Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

Eligible Projects

Grants are available for research, survey, documentation, conservation, planning and educational activities involving historic, architectural, archaeological or cultural resources (i.e., the tangible remains of Maryland's past). 

Competitive Community Grant- Education ( Fall cycle)

Result: All children and youth succeed in education prepared for a career.

We will support requests from organizations that work to improve:

• School readiness
• Reading and/or math proficiency
• College and career path accessibility
• Opportunity youth* engagement (*youth ages 12-24 struggling with school, not in school, and/or not working)
• Education ecosystem through policy advocacy

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address:

• Integrated student and family supports for at risk/vulnerable populations with strong place-based solutions supported by network of caring and appropriately trained adult and peer relationship
• Access to quality, affordable early childhood education and out-of-school (after school and summer) opportunities
• Targeted interventions to close the academic achievement gaps across key milestones from birth to career
• Work-based learning and career technical education through real life and personally relevant education including career exploration and alternative pathway opportunities
• Educator/provider/family training & support so they can be strong advocates and supporters for children/students’ success – especially in high need areas

Grant Size

We offer $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 general operating support depending on your annual budget:

• Organizations with an annual budget up to $50,000 may apply for a $5,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $50,001 - $150,000 may apply for a $10,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $150,001 - $500,000 may apply for a $15,000 grant; and
• Organizations with an annual budget of $500,001 or more may apply for a $20,000 grant.

The Henderson Silver Knights Foundation Grant offers up to $10,000 to local non-profits in Henderson, focused on health, education, and support for military and first responders. Organizations must be 501(c)3 compliant and submit only one application per grant cycle. Funding must be utilized within one year of receipt. Applications for general operating costs, sponsorships, or third-party requests are ineligible. This initiative aims to enhance community impact and support through targeted grant funding.

The C Spire Wireless Foundation provides sponsorships primarily focused on STEM education, aiming to enhance digital literacy and workforce development in underserved communities. Organizations eligible for support must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities dedicated to these educational initiatives. Preference is given to projects based in the foundation's service region. Proposals should be submitted at least 90 days prior to events for consideration, with a review process taking two to three weeks.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) offers Community Needs Grants to support programs that address significant community needs. These grants focus on community development, capacity building, and education, emphasizing strategic and collaborative approaches. Notably, food-related projects are not funded under this program, as they fall under the Ending Hunger Together Grants. CFCI is dedicated to creating lasting value and improving the quality of charitable work in the community.

The Perry County Community Foundation Grant, managed by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, offers competitive funding for nonprofit organizations in Perry County. Grants up to $3,500 support projects that enhance community quality of life through arts, education, health, and environment initiatives. Eligible organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and align with PCCF's funding priorities. However, funding does not cover advertising, capital campaigns, or religious purposes, and organizations must demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant term.

The Coast Electric Community Trust Operation Round Up Grant, managed by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, provides funding for charitable and educational purposes in Hancock, Harrison, and Pearl River counties. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to organizations that align with the Cooperative’s mission. This initiative supports community service, economic development, education, and environmental efforts, enhancing the quality of life for residents in South Mississippi.

About Us

Near the sunset of a full career filled with hard work, perseverance, and many successes, Don Wood founded the 80/20 Foundation Trust in 2018, which was later renamed the Don Wood Foundation. Don built his life and career on a simple but powerful belief: opportunity should not be limited to one path. 

Don recognized the immense value of industrial trades, advanced manufacturing, innovation, having an entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills. He believed individuals should have access to the tools, credentials, and real-world training necessary to build meaningful careers and provide for their families and the community. He saw his Foundation as a vehicle to get there.

Opening Pathways

Young people thrive when they are given meaningful opportunities to do, lead, and imagine what’s possible. The Don Wood Foundation awards grants for programs that prioritize early and frequent opportunities for young people to:

• Explore STEAM through doing, not just observing
• Build foundational leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset alongside technical curiosity, building their capability for adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork                                                                                     
• Explore and navigate career pathways, so more students can see themselves in high-skill, high-wage technical careers

When every student in northeast Indiana has access to hands-on STEAM experiences and can connect learning to real careers in their communities, they develop the leadership skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to power Next-Gen Manufacturing—today and tomorrow.

Engaging Youth Grant Program

Through the Engaging Youth Grant Program, the Don Wood Foundation supports programs and initiatives that: 

• Engage youth in STEAM and career exploration experiences that help them imagine future possibilities
• Provide early, frequent, and hands-on learning experiences that engage students as active participants, not passive observers
• Build foundational skills and mindsets, including curiosity, confidence, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, persistence, and a growth mindset
• Offer progressive experiences that deepen over time as youth grow
• Expand access to opportunity by reducing barriers to participation 

​We are particularly interested in programs that center student voice and agency, are developmentally appropriate, and are delivered in partnership with schools, educators, and community organizations.   

CTSGC Faculty-Student Research Grant

To encourage undergraduate student engagement in the research process, NASA CTSGC has created a Student-Faculty Research Grant. This grant will enable undergraduate students to gain meaningful research experience in NASA CTSGC Affiliate research laboratories in areas consistent with the mission of NASA as exemplified by its Mission Directorates. They are Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology.

The award will support two undergraduate students (one from a 4-year institution and the other from a community college) with a stipend and provide a small stipend for the faculty advisor. If the research is happening over the summer, the project should span a minimum of 8-weeks in length, where students work full-time on the project. If the project is to be completed during the academic year, students and PI must present a plan to obtain approximately 320 hours of commitment to the project.

Award Information 

Refer to the NASA CTSGC website for the amount and number of awards available each program year. Since this is an institutional award, a subcontract for each lead institution will be executed.

Fund Distribution 

Awarded funds will be made available upon completion and execution of a subaward agreement between the awardee's institution and the University of Hartford. Award funds will be distributed to the recipient institution, which shall administer the award in accordance with its internal policies governing grants and sponsored programs.

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant aims to combat gang and youth violence through a comprehensive strategy involving social intervention, suppression, opportunity provision, organizational change, and community mobilization. With approximately $11.1 million in funding, the initiative supports multi-disciplinary approaches and encourages applicants to allocate more resources to public housing sites. This grant reflects a commitment to enhancing community safety and addressing the root causes of violence effectively.

The Classroom-Focused Project Grants support licensed educators in enhancing their teaching practices and student outcomes, with funding up to $3,000 for innovative projects. This opportunity is designed for both first-time applicants and previous recipients looking to build on their past successes. Eligible applicants must be active members of Education Minnesota and demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in their projects. Grants are awarded annually, emphasizing measurable results and collaborative efforts.

The Humboldt Area Foundation's Community Health Grant aims to enhance the well-being of Humboldt County residents, particularly those facing social and economic disadvantages. It supports initiatives that improve health access for underserved populations and fosters community engagement. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 are available for projects that create significant community impact, promote preventive health measures, and ensure sustainability post-funding.

Washington County Community Foundation

The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. We accomplish this by assuming four philanthropic roles of Grantmaker, Donor Service Organization, Fundraiser, and Community Leader. 

Fostering philanthropy by offering charitable gifting opportunities to donors on an individualized basis and at reasonable fees, we make charitable giving easier, more satisfying, and more effective. We broadly support the Washington County community by awarding grants in eight focus areas as follows: Animal Welfare, Arts & Humanities, Community Improvement & Economic Development, Conservation & Environment, Education, Health & Fitness, Human Needs, and Religion & Faith.

William and Sara Litle and Roy and Sara McCullough Scholarship Fund

For a current year graduating senior of Washington County or Greene County who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Washington & Jefferson College in music or economics.

The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), established in 1990, is a Canadian charity that funds environmental projects nationwide. Supported by over 150,000 donors, it has contributed approximately $76 million to more than 24,000 initiatives. This funding round emphasizes projects that enhance public green spaces through innovative programming and green infrastructure. Eligible applicants include registered charities, educational institutions, and Indigenous communities, focusing on initiatives like community gardens, environmental education, and urban greening.

Pima Federal Credit Union

In 1951, sixteen teachers pooled together $84 in deposits and founded our credit union with the common purpose of helping people. To this day, our common purpose still exists. We’re here for our members and we thrive by delivering on our value promise of Smart. Simple. Personal. 

A Community Partner

Pima Federal believes strongly in being a community partner and that our success is deeply tied to the success of our neighbors. Over the years, we have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in our community through the amount of volunteerism, educational support, and community giving/fundraising that we provide. We have a firm commitment to enhancing the standard of living in our communities and to make Arizona a more desirable place to live. 

We are pleased to empower many deserving organizations and causes throughout the year in the form of: donations, sponsorships, volunteers, scholarships, and financial literacy. If you would like to submit a request for community support, please fill out our support request application. 

Community Support: Donations & Sponsorships

We generously award non-profits, charities, teams, and other community based programs that share our commitment to develop our city's potential and to create richer, more fulfilling lives. We're focused on areas of youth, education, and community development.

About Us

In 2020, Connecticut established the Office of Workforce Strategy as an executive branch agency to serve as the staff to the Governor’s Workforce Council to provide strategic guidance and support the implementation of workforce initiatives and investments across the state.

The Governor's Workforce Council (GWC) is Connecticut's State Workforce Board. The GWC is responsible for setting strategy and policy for the state’s Pre-K through retirement workforce pipeline, and to serve as the primary coordinator for businesses, educators, trainers, state agencies, state workforce boards, non-profits, and others.

In April 2025, the Governor’s Workforce Council published an updated Strategic Plan, designed to provide a roadmap for workforce development efforts throughout the state. The Plan is anchored by three guiding values: Collaboration; Opportunity; and Impact, and aligned across three objectives: Drive Growth; Build Skills; and Expand Access.

Career ConneCT: Work-based Learning and Employment Subsidy RFP

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships

A fellowship for experienced journalists with a focus on international health.

In comparing the U.S. health care system to its global counterparts, journalists traveling to different countries as part of the AHCJ International Fellowship program can produce projects that provide valuable insights that can help inform policy decisions, improve health care outcomes and contribute to the ongoing evolution of health care systems worldwide.

Through the AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a story or project comparing a facet of the U.S. health care system to that of another country. 

For 2027, the focus will be on the U.K. and France in comparison with the U.S. health care system. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

This fellowship allows highly experienced journalists to maintain their regular employment while working to evaluate a key component of the health care system, a health outcome, access, performance, providers, efficiency or other focal point over a six-month period.

That period allows for preparatory time, a site visit to the chosen European country, interviews and information gathering, as well as follow-up and writing time. Guidance is provided through seminars, conference calls and consultations with AHCJ fellowship leaders, a mentor and exposure to various topic experts.

The Housing Rehabilitation & Demolition or Neighborhood Development Grant, offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to enhance housing for low- to moderate-income households in areas affected by slum and blight. With a budget of one million dollars for 2025, communities can receive substantial funding, up to $500,000, for housing rehabilitation, demolition, and neighborhood development projects, ensuring compliance with federal requirements.

Community Foundation of the Quincy Area

My Community Foundation (also known as The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life in the communities it serves by connecting compassionate donors with meaningful causes. The foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit partners to gather charitable contributions, grow those funds through professional investment strategies, and grant the earnings in ways that address local needs now and into the future. It builds and manages permanent endowments tailored to donors’ goals, ensuring their philanthropic visions—whether honoring a loved one, establishing a legacy, or supporting community needs—are realized. Serving a 12-county region across West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, the foundation acts as a steward of charitable assets, helping donors make a lasting impact through customized giving opportunities, community grants, and strategic support for nonprofit organizations.

F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr  Family Scholarship

F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship provides scholarship support to graduating seniors from Quincy Senior High School who intend to pursue a career in education, with a preference for elementary education. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, supporting students throughout their undergraduate studies. Eligibility requirements and application criteria are coordinated through the school, and interested students should contact their school guidance counselor for details. Awards are made annually in the spring.

The Legal Assistance for Nonprofits program by the Chicago Lawyers Committee provides essential legal services to nonprofits and small businesses aiming to reduce systemic inequalities in wealth and access to economic opportunities. This initiative offers support specifically to organizations that advance race equity and serve underserved communities, ultimately helping to close the racial wealth gap through education, legal support, and advocacy for economic development.

The Bridger Brewing Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems Scholarship at Montana State University supports students pursuing degrees in sustainable food systems. This scholarship, which varies in amount, aims to assist those demonstrating financial need while fostering academic excellence. With a strong focus on health and human development, it encourages innovative solutions in food and bioenergy sectors, making higher education more accessible to deserving students.

The Minnesota Chapter Peter Potvin Scholarship is available for full-time undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students enrolled in institutions within the Minnesota Chapter's geographic boundaries. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or be in the top 30% of their class, with additional criteria for program accreditation. This scholarship supports students pursuing degrees that prepare them for careers in the HVAC&R field, contributing to sustainable building practices.

The Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation, established in 2001, focuses on enhancing the lives of residents in Henry County, Illinois. It provides grants primarily for educational assistance, historic preservation, religious purposes, and nursing home care. The foundation carries forward the legacy of Bill and Susan, who were dedicated to charitable causes and community support. By funding diverse programs in arts, education, health, and human services, the foundation continues to make a significant impact in the local community.

Stronger Together Fund Grant

The mission of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is to support donors in mobilizing generosity to improve the quality of life in our community. We know our community is stronger when everyone is given the opportunity to succeed. The focus of the Stronger Together Fund is to support programs that are creating and delivering opportunities for success in our community. 

Focus Area:

The Stronger Together Fund will provide grant funding to address opportunity gaps in the following areas that affect quality of life:

• Art & culture
• Basic needs
• Economic opportunity 
• Education
• Environment
• Health & wellness
• Neighborhoods & communities
• Recreation

Grant Range:

• $5,000 - $15,000

Grantee Responsibilities:

• Successful grantees will be required to sign a Grant Agreement prior to receiving funding. The Grantee must also report back on the use of the grant funding and what measurable outcomes were achieved as a result of the funded project.

The James R. Bullock, Jr. Scholarship, offered by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating & A C Engineers, is a one-year scholarship aimed at undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students in ASHRAE Region IV. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and meet specific criteria, such as being enrolled in an accredited program or a school hosting an ASHRAE student branch. This scholarship promotes education in HVAC&R fields and supports future professionals.

The CFDC: Youth In Action Grant empowers young people aged 12-18 to lead impactful projects in their schools and communities. With grants of up to $1,000, students are encouraged to identify local needs and develop creative solutions. This program fosters leadership, collaboration, and responsible resource stewardship, enabling youth to make a positive difference. Eligible projects include community gardens, mental health initiatives, and peer mentoring programs, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for their peers.

The Paul E. Andrews, Jr. Foundation, established in 2007, aims to enhance the quality of life in Fort Worth, Texas, by focusing on education and healthcare improvements. It provides funding to tax-exempt organizations for programs supporting hospitals and educational initiatives. Organizations may apply once a year but can only receive funding for three consecutive years, after which a two-year wait is required before reapplying. The foundation prioritizes established organizations with strong management.