Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The James M. Schooler, Sr. Scholarship, established by the Beta Theta Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, aims to support African American male students from Durham and Orange County, North Carolina, pursuing a four-year degree. This scholarship encourages academic excellence without a minimum GPA requirement, emphasizing the importance of education and community engagement for young African American men. It reflects the Triangle Community Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering leadership in the local community.

The Charles H. Hall Foundation Grant supports educational, health, and cultural programs for underserved populations in Massachusetts, with a focus on preventing cruelty to children and animals. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, and are typically awarded for one year. Organizations providing direct services are prioritized. The foundation seeks to address the needs of communities in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, ensuring impactful support for local initiatives.

Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Industrial Renovation for Opportunity & New Economic Development (IRONED) Grant

Purpose

The IRONED pilot grant was created to preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated industrial and manufacturing buildings in rural communities, stimulating local economies and supporting business growth. This grant is meant to be gap financing for projects that need one last piece of their funding stack to get the project across the finish line.

Eligible Projects

Renovation of industrial or manufacturing facilities for projects that are ready for implementation and need gap financing. Renovation must be completed within 12 months of award and the tenant operating in the space must be in place within 18 months. 

The Tucker Foundation Grant Program aims to support nonprofit organizations that foster character development in youth and conserve the environment. The foundation focuses on education, environmental conservation, arts, and social improvement, primarily in Tennessee and Wyoming. Eligible organizations must have IRS 501(c)(3) status, while ineligible activities include political lobbying, purely religious efforts, and requests benefiting individuals. The foundation seeks to empower communities through meaningful projects.

The Davison Bruce Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the mind, body, and spirit of humankind by investing in health, education, economic assistance, and Christian outreach. Their grantmaking program focuses on supporting vulnerable populations through wellness services, life skills training, and sustainable rehabilitation. By prioritizing community needs, the foundation aims to facilitate systemic change and empower individuals to regain their independence, thereby enabling them to bless the world.

The Holmberg Foundation Grant supports educational, charitable, and religious needs for economically disadvantaged individuals. This private foundation aims to empower those with the potential to succeed in college but lacking financial means. Key funding focuses include support for charitable organizations, scientific initiatives, and educational institutions like JCC and SUNY Fredonia, making a positive impact in the community.

Tourism Legislative Event Grants

In the FY2026 Budget, $2,730,000 was allocated to the Alabama Tourism Department for grants to promote local and state economies. Grants shall be reflective of the geographical diversity of the state. Each grant shall be awarded following the recommendation of members of the Legislature or legislative delegations. No House of Representatives district shall receive more than five grants at $2,600 per grant awarded, and no Senate District shall receive more than ten grants at $3,900 per grant awarded. The Alabama Tourism Department is proud to work with the Alabama Legislature to administer these grants. 

Florida Department of Health

Led by the State Surgeon General, the mission of the Florida Department of Health is to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

The Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative

The Florida Department of Health’s Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative supports the pursuit of identifying cures for pediatric cancer.

The Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative is established in section 381.922, Florida Statutes, works to advance progress toward curing pediatric cancer through grants awarded through a peer-reviewed, competitive process, to:

• Significantly expand pediatric cancer research capacity in Florida
• Improve both research and treatment through greater pediatric enrollment in clinical trials networks
• Reduce the impact of pediatric cancer on disproportionately impacted individuals

Research Focus

Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) must be responsive to one of the following areas of focus. 

• Prevention and Treatment
• Screening
• Obesity
• Treatment-Related Morbidities
• Technology Transfer Feasibility (TTF)
• Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption

Efforts to foster collaborations among institutions, researchers, and community practitioners should be included, when possible. Preference will be given to applications that address at least one of the cancers listed in the Research Priorities section of this FOA.

Funding Information

Applicants must request funding in the preceding grant categories to pursue research in the areas of focus outlined in the Research Focus section of this FOA. Preference will be given to applications that address the priorities listed in the Research Priorities section of this FOA. Specific grant funding amounts are available for each grant category.

Grant Categories

Applications in response to this FOA must align to a grant category (depending on the grant program) to pursue an area of focus from the Research Focus section of this FOA. Applications for research infrastructure grants that are reviewed and assigned exceptional scientific merit will be considered for preferential funding. 

The grant categories are: 1) Bridge; 2) Discovery Science; 3) Emerging Therapeutics and Technologies; 4) Equipment; 5) Multicenter Clinical Trials; 6) New Investigator Research (NIR); 7) High-Risk, High-Reward Clinical Research; 8) High-Risk, High-Reward Discovery Science; 9) Non-Typical Clinical Trials/Socio-Behavioral Research; 10) Research Infrastructure

Bella Initiative Grant Categories: Multicenter Clinical Trials

Funding from this grant category for multicenter clinical trials is intended to support evaluation of the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness (Phase I, II, III, and IV) of repurposed or new and innovative drugs and other treatments for pediatric cancers. Trials may include randomized clinical trials or innovative applications of precision medicine strategies using targeted therapies. Multicenter clinical trials need to involve investigators from at least two distinct research/clinical facilities in Florida and must be implemented in two or more locations in Florida.

Maximum Duration: 48 months

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-605 – Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-bus Sites (RECESS)

Purpose

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $22,000,000 in grant funds for projects that will install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for electric school buses. This is a multi-funding lane grant solicitation (first come, first served and competitive) with minimum requirements and certain conditions as further described in the manual.

Funding Lanes

This solicitation has three funding lanes: Funding Lane 1; Funding Lane 2; and Funding Lane 3

Applicants may apply for funding in only one of the three funding lanes based on their eligibility as described in Section II A. Eligibility Requirements of the attached manual.

Funding Lane 3 (Competitive)

$9 million in funding available for electric school bus charging infrastructure projects that will support existing and future electric school bus deployments by third-party transportation providers who serve local educational agencies, as defined in Section II.A.1 of the solicitation manual. This funding lane is competitive.

Montana Board of Crime Control 

Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) was created in 1968 as a planning and research agency under the authority of 2-15-2006, MCA whose goal was, and still is to promote public safety. The MBCC is a 18-member quasi-judicial board appointed by the Governor. MBCC provides financial support, technical assistance, and supportive services to state and local criminal justice agencies. The board provides funding to local, regional, and statewide projects with the central goal of making Montana a safer state.

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)

Description

The FVPSA grant funds shall be used for programs and projects that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate shelter and supportive services, and that may include paying for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for a shelter, for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and that may be used to provide prevention services to prevent future incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence (42 U.S.C. § 10408(a) and 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(A)). The application process is non-competitive. 

Matching contributions of 20% (cash or in-kind) of the total cost of the FVPSA project (federal funds plus local match) are required and must be derived from non-federal sources. Federally Recognized Tribes are not required to provide match.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Our job is to bring jobs, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

Community Development Block Grant Programs

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program enables rural Oklahoma communities to finance a variety of public infrastructure and economic improvements and helps promote job growth as a result of these improvements. CDBG funds are provided by the federal government (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to help ensure Oklahoma’s most critical needs are addressed.

Capital Improvement Planning (CIP)

This grant opportunity provides funding for units of general local government (cities, towns, and counties) to undertake a comprehensive inventory of all governmentally owned assets. Based on this inventory a 5 year strategic capital improvement plan is developed and all assets placed on GIS mapping.

Chevron Grants for Good Fund

The Chevron Grants for Good Fund grant cycle at Taos Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations serving the Questa area. Applications may be submitted for operational support, or specific projects.

Chevron contributes to a broad variety of educational, environmental, health, human service, civic, cultural and international activities.

We give priority to programs that encourage creative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs for grade levels K-12.

Illinois Community College Board

In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly established the Illinois Community College Board to create a system of public community colleges that would be accessible to every resident. More than 50 years later, the Illinois Community College System is the third largest system in the United States, with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center throughout Illinois. The community colleges serve over 500,000 Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and serve many more through public service programs.

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) Renewal

The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) will provide approximately $3,000,000 in federal funding to support Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) programs across Illinois.

The purpose of IELCE funding is to support adult English language learners in achieving English language proficiency, civics competency, and workforce readiness through integrated education and training aligned with career pathways.

Grant Objectives include:

• Deliver English Language Acquisition, Civics Education, and Workforce Preparation concurrently and contextually
• Implement Integrated Education and Training (IET) / ICAPS models aligned with in-demand industries
• Support transitions to postsecondary education, training, and unsubsidized employment
• Strengthen partnerships with workforce development systems and employers

This is a renewal funding opportunity.

The Davis-Kozoll Scholarship, established in 2019 by the Sandia Foundation, supports students from northwest New Mexico pursuing higher education in science or human service disciplines. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and can be renewed annually based on academic progress. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate community ties, and may pursue various degrees or vocational certificates. Priority is given to students from specific local communities, enhancing educational opportunities in the region.

The NHWF: Women and Girls of Color Fund Grant supports projects led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire. With only 1.9% of philanthropic dollars directed towards women and girls, this fund aims to address the funding gap by providing small, quarterly grants of up to $2,000. This initiative encourages community-based solutions, ensuring women and girls of color play a significant role in project planning and implementation, fostering equity and justice.

A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship

The A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship was created by Emilee Woodruff and Autumn Wlock’s family and the W2 Foundation in loving memory of Emilee and Autumn. Emilee and Autumn passed away in February 2020 when a fire destroyed their home. Emilee was diagnosed with epilepsy as a preteen. Autumn was Emilee’s first child and love of her life. Emilee was a great mother and Autumn was a happy baby. This scholarship is aimed to help students attend college that have been affected by a fire or who have been diagnosed with epilepsy.  

The International Institute Funds Mini-Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley, provides grants of $500 or less to organizations in Mahoning and Trumbull counties aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Eligible activities include music, dance, art, food, and education. The foundation supports public charities as defined by the IRS and encourages collaborative efforts to enhance community well-being while ensuring integrity in resource management.

Texas Health Community Impact

A Department of Community Health Improvement

We invest in community health and well-being through grantmaking and strategic collaborations. From data-driven, home-grown regional strategies to technical assistance, Texas Health Community Impact collaborates with community leaders to offer creative grant opportunities to North Texas organizations with a mutual desire to transform health and well-being in innovative ways.

Texas Health Community Impact Grants (Request for Proposals)

Texas Health Community Impact requests proposals to fund local organizations collaborating on innovative solutions that address barriers to community health and wellbeing. Up to $5 million is available across nine counties for the 2027-2028 grant cycle.

These community health improvement grants are made possible by Texas Health Resources—a faith‑based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider.

Key Requirements

Applications must fulfill four key requirements: 1. Propose an innovative approach. 2. Demonstrate a collaborative effort between two or more organizations. 3. Align with strategic priorities. 4. Promote sustainability. Read Grant Key Requirements.

Project Implementation

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to begin implementing activities within four months of the execution of the MOU. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Prior Applicants

Organizations that applied for a previous Texas Health Community Impact grant cycle and were not awarded are eligible to apply. 

Request for Proposals by Region

The Texas Health Community Impact Grant requests proposals by regions: 1) Collin Region; 2) Dallas and Kaufman Region; 3) Denton, Wise and Parker Region; 4) Southern Region; and 5) Tarrant Region.

Texas Health is investing a total of $5 million in grants across its five regions, which spans nine counties. Groups seeking to work collaboratively on innovative upstream approaches to address priorities identified in each region are encouraged to apply for this competitive funding opportunity.

Southern Region

Grantmaking Approach, Goals and Objectives

For the 2027-2028 grant cycle strategy, the Southern Region’s aim is to decrease caregiver stress by increasing community supports in Erath County 76401 and 76446 (Dublin, Huckabay, Lingleville, Morgan Mill and Stephenville); and Johnson County 76009, 76031, 76033, 76059 and 76093 (Alvarado, Cleburne, Keene and Rio Vista).

For this grant, Texas Health Community Impact Southern Region uses the John Hopkins Bayview definition of caregiver, which is “a person who tends to the needs or concerns of a person with shortor long-term limitations due to illness, injury or disability.”

To accomplish this, a two-phased approach will be taken in each county.

• Phase One: Award small grants to several collaboratives to ignite innovative, coordinated program development in alignment with the region’s aim. A collaboration quality assessor will be leveraged to determine the quality of the collaboratives. To strengthen program evaluation development, grant participants will consult with Texas Health Community Impact’s thirdparty evaluator.

• Phase Two: From the Phase One grants, a larger grant will be awarded to the strongest collaborative with the most innovative plan, so they can implement their program. 

This RFP seeks proposals for Phase One. Collaboratives are not expected to have a specific program in mind at the time of application. The purpose of the Phase One grant is to collaboratively create an innovative plan, which will be submitted as a Phase Two proposal. It is expected, however, that collaboratives include members who can articulate a shared vision for how they will work together through this process.

Minnesota Department of Health

Mission: Protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans.

Vision: The vision of MDH is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy.

Rural Health Transformation Program: Healthcare Workforce Retention Program

Program Description

Minnesota’s RHTP covers a broad range of initiatives designed to transform the state of the rural health system by improving health outcomes and access to care for rural Minnesotans, strengthening partnerships between providers to expand service delivery in rural communities, and stabilizing rural provider financial health through strategic investments.

This RFP seeks proposals to understand systemic factors leading to provider/clinician burnout; develop, pilot and scale responsive solutions to decrease burnout; and link the solutions to improved working conditions to improvements in provider retention and patient experience and/or outcomes. 

The Virtual Living Room Grant Program aims to create welcoming spaces for veterans in rural communities, providing access to advanced medical technologies via telehealth. By establishing these rooms in accessible locations, veterans can connect with VA resources without the burden of travel, ensuring they receive essential care in a comfortable environment. This initiative not only supports health access but also fosters community engagement and enhances the quality of life for our nation's heroes.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act was established in 1964 to provide recreational opportunities for America’s communities. The intent was to provide a consistent source of funding for the development of local parks, playgrounds, and other recreationalspaces. The fund does not use any taxpayer dollars; rather, it utilizes earnings from offshore oil and gas leases to fund local recreation projects.

Program Goals

• Meet State and locally identified public outdoor recreation resource needs to strengthen the health and vitality of the American people.
• Increase the number of protected State and local outdoor recreation resources and ensure their availability for public use in perpetuity; and
• Encourage sound planning and long-term partnerships to expand the quantity and to ensure the quality of State and local outdoor recreation resources needed.

LWCF assistance can be used to:

• Acquire lands and waters or interests in lands and waters for public outdoor recreation.
• Develop basic outdoor recreation facilities to serve the public; and
• Provide major renovation work for existing outdoor recreation facilities, including replacement; or
• A combination of acquisition and development or renovation.

Department of Economic and Community Development

At DECD, we are more than two dozen experts whose broad mission is to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, our experienced staff can help.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program 

In 1982 the State of Maine began administering the CDBG Program to assist units of local government in various community projects in areas ranging from infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization to public facilities and economic development.

CDBG Objectives

All CDBG funded activities must meet one of three National Objectives of the program. These objectives are:

• Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
• Prevention and/or elimination of slum and blight conditions; and
• Meeting community development needs having a particular urgency

The Maine CDBG Program serves as a catalyst for local governments to implement programs which meet one of the three National Objectives, and:

• Are part of a long-range community strategy, or State of Maine Strategic Economic Development Plan
• Improve deteriorated residential and business districts and local economic conditions
• Provide the conditions and incentives for further public and private investments
• Foster partnerships between groups of municipalities, state and federal entities, multi-jurisdictional organizations, and the private sector to address common community and economic development problems; and
• Minimize development sprawl consistent with the State of Maine Growth Management Act and support the revitalization of downtown areas.

CDBG Home Repair Network Program (HRN)

The Home Repair Network Program (HRN) provides funding statewide to address housing problems of low- and moderate-income persons. This program will provide housing rehabilitation services administered on a regional basis throughout Maine.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities under the HRN Program are rehabilitation of occupied or vacant single-family or multi-family housing units, demolition, same site replacement housing, provision of potable water and sewer, energy conservation, removal/mitigation of lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, or other hazardous material, removal of architectural barriers and the Critical Access Ramp Program (via Alpha One).

The DCNR All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Grant Program supports projects that enhance Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation. Eligible applicants include municipalities and pre-qualified organizations focused on ATV and snowmobile trails. The grant covers land acquisition, planning, development, maintenance, and educational programs, promoting safety and environmental protection. Funding is sourced from the ATV and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts, encouraging community conservation and responsible enjoyment of natural resources.

Preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin

In keeping with our mission, the DNR is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

Off-highway Motorcycle (OHM) Trail Grants

Revenue collected from off-highway motorcycle (OHM) registrations is available for development, rehabilitation and maintenance of OHM trails in Wisconsin.

Ranking priorities

Trail funds are distributed according to the following ranked purposes (NR 65.11 [exit DNR]). Priority will be given to funding projects in which OHMs are the only designated motorized equipment.

• Maintenance of existing off-highway motorcycle trails.
• Maintenance of existing off-highway motorcycle facilities.
• Major rehabilitation of existing OHM trails and facilities.
• Development of new OHM trails and facilities on publicly owned land.
• Development of trails and facilities on privately-owned land using a lease or easement.
• Acquisition of land for OHM trails and facilities.
• Signage of off-highway motorcycle routes which provide access to OHM trails.
• Other eligible OHM projects.

Eligible items and funding levels include:

• Maintenance of OHM-only Trail: Funded at $53/mile with a $1K surplus for use on rehab that is more than basic maintenance. Requires minimum of 2x maintenance passes per year (includes brushing, spot maintenance related to the treadway and environmental concerns, sign maintenance and the like)
• Maintenance of Motorized Recreation Parks: For OHM only trails within the park, funded at $53/mile with no $1k surplus.
• Maintenance of Shared-use OHM Trails: No set rate, applicants can request an amount based on their evaluation of need. If the trail is shared with ATVs/UTVs, it is presumed that the use by those machines will far exceed that of OHM, but additional expenses may be incurred for signage, etc. Amount of maintenance award will not exceed $50/mile.
• Development of OHM trails and areas reimburseable up to 100 percent of eligible costs;
• Traditional grooming of OHM trails is not a routine component of trail maintenance. In the event there are section of trail that eventually need to be graded, this action will be considered as a separate trail rehabilitation request for each specific section. Grading can only be done by proper and authorized equipment.
• Major rehabilitation of bridge structures reimbursable up to 100% of eligible costs;

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering (BSPE) is actively working to meet the goal of zero fatalities on Illinois roadways. In order to make this goal a reality, BSPE offers grant opportunities for funding to state and local agencies and qualified organizations. Due to the size, population, and high traffic volume on Illinois roadways, BSPE partners with state and local agencies and qualified organizations to make this goal a reality.

28-0343-01 State Agency Enforcement Program (sTEP)

I. INTRODUCTION

High-visibility enforcement is paramount in the reduction of fatalities and injuries for Illinois road users. Increased enforcement deters unsafe driving behaviors while detecting and sanctioning those in violation of the law.

The Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering (BSPE) annually provides state law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois with highway safety funding for enforcement activities. These highway safety-funded state law enforcement agencies can focus their enforcement efforts on occupant protection, impaired driving, speed, distracted driving, pedestrian safety, and other traffic-related violations.

II. PROJECT GOAL

Increase high-visibility enforcement on Illinois roadways to prevent fatalities and serious injuries.

III. GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDANCE

This grant program will have a multi-facet statewide enforcement emphasis focusing on interstates, US routes, state routes, and local roadways. The State Agency Enforcement Program (sTEP) will contribute to BSPE’s performance measures and targets. The state law enforcement agencies should partner with local and county enforcement on implementing enforcement during the scheduled enforcement campaigns.

This program focuses on the support of enforcement activities.

Educational, awareness, and/or training programs are more suited in the non-enforcement notice of funding opportunity (NOFO 28-0343-02 State Agency Non-Enforcement Program).

The Greenup County Green Fund, established in 1999 by a family member in memory of Owen and Doris Pillans, aims to enhance the natural environment in Greenup County, Kentucky. This fund supports various projects that improve the local quality of life and encourages educational or research initiatives aligned with these goals. Non-profit organizations serving Greenup County are eligible to apply for grants, with the Fund's Advisory Committee determining project funding each year.