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Get operating grants for nonprofits covering essential expenses, staffing, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.
33,000+
Available grants
$8.25B
Total funding
$6K
Median grant
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Who We Are
Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.
Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.
In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.
Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.
CTE Scholarships
Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.
No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.
Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.
According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.
For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.
Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.
The Patricia and William Hendrick Memorial Scholarship
Long-time Saginaw residents Pat and Bill Hendrick were graduates of St. Mary’s High School in Saginaw. They supported Catholic education their entire lives at the primary, secondary, and higher education level. Pat and Bill believed in and helped further the cause of Catholic education with enthusiasm and financial support all their lives.
To honor Pat and Bill, their family and many friends established this scholarship to help Saginaw County residents who are going on to attend Catholic higher education. Special preference will be given to graduates of Nouvel Catholic Central High School and/or those attending the University of Notre Dame – two organizations which held a special place in their hearts.
NY PLAYS: Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization
Recognizing that Playgrounds promote physical activity, exercise, and building friendships – and that research shows outdoor play supports emotional well-being – Governor Hochul announced the New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative. This new competitive grant program will support the design, construction, and renovation of Playgrounds that are open to the public in Communities across the State.
NY PLAYS is overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (“NYS OPRHP”) and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (“DASNY”).
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities designs, constructs, operates and maintains the state’s transportation infrastructure systems, buildings, and other facilities used by Alaskans and visitors. These include more than 5,600 miles of paved and gravel highways; 237 airports; 839 bridges; over 800 public facilities; 16 harbors; and a ferry system covering 3,500 nautical miles serving 33 coastal communities.
49 USC 5311 Non-Urban Formula Grants
Non-Urbanized Formula Program grants provide transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to non-urbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation. State agencies, local public bodies and agencies thereof, private-nonprofit and private for-profit (inter-city only) organizations and operators of public transportation services are eligible to apply.
Title 49 USC § 5311(d) authorizes states to use funds for the provision of local, general public transportation service in rural areas.
5339 Bus & Bus Facilities Capital Fund - Notice of Funding Opportunity
Purpose
The purpose of the Section 5311 program is to support general public transportation in rural areas. This is complemented by 5339 Bus & Bus Facilities capital funds. The goals of the program are to:
Eligible projects include transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to nonurbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation.
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities designs, constructs, operates and maintains the state’s transportation infrastructure systems, buildings, and other facilities used by Alaskans and visitors. These include more than 5,600 miles of paved and gravel highways; 237 airports; 839 bridges; over 800 public facilities; 16 harbors; and a ferry system covering 3,500 nautical miles serving 33 coastal communities.
49 USC 5311 Non-Urban Formula Grants
Non-Urbanized Formula Program grants provide transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to non-urbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation. State agencies, local public bodies and agencies thereof, private-nonprofit and private for-profit (inter-city only) organizations and operators of public transportation services are eligible to apply.
Title 49 USC § 5311(d) authorizes states to use funds for the provision of local, general public transportation service in rural areas.
5311 Rural Transit Grants - Notice of Funding Opportunity
Purpose
The purpose of the Section 5311 program is to support general public transportation in rural areas. This is complemented by 5339 Bus & Bus Facilities capital funds. The goals of the program are to:
Eligible projects include transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to nonurbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation.
Improving Metastatic Prostate Cancer (mPCa) Care Through Innovative Strategies
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® and Pfizer Global Medical Grants (Pfizer) are collaborating to offer a new grant opportunity seeking proposals for investigator-initiated research to improve mPCa care. Pfizer (hereafter, “Grantor”) is providing $1 Million in funding to support quality improvement studies to advance health care quality, the delivery of quality care, and improve health care provider performance in mPCa care. The Grantor will serve as the funding organization. Grants are available to all investigators from institutions within the United States.
Aim
To promote the advancement of scientific knowledge, health care provider performance, and/or health care quality improvement focused on improving mPCa care.
A total of $1 Million is available to fund all projects. The intent is to fund 2-5 studies. There is a funding cap of $250,000 per study. Exceptional studies with budgets above this amount will be considered based on scientific merit and must contain a robust justification. All budgets must include line-item information and robust justification.
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a self-supporting, nonprofit, public corporation that serves as the primary administrator of federal housing programs for the state of Kansas. KHRC delivers solutions to those who are working to end the housing crisis in Kansas. The corporation’s vision can only be achieved when all Kansans have the support and resources they need to achieve their goals, no matter where they are in their housing journey.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
Description
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program is authorized by subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371-11378). The program authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to States, units of general-purpose local government, and territories for the rehabilitation or conversion of buildings to use as emergency shelter for the homeless, for the payment of certain expenses related to operating emergency shelters, for essential services related to emergency shelters and street outreach for the homeless, and for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance
The Emergency Solutions Grant provides funding to
ESG Funding Components
Emergency Solution Grant Funding can be used for five program activities: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and HMIS; as well as administrative activities.
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs works every day to positively impact Alabama communities through partnerships, grant programs, and services to spur community and economic development and enhance quality of life.
ADECA is a state agency that partners with leaders at the local level to positively impact and enhance the quality of life in Alabama communities through dozens of federal and state grant programs, surplus property, and water resource management.
ADECA’s grant programs support and fund local initiatives that communities often would not be able to afford on their own and improve many facets of life through community and economic development. Our programs help address critical infrastructure needs like water, sewer, and broadband; provide law enforcement equipment and support for victims of crime; build new trails and recreational features; and assist with energy efficiency that lowers energy costs.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, provides LWCF matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation areas. The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 “…to assist in preserving, developing and assuring accessibility to all citizens of the United States of America of present and future generations…such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available and are necessary and desirable for individual active participation…”
Matching Percentage: 50/50
An entity may not apply for both Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and LWCF assistance.
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.