Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

About

Created by the community for the good of the community, the GLCCF is here to turn problems into opportunities through strategic grant making and initiatives created to address our region’s most pressing needs. We work with you to identify your charitable goals, and we ensure that they are carried out efficiently.

Work with us to make the kind of impact you want to see in your community. Let us take on the financial complexities and paperwork, while you focus on the important things like fostering good works throughout our community.

When you give to the Greater Lake City Community Foundation, you are making an investment that will benefit the community, now and in the future.

GLCCF Schreck Family Soccer Scholarship

To award annually a scholarship to a qualified applicant who intends to pursue education toward a 4-year college degree.

Women’s Found­­ation for the State of Arizona

The Women’s Found­­ation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) innovates to create social, political, and economic change that achieves equity for women and girls of all identities through our integrated framework of research, advocacy, grantmaking, and innovative programmatic solutions.

We fund organizations providing direct support to women and girls and we go beyond the check. Grantees receive flexible funding, technical assistance, and opportunities to grow their impact without compromising their missions.

Fund for Racial and Gender Equity Grant (FORGE Grant)

Substantial, Unrestricted Funding for Transformative Change 

FORGE is a groundbreaking, community-designed initiative investing in organizations led by and serving BIWOC and gender-expansive communities. 

FORGE challenges traditional philanthropy by centering accessibility, transparency, and shared decision-making. Community leaders design and select grantees, ensuring funding reaches those driving meaningful systems change. 

FORGE Includes: 

• Unrestricted, flexible funding 
• Community-led selection process 
• Capacity-building and technical assistance 
• Peer learning and cohort connection 

FORGE invests not just in programs but in power, sustainability, and long-term impact. 

Unrestricted funding allows organizations to use grant dollars where they are most needed, including operations, staffing, programs, or infrastructure, without rigid spending categories. 

Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation

For more than 80 years, the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation has worked to ensure that Nebraska’s history isn’t just preserved—it’s actively shared, explored, and reimagined. Through private donations, the Foundation supports projects across the state that restore historic places, expand access to educational resources, and bring new life to local stories. Signature programs and experiences, like WanderNebraska and Walk to the Rock, invite people to connect with the state’s past in fresh, meaningful ways—whether by visiting a small-town museum, discovering a hidden landmark, or exploring a piece of forgotten heritage.

Grant Focus

The focus for the fall cycle is Education and Access and the main areas for grant distribution will be:

• School visits, field trips and transportation
• Youth and family engagement
• Festival or milestone event support
• Professional development and conference registrations

RoamNebraska (formerly the NSHSF Statewide Grants Program) was developed in July 2020, with the guidance of Michael J. Smith, former CEO of the Nebraska State Historical Society, to address a critical funding need for local historical and educational organizations across Nebraska.

Through this program, grants support museums, historical societies, libraries, and community partners in delivering core education, preservation, and interpretive programs that bring community history to life.

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation is committed to advancing efforts that build respect, dignity, fairness, equality, and self-esteem. We value diverse life experiences and are devoted to fostering inclusive and equitable environments where all Nebraskans can see their stories reflected and honored.

In 1975, the Montana Legislature set aside a percentage of the Coal Tax to restore murals in the Capitol and support other cultural and aesthetic projects. Applications must be for cultural and aesthetic projects including, but not limited to: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, History, Archaeology, Folklore, Archives, Collections, Research, Historic Preservation and Construction and Renovation of Cultural Facilities. 

The Camp Roy-El Scholarship Endowment, established by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, offers financial support to college juniors and seniors studying at Michigan-based institutions. This scholarship is aimed at students pursuing careers in fields that serve individuals with disabilities, such as nursing, occupational therapy, and social work. Applicants are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and previous applicants are encouraged to reapply, fostering ongoing support for dedicated students.

The Allied Engineering Scholarship at Montana State University supports residents pursuing degrees in Civil or Environmental Engineering. This scholarship aims to cultivate future engineering professionals essential for addressing high-demand fields in Montana. By providing financial assistance, it helps students enhance their technical skills and prepares them for impactful careers in engineering and environmental stewardship, contributing to the state's economy and quality of life.

The Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund, named after a revered community activist, supports organizations in Santa Barbara County that advocate for social housing justice. This fund aims to empower grassroots efforts in cooperative housing, tenant organizing, and innovative housing initiatives. The maximum grant request is $5,000, with a funding period of 12 months. The fund prioritizes projects addressing systemic social issues and promoting affordable housing solutions for marginalized communities.

The ALA Spectrum Scholarship Program offers a one-time $5,000 scholarship to support diverse students pursuing graduate education in library and information studies. Recipients must enroll in an accredited program by fall, receiving funds in two installments. This initiative, supported by the American Library Association, enhances opportunities for over 800 past scholars through mentoring, networking, and professional development, fostering leadership within the library profession across North America.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation administers the Kirschner Trusts, established to honor Phil and Roberta Kirschner's philanthropic legacy. These trusts focus on supporting young individuals with disabilities, Muskogee nonprofits, and Jewish causes. Since their transfer to the foundation in 2013, the trusts have continued to provide vital grants to organizations that align with the Kirschners’ values, ensuring their charitable impact persists in the community.

The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation focuses on improving the lives of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder through education grants. By funding programs that enhance educational opportunities, the foundation aims to reduce isolation and promote understanding. Grants are awarded to qualified organizations that prioritize mental health initiatives, ensuring that those affected have access to the resources and support necessary for a better quality of life. The foundation's mission is rooted in the belief that education can be transformative for those facing mental health challenges.

The CMCF: Ruth McDonald Fund Grants, offered by the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, focus on improving health and wellness for those in poverty in Douglas County. Grants support operations and new programs/projects that enhance community quality of life. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities. Favorable considerations include innovative solutions, collaboration with community partners, and initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion.

The Cyrus M. Quigley Foundation Grant supports tax-exempt organizations that empower young people through initiatives focusing on courage, self-reliance, and service. Since its inception in 1993, the foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grants, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. The foundation emphasizes physical challenges and community service to help develop essential life skills. Grant proposals are accepted annually until the third Friday in April, with decisions communicated by May 31.

The Beckley Area Foundation Community Grant Program supports charitable organizations in Raleigh County by providing discretionary grants focused on pressing community needs. Priorities include innovative projects, seed funding for new initiatives, and efforts that address underserved populations. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit entities or public institutions, with projects benefiting Raleigh County within a defined grant period. The foundation emphasizes projects that ensure sustainable support and address urgent needs.

Donation Request

Bank of Montana aligns our giving with our team members philanthropic passions, i.e. giving to an organization will have greater impact if one of our team members is on the Board of the organization, volunteers their time with the organization, etc. 

Bank of Montana funding priorities are focused on programs that provide a direct impact to our community.

Bank of Montana provides donations in two main areas: Community Development and Leadership Opportunities.

Community Development 

Community Development Funds are awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide services to low-and moderate- income (LMI) individuals and communities across our territory. Bank of Montana’s CRA committee works together with those nonprofits toward the salient goal of community development. We provide expertise and resources to affordable housing projects, services targeted to LMI individuals, activities that revitalize or stabilize LMI geographies, and activities that promote economic development.

The CFNJ: RSI Foundation Grant aims to support community-driven initiatives that address pressing needs in New Jersey. With a focus on equity and diversity, the foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate a measurable impact, are achievable, and align with their values of inclusivity. Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, prioritizing projects that serve historically underserved populations and improve overall community well-being.

The Festivals Program Grant, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to support a wide range of arts activities at festivals that significantly impact local communities. By fostering public engagement and participation in arts and culture, this grant prioritizes festivals in underserved areas, enhancing access to creative experiences for all. Eligibility extends to local governments and registered nonprofits, ensuring that the arts remain integral to South Carolina's community life, especially during challenging times.

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Transformation Grants

Transformation Grants support individual instructors, teams of instructors, and entire departments, along with supporting professional staff, in replacing their existing commercial textbooks and materials in a specific course with no- or low-cost-to-students learning materials. These materials can include the following:

• Adoption, adaptation, and/or creation of Open Educational Resources (OER), such as open textbooks and ancillary materials.
• Adoption of library materials available in GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries at no additional cost to students.
• Adoption of no-cost materials outside of OER, such as freely available websites and multimedia.
• Adoption of low-cost materials, not exceeding $40.00 total per student.

The Rusty & Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship supports aspiring undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students from ASHRAE Region IV. This one-year scholarship is available to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or in the top 30% of their class, studying at accredited institutions with recognized ASHRAE student branches. The scholarship aims to foster the next generation of professionals dedicated to sustainable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions in the built environment.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project - Capital Grants Application Fall 2025 by the Open Space Institute aims to enhance conservation across the Appalachian Mountain region. With a focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and community benefits, this initiative supports the acquisition of land and conservation easements. As a vital climate refuge, the Appalachians play a crucial role in safeguarding habitats and providing public recreation opportunities for the 26 million residents living in this area.

The FM Area Foundation's Community Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Cass County, ND, and Clay County, MN, addressing diverse community needs. Grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 are available for projects in areas like arts, education, and basic human needs. Applications are reviewed based on community impact, collaboration, and capacity. Nonprofits must be IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities, with one application accepted per year.

The Giving Back 365 Grant, offered by the Watertown Area Community Foundation, supports local initiatives aimed at enhancing community well-being. Since 1979, the Foundation connects donors with vital projects that address pressing needs such as food security, youth programs, and essential services. This grant focuses on funding start-up costs, equipment acquisition, and capital improvements for projects within the Watertown area, ensuring that contributions effectively impact those who need it most.

The Youth Council Grant, offered by the Watertown Area Community Foundation, supports local youth in making impactful contributions to their community. This initiative, comprised of high school juniors and seniors, empowers young leaders to engage in philanthropy, learn about nonprofit organizations, and address community challenges. The Foundation prioritizes funding for programs that enhance education, arts, culture, and health services, ensuring that projects directly benefit residents of Watertown.

The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine, focusing on community-based initiatives that address social and environmental issues. Established in 1986, the foundation prioritizes projects enhancing community capacity, with a particular interest in literacy and the arts. Grant decisions are made at the foundation's discretion, with no obligation to applicants. Organizations may only apply once per year, and funding is not available for individual support or recurring operational costs.

The Dane G. Hansen Community Grant supports charitable projects in Northwest Kansas, providing $50,000 annually for community initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions in specified counties. Grants aim to enhance education, healthcare, economic development, and social services while prioritizing community engagement. The program, managed by the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, will conclude in 2025, encouraging diverse projects that promote local well-being and sustainability.

Detroit Lake Foundation

Established in 2015, the mission of the Detroit Lake Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for residents and establish a sustainable economic recovery to ensure that the city thrives for current and future generations.

All projects managed by Detroit Lake Foundation are projects that will improve the community infrastructure and benefit the entire community. Detroit Lake Foundation is a 501C3 organization.

Policy and Procedure for DLF Grant Request

The DLF raises funds through events that benefit the local Detroit-Idanha economy and through generous donations from individuals and businesses who want to join together to sustain the strength and future of the Detroit Lake region.

The DLF may, at its discretion, post information about the completed grant projects and programs, including grant funding amounts, on the website and in social media.

This policy and procedure as adopted by the DLF Board provides the structure for granting funding to projects and programs consistent with the mission of the DLF. This policy is reviewed annually by the DLF Board.

DLF Grant

How Grant Funds are Paid

• Unless otherwise specified and approved by the DLF Board, grants shall be on a reimbursement basis and payable upon receipt of expense documents related to the grant activity.

• Grants that provide advance funding will be based on the proposed budget, are subject to Board approval and are required to submit financial documentation upon completion.

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

CF Sunshine Scholarship

Amount

Varies

Geographic focus

Students qualifying to graduate or are a graduate from a Cloud County or Washington County, Kansas, high school.

Renewals

Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for renewal by meeting the criteria.

The W. P. & H. B. White Foundation Grant supports organizations in Chicago focused on education, health, housing, and human services, with priority given to those aiding the most vulnerable populations. Grants are available for general operating expenses and specific programs. Applications must be submitted quarterly, by the 15th of the first month of each quarter, and the Foundation does not fund visual arts, individual projects, endowments, or fundraising events.