Upcoming Webinar
How Funders Feel About AI, and What Keeps Them Saying Yes.
Wed, Oct 14 @ 2PM ET
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
Skip the search. Get matched with grants that fit your non-profit.
Smart recommendations based on your profile — in minutes.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a sovereign nation and has three main branches of government – Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. One of our most important resources is our people.
Education
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.
Cathern Tufts Memorial Scholarship
Cathern Tufts, affectionately known as “Cat” in the offices of the CTSI administrative offices and Tribal elder woodcuts, was the Tribal Attorney for fourteen and a half years until she passed in 2018 following a short illness. She was a Siletz Tribal member who graduated from Arizona State University School of Law. She served an internship in Washington D.C. prior to going to work as an attorney. Her parents and friends wished to honor her life and achievements through this memorial scholarship. This scholarship is for students in pre-law, law, or in a natural resource field.
About F. R. Bigelow Foundation
F. R. Bigelow Foundation funds programs and helps shape initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and downtown Saint Paul, while enhancing the quality of life in the East Metro area.
Since its founding in 1946, F. R. Bigelow Foundation remains committed to its founding principle of making the Saint Paul community a better place to live, learn and grow. From 1946 through today, the Foundation has invested deeply into neighborhoods across the East Metro, with an emphasis on Saint Paul.
Systems Change Grant Program
Our Systems Change Grant Program supports efforts to help systems adapt, transform and/or be disrupted to achieve more equitable results.
F. R. Bigelow Foundation believes that our community should not only benefit from our work, but inform and form it as well. Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. Our work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity.
The goal of our Systems Change Grant Program is to support efforts to help systems adapt, transform and/or be disrupted to achieve more equitable results.
To do this, we support organizations, programs or initiatives in or serving the East Metro working to address root causes of issues impacting the East Metro.
General operating support will be awarded to organizations, programs or initiatives in or serving the East Metro working to address root causes of any issue impacting the East Metro (including, but not limited to, the five funding priorities of our Community Solutions Grant Program).
In 2026, up to $1,200,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately two to three grants.
The Foundation’s Systems Change Grant Program seeks to address root causes of any issue impacting the East Metro, including, but not limited to, the five funding priorities of our Community Solutions Grant Program:
Community Resilience Centers Round 2
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $55 million in funding from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 for Round 2 of the Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
Program Summary
The CRC Program will offer Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Unlike Round 1, the CRC Program will not offer a separate Project Development Grant type. Instead, Round 2’s Implementation Grant will offer a new, funded “Pre-Development Phase” that will support Lead Grantees’ project readiness before implementation. The Pre-Development Phase will last no more than one year from grant execution.
Implementation Grants
Grant Purpose
Implementation Grants will fund new construction and retrofits of facilities to serve as Community Resilience Centers, as well as programs and services that build overall community resilience.
Examples of Eligible Activities
Construction, retrofits, and other upgrades to the CRC Facility itself; Campus Amenity improvements; programs and services; community engagement.
Project Area
CRC applications must be community focused. All CRC Implementation Grant applicants are required to define a Project Area. The Project Area must encompass the physical location of the CRC Facility (the CRC Site), Campus Amenities connected to the CRC Facility, Partner Sites and any programs and services based out of the CRC Facility or Partner Sites.
Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts
Scholarships will be awarded annually from this fund for college-bound students from any Cattaraugus County High School committed to advancing their skills in any aspect of the arts. Preference will be for graduating seniors of Ellicottville, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, West Valley, Salamanca or Franklinville/Ten-Broeck Academy high schools. First preference will be for students pursuing the fine arts, with second preference for students pursuing performing arts fields. This award is not limited to students majoring in art.
Promoting Academically Successful Students (PASS)
What is the PASS grant?
Promoting Academically Successful Students (PASS) is a competitive grant available through the Minority Advancement Program (MAP). It helps institutions of higher education (IHEs) fund programs that support undergraduate minority students on academic warning or probation. The programs are available to students during the fall and spring semesters.
PASS addresses low enrollment and graduation rates for minority students (mainly Black, Hispanic, and Latino). In Connecticut, about 12 percent of Black and 16 percent of Hispanic or Latino students enroll in an IHE compared to 52 percent of white students. Similarly, 54 percent of Black and 62 percent of Hispanic or Latino students graduate compared to 75 percent of white students.
Students are given an academic warning or placed on probation when they don’t meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards. Students who don’t meet SAP standards2 may lose their financial aid and be dismissed from school. The SAP standards are:
Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Students must complete two-thirds of all attempted courses
Students must complete their program of study without attempting more than 150% of the credits required to complete the degree
OHE oversees all PASS grantees.
Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship
Established by Ben and Rose Schwabenbauer, former long-time teachers in the Olean City School District, this fund awards scholarships for graduating seniors from Olean High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Portville Central School or Bradford Area High School who will be attending a 4-year college with a preference for students majoring in education, particularly elementary education; criminal justice or a law enforcement-related field; or healthcare-related fields of study.
About
Mission, Vision & Values
To enhance our community through philanthropy.
We aspire to co-create diverse, meaningful and innovative charitable giving that yields an exponential positive impact within local communities and beyond.
David Bruce Belcher Fund
About the fund
The David Bruce Belcher Scholarship Fund was established for the training of professionals in nursing, special education, and therapy (physical, speech and occupational) as a legacy of David Bruce Belcher and the caregivers who comforted him. This fund reflects David’s rare spirit and bright love in its support of those who seek to advance their nurturing skills in nursing, therapy, and special education.
Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
The mission of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai‘i. SFCA funding is provided by the State of Hawai‘i and the National Endowment for the Arts.
America250 Grant for Hawaiʻi Veterans
In celebration of the United States of America’s bicentennial, America250, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) allocated funding to state arts agencies nationwide to support arts projects celebrating the nation’s artistic heritage and creativity.
The project must celebrate America 250 through arts-based projects or programs directly focused on Hawaiʻi veterans. All project activities must be implemented in the State of Hawaiʻi. Proposals can include activities that honor veterans or improve the health and well-being of military and veteran communities. Examples of possible projects are arts and healing programs, visual arts, StoryCorps, spoken word, film, exhibition, performance, historical/heritage interpretations, and living history projects.
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Greenway Community Grant: Municipal Projects
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Greenway Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Greenway Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
Greenway Communities can apply for Greenway Community Grants up to $20,000 for municipal projects. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Greenway Community Grant: Inter-Municipal Projects
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Greenway Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Greenway Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
Greenway Communities can apply for Greenway Community Grants up to $45,000 for intermunicipal projects. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Community Grant: Municipal Projects
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Compact Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Compact Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
A designated Compact Community is a municipality that has formally adopted its County’s Compact Plan, a strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
Compact Communities can apply for Compact Community Grants up to $50,000 for municipal projects. To be considered for a Compact Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Community Grant: Inter-Municipal Projects
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Compact Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Compact Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
A designated Compact Community is a municipality that has formally adopted its County’s Compact Plan, a strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
Compact Communities can apply for Compact Community Grants up to $110,000 for inter-municipal projects. To be considered for a Compact Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Community Grant: County Compact Plan Update
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Compact Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Compact Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
A designated Compact Community is a municipality that has formally adopted its County’s Compact Plan, a strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
Compact Communities can apply for Compact Community Grants up to $75,000 for county compact plan updates. To be considered for a Compact Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.
McHenry Community Planning Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.
HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.
In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry.
Greenway Communities
Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.
To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Communities
All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.
Compact Community Grant: County Compact Plan Development
The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Compact Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Compact Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.
A designated Compact Community is a municipality that has formally adopted its County’s Compact Plan, a strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.
Compact Communities can apply for Compact Community Grants up to $100,000 for county compact plan development. To be considered for a Compact Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
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.