Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Herbert C. Kelman Fellowships, offering $3,000–4,000, support research aimed at understanding and resolving international and ethnic conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Funded by the family of Professor Herbert C. Kelman, these grants encourage Harvard graduate students to engage in peacebuilding efforts. Eligible candidates may use the funding for dissertation-related travel, training, or data compilation throughout the summer or academic year, promoting vital research in conflict resolution.

The Cyanotoxin Monitoring Equipment and Training Grants, offered by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, support public water systems in monitoring cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in surface water sources. Since 2017, these grants have funded essential equipment like fluorometers and microscope cameras, and assist in developing Quality Assurance Project Plans. Eligible applicants include municipalities, non-profit organizations, and various associations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, ensuring continuous support for water quality initiatives.

Evergy Community Investment focuses on enhancing community vitality and environmental leadership. The program prioritizes funding requests that align with its mission to promote sustainability and economic growth in local areas. By supporting initiatives that foster clean energy, workforce readiness, and community engagement, Evergy aims to create a lasting impact. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status, while specific ineligible categories include individuals and religious organizations. For detailed inquiries, agencies are encouraged to reach out directly.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

The Albertsons Foundation - Southwest supports nonprofit organizations that enhance local communities in the Southwest, focusing on health, hunger, education, veterans, and diversity. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 for first-time applicants, with higher amounts considered for established organizations. Eligible applicants must have a valid 501(c)(3) designation and serve the community. The foundation does not fund individuals, political or religious organizations, or events.

The Individual Artist Fellowship Awards, offered by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, support practicing artists in New Jersey to pursue their artistic goals. With two application deadlines on July 2 and July 16, 2025, these fellowships are awarded based on the artistic quality of submitted work, evaluated by independent panels. Eligible artistic categories range from Film and Digital to Painting and Interdisciplinary works, fostering creativity across diverse disciplines.

The RFP for the Rural Rental Housing Preservation Academy offers no-cost training sessions aimed at empowering rural housing providers to acquire and preserve affordable housing financed by USDA, HUD, and LIHTC. Participants will engage in peer learning, receive targeted technical assistance, and access expert guidance tailored to their needs. This initiative seeks to enhance the preservation of affordable housing opportunities, particularly those with rental assistance, in rural communities across the region.

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.

The Margaret Middleton Fund supports annual grants of up to $20,000 for high-quality ecological research on endangered Australian native vertebrate animals. Open to PhD students and early-career researchers, this fund aims to enhance conservation efforts and enable impactful findings for management. Applicants must address ecological issues within Australian ecosystems, with a focus on empirical field-based research. The fund is managed by the Australian Academy of Science, ensuring accessibility for all eligible researchers.

The Music Industry Mental Health Fund’s FireAid Grants aim to support music industry professionals and their families affected by the LA wildfires. By providing up to $2,000 for outpatient mental health services, along with recommendations for qualified providers and follow-up care, this initiative addresses the urgent need for mental health resources in the wake of personal loss and financial hardship. The fund emphasizes continuity of care to ensure that recipients receive comprehensive support as they navigate their recovery.

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.

Darwin Plus: About Us

Darwin Plus (also known as The Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund) is a UK government grants scheme that helps deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the unique biodiversity, the natural environment and improving resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). It is one of the Biodiversity Challenge Funds, which also includes the Darwin Initiative and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, aimed at conserving biodiversity and safeguarding the environment for local people.

Most projects will include one or more of the following themes:

• Biodiversity: improving and conserving biodiversity, and slowing or reversing biodiversity loss and degradation;
• Climate change: responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change and its effects on the natural environment and local communities;
• Environmental quality: improving the condition and protection of the natural environment;
• Capability and capacity building: enhancing the capacity within UKOTs to support the environment in the short- and long-term.
• Projects contribute to the delivery of existing commitments for individual Territories, such as those set out within the national biodiversity strategies, environmental action plans and roadmaps, or equivalent.

Darwin Plus

Darwin Plus is a UK government grants scheme that helps deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the unique biodiversity, the natural environment and improving resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories.

Darwin Plus Main

Darwin Plus Main is intended for environmental projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), offering grants between £50,000 and £1 million, for projects lasting between 6 months and 3 years. Preference will be given to discrete projects implementing existing identified environmental solutions on the ground.

The Columbia Bank Foundation Housing Grant Program aims to provide essential funding for initiatives that ensure accessible, affordable, and safe housing for low-and-moderate income individuals. With grants ranging from $7,501 to $25,000, the Foundation prioritizes support for community-based non-profits that have been operational for at least three years and hold 501(c)(3) status. The program seeks to make a measurable impact in local communities by addressing the critical need for housing.

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

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) in Texas offers low-cost financing for various pollution control projects, including wastewater and stormwater management. With over $460 million allocated for Fiscal Year 2024, this program supports the planning, design, and construction of essential infrastructure. Key features include below-market interest rates, principal forgiveness for disadvantaged communities, and funding for urgent projects. CWSRF is vital for enhancing water quality and environmental sustainability in Texas communities.

The Advocacy for Child-Serving Systems RFP by the William Penn Foundation aims to enhance educational equity in Philadelphia by increasing the number of certified, diverse teachers. This initiative addresses the significant gap between the racial demographics of students and teachers. By funding strategic outreach and educational efforts, the foundation seeks to mobilize stakeholders to advocate for improved funding in early childhood and K-12 education, ensuring that all children have access to quality education and support.

The Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program, administered by CalRecycle, allocates $10.5 million for fiscal year 2024-25 to support cities and counties in California. The funding aims to enhance beverage container recycling and litter cleanup efforts through curbside programs, public education, and cooperative regional projects. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, with minimum awards of $5,000 for cities and $10,000 for counties, based on population metrics.

Community Foundation of East Mississippi

With over 40 years of dedicated service, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi (CFEM) is committed to fostering charitable giving that connects generous individuals, families, and businesses to meaningful causes.

Mission: A catalyst for charitable giving where civic-minded individuals, families, and businesses achieve philanthropic goals. We bridge resources and needs to enhance the dynamic communities we serve.

Grant Opportunities

Community Foundation of East Mississippi awards grants through several competitive application processes each year.

Our service area includes the following 5 counties in East Mississippi: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Newton. 

To receive a grant from the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, all organizations must have the following information readily available. The Foundation may request these documents at any time during the application process and/or after receiving funds.

• Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter OR fiscal sponsorship agreement
• Charitable registration letter from the Mississippi’s Secretary of State’s Public Charities Section, or a current letter stating that your organization is exempt from registration
• Vision, Values, and Mission Statement
• Audited Financial Statements (Form 990)
• Staff Listing
• Board of Directors Roster

Lean on Me Suicide Awareness and Support Grant

The 2025 Lean on Me Jubilee event team are proud of the success of the Second Annual Lean on Me Jubilee, held September 27th, 2025. The event was a great time to connect with the community and each other to move the mission of Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Support forward.

We are pleased to announce that the funds raised at the event will be returned to community partners through mini grants to support other non-profit organizations whose mission aligns with the mission of the Lean on Me Jubilee event team. All community non-profit organizations with programs for Suicide Awareness, Suicide Prevention, or Support for families affected by suicide are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those who participated in making the Lean on Me Jubilee event a success.

The Texas Water Development Fund (DFund) offers state-funded loans for a variety of infrastructure projects, including water supply and flood control initiatives. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions and nonprofit water supply corporations. The program streamlines funding by allowing multiple project components to be included in one loan. As of FY 2020, approximately $2.7 billion has been committed, with applications requiring a pre-application conference to discuss eligibility and project details.

Lawson Family Foundation

The Lawson Family Foundation was established by Phil Lawson in 2020 to serve as a catalyst for the development of a more healthy, prosperous, and inclusive Knoxville community. As a private grantmaking foundation, the Lawson Family Foundation focuses support on organizations involved in the areas of Justice & Economic Mobility, Education & Youth Development, Prevention of Exploitation & Violence, and Community Health & Food Security. 

Driven by the belief that every life has equal value, the Lawson Family Foundation exists to support efforts that promote justice and opportunity in all aspects of society, primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee. In doing so, it seeks to achieve a positive impact in marginalized communities that will last for generations.

Lawson Family Foundation Justice & Economic Mobility Grant

Persistent poverty in Knoxville, especially in East Knoxville, reflects the lasting impact of historic injustices such as redlining and Urban Renewal. These forces have contributed to declining homeownership, loss of generational wealth, and increased risk of displacement—disproportionately affecting historically underserved communities and communities of color. Individuals with prior incarceration often face additional barriers to stable employment and economic advancement.

The Foundation supports initiatives that expand access to financial literacy, capital, and quality employment. 

Title: State Training School – Supplementary Support Services for Individuals in State Correctional Institutions

Funding Period:

July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026

General Information

The purpose of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) is to develop more fully the academic and career, and technical skills of secondary and post-secondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs. Funds made available under this Act for career and technical education activities are provided to supplement and supplant non-federal funds expended to carry out career and technical education activities.

Purpose

The funds are to provide supplementary support services for individuals participating in career and technical education programs offered in State correctional institutions. The services assist these individuals in completing career and technical education programs that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations that will lead to self-sufficiency.

Targeted Population

Individuals in State correctional institutions participating in career and technical education programs.

The Goodnow Fund is a family foundation that provides approximately $1.5 million in grants annually to nonprofit organizations. Focused on supporting vulnerable children, Alzheimer's research, educational opportunities for low-income students, and environmental improvement, the Fund primarily aids organizations in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It identifies potential grantees directly and does not accept unsolicited proposals. For more information, organizations can contact the Fund's Executive Director.

• Innovative: An approach that brings fresh thinking, tools, or models to homeownership in ways that challenge the status quo and demonstrate a disruptive, future-oriented vision with potential to inspire or shift broader field practice.
• Impactful: A solution with meaningful potential to expand homeownership through knowledge and action, featuring clear and measurable progress indicators that demonstrate capacity to shift trajectories for low- and moderate-income households.
• Bridge-Building: An initiative that effectively connects and unifies a wide range of stakeholders, fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors or perspectives. The strongest submissions will reflect strong community partnerships across the housing ecosystem.
• Durable: A sustainable pathway that addresses root causes of homeownership barriers rather than just symptoms, with compelling evidence of potential to elicit robust support from broad private, philanthropic, and public funding sources over time.

The Senator Harold "Potch" Wheeler Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of Whitley County, honors the legacy of a dedicated public servant. This competitive scholarship is available annually to high school seniors from Whitley County who plan to pursue college education in public service or within the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Recipients are chosen based on their embodiment of the ideals and character traits exemplified by Senator Wheeler.

The Saltonstall Foundation offers residency programs for writers and artists in New York, promoting diversity and inclusion. Eligible applicants must be at least 21 years old and reside full-time in New York State. The program spans 2, 3, or 4 weeks, with stipends available to support participants. There are no application fees, and additional financial assistance may be provided based on need. This initiative encourages creative individuals to engage in a nurturing environment.

The Delaney L. Wykle Nursing Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support nursing students from Raleigh and Summers counties in West Virginia. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, possess a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be enrolled in an accredited four-year nursing program. This scholarship helps empower students to achieve their educational goals while enhancing community health services in Southern West Virginia.

The William Penn Foundation's RFP aims to prevent homelessness for families with young children, ages 0-8, by supporting projects that offer critical interventions. Eligible projects include eviction diversion, foreclosure prevention, and home repair services. The foundation encourages partnerships to enhance effectiveness and reserves at least $500,000 for organizations with budgets under $2 million or led by historically marginalized groups. Proposals for funding can span up to three years.