Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Nancy Talbot Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, established by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, offers $30,000 for one year to support postdoctoral research in occupational therapy. This fellowship aims to enhance diversity in the field by funding individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, as identified by the NSF. Eligible candidates must hold an OT degree or relevant doctorate, have a mentor, and conduct research at a U.S. academic institution.

The Migrant Education Program - Continuation aims to provide educational support for eligible children of migratory farm workers and fishers in Essex County. This program ensures these children receive necessary services, such as identification, record transfers, and supplemental instruction. As a continuation grant, it serves Gloucester County Special Services and Essex County Educational Services Commission, with funding of $269,031 available for the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

The Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands (KGI) Watershed Lu Winsor Environmental Grants support community-driven projects to enhance habitat and water quality. Managed by Pierce County in collaboration with local organizations, grants of up to $3,000 are available for initiatives such as invasive species removal and educational programs. Applications are open from March 3 to April 30, 2025, welcoming all eligible applicants including nonprofits, schools, and individuals.

The Puyallup-White River Watershed Small Grants program by Pierce County is designed to enhance environmental literacy and improve habitat and water quality across key watersheds. Open to various applicants including nonprofits and schools, it supports projects like invasive species removal and nature-based education. Successful proposals align with watershed councils' action agendas. The program promotes community involvement and sustainable practices, ensuring that local ecosystems thrive while fostering educational opportunities.

This grant assists eligible adults seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce, improve occupational skills, or advance in their careers.

The Migrant Education Program-Continuation supports eligible children of migratory farm workers and fishers in Gloucester County. This program aims to provide educational resources and services to reduce learning gaps caused by frequent relocations. Key services include student identification, record transfers, and supplemental instruction. The program is a continuation grant, with funding available for the second year of a three-year initiative, running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with a maximum funding amount of $960,825.

The CFNJ Empower New Jersey Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of New Jersey, supports organizations in New Jersey focused on economic empowerment. This initiative aims to enhance economic stability, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and financial literacy through effective projects. With a history of granting over $100 million to non-profits, CFNJ seeks to fund innovative programs that foster access to opportunities. Up to two grants will be awarded, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to community progress.

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Rural Communities Opportunity Grant

The RCOG empowers rural communities to take responsibility for economic development planning, projects, and activities, and to manage their unique opportunities. The grant addresses the economic development needs of rural communities, which include:

• Business recruitment, development, and expansion
• Workforce training and development
• Infrastructure, industrial building development, and capital facilities improvements for business development

The Defiance Area Foundation Grant supports various programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Defiance County. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations focused on addressing unmet community needs. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of project costs or $25,000 per organization annually. The foundation emphasizes prevention and collaboration, avoiding funding for individual grants, sectarian activities, and operating expenses of established organizations.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is launching a specialized entrepreneurship program aimed at life science researchers in the field of substance use disorders (SUD). This initiative will equip researchers with essential skills to transform their innovative ideas into viable products, focusing on aspects such as market evaluation, customer discovery, and intellectual property. The course will be delivered in a hybrid format to engage US-based SUD researchers effectively, fostering collaboration and advancing the field.

The Coleman County Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government agencies in addressing immediate community needs. Established in 1999, the Foundation has invested over $1.2 million into various sectors including arts, education, health, and social services. This funding opportunity aims to enhance community development and improve the quality of life for residents in Coleman County, fostering growth and support for essential initiatives.

Empowering Monroe County Nonprofits

At the Community Foundation of Monroe County, we partner with organizations that drive meaningful change. From health and education to the environment, we provide the resources to help our local nonprofits thrive.

Monroe Health Endowment

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) is seeking implementation-focused proposals for projects that directly advance Monroe County’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). We are investing in collaborative, community-driven solutions that produce measurable health outcomes for our residents.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

At the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), we are dedicated to our mission of serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. As the largest executive branch agency in the state, our broad reach allows us to provide essential, community-based support where and when it matters most. Our DPHHS team is passionate about improving our clients’ lives and helping them build a more secure and independent future.

Funding Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals

Join us in a funded project and improve patient care, clinical outcomes, and staff knowledge. DPHHS has a wide variety of available grant opportunities for health improvement that fit any clinic or hospital work schedule. Interested in more than one? We can work with health systems to create an outline of activities to align grants and receive additional funding. 

Cardiovascular Funding Opportunities include: Access to Care; Community Health Worker (CHW) Social Need Project; and others.

Access to Care

Increase screening for health-related social needs and build partnerships to address health disparities. With a focus on patients who have diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

The Exhibit Award from the National Library of Medicine supports outreach and professional capacity building through conferences and institutional exhibits. Its mission is to enhance access to biomedical information, particularly for underrepresented populations. Eligible applicants include members of network institutions and organizations serving specific states. Projects may focus on health literacy, equity, and diversity initiatives, aiming to improve health outcomes and awareness of health resources.

The Building Hope: Future Forward Schools Prize & Fellowship Program aims to enhance career exploration for middle and high school students. This initiative, launched by Building Hope in partnership with American Student Assistance, recognizes schools that excel in career-connected learning. Awardees receive funding, mentorship, and resources to empower students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they develop essential skills for future success. With $50,000 available for five schools, this program fosters innovation and prepares students for a changing economy.

The Eitas Grant Program, managed by Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County, offers vital funding to support individuals with developmental disabilities in Jackson County, Missouri. Established over 35 years ago, the program prioritizes community inclusion, transportation, crisis prevention, and equitable housing access. Grants are awarded to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status that directly assist these individuals and their families, ensuring they receive necessary services and support to thrive in their communities.

The Wayne Rush Scholarship, established in memory of Wayne Rush, supports North Montgomery High School graduates pursuing agriculture studies at Purdue University. This scholarship reflects Wayne's commitment to community service and agriculture, offering financial assistance to eligible students who demonstrate need. Priority is given to those involved in 4-H. The scholarship is available annually, contingent on funding, ensuring that future generations can benefit from Wayne's legacy of education and community engagement.

The Nantucket Offshore Wind Community Fund Grant supports tax-exempt organizations and community groups in Nantucket to promote renewable energy, combat climate change, enhance coastal resiliency, and preserve cultural resources. Established through a partnership between Vineyard Wind, the Town of Nantucket, and the Nantucket Preservation Trust, this fund aims to provide impactful programs and services to local residents, fostering sustainability and community engagement.

The Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation Grant supports programs for low-income infants, toddlers, and preschoolers transitioning to kindergarten, emphasizing quality improvement and service expansion in high-need neighborhoods. The Foundation aims to build a robust network of education, health, and social services for children from birth through college. With an annual grant budget of approximately $2 million, it prioritizes local organizations in New York City while focusing on high-poverty areas and community-driven strategies.

The Arts Performance and Exhibition Spaces (APEX) Grant supports arts and culture nonprofits in the Bay Area, offering flexible funding for operations and artist compensation. Grants range from $10,000 to $15,000, aimed at organizations with budgets between $500,000 and $2 million. The program prioritizes diverse artistic expressions and supports historically marginalized groups. Applications are due annually by January 15, with letters of inquiry due by December 1, promoting the production of new works by local artists.

The Local Public Health Overdose Fatality Review Teams Grant Program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to enhance public health responses to overdose fatalities. This initiative will provide $75,000 to 20 local health departments to support their established review teams. These teams will analyze overdose cases, identify systemic gaps, and devise strategies to mitigate future overdoses, ultimately working towards reducing overdose-related deaths in their communities.

The Hearst Foundation's Health Grant aims to support nonprofits that enhance healthcare access for underserved populations in the U.S. Focused on improving skills and increasing healthcare practitioners, the grant also emphasizes public health and medical research. With a history of funding significant projects, the foundation prioritizes programs that address the complex needs of low-income, rural, and elderly communities. This commitment ensures a sustainable impact on national health outcomes while supporting innovative healthcare delivery systems.

The Laura Hare Charitable Trust is dedicated to enhancing Indiana's natural environment through the preservation of ecologically significant lands and promoting environmental education. Grants are available for not-for-profit organizations focused on land acquisition, environmental restoration, education, and stewardship. The Trust aims to maintain the integrity of natural habitats while supporting initiatives that foster public awareness and engagement in environmental conservation. Funding is targeted towards projects that align with these core values.

Career and Technical Education

The goal of the South Dakota Department of Education is for all students to graduate college, career, and life ready. The Division of College, Career and Student Success provides support for students' preparations for postsecondary education and the workforce. Services are connected to approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, work-based learning, student organizations and more. In-line with the department's aspiration, DCCSS works to ensure students not only graduate from high school, but that they are prepared to navigate the transitions and life events that come after high school.

Workforce Education Grants

In 2013, the South Dakota Legislature established the Workforce Education Fund through SB 235. Part of that fund was designated to provide grants for Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in secondary schools.

The Workforce Education Grants provide school districts and private, nonprofit entities who provide specialized training in South Dakota the opportunity to make transformative change in career and technical education programs. High quality CTE programs give students the knowledge, skills and experiences to be well prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. Partnerships among secondary education, postsecondary education, and business & industry lay the foundation for modern CTE programs.

Grant Purpose & Eligibility

The Workforce Education Grants are designed to demonstrate alignment to postsecondary education and South Dakota workforce needs, developing the state's talent pipeline for workforce development and economic growth. Projects must provide work-readiness training, including technical training. Projects cannot include adult basic education, English learner services, or high school equivalency training programs.

Eligible applicants are private, nonprofit entities that provide specialized career and technical services and education as referenced in SDCL 13-13-89. The entities that are awarded grants will serve as fiscal agents through the completion of their projects. All applications must demonstrate commitment by all grant partners to the grant project and its sustainability following the conclusion of the grant.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is dedicated to addressing the opioid epidemic by allocating funds from pharmaceutical settlements to enhance substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across Ohio. For Regional Grant Cycle #2, the Board authorized $40 million to support evidence-based investments in local communities. This funding model aims to create sustainable impacts while ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency in managing resources for long-term recovery efforts.

The WDNR offers grants totaling $250,000 annually to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to enhance facilities, develop recreation projects, and restore habitats on state properties. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit entities committed to conservation and have a written agreement with the DNR. Projects should focus on nature-based outdoor recreation and address specific unmet needs in alignment with DNR management plans. Grants can cover up to 50% of project costs, promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I - Dislocated Worker Program Services

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (MTDLI), in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), is seeking applications from experienced and qualified organizations to execute essential workforce development through the WIOA Title I - Dislocated Worker Program.

In doing so, the Department is seeking applicants who:

• Implement service deliver strategies that align with the 406 JOBS initiative and America's Talent Strategy, including:
  • use of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training models,
  • training in Industry Recognized Credentials,
  • employer engagement to ensure industry-driven strategies, and
  • outreach to hard to reach populations.
• Coordinate with WIOA core partners.
• Deliver strong performance outcomes with respect to employment, wages, credential attainment, and skill gains.