Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The NY Source Water Buffer Program, administered by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, aims to protect public drinking water and enhance water quality. With approximately $5 million available through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, the program funds conservation easements and projects that establish riparian buffers on farmland. These vital buffers improve water quality by filtering runoff, ensuring safe drinking water for future generations.

The Kenneth King Foundation's Job Creation & Entrepreneurship Grant focuses on enhancing Coloradoans' earning potential and quality of life by funding programs that create jobs with living wages and support entrepreneurship. With an average grant size between $5,000 and $20,000, the foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a proven track record in job creation and skills development. Ideal applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations based in Colorado, targeting low-income individuals, women, and communities of color.

The purpose of this program is to enhance, expand, or modify existing maternal health outcome initiatives that prioritize diagnoses identified as severe obstetric complications (SOCs) and reduce SOCs (not present on admission that occur during the current delivery encounter), address gaps in maternal health outcomes, and strengthen community-based systems to ensure high-quality preventive, primary, and specialty services for pregnant or postpartum women. 

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Creative Project Grants to support distinctive and impactful projects by cultural organizations in the Philadelphia region. These grants target performances, exhibitions, and public interpretations that engage diverse audiences. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a minimum annual budget of $150,000, located in the five-county area of Philadelphia. Individual artists are not eligible, and projects should demonstrate artistic excellence and community engagement.

The DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants aim to enhance marine and coastal habitat restoration through collaboration between NOAA and non-federal partners. These grants address oil spills and hazardous substance releases by supporting restoration activities authorized under various environmental laws. Eligible applicants will implement projects that promote sustainable fisheries, recover endangered species, and boost local economies. Through careful planning and evaluation, recipients will contribute to effective restoration strategies that align with NOAA's mission and the needs of coastal communities.

The Dr. Bruce D. J. Batt Fellowship in Waterfowl Conservation honors the legacy of Dr. Bruce Batt, a leading figure in waterfowl research. This fellowship offers up to $5,000 annually to graduate students at North American universities conducting vital research on waterfowl and wetlands. Renewable for up to two additional years for PhD students, the fellowship promotes the integration of sound science in conservation efforts, supporting the next generation of waterfowl professionals.

The Sacramento Audubon Society offers Conservation Grants aimed at supporting community-based projects that protect and restore habitats and wildlife. With a mission to promote the enjoyment and scientific study of birds, the Society encourages initiatives within 50 miles of Sacramento. This funding is designed to foster environmental education and advocate for open space conservation, making a positive impact on local ecosystems and communities.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences, provided by the UNICO Foundation, awards two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to full-time students pursuing degrees in Therapy Sciences, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship promotes educational advancement within the community.

The Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program invites proposals for funding to tackle aquatic invasive species (AIS) challenges. Key priorities include research on AIS management, innovative control methods, and educational outreach. Eligible applicants range from individuals in government agencies to non-profit organizations. The program seeks to support initiatives that align with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force standards and aims to enhance regional AIS management strategies.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency offers the Academic Institution Grant to support public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in their recycling and education efforts. Funding is available for projects like recycling equipment, outreach programs, and civil engineering initiatives utilizing ground tire rubber. Applicants must meet matching fund requirements, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $300,000, depending on the project category, and have specific timelines for project completion.

Beverage Container Recycling Grants

The Beverage Container Recycling Grant (BCRG) Program aims to reach and maintain an 80% recycling rate for all California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers – aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal.This grant program encourages market development and expansion activities for beverage container materials by helping organizations establish convenient recycling and litter abatement projects. 

Eligible costs are limited to the following:

• Personnel costs directly related to the start-up/implementation of the project are capped at 25% of the total grant award, such as:
• Recycling coordinator salaries or wages for those directly involved, students, consultants
• Purchase of equipment or materials related to infrastructure such as:
• Beverage container recycling bins/receptacles
• Cluster bins
• Lids
• Receptacle liner
• In-unit totes (multi-family residential dwellings)
• Pads/enclosures to accommodate centralized roll-off, balers, scales, optical sorters (for municipality operating its own Material Recovery Facility)
• Equipment modifications
• Signage
• Brochures
• Installation costs for equipment
• Service cart for use in collection of materials
• Laptops, computers, etc.

Waste Tire Facility Inspection Grants

Funding is available for local partners to conduct inspections of waste tire facilities (retail tire shops), waste tire haulers and waste tire grant recipients to ensure waste tire laws and regulations are being followed and to identify illegal waste tire sites. Our goal is to have a local partner for these types of inspections in every county in the state.

Onsite training, inspection checklists and handout materials will be provided. Local partners will be able to set their own inspection schedules based on their individual workloads. We will assist in determining the number of sites within the local partner's jurisdiction. 

Funding and length of the contract are negotiable. Local partners will also:

• Provide monthly and annual reporting.
• Attend training.
• Provide education and community outreach on the proper management of waste tires.

Safe Haven Baby Box Grant

The Arkansas Safe Haven law allows delivery of a child who is thirty (30) days old or younger to a medical provider, law enforcement agency, fire department, or medical provider staff member. The child may be left in a designated safety device (often called a baby box) that is voluntarily installed by the medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department. The baby box must be physically located on a structured wall of or inside a hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department; and located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department.

The Safe Haven Baby Box Grant program provides funding to eligible organizations to assist with the costs associated with implementing a Safe Haven Baby Box.

Grant funds may only be used for costs associated with implementing a Safe Haven Baby Box that meets the requirements set forth in A.C.A. § 9-34-202. Applicants are eligible to apply for grant funding to cover up to 50% of the cost.

The Used Oil Collection Gift Grant Program, managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, provides gift grants to municipalities for establishing and improving used oil collection centers. These grants aim to support Do-It-Yourselfers in properly recycling their used oil at licensed facilities. Eligible entities include towns, counties, and registered inspection stations, with most grants not exceeding $2,500, while multi-town centers may qualify for up to $5,000.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5419 - Crossing the Divide – Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issues

Grant Information

To provide water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) and collection system operators with an interactive manual of practice for implementing inflow and infiltration (I&I) and obstruction management programs with a focus on municipal and privately owned lateral sewers in complex legal, regulatory, and multi-jurisdictional environments.

City Council Project Fund (CCPF)

The City Council Project Fund was established in 2011 to provide financial support for events and programs that serve a municipal purpose and promote:

• the health, safety and welfare of the community
• family, social and economic stability
• community fitness/recreation
• community education and training

Available Funding

The Mayor's office and the ten Council Districts are each provided $50,000 through the City Annual Budgeting process which establishes the CCFP each fiscal year.

The Community Benefit Initiative Reinvestment (CBIR) Grant is designed to enhance healthcare access in Eastern Oregon. Funded by the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, this initiative supports one-year projects focusing on specific healthcare improvements. Eligible applicants include various organizations like healthcare providers and food banks, addressing needs such as health technology and primary care access. Technical assistance is mandatory for all applicants. For more details, visit the EOCCO website.

The Climate Adaptation Planning Grant, part of California's Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants, provides $3 million to support local and regional efforts in addressing climate vulnerabilities in transportation infrastructure. This grant encourages the development of adaptation plans that aim to mitigate damage from climate change and extreme weather. Open to applicants with ongoing or new adaptation efforts, it fosters strategic planning for roads, railways, and other critical transport systems across the state.

The PTES Worldwide Conservation Insight Grants support scientific research and practical conservation efforts aimed at preserving endangered species. Grants range from £3,000 to £10,000 annually, up to a total of £20,000 over two years. Eligible applicants include researchers and conservationists working on critical conservation questions or local actions. The fund prioritizes projects with clear, sustainable outcomes that benefit endangered species and their habitats, particularly in low-income countries.

The Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program, part of the WDEQ, aims to enhance water quality through voluntary pollution reduction efforts. It provides $40,000-$80,000 annually via Section 205(J) grants to local agencies for planning and assessment projects, prioritizing efforts in watersheds affected by impaired waterbodies. This initiative encourages collaboration among landowners and various government entities to effectively tackle nonpoint source pollution, which is challenging to identify and manage.

The Old National Bank Foundation provides sponsorships to enhance community initiatives in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Their mission focuses on social responsibility, supporting underrepresented groups, and aligning with the Community Reinvestment Act. Sponsorships cover events such as fundraisers and sporting events, emphasizing active engagement and measurable impact. The Foundation aims to improve quality of life through strategic partnerships and meaningful contributions.

The RE/MAX Equity Group Foundation Grant aims to support small, local, and grassroots charitable organizations in the Portland metro and SW Washington areas. With contributions ranging from $500 to $2,500, the foundation focuses on tangible needs such as food, clothing, and medical services. Priority is given to organizations that support children and families, demonstrating low operating expenses and direct community engagement to maximize impact.

2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG)

OCJS and JAG

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and products, develops training, resources, and best practices for criminal justice professionals and communities. OCJS has been designated by Governor Mike DeWine to administer the FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program.

Proposed to streamline justice funding and grant administration, the JAG Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. JAG blends the previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant programs so that agencies can prioritize their funding needs and choose where to place justice funds.

In 2024, OCJS implemented its strategic plan (PDF). The action items included identifying priority areas for funding and encouraging projects to use evidence-based practices in their funded programs. The “Goals, Priorities and Requirements” section of this document outlines these priorities, and references evidence-based practices for OCJS funding areas. Fiscal year 2026 applicants must continue to follow these most recent guidelines.

Modeling and Monitoring Air Quality and Co-Benefits of Energy Interventions

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund applied research and development projects that inform California's transition to an equitable, zero-carbon energy system that is climate-resilient and meets environmental goals. Applied research supported by this solicitation will improve existing ambient air quality modeling approaches, advance low-cost measurement technologies, and conduct analyses to quantify the air quality implications and related human health impacts of clean energy interventions across energy use sectors. Ultimately, this research will contribute to a foundation for accurate monetization of non-energy impacts of clean energy interventions.

Improvements in air quality and related human health outcomes are important direct benefits of decarbonizing energy sectors that currently rely on fossil fuels. Capturing these impacts is important to motivate investments in decarbonization strategies but is also a challenging task. Robust air quality modeling and field measurements can help to accurately project the air quality-related benefits and ultimately monetize the human health impacts of clean energy interventions such as implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 100 (SB 100, De León, Chapter 312, Statutes of 2018), transportation electrification, and building electrification.

This solicitation addresses public interest research opportunities at the nexus of human health, air quality monitoring and modeling, and California’s decarbonizing electricity system. Existing ambient air quality simulation models require rigorous evaluation for accuracy of estimates, specific tailoring to California’s complex geography and meteorology, and expanded capability to simulate pollutants such as ozone and secondary particulate matter. Additionally, improvements in the spatial resolution and computational efficiency of existing models are critical to illuminate impacts of decarbonization strategies, and applied research is needed related to low-cost air quality sensors for in-situ household pollution measurement. While existing sensors enable collection of abundant data, they can be afflicted by performance issues and associated inaccuracies.

Projects must fall within the following project groups: 

• Group 1: Advancing Ambient Air Quality Modeling Capabilities and Analysis; and
• Group 2: Developing a Low-cost Air Quality Sensor to Assess Household Air Pollution.

The United Way KGC Impact 100 Grant seeks proposals from local nonprofit organizations that address critical health and human service needs in the Kansas City region. Selected organizations will receive a one-year unrestricted grant, enhancing their visibility and connections within the United Way network. This initiative emphasizes diverse approaches in Health, Education, and Financial Stability, ensuring a comprehensive impact across various community sectors. Organizations are encouraged to apply based on alignment with United Way's funding goals and community needs.

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana is dedicated to enhancing local community life through philanthropy. Its Women's Philanthropy Network (WPN) is now inviting applications for grants focused on improving school readiness and student achievement. Eligible organizations must be 501c3 entities and demonstrate proven success in innovative programs targeting underserved children from birth to 5th grade. The foundation values collaboration and the ability to leverage matching funds, ensuring impactful community investments.