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Get operating grants for nonprofits covering essential expenses, staffing, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.
33,000+
Available grants
$9.00B
Total funding
$6K
Median grant
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Molly Efron Scholarship
To support a Monroe County female high school senior planning to attend a four-year college or university to study science, technology, engineering, or math.
Number and Size of Awards
Two awards of $1,000 each; paid in one lump sum.
Allowed Use of Award
Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.
We are passionate about our region. Greater Worcester Community Foundation serves the needs of residents across the 60 towns and cities that make up Worcester County. Founded in 1975, we provide support and resources to improve the lives of the more than 850,000 people who call this area home.
City of Worcester Cultural Festival Grant Program
Greater Worcester Community Foundation has partnered with The City of Worcester to offer this grant program through remaining ARPA funds. Cultural Festivals play a powerful role in creating community cohesion and celebrating the rich diversity of the City of Worcester. Recent festival grants have added great value to these efforts, which is why we are pleased to make these grants available.
Grant will be dispersed once festival is booked and confirmed.
Areas of Support
This grant program has been established to support costs associated with hosting a cultural festival in the City of Worcester. We define a festival as a(n):
The Barbara Berger Clark Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The family of Barbara Berger Clark created this scholarship in her memory to support the next generation of nurses who share her commitment to public health and to serving their communities. Open to all nursing students, including those entering the field later in life or as a second career, this scholarship especially honors those who share Barbara’s commitment to public health nursing, prevention, and advancing health equity.
Number and Size of Awards
Number of recipients and individual total award amounts vary annually. Award paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters. Award renewability varies and is dependent on the length of the recipient’s program of study. Minimum award size $5,000.
Allowed Use of Award
Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.
Dr. James C. Schmulbach Memorial Scholarship
To provide financial support for a scholarship as recommended by the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
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.
George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship Fund
George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship Fund supports former students or graduates of John Wood Community College who are continuing their education at an accredited four-year college or university. Eligible applicants must be entering their junior or senior year and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field. Application criteria and additional requirements are administered through the school, and interested students should contact their school guidance counselor for guidance. Scholarships are awarded annually in the spring.
New York Farm Viability Institute
The New York Farm Viability Institute is a nonprofit grantmaking organization. We run a competitive grant program seeking to fund agricultural research and education projects that will create and share knowledge to improve the economic viability of New York’s farmers.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help New York farmers become more profitable and improve the long-term economic viability and sustainability of our state’s farms, the food system, and the communities which they serve.
We strive to achieve our mission through a farmer-driven grant making process connecting farmer-identified needs to practical research and education solutions.
We amplify our efforts and the efforts of others through leadership and collaboration. This creation and sharing of knowledge results in positive farm-level impact.
NYFVI administers both research and education as well as direct grants for farms and food businesses.
NYS Grown & Certified Research and Development Grant
The NYS Grown & Certified Research and Development Grant (GCRD) is specifically for entities that are already enrolled in the New York State Grown & Certified program. This grant is to help NYS Grown & Certified farmers, food processors and distributers pay for Research & Development services required to help launch new NYS Grown & Certified food products, or increase the production, distribution, or safety of existing NYS Grown & Certified food products.
The NYS G&C Research and Development grant is a non-competitive grant.
Lawson Family Foundation
The Lawson Family Foundation was established by Phil Lawson in 2020 to serve as a catalyst for the development of a more healthy, prosperous, and inclusive Knoxville community. As a private grantmaking foundation, the Lawson Family Foundation focuses support on organizations involved in the areas of Justice & Economic Mobility, Education & Youth Development, Prevention of Exploitation & Violence, and Community Health & Food Security.
Driven by the belief that every life has equal value, the Lawson Family Foundation exists to support efforts that promote justice and opportunity in all aspects of society, primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee. In doing so, it seeks to achieve a positive impact in marginalized communities that will last for generations.
Lawson Family Foundation Prevention of Exploitation & Violence Grant
Human trafficking and domestic violence remain urgent and growing threats across Tennessee, with women and children disproportionately affected. These forms of exploitation and abuse undermine individual dignity and destabilize families and communities.
The Foundation is committed to preventing exploitation and supporting survivors through a comprehensive approach: strengthening education and prevention efforts, supporting victim protection and restoration, and advancing the prosecution of offenders.
4-H Beef Club Fund
The 4-H Beef Club Fund, established by the Whitley County 4H Beef Club, provides educational scholarship support for any member of Whitley County 4-H intent upon studying Agriculture at an accredited college or university in pursuit of a 2 or 4 year degree in the field.
Jean Griswold Foundation
The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships.
Mission
The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.
By offering educational scholarships, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.
The Jean Griswold Foundation is proud to continue the service created by Dr. Jean Griswold, through spearheading this strategic journey of growth and professional development.
Scholarships
The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.
Summer Scholarship Program
The Jean Griswold Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to exceptional Caregivers nationwide since 2022.
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 $3.34B 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 $32,500.
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 29.7% 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 $32,500, while the average grant awarded is $633,837. 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.