Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Marion L. and Chrystie M. Jackson Mid-Career Clay Scientist Award recognizes mid-career scientists for their significant contributions to clay minerals science. Awarded by the Clay Minerals Society (CMS), it includes a $2000 honorarium and a waived conference registration. Candidates must be aged 39-60 and full members of CMS. The selection is made by the CMS Awards Committee, with a decision announced at the Annual Meeting, where the awardee is expected to present a plenary lecture.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing Type 1 diabetes research by exploring the innate immune system's role in disease onset. This initiative aims to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to Type 1 diabetes through multidisciplinary teams. By employing innovative methodologies, the program seeks to determine how immune responses affect pancreatic tissues, potentially leading to early detection and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Washington County 4-H Livestock/Market Sale Scholarship

Established to support post-secondary scholarships to participants in Washington County 4-H Livestock and Market Sale programs.

The Les Paul Foundation Grant supports innovative music education and medical research related to hearing loss. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based public charities under 501(c)(3) and avoid religious, political, labor, or business affiliations. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance music production, performance, and STEM/STEAM initiatives, particularly those benefiting individuals in challenging situations. Proposals must detail how they will share Les Paul's legacy in their work.

About Us

Community Foundation of White County

Your community foundation is a philanthropic, nonprofit 501c3 organization that partners with visionary donors who believe that philanthropy has power to positively transform our White County community … forever.

To strengthen and transform our White County community by fostering charitable giving, philanthropic aspirations, and leadership.

Grants Available

Mental Wellness Grants

Through this grant cycle, $75,000 is available to non-profit organizations serving White County with a focus on mental wellness initiatives. Awards to be announced 10/30/26.

The HEAL Initiative aims to address the significant overlap between chronic pain (CP) and opioid use disorder (OUD), with 40-75% of individuals affected by both. The IMPOWR project focuses on testing innovative interventions and implementation strategies to integrate care for CP and OUD across various health systems. The BEACON Center will enhance network coordination, build capacity, and develop resources to address barriers in service delivery, ultimately improving sustainability and scalability of evidence-based practices.

About PLTW Biomedical Science

PLTW Biomedical Science students have experience with state-of-the-art tools and techniques that are used by professionals in hospitals and labs every day.  By immersing students in activities like practicing suturing and constructing body structures from clay, PLTW Biomedical Science empowers students to build knowledge and skills in biomedical science, as well as in-demand, transportable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.Public schools, including charter schools, that meet the 10-county geographic requirement that do not yet offer PLTW Biomedical Science are eligible for consideration to support program implementation. PLTW will disburse grant funds over two years and require two years of reporting from awarded schools. Program Requirements

• Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years)
• Grantee may implement any PLTW Biomedical Science courses of their choosing.

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $35,000
  • 2027-2028: $20,000
  • 2028-2029: $15,000

The Promise on the Plains Grant, offered by United Way of the Plains, provides up to $10,000 to grassroots organizations that serve underserved communities in south-central Kansas. This initiative aims to enhance efforts in health, education, financial stability, and basic needs, fostering a thriving community. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits within the specified service area can apply, contributing to impactful change and addressing local resource gaps.

The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, provides a $7,500 annual scholarship for doctoral students completing coursework at accredited institutions. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in pre-candidacy scholarships and a total of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. The Foundation encourages research in areas such as acute care, cardiology, pulmonary health, and PT education, fostering a new generation of skilled researchers in physical therapy.

Scholarships

We partner with donors to administer scholarships for students across the state. Most NCCF scholarships open for applications on Dec. 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

Undergraduates, graduates, medical and professional school students and adult re-entry students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities, career/technical schools, teaching credential programs and graduate, medical or professional schools in the United States are eligible for scholarships offered at NCCF.

Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements defined by the donor when the scholarship was established. Be sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully as directed through the universal application and address those elements as needed in your application.

Grayce Wills MacDonald and Ivan A. MacDonald Endowment

Shall support students who attended high school in Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Swain, Macon, Jackson, Haywood, Buncombe, and Henderson counties, and who are pursuing a college or post-graduate level degree in the field of nutrition with emphasis on the study of natural foods and the vegetarian lifestyle. Scholarships may be based on both need and merit.

The Youth Innovations Test Grant, offered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, empowers grassroots groups by funding projects led by youth or youth-adult partnerships. This initiative aims to enhance the social and economic well-being of young people, especially those from Indigenous and Black communities facing systemic barriers. Eligible projects should foster collaboration, innovation, and cultural connection, enabling youth to address issues collectively and create lasting positive impacts in their communities.

Harold E. McDaniel Family Fund

The family of Harold E. McDaniel, DDS, established this fund to provide two scholarships each year to students attending The Ohio State University: one scholarship for a student in the College of Dentistry and the other for a student in the College of Biological Sciences. Dr. McDaniel was a young, trailblazing dentist in the early 1960s. In 1963, along with several other Black physicians, Dr. McDaniel designed and built the Franklin Park Medical Center, one of Columbus’ first Black, multi-specialty medical practices. In 1963, as a champion for equality and civil rights, Dr. McDaniel had the privilege of attending the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. McDaniel had a strong religious faith and was a proud member of Second Baptist Church where he served as an usher, trustee, and taught Sunday School. His legacy lives on and inspires other members of his family and his scholarship inspires future dentists.

Award Amount:

• Two scholarships for $1,000 each

The Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare program aims to combat substance abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. It focuses on enhancing care coordination, expanding culturally competent behavioral health services, and implementing early intervention strategies for at-risk youth. By supporting Tribal and community-led initiatives, the program fosters collaboration among families, youth, and community partners to create effective prevention, treatment, and recovery solutions.

The AFNGA AusArt Scholarship, offered by the American Australian Association, supports Australian graduate students in fine arts or related fields for one year of artistic development in the US. With funding of US $30,000, recipients can cover travel, living, and tuition costs. Eligible applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, emerging artists, and have a formal offer from an accredited US institution. This scholarship fosters cultural exchange and artistic growth between Australia and the US.

The Brennan Family Foundation, established in 1990 by Edward J. Brennan, aims to support charitable, educational, and religious institutions. With a mission to inspire youth development, the foundation provides financial assistance primarily to health care and educational organizations, religious entities, and the arts. Their strategic annual review process ensures that contributions effectively serve our most valuable resource—children. The foundation continues to honor Brennan's legacy of charitable responsibility.

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports regional projects aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation and community well-being. With funding ranging from $100,000 to $499,999, it encourages projects that promote equitable access to nature and demonstrate economic benefits for the region. Applicants must show a commitment to public access and stewardship of natural landscapes. This grant plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems while fostering economic growth and creating jobs for residents and visitors alike.

The Dr. Gary King Sharp Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Priority is given to those connected with Hospice services or in the foster care system, and to first-generation college students. This scholarship serves as a vital resource to empower students in their educational pursuits and enhance community life.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance grant aims to enhance knowledge of domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence in Pennsylvania. Funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, it supports non-profit and governmental organizations to develop statewide training programs for victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors. The initiative includes the implementation of the Maryland Model of Lethality Assessment Program and requires quarterly reporting through Egrants.

The Festivals Grant, offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center, aims to support cultural festivals and events across Minnesota. With funding of $1.5 million available for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, eligible organizations can apply for grants to enhance community engagement through arts programming, staffing, and logistics. Applicants may seek up to $200,000 per year, fostering cultural connections and celebrating local traditions.

About Us

The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation.

SWCS Emerging Leaders Program Alumni Award

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) who have demonstrated a commitment to conservation leadership and active participation in the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Three $500 cash awards will be granted to support professional development, Society membership, conference fees, or other career-enhancing opportunities.

2026-27 Career Cluster Partnership Program

Description

The South Carolina General Assembly has provided funds to the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) through a legislative proviso (H. 5126 General Appropriations Bill, Proviso 1A.27) for one year to award grants on a competitive basis to private-sector statewide trade associations that provide nationally certified programs in career and technical education representing the automotive, construction, engineering, healthcare, mechanical contracting/construction, and hospitality and tourism career clusters. The purpose of this program is to support instructor/student training and student testing in industry clusters to increase the state’s skilled workforce. The SCDE administers the program through its Office of Career Readiness (OCR).

The Behavioral Health Integration Initiative aims to enhance the health of American Indian and Alaska Native individuals by expanding access to integrated behavioral health care. It supports Tribal and Urban Indian Organization health systems in providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed services. The initiative focuses on improving care coordination, promoting early identification of mental health issues, and integrating various health services to improve overall health outcomes and quality of life for AI/AN communities.

The Vermont Children's Trust Foundation offers Emergency Equipment Grants up to $2,000 for non-profit organizations serving children in Vermont. These grants address emergency situations like essential equipment loss due to disasters or theft, and the need for specialized equipment for children. The foundation prioritizes programs that promote positive family functioning and address societal issues affecting children and youth. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, ensuring timely support for urgent needs.

Marshall Community Foundation

The Marshall Community Foundation is a partnership of endowed funds established by individuals and organizations. A Board of Trustees, comprised of local community leaders, invest the pooled endowments. Income generated is then available for grants that address charitable needs in our community. Staff and trained volunteers monitor the grants to ensure fulfillment of the grant agreements.

The full circle of philanthropy is poetry in motion. The Foundation receives your gifts, grants to local non-profits, who in turn, give back by providing services to the community. Truly, the Foundation is all about improving the quality of life and making this a better place to live, work and raise a family.

UAW Local 220 Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to graduating seniors from Barry, Branch, Calhoun and Eaton Counties who will be attending a trade school, community college and/or a four-year institution.

Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years however, applicants must submit updated supporting materials.

Society of Fire Protection Engineers

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) established the Educational and Scientific Foundation in 1979. The SFPE Foundation's mission is to enhance the scientific understanding of fire and its interaction with the social, natural, and built environments, towards the vision of engineering a resilient, sustainable, fire-safe world for all.

The SFPE Foundation, an affiliate of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, partners with a wide range of global stakeholders to create, develop, promote, facilitate, disseminate, and support innovative research, education, and applied engineering methods that advance the science and practice of fire engineering where it’s needed most.

The Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the United States of America, specifically the state of Massachusetts.

Frederick W. Mowrer Global Scholar Award

Annual $2,000 scholarship to a student involved in fire safety engineering or a related discipline at a post-secondary educational institution in a developing nation.

The goal of this scholarship is to support students to contribute to the development of fire protection expertise in countries with rapidly expanding infrastructure.

This scholarship is named after Dr. Mowrer to recognize his impact on the field of Fire Protection Engineering and the development of Fire Protection Engineering as an international academic discipline.

The Sundance Collab's Cultural Impact Residency, honoring Michael Latt, is a six-month online program supporting early-career, underrepresented storytellers focused on social impact. Running from March to August 2026, it offers mentorship, feedback sessions, and resources to eight selected fellows in screenwriting, directing, and documentary filmmaking. This opportunity is designed for works-in-progress, fostering a supportive creative community to inspire and develop impactful narratives.

The 2026-2027 SSI Community Partnerships Workshops, funded by the Texas Education Agency, aim to enhance educational outcomes in struggling neighborhoods. This initiative targets school systems with high percentages of underperforming students, providing training and support through workshops. By fostering community involvement and leveraging resources, the program seeks to improve student performance and create supportive educational environments. The workshops will guide school systems in implementing comprehensive support programs, ultimately helping families access high-quality educational and social services.