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
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New York State Office of Mental Health
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) oversees a large multi-faceted mental health system serving nearly 800,000 individuals each year. This includes operating 23 psychiatric centers and overseeing the Nathan S. Kline Institute and New York Psychiatric Institute. OMH regulates and certifies more than 6,500 programs operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative Round 10
New York leads the nation in affordable housing preservation and construction. The State Fiscal Year 2026-27 Enacted Budget continues to fund Governor Hochul’s comprehensive plan for housing that ensures New Yorkers have access to safe and secure housing. This funding is for the creation or preservation of affordable and supportive housing units.
Expanding Access to Middle-Wage Occupations
Request for Proposals
The New York City Workforce Funders Collaborative invites proposals for system and pathway models and policy and advocacy efforts that expand access to middle-wage occupations and upskilling opportunities for low-income New Yorkers. Proposals may be submitted by a single organization or a coalition of organizations working together with one organization as the lead.
The collaborative will award grants of up to $200,000 for policy and advocacy efforts that:
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
This assistance package is designed to help municipalities that have not met all the Tree City USA standards complete select urban forestry practices and community forestry activities that are foundational in the management of public trees and to achieve Tree City USA designation. The RFA opens in January each year.
Funding Program Options
A grant will be funded by one of the three funding programs. You will need to select one. (Contact NCFS U&CF program staff for guidance, if needed):
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
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
This assistance package is designed to help municipalities that have not met all the Tree City USA standards complete select urban forestry practices and community forestry activities that are foundational in the management of public trees and to achieve Tree City USA designation. The RFA opens in January each year.
Funding Program Options
A grant will be funded by one of the three funding programs. You will need to select one. (Contact NCFS U&CF program staff for guidance, if needed):
Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR)
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.
Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.
For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
Mission Statement
Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.
Vision Statement
Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
Robert Rainsberger Scholarship
Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.
Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.
Napa Valley Community Foundation
There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.
Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.
Fruit of the Vine Scholarship
The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship Fund benefits graduating Napa County high school seniors and Napa Valley College transfer students who will find the cost of higher education a financial hardship. Consideration is given to applicants who are the first in their family to attend college or are employed (or have a parent or guardian who is employed) in the Napa County wine or grape industry. Recipients of the scholarship will receive funding for up to four years of undergraduate study.
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.
Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.
For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
Mission Statement
Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.
Vision Statement
Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
Robert Rainsberger Scholarship - Purdue Northwest
Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.
Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.
Troutville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship Fund
Fund provides higher educational scholarship assistance to deserving students.
Amount
Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL)
The GOAL program provides grants, federal tax credits and zero-interest federal loans to developers and project sponsors who build affordable rental housing for low- to moderate-income families and seniors.
The rating and award criteria outlined herein has been prepared by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to establish the criteria which will be used to award Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL) Program funds. This program contains four primary funding sources:
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.
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.
How common are grants in this category?
Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.
Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Operating grants for Nonprofits?
Most grants are due in the first quarter.
What's the typical grant amount funded for Operating Grants for Nonprofits?
Grants are most commonly $34,887.
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:
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.