Upcoming Webinar
Instrumentl Fall Launch: Grant Work, Leveled Up.
Thu, Oct 29
or
Wed, Nov 4
@ 2PM ET
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
Skip the search. Get matched with grants that fit your non-profit.
Smart recommendations based on your profile — in minutes.
Program Purpose
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Created in 1995, OVW implements the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation. The Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecution (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (VAWA) is designed to promote a coordinated, multidisciplinary community response to combating violence against women and to encourage collaborative efforts between members of law enforcement, prosecution, nonprofit victim service providers and the courts to address the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault in a manner that promotes victim safety and offender accountability.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources launched its Prescribed Fire Program in the fall of 2021 with the goal of reintroducing a cost-effective tool with a high rate of success for forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction in the dry forests of central and eastern Washington. Prescribed fire is a critical tool for completing objectives with the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern Washington.
Prescribed fire is a tool long used on dry-forest ecosystems in central and eastern Washington by Tribes, land management agencies and conservation groups. These types of forests, with their ponderosa pines and other fire-adapted plants, historically had low-intensity fires burn through their understories on a regular basis. These low-severity fires reduced the amount of ladder fuels capable of taking fires up into tree canopies, where they spread much more rapidly than at ground level.
A prescribed fire applies low-severity fire to the forest floor in order to reduce built-up vegetation while helping mature trees stay healthy and resilient. Trained fire professionals follow burn plans guided by state and federal regulations to reduce wildfire fuels on the ground, reintroduce vital nutrients into the soil, and restore natural, fire-adapted habitats for wildlife.
Safety is the number one priority of DNR's official prescribed fire policy - scheduled burns do not take place as planned if conditions do not meet strict and uncompromising standards. Skilled professionals within the agency conduct prescribed fire operations on DNR-managed lands, assist partner agencies with prescribed burning on land they manage, and oversee a certification program for people who want to lead or participate in prescribed burns.
About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”), Division of Economic Development is seeking applications for the Indiana Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to carry out projects that enhance the resilience of middle-of-the-food-supply-chain. Applicants/Grantees applying for infrastructure program funding are permitted to claim indirect costs under the RFSI Program, not to exceed the 10% de minimis cap. Applicants/Grantees applying for special equipment-only funding are not eligible to claim indirect costs. ISDA encourages applications from woman or veteran owned businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses and historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and underserved communities.
Grant funding may not be used on meat, poultry, wild caught seafood, food for animal consumption or dietary supplements. If these items are included in your project, your project must clearly define what percentage of your project will include these items and you must be able to demonstrate that no grant or matching funds are used for those portions of the project.
Projects must choose ONE of two project options: Option 1- Special Equipment Only; Option 2- Infrastructure Projects. You may not do both project options.
Option 2- Infrastructure Projects
For this project pathway, grant funding requests must be between $100,000 and $3 million. Matching funds of 50% of the total project cost are required unless the applicant qualifies as a Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher by the USDA standards or a Socially Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned or Veteran Owned business by SBA standards (See Section A for definitions), then you qualify for a 25% match of the total project cost. Infrastructure projects may include, but are not limited to: construction, transportation, equipment, training, renovation, or expansion. Please contact ISDA if you have questions regarding eligibility of your infrastructure project.
About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”), Division of Economic Development is seeking applications for the Indiana Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to carry out projects that enhance the resilience of middle-of-the-food-supply-chain. Applicants/Grantees applying for infrastructure program funding are permitted to claim indirect costs under the RFSI Program, not to exceed the 10% de minimis cap. Applicants/Grantees applying for special equipment-only funding are not eligible to claim indirect costs. ISDA encourages applications from woman or veteran owned businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses and historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and underserved communities.
Grant funding may not be used on meat, poultry, wild caught seafood, food for animal consumption or dietary supplements. If these items are included in your project, your project must clearly define what percentage of your project will include these items and you must be able to demonstrate that no grant or matching funds are used for those portions of the project.
Projects must choose ONE of two project options: Option 1- Special Equipment Only; Option 2- Infrastructure Projects. You may not do both project options.
Option 1- Special Equipment Only
For this project pathway, grant funding requests must be between $10,000 and $100,000. The only eligible expense in the budget for this project is the special equipment to be purchased. The equipment does not have to be American made and can be a used piece of equipment as long as the equipment is in good, working order. You may not include training for the piece of equipment in the budget. You may include installation of equipment if it is included in the quote and does not require construction of the space the equipment will be placed in. Matching funds are not required for Special Equipment Only projects.
INDOT Mission
Together, we plan, deliver, and maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that:
Rural Transit Programs
Purpose
The Federal Section 5311 Program was created to provide public transportation in non-urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or less). The purpose of the program is to provide transportation to people living in rural areas. The Federal Section 5311 Program supports rural public transportation through operating, capital, and intercity transit funding.
Capital Project Grants
Capital projects generally include expenses for purchasing vehicles, communication equipment, fare boxes, passenger shelters, and construction of and rehabilitation of transit facilities. Section 5311 capital assistance may fund up to 80 percent of the total capital costs.
INDOT Mission
Together, we plan, deliver, and maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that:
Rural Transit Programs
Purpose
The Federal Section 5311 Program was created to provide public transportation in non-urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or less). The purpose of the program is to provide transportation to people living in rural areas. The Federal Section 5311 Program supports rural public transportation through operating, capital, and intercity transit funding.
Operating Project Grants
Operating Grants provide assistance for the operations of the transit service. Section 5311 may fund up to 50 percent of the net operating costs.
INDOT will make Section 5311 funds available for operating expenses, which generally include salaries and wages, fringe benefits, purchase of transit service contracts, fuel, oil, lubricants, replacement parts, tires, vehicle insurance, licenses, and other expenses.
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the state planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. The institute develops long-range strategies for the effective administration of Indiana's criminal and juvenile justice systems and administers state and federal funds to carry out these strategies.
Through the use of evidence-based decision-making, ICJI works to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system, from calls for service through post-conviction. The agency accomplishes this by bringing together key leaders from the criminal justice system at the state, local, and national levels to identify critical issues facing Indiana. The agency evaluates policies, programs, and legislation designed to address these issues. ICJI is designated as the State Administering Agency for distribution of federal funds, and as the State Statistical Analysis Center for research.
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) authorizes the FVPSA grant program, which is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS). FVPSA funds are designed to assist states in their efforts to support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to 1) prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; 2) provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and 3) provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including victims who are members of underserved populations.
All grants from ICJI Victim Services are reimbursement grants.
Homeless Crisis Response Program
The goal of the HCRP is to prevent individuals and families from experiencing homelessness and, when homelessness does occur, to provide for emergency shelter operations and to rapidly move persons from emergency shelter into permanent housing.
The HCRP is divided into two components: 1) emergency shelter operations; and 2) homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities. Funding is a formula-based model that promotes service coverage throughout the state.
Homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities are limited to households below 30% area median income (AMI). Both components are awarded on an allocation basis, assuming grantees meet performance standards.
Grant funds are awarded on a regional basis, requiring collaboration of all providers within the region to develop a single shelter diversion strategy, moving individual programs toward systems-level coordination. Funds are distributed by an allocation to ensure at least minimal access to assistance statewide.
Notice of Funds Available (RFP): Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
Money at Work Grant
(7) with education and support, communities can be accessible to and responsive to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and are enriched by full and active participation in community activities, and contributions, by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families; (C) include activities related to interagency coordination and systems integration that result in improved and enhanced services, supports, and other assistance that contribute to and protect the self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Access: People with I/DD and their family members will have access to services and resources so they can participate fully in their communities.
Annually, people with I/DD will have additional tools to improve employment outcomes as well as make informed decisions to live the life they want.
Notice of Funds Available (RFP): Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
Regional Self-Employment Teams
Access People with I/DD and their family members will have access to services and resources so they can participate fully in their communities.
Annually, key stakeholders will receive information on the benefits and resources to hire people with disabilities. This will allow employment and self-employment outcomes to improve for people with disabilities.
In June 2024 the Community Life Engagement Team at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities initiated the Self Employment Think Tank.
The Self-Employment Think Tank meets to explore self-employment opportunities to advance economic independence and competitive integrated employment options for people with disabilities in Ohio by bringing together entrepreneurs with and without disabilities, regional business development resources, cross system state agency representatives, and professionals and families supporting people with disabilities. Through collaboration, participants share insights, business ownership pathways, identify gaps, explore funding opportunities, and key resources, as well as connect with existing networks that promote education and support self-employment.
ODDC will support activities that build capacity and systemic change through outreach, training, research, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, demonstration of new approaches, informing policymakers and eliminating barriers, and system design and redesign.
ODDC will provide funding as outlined below for each year of the project. Proposals should address each year of the project. Proposals should address, if necessary: transportation, accessibility, use of technology, replication, sustainability, if the project reaches entire state or a specific region, cross-disability, and cultural diversity.
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.