Skip to main content
Main content

Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

Get operating grants for nonprofits covering essential expenses, staffing, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.

32,000+

Available grants

$8.25B

Total funding

$6K

Median grant

32,000+ grants
$8.25B total
$6K median

Skip the search. Get matched with grants that fit your non-profit.

Skip the search.

Get matched with grants that actually fit.

Smart recommendations based on your profile — in minutes.

Find me grants

Filters

32,241 Results based on applied filters

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Illinois

Friends of NRA
Association/Society
Adams County, Illinois, Champaign County, Illinois +13 more
US $3,000 - US $5,000

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Illinois

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

  • General shooting programs
  • Competitive shooting
  • Education, training and safety
  • Hunting and conservation
  • Community outreach
  • Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Crisis Intervention Sport Shooting Gun Violence Prevention

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages - Bad Tree Bounty Project

North Carolina Forest Service
State/Local Government
North Carolina
Unspecified amount

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program

The goal of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to help municipalities reach a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. We define urban and community forestry as follows:

Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community.

Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change.

When municipalities and partners accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to sustainable program success.

We use the accomplishment of six specific standards to measure and classify the development status of a community’s U&CF program into one of four management classifications. This helps a community measure its progress, celebrate accomplishments, and allows us to best serve each community’s individual needs.

The Urban and Community Forestry Project Financial Assistance Program is designed to help communities climb this sustainable management hierarchy. The program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance and guidance in the development and completion of U&CF projects comprised of urban and community forestry practices and activities. A Request for Applications (RFA) process is offered several times a year to help you plan and apply for these assistance opportunities. Definitions of the practices, activities and project deliverables can be found in the following document: NCFS U&CF FAP Glossary of Deliverables and Requirements

Financial Assistance Program Packages

We offer the following packages of specific practices and activities, each designed to help move a community up the management hierarchy or address a specific need.

  • Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad Tree Bounty Project);
  • Professional Staff Development Assistance
  • N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance
  • Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)).

Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: Bad Tree Bounty Project

Working directly with the NCFS, this assistance package is designed to assist a municipality with enhancing urban forest protection and management through a project that identifies and mitigates “bad” trees. Bad trees may include invasive tree species and/or risk trees, trees that pose an unacceptable risk to people and property. Assistance will be awarded to one municipality or tribal government. The RFA opens in January each year.

Forestry

Impact of Immunotherapies on CNS Outcomes in People with HIV: Potential Benefits, Challenges and Risks

US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Federal Government
American Samoa, Guam +4 more
Up to US $2,000,000
The upcoming National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funding opportunity aims to explore the effects of HIV immunotherapies on central nervous system (CNS) outcomes. It seeks to identify mechanisms, benefits, and risks associated with these therapies, focusing on overcoming CNS-specific barriers. The initiative encourages collaborations to develop strategies for achieving sustained virologic remission and improving neurological outcomes for individuals with HIV, particularly targeting neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation.
HIV / AIDS

Suicide Prevention

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
State/Local Government
Wisconsin
Up to US $1,125,000

Suicide Prevention

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to support suicide prevention programming focused on improving the quality of clinical care in health and behavioral health care systems.

The intended geographic area to be covered is the entire state.

The population of focus is adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Adults with SMI are a priority population under the original funding source for this grant, the federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant. Federal law defines adults with SMI as people age 18 and over, who currently or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the diagnosable disorder has resulted in functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

Estimated award amount(s)

  • $225,000 per awardee per year

Total funding available

  • $1,125,000

Anticipated length of funding opportunity

  • 5 years
  • Renewal of the contract each year will be based upon the awardee’s satisfactory performance, satisfactory completion of annual deliverables and grant expectations, audit findings, and the availability of funds.
Suicide Prevention

Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award

Raptor Research Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Raptor Research Foundation

RRF Mission Statement: The Raptor Research Foundation advances the science, conservation, and understanding of birds of prey.

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award

The Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award honors outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to raptor research and conservation. These notable awardees are recognized for their significant contributions to the study and conservation of birds of prey, as well as their outstanding achievements gained through innovative field work, impactful collaborative partnerships, and a lifetime of inclusive interactions with their peers and the public focused on raptors. This is a joint award originally given by the Raptor Research Foundation in partnership with The Peregrine Fund. Going forward, we welcome partnerships with other raptor-oriented organizations, depending on the nominee’s involvement with both the proposing organization and RRF. The award is intended to complement RRF’s Hamerstrom (primarily academic focused) and Cade (primarily conservation focused) awards. 

This is a non-monetary award, designated with a plaque and a RRF resolution honoring the awardee.

The nomination committee consists of representatives of both RRF and the partner organization. Once a nominee is identified, the boards of both the RRF and the partner organization will ratify the nomination.

Ornithology

F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP): Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration (Window 2)

California Air Resources Board
State/Local Government
California
US $1 - US $750,000
The F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) aims to incentivize the adoption of ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant technologies in commercial and industrial sectors. By promoting these climate-friendly technologies, FRIP intends to reduce fluorinated gas emissions and support California's efforts to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets as mandated by Senate Bill 1383. The program focuses on achieving economies of scale to facilitate wider market adoption and enhance environmental sustainability.
Carbon / Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Scranton Area Foundation: Jefferson Scholarship

Scranton Area Foundation Inc
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who intends to pursue nursing or a related field of study at a college or university, and who demonstrates academic achievement, good citizenship, service to others, leadership, and financial need.

Education - Higher Education Nursing Youth Development & Leadership +2 more

William Andersen Student Presentation Awards

Raptor Research Foundation
Private
United States
US $325 - US $525

Raptor Research Foundation

RRF Mission Statement: The Raptor Research Foundation advances the science, conservation, and understanding of birds of prey.

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

William Andersen Student Presentation Awards

The Awards: The William C. Andersen Memorial Awards are given to both the best student oral and poster presentation at the annual RRF meeting. This award can only be given to a student once per degree (bachelor, master, or doctorate). To be eligible, a student must be senior author and presenter of the paper or poster.

Students wishing to apply for this award should indicate their interest by checking the box on the abstract submission form. 

Amount

The poster award recipient receives $325, 1-year free membership to RRF, and waived page charges to publish their research in the Journal of Raptor Research. The recipient must be the primary author and the paper must reflect what the award was for.

The paper award recipient receives $525, 1-year free membership to RRF, and waived page charges to publish their research in the Journal of Raptor Research. The recipient must be the primary author and the paper must reflect what the award was for.

About William Andersen

The William C. Andersen Award was established in 1982 in memory of Bill Andersen, who drowned in 1980 while canoeing the Churchill River in Manitoba during a Peregrine Falcon survey. Dr. Andersen was a chemistry professor, but his first love was raptors. He established the Ornithology Research Center at Otero Jr. College in La Junta Colorado, as a medium for raising funds for the field research he conducted with his students. His interest in raptors of southeastern Colorado grasslands naturally evolved into developing a solution to the universal problem of raptor persecution. He established a rehabilitation facility and tirelessly lectured to service clubs and school groups about the benefits of raptors. He was a strong supporter of the RRF and a number of students accompanied him to each of the annual meetings. His enthusiasm, sincerity, and humor sparked an interest in raptors among many of his students and associates. While participating in the 1980 North American Peregrine Falcon Survey, Bill and a partner were canoeing on the Churchill River in northern Manitoba. They unexpectedly encountered extremely turbulent water and capsized. Bill disappeared and presumably drowned. In that instant, raptors and those inspired by them lost one of their strongest allies.

Ornithology

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance

North Carolina Forest Service
State/Local Government
North Carolina
Unspecified amount

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program

The goal of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to help municipalities reach a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. We define urban and community forestry as follows:

Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community.

Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change.

When municipalities and partners accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to sustainable program success.

We use the accomplishment of six specific standards to measure and classify the development status of a community’s U&CF program into one of four management classifications. This helps a community measure its progress, celebrate accomplishments, and allows us to best serve each community’s individual needs.

The Urban and Community Forestry Project Financial Assistance Program is designed to help communities climb this sustainable management hierarchy. The program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance and guidance in the development and completion of U&CF projects comprised of urban and community forestry practices and activities. A Request for Applications (RFA) process is offered several times a year to help you plan and apply for these assistance opportunities. Definitions of the practices, activities and project deliverables can be found in the following document: NCFS U&CF FAP Glossary of Deliverables and Requirements

Financial Assistance Program Packages

We offer the following packages of specific practices and activities, each designed to help move a community up the management hierarchy or address a specific need.

  • Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad Tree Bounty Project);
  • Professional Staff Development Assistance
  • N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance
  • Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)).

N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance

Working directly with the NCFS, this assistance package is designed to help municipalities that have not achieved Tree City USA designation plan and hold an Arbor Day celebration on North Carolina Arbor Day. Assistance is awarded to a select number of municipalities or tribal governments. The RFA opens in July each year.

Forestry

Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State/Local Government
Minnesota
US $1,000 - US $10,000

Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

The intent of the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program is to support new farmers in Minnesota to access equipment and develop infrastructure that will be crucial to the future of their farm business.

Through this grant, beginning farmers are able to pay for:

  • Agriculture-specific equipment needed to grow crops, raise livestock or store the related farm products
  • Farm infrastructure investments related to water access; irrigation; fencing; electricity; walk-in coolers; livestock handling; grain storage; production-related structures such as barns, livestock buildings, and greenhouses; and other farm infrastructure.

Funds available

This program is funded by the Minnesota Legislature.

For the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 program, the MDA expects to award approximately $700,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum award is $10,000 and the minimum award is $1,000. 

For proposals requesting up to $2,000, no match is required, 100% of the costs can be reimbursed. For proposals requesting more than $2,000, grantees may be reimbursed up to 75% of their costs up to $10,000. See Request for Proposals for details.

We expect to award between 70 and 95 of grants; however, the final number depends on the size of the awards and will be determined through the proposal review process.

Agricultural Crops Farms & Farming Farmland Preservation

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - North Carolina

Friends of NRA
Association/Society
Alamance County, North Carolina, Alexander County, North Carolina +98 more
US $3,000 - US $5,000

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - North Carolina

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

  • General shooting programs
  • Competitive shooting
  • Education, training and safety
  • Hunting and conservation
  • Community outreach
  • Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Crisis Intervention Sport Shooting Gun Violence Prevention

Resiliency Grants

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
State/Local Government
Washington
Unspecified amount

About WSDA

WSDA has been serving agriculture and the public for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we support keeping agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. The nature of our work falls into three primary roles: Service; Regulation; and Advocacy.

Resiliency Grants

To help address critical needs of hunger relief organizations across Washington, WSDA Food Assistance (FA) Resiliency Grants Program applications are open to eligible hunger relief organizations, including those not currently participating in FA core programs.

The Resiliency Grants Program is funded by the General Fund-State operating budget. This grant is a reimbursement grant.

This program contributes to WSDA’s ongoing Focus on Food Initiative, which aims to ensure access to a safe and nutritious supply of food to support a healthy and thriving Washington population. 

WSDA Priorities

This program will prioritize:

  • Providing access to flexible funding to hunger relief organizations, including tribes and tribal organizations, to support current and vital organizational needs.
  • Supporting hunger relief organizations in ways that they determine are best for their community.
  • Supporting access to nutritious food.
  • Ensuring funding is distributed across the entire state.

Grant Objectives

Through this program, WSDA will fund projects that bring immediate benefit to the community and target the following objectives:

  • Collaboration amongst organizations to make significant improvements to the hunger relief network in their area.
  • Increase client access to food and reduce client barriers.
  • Respond to organization and community need.

Statewide Funding and Allocations

  • To ensure funding is distributed across Washington State, WSDA FA has allocated a percentage of the total grant amount to each region (9 regions) in the state (see region map). The amount allocated is determined by poverty data from each county within the designated region and is dependent on receiving sufficient grant requests from each region.
  • Each region is scored separately. The top scored application(s) within each region will be awarded. For example, an application from an organization in King County will not be in direct competition with an application from Pend Oreille County.

Allowable and Disallowed Costs

  • For a comprehensive list, see our Allowable and Disallowed Costs publication.
  • These funds are not intended for projects better served by Capital Budget requests (see definitions): This document (“WA State Capital Budget 101”) provided by our partners at Feeding Washington explains the Capital Budget process.

Food Access & Hunger Food Security Nutrition & Healthy Eating

MASS Timber Assembly RFP

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
State/Local Government
Massachusetts
US $40,000

MASS Timber Assembly RFP

MASS Timber Assembly is a 12-month cohort program for Massachusetts building project teams pursuing mass timber construction. Up to eight teams will be selected to receive grant funding, hands-on technical assistance, facilitated peer-to-peer learning, and workshop sessions with industry experts; all committed to sharing their experience about how to best advance individual projects and mass timber adoption more broadly.

MASS Timber Assembly is designed to:

  • Advance the design and construction of mass timber projects in Massachusetts
  • Build the capacity of Massachusetts-based project teams to design and construct mass timber buildings
  • Generate knowledge to expand the market for mass timber in Massachusetts

Participants will receive:

  • $40,000 in grant funding per project team
  • A structured technical analysis of the project’s cost, construction schedule, and carbon impacts, developed collaboratively with the project team
  • Dedicated 1:1 technical assistance from mass timber and embodied carbon experts
  • Access to key decision makers in the mass timber supply ecosystem, including hands-on workshops and industry roundtables
  • Peer-to-peer learning with seven other project teams navigating similar challenges
  • In-person program sessions, including: a kickoff event, technical training from WoodWorks, a dedicated construction-management session, a mid-program industry roundtable, and a final showcase
  • Shared team workspace and cohort communications tools
  • A published case study in the MASS Timber Assembly project collection
Forestry

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Pathways Program

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
State/Local Government
Minnesota
Up to US $50,000
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Pathways Program aims to provide training and career opportunities for individuals with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Grants of up to $400,000 support projects that include partnerships between businesses and accredited Minnesota educational institutions. Funds can cover training-related costs but not wage subsidies or tuition reimbursement. This program is essential for fostering workforce development and enhancing the skills of low-income individuals, ultimately aiding their transition into sustainable employment.
Workforce Preparation & Job Readiness Adult Education Vocational & Trade Education +2 more

Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Achievement Award

Raptor Research Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Raptor Research Foundation

RRF Mission Statement: The Raptor Research Foundation advances the science, conservation, and understanding of birds of prey.

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Achievement Award

The Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Award is a non-monetary award that recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to the understanding of raptor ecology and natural history. The award has no restrictions, but membership in the RRF is encouraged. Nomination packets can be submitted in the spring. Recipients will be announced at the annual meeting. Recipients are invited to give a plenary lecture at the subsequent RRF annual meeting. 

About The Hamerstroms: The award was established in 1990 to recognize and honor the Hamerstrom’s contributions to our understanding of raptor natural history and ecology through their long-term ecological studies. Between them, during their lifetime of research they authored and co-authored over 240 scientific papers, books, and reviews. Fran and Hammie moved from Boston to the midwest, where Fran was Aldo Leopold’s only female graduate student. They settled down in Plainfield Wisconsin where a small army of young researchers got their start in the field helping out on studies of harriers and prairie chickens. 

Ornithology

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: Special Projects - Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR))

North Carolina Forest Service
State/Local Government
Alleghany County, North Carolina, Ashe County, North Carolina +10 more
US $2,200,000

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program

The goal of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to help municipalities reach a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. We define urban and community forestry as follows:

Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community.

Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change.

When municipalities and partners accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to sustainable program success.

We use the accomplishment of six specific standards to measure and classify the development status of a community’s U&CF program into one of four management classifications. This helps a community measure its progress, celebrate accomplishments, and allows us to best serve each community’s individual needs.

The Urban and Community Forestry Project Financial Assistance Program is designed to help communities climb this sustainable management hierarchy. The program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance and guidance in the development and completion of U&CF projects comprised of urban and community forestry practices and activities. A Request for Applications (RFA) process is offered several times a year to help you plan and apply for these assistance opportunities. Definitions of the practices, activities and project deliverables can be found in the following document: NCFS U&CF FAP Glossary of Deliverables and Requirements

Financial Assistance Program Packages

We offer the following packages of specific practices and activities, each designed to help move a community up the management hierarchy or address a specific need.

  • Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
  • Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad tree bounty project);
  • Professional Staff Development Assistance
  • N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance
  • Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))

Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR))

The N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) program seeks to award two, two-year grants to an organization(s) (grantee) to manage and complete select urban forestry services (Climb to Tree City USA package) for municipalities awarded assistance (subrecipient) through our Financial Assistance Program (FAP) request for applications (RFAs) process. 

Funding Programs

There are two federal funding programs that will fund this work:

  • Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR)
  • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR)

  • Tribal government or a municipality located in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania or Yancey counties. 
  • Indirect administration – 15% of services billed.
  • $2.2 million in assistance is available for award of all HHR funded work.

Forestry

Greater Boston Council on Alcoholism Grant Program

Greater Boston Council on Alcoholism
Corporate
Essex County, Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Massachusetts +2 more
Up to US $7,500
The Greater Boston Council on Alcoholism Grant Program supports innovative education, prevention, and research initiatives targeting alcohol and drug use disorders. This charitable foundation emphasizes equity and justice, providing funding between $2,500 and $7,500 to non-profits in Greater Boston. GBCoA seeks to empower organizations that address diverse community needs while measuring the impact of their programs, fostering a deeper public understanding of addiction and its treatment.
Alcoholism

Metro Nature in Neighborhoods: Nature Education Grants

Metro
State/Local Government
Clackamas County, Oregon, Multnomah County, Oregon +1 more
Up to US $100,000
Metro's Nature Education Grants aim to foster connections between communities and nature in the Portland area. These grants support projects that enhance environmental education, promote cultural equity, and engage diverse populations. By prioritizing programs that address racial equity and climate resilience, the grants seek to create partnerships that improve local ecosystems and community engagement. Offered every two years, they encourage innovative projects that restore habitats and provide hands-on educational experiences for all ages.
Parks & Public Spaces Outdoor Recreation Outdoor Equity +3 more

Special Interest Grants: Developmental Disabilities - Laura Turner Fund and the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund

Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Private
Accomack County, Virginia, Chesapeake City, Virginia +7 more
US $1,000 - US $7,500
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation offers the Special Interest Grants: Developmental Disabilities through two funds—the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund and the Laura Turner Fund. These grants support organizations that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. The Gray Fund provides $5,000 to $10,000 for training programs for those with intellectual disabilities, while the Turner Fund offers $1,000 to $2,000 specifically for services to adults with cerebral palsy, promoting better living conditions in southeastern Virginia.
Disability Care & Services Special Needs Education Cerebral Palsy +1 more

Kids in Motion Grant Program

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation
Private
Indian River County, Florida
Unspecified amount
The Kids in Motion Grant Program by The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation aims to empower underserved children in Indian River County, Florida, through health, fitness, nutrition, and enrichment initiatives. This initiative encourages schools and community organizations to enhance their programs by promoting lifelong healthy habits and offering safe environments for children to thrive. The Foundation supports over 2,400 children, fostering positive youth development through active participation in various activities including tennis, dance, and sports.
Physical Fitness Nutrition & Healthy Eating Wellness & Healthy Living +2 more

Fund for the Northwest Corner Grants

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Private
Litchfield County, Connecticut
US $5,000 - US $7,500

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Since 1987, we have strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership. We channel generosity where it is needed, bringing together resources and passion to tackle our region’s most pressing issues and create lasting change.

The Region We Serve

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation serves Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess and northwest Litchfield counties. This unique area where New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts meet contains 2,200 square miles of natural beauty and small-town charm that is home to nearly 230,000 people.

Fund for the Northwest Corner

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation established the Fund for the Northwest Corner in 2000 to improve the quality of life for the residents of northwest Litchfield County, Connecticut: Cornwall, Falls Village, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren.

For more than two decades, the Fund has supported innovative community-based initiatives that strengthen our communities and create lasting impact.

In 2026, the Fund for the Northwest Corner is launching its first competitive grant cycle, reflecting its commitment to addressing emerging community needs. 

As reductions in state and federal funding intersect with rising demand for essential services, local organizations are adapting quickly. This grant cycle is designed to provide timely support while maintaining close dialogue with the nonprofits serving our towns, ensuring that charitable resources remain aligned with the region’s most pressing priorities.

By combining local insight with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s trusted stewardship and grantmaking infrastructure, Fund for the Northwest Corner deploys resources strategically across critical areas of need.

Together, we aim to strengthen the local safety net and support the well-being of our community members now and into the future.

Types of Support

Requests will be considered for new or existing projects and programs. 

Support may include program expenses, expanded service delivery, staffing, supplies, or other critical costs directly tied to maintaining or strengthening essential services.

Requests may support existing programs, expanded services, or essential operational costs necessary to stabilize and sustain services during this period of increased strain.

Grants are intended to meet the most urgent needs and to be deployed within nine months of the notification deadline. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to expend funds within this timeframe.

Immigrant Services Basic Human Needs Child Care Services +3 more

MyCAP, Middle School Career Connected Learning, and High School Work-based Learning- Option 3: 0413 Work-based Learning

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
State/Local Government
Massachusetts
Approximately US $500,000

MyCAP, Middle School Career Connected Learning, and High School Work-based Learning

The My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) Planning and Implementation, Middle School Career Connected Learning, and Work-based Learning Grants provide supplementary support to districts/schools who are working to improve the college, career, and civic readiness for all students.

Option 3: 0413 Work-based Learning

This competitive grant is available to schools focused on building systems and strategically aligning resources to expand work-based learning opportunities for their students. This grant is intended to support the implementation of Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) Pathway as the new statewide work-based learning database.

This group's work will lead the state in the development of:

  • models and resources for implementing MEFA Pathway as the statewide student portal for Work-based Learning Plans and statewide work-based learning data collection including for purposes of Perkins V, Connecting Activities, and Youthworks;
  • models and resources for Work-based learning plans as part of MyCAP implementation;
  • models and resources for strategic use of Connecting Activities, YouthWorks, and related resources to expand students access to work-based learning opportunities and bring work-based learning opportunities to all secondary students;
  • opportunities to integrate Youthworks and Connecting activities planning and reporting tools; and
  • Recommendations for alignment of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) career development model and YouthWorks employment engagement standards.
  • Education - K through 12 Academic Success & Enrichment After School / Summer Educational Programs +1 more

    N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: Special Projects - Climb to Tree City USA Services (Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))

    North Carolina Forest Service
    State/Local Government
    North Carolina
    US $5,600,000

    N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program

    The goal of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to help municipalities reach a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. We define urban and community forestry as follows:

    Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community.

    Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change.

    When municipalities and partners accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to sustainable program success.

    We use the accomplishment of six specific standards to measure and classify the development status of a community’s U&CF program into one of four management classifications. This helps a community measure its progress, celebrate accomplishments, and allows us to best serve each community’s individual needs.

    The Urban and Community Forestry Project Financial Assistance Program is designed to help communities climb this sustainable management hierarchy. The program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance and guidance in the development and completion of U&CF projects comprised of urban and community forestry practices and activities. A Request for Applications (RFA) process is offered several times a year to help you plan and apply for these assistance opportunities. Definitions of the practices, activities and project deliverables can be found in the following document: NCFS U&CF FAP Glossary of Deliverables and Requirements

    Financial Assistance Program Packages

    We offer the following packages of specific practices and activities, each designed to help move a community up the management hierarchy or address a specific need.

    • Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
    • Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))
    • Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad tree bounty project);
    • Professional Staff Development Assistance
    • N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance
    • Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))

    Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))

    The N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) program seeks to award two, two-year grants to an organization(s) (grantee) to manage and complete select urban forestry services (Climb to Tree City USA package) for municipalities awarded assistance (subrecipient) through our Financial Assistance Program (FAP) request for applications (RFAs) process. 

    Funding Programs

    There are two federal funding programs that will fund this work:

    • Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR)

    • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

    Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

    • 100% of the Tribal government or municipality’s incorporated lands fall within the boundaries of NCFS U&CF Financial Assistance Program Inflation Reduction Act project areas.
    • Indirect administration – 20% of services billed.
    • $5.6 million in assistance is available for award of all IRA funded work.

    Forestry

    Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - New York

    Friends of NRA
    Association/Society
    Albany County, New York, Allegany County, New York +60 more
    US $3,000 - US $5,000

    Friends of NRA

    Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

    Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

    Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

    Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - New York

    The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

    • General shooting programs
    • Competitive shooting
    • Education, training and safety
    • Hunting and conservation
    • Community outreach
    • Historical education

    Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

    Crisis Intervention Sport Shooting Gun Violence Prevention

    Performance Review and Assistance Program Grant

    Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
    State/Local Government
    Minnesota
    Up to US $25,000

    Performance Review and Assistance Program Grant

    The Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) provides grants to local governments who seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in delivering and executing organizational goals and objectives. Local government units do not need to be the subject of a previous PRAP performance review to apply for these funds, but with limited funding, priority is given to recommended activities or strategies from previous reviews. 

    The maximum amount is $10,000 for a single entity application and $20,000 for a project that involves multiple entities or partnerships. 

    Typical PRAP assistance activities include professional services (facilitation, mediation, or consulting) related to organizational improvement strategies. Examples of past activities that have been funded are listed below.

    • Reorganizations or mergers
    • Strategic planning
    • Organizational development
    • Assessments for shared services
    • Non-routine financial audits
    • Staff and board capacity and workload assessments
    Water Resource Management

    NJDEP Recycling Awards

    State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
    State/Local Government
    New Jersey
    Unspecified amount
    The NJDEP Recycling Awards recognize outstanding contributions to recycling in New Jersey. This annual event honors individuals, businesses, and institutions that have significantly advanced recycling efforts. Categories include Government, Business, Volunteer Citizen, and more, celebrating innovative programs and dedicated service that promote sustainability and resource management. By showcasing best practices, the awards aim to inspire others to enhance recycling initiatives across the state, contributing to a greener future for New Jersey.
    Recycling

    Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation Grant

    Charles And Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation Inc
    Private
    United States
    Up to US $10,000
    The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation aims to enhance the lives of children and young adults in the U.S. by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on arts, education, health, and welfare. Grants, capped at $10,000, must be utilized within one year and are not automatically renewable. The foundation seeks to support smaller charities that may not receive broad public backing, thus creating a more significant impact on individual communities.
    Youth Development & Leadership Youth Involvement in the Arts Youth Services +3 more

    Operating Grants for Nonprofits Highlights

    Operating grants for nonprofits provide essential funding to support day-to-day operations, staff salaries, and infrastructure. The following grants help organizations build capacity, maintain sustainability, and focus on achieving their mission-driven goals.


    Search Instrumentl's Operating Grants Database


    Explore 8,000+ funding opportunities for operational support, with $3.43B in resources. Instrumentl helps nonprofits secure essential funding by offering grant discovery tools, deadline tracking, and strategic funder analysis to ensure long-term success.

    Grant Insights : Operating Grants for Nonprofits

    Grant Availability

    How common are grants in this category?

    Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.

    8,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

    3,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits over $25K in average grant size

    3,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits over $50K in average grant size

    1,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits supporting general operating expenses

    7,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits supporting programs / projects

    600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

    3,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Education

    Grant Deadline Distribution

    Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Operating grants for Nonprofits?

    Most grants are due in the first quarter.

    Q1
    29.8%
    Q2
    23.8%
    Q3
    23.9%
    Q4
    22.6%

    Typical Funding Amounts

    What's the typical grant amount funded for Operating Grants for Nonprofits?

    Grants are most commonly $34,887.

    $0 $0 Min.
    $34,887 $34.9 K Median
    $655,609 $655.6 K Average
    $188,250,000 $188.3 M Max.

    Frequently asked questions

    Nonprofits of all types can apply for operating grants, but they are especially useful for organizations needing flexible funding to support the core work of their mission. Operating grants are ideal for nonprofits involved in general population well-being. Specific sectors include healthcare, education, social services, and the arts. Unlike project-based grants that fund specific initiatives, operating grants help with essential costs like staff salaries, rent, and general admin costs. Funders often look for groups with a clear mission who serve a meaningful purpose and have potential for long-term impact.

    Based on Instrumentl’s live grant database for operating, grant deadlines are most common in Q1, accounting for 29.8% of all submission dates. The slowest period for new grant opportunities in this category falls in Q4, making it a less competitive time for preparation and strategic planning.

    Operating grants exist to help nonprofits function smoothly and grow effectively. The goal is to give organizations the financial means they need to focus on their mission, serve their communities, and support long-term stability. These grants allow nonprofits to improve everyday operations, invest in staff development, and expand programs. Funders want to see nonprofits thrive, not just survive, and providing operational support is a key element to making that happen.

    Funding for operating grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $0 to a maximum of $188,250,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $34,887, while the average grant awarded is $655,609. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

    Operating grants are often funded by private foundations like the popular Ford Foundation. Some government agencies offer grants to strengthen nonprofit infrastructure, especially in sectors like health, education, and social services. Corporate giving programs may also support nonprofits that align with their values and create lasting impact.

    To improve the chances of getting operating grants, nonprofits should:

    • Showcase past impact – Use data and real-world examples to prove how your organization has already made a difference.
    • Prove how you align with funder priorities – Research what funders care about and explain how your nonprofit’s mission fits within their goals.
    • Prove financial stability – Funders want to support organizations that can manage funds responsibly and have a solid sustainability plan for the long-term.
    • Emphasize lasting growth – Describe how operating funds will help your nonprofit expand its reach, strengthen programs, and increase its overall impact.

    For more advice on finding and winning operating grants, check out our step-by-step guide to general operating grants.

    Instrumentl simplifies the process of applying for operating grants by offering an intuitive platform that helps nonprofits discover relevant funding opportunities, track deadlines, and analyze funder-giving patterns. The platform's automated alerts ensure users never miss a deadline, while detailed funder insights help organizations tailor their applications to align with grantor priorities.

    Check out how Habitat for Humanity delivered over 200% ROI within just a few weeks.