion Area Community Endowment Fund Grant supports nonprofits serving the Brillion community, aiming to enhance quality of life through creative projects, capital investments, and strengthening existing services. Eligible organizations include public charities and educational institutions addressing community needs. The fund aims for sustainability and innovation while ensuring that projects are community-oriented. Grants are not available for general operating costs or to organizations that do not serve the Brillion area.

HCF Grants

The foundation is fortunate to partner with the many nonprofits who are working every day to make our community a better place for all who call Hastings their home. 

Grants are given to organizations and projects that address some of the area’s most pressing issues and opportunities. Since its beginning in 1987, the Hastings Community Foundation has distributed more than $15.5 million dollars in the form of grants and scholarships. Grants are given to organizations and programs that respond to the region’s most pressing issues and opportunities.

Hastings Community Foundation: Capital Grant

• Includes construction, significant remodeling/repurposing of existing structure, and equipment/furnishings which are part of a capital campaign.
• Application due in December. Award determinations are made in January.
• Multiple year pledges (2-5 years) will be considered.
• Eligible organizations are expected to meet with Hastings Community Foundation to discuss project scope and prepare additional project planning documents for application.
• May not apply for other grant funding during capital grant award period.

The Martens Trust Grant supports charitable projects benefiting the residents of Fairfield County, Ohio, especially in Lancaster. Eligible organizations must demonstrate public charity status and have three years of operation, ensuring programs address community needs and produce measurable outcomes. Funding focuses on sustainable initiatives that collaborate with other organizations, aiming to serve underserved populations. Ineligible requests include general operating costs and multi-year commitments, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to impactful projects.

This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy aims to enhance oil and gas recovery and improve produced water management through innovative research and development projects. With a focus on unconventional reservoirs, the initiative seeks to deploy advanced technologies that can significantly increase recovery efficiency, which currently averages below 10%. Additionally, it supports the validation of water treatment technologies to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure safe water management practices.

The PLTW Engineering program, in collaboration with Pentair, offers grants to schools for the 2026-2027 academic year, providing $30,000 to implement at least one engineering course. Eligible schools include public and charter institutions in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Funds may cover participation fees, training, and necessary equipment. However, expenses such as salaries, infrastructure, and optional supplies are not allowed. This initiative aims to enhance engineering education in targeted regions.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion, in partnership with Pentair, aims to support schools in enhancing their engineering curriculum for the 2026-2027 academic year. This grant, totaling $15,000, is designated for expanding existing PLTW Engineering courses, training additional educators, or introducing new courses. Eligible schools include public and charter institutions located in key areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Milwaukee, ensuring broader access to quality engineering education.

The Regional Scholar Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), provides up to $1,000 to support travel for faculty and independent scholars from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Applicants must present a paper at the ASEEES Annual Convention and meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency in eligible countries and ASEEES membership. This grant aims to promote scholarly exchange and foster participation among junior scholars and first-time presenters.

The Convention Opportunity Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), supports non-student members with incomes under $40,000 to present their research at the ASEEES Annual Convention. Established in 1948, ASEEES prioritizes first-time presenters and junior scholars lacking institutional support. The grant encourages diverse scholarly contributions and is aimed at enhancing the visibility of underrepresented voices in the field of Slavic and East European studies.

The Data Fellowship by Delta Analytics offers a unique opportunity for individuals with strong technical skills in data science, engineering, or visualization to volunteer and empower nonprofits. Over a six-month commitment, participants dedicate 5-10 hours weekly to work closely with nonprofit organizations, leveraging data to drive impactful decisions. This fully remote fellowship fosters personal and professional growth while building a community of like-minded individuals passionate about using data for social good.