Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Judith Ann Mogan Foundation, established in 2020, focuses on enhancing the Southern Oregon Coast's communities by supporting qualified organizations. With over $5.98 million awarded to 84 projects, the foundation prioritizes areas such as Arts & Culture, Community Health, and Economic Development. For the 2025 Grant Cycle, it offers both Small and Large Grant Programs to foster impactful initiatives. Eligible applicants must be Oregon-based, including 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental units.

The Washington County Community Foundation, a part of the East Tennessee Foundation, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents through innovative programs. They prioritize projects that promote life literacy among all age groups, from nutrition education to financial decision-making. Grants can reach up to $50,000, supporting initiatives that demonstrate significant community impact and sustainability beyond the funding period. Collaborative proposals involving multiple organizations are especially encouraged.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

The Crystal Charity Ball Grant has been supporting children's charities in Dallas County since 1952, distributing over $191 million to 160 beneficiaries. In the past year, the committee raised $7,093,665 to aid seven local organizations, providing children with hope and resources for a healthier future. This initiative thrives on the generosity of donors and community members, making a significant impact on the lives of children in need.

The Lubrizol Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations that align with community investment priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on quality education, health, and sustainable communities. Established in 1952, the foundation emphasizes support for initiatives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Houston, Texas. Grant applications are evaluated based on alignment with Lubrizol's investment pillars, with a commitment to fostering social impact and community well-being through financial support.

The CDC's K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award aims to support new investigators in conducting vital research to prevent interpersonal violence and suicide among children and adolescents. This grant encourages proposals that address critical public health issues, including adverse childhood experiences and youth violence, while fostering research independence. Applicants are expected to explore the impact of technology on violence and demonstrate the relevance of their findings to prevention efforts.

The Sheltering Arms Foundation Grant supports high-quality direct-service programs for children aged 0-12, focusing on early childhood and youth development along with advocacy efforts. The foundation aims to diminish opportunity gaps and enhance public commitment to children's well-being in Minnesota. Programs must be culturally appropriate and involve family engagement, ensuring children are socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten and prepared for academic success by 7th grade. Eligible organizations must be non-profits based in Minnesota.

The Alger Regional Community Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Alger County to enhance quality of life through various programs. With a focus on charity, education, health, and youth development, the foundation encourages innovative projects that meet community needs. Grants typically do not exceed $2,500 and are awarded based on the potential impact and collaborative efforts of applicants. The foundation prioritizes youth involvement, ensuring future generations benefit from its initiatives.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health announces the availability of competitive grant funds for the administration of the WIC Program in Pike County. The purpose of the WIC Program is to improve the health status and prevent health problems among Ohio’s at-risk women, infants, and children. WIC helps to:

• Provide nutrition and breastfeeding education and counseling to the target population,
• Improve pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services necessary for full term pregnancies,
• Reduce infant mortality by decreasing the incidence of low birth weight,
• Increase breastfeeding rates among newborns, and
• Give infants and children a healthy start in life by providing nutritious food

The Charles Lamar Family Foundation Grant supports projects in K-12 education, companion animal welfare, and water resources. Established in 2000, the foundation awards approximately $1 million annually to 501(c)(3) organizations through competitive rounds. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $400,000, and applicants must demonstrate community commitment and a sustainable project plan. A letter of intent is required for projects outside the foundation's primary focus areas.

Gilead Africa Grants support innovative, data-driven projects aimed at enhancing healthcare systems and promoting health equity across Africa. Targeting key areas such as HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, the grants prioritize community-informed initiatives. Gilead encourages partnerships with nonprofits and patient advocates, focusing on direct programmatic support to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Applications are accepted year-round, with a commitment to funding that aligns with local needs and priorities.

The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity grant aims to support research on policies affecting tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use in the U.S. This initiative focuses on how these policies impact populations facing health disparities. Key components include engaging community organizations to advance equity in cancer prevention. Important deadlines for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, providing opportunities for both standard and renewal submissions.

The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) aims to fund projects that explore policies related to tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis in the U.S. The focus is on understanding how these policies affect usage and exposure among disadvantaged populations. Engaging community organizations is essential for promoting equity in cancer prevention. This initiative is crucial for advancing health equity and reducing disparities in substance use.

The Teichert Foundation Grant supports organizations in California that enhance community welfare through civic improvement, culture, education, and environmental sustainability. Established by Teichert Construction, the foundation aims to foster a healthier, educated, and more equitable society. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and public agencies in specified counties. The foundation prioritizes projects that address community needs and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, ultimately striving to create lasting impact and better health for all.

The Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation (HWLF) has been supporting the rights and welfare of women and children in Hawaii for over 30 years. They provide grants to local nonprofits that enhance access to legal systems, health services, and educational opportunities. With priority given to projects benefiting women and children, HWLF awards micro-grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. The foundation considers grant applications twice a year, focusing on initiatives that promote safety and independence in the community.

Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship

Created by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Conservation, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forest Management or similar area of study at a 2- or 4-year college. Financial need will be considered. Applicants must include list of outdoors sports in which they participate, a statement on importance of the role of sportsmen in conservation and management of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and information on career path in their goal statement.

The ACFM Project Support Program offers funding between $2,000 and $20,000 for special projects that enhance public appreciation of contemporary American concert music and jazz. Eligible applicants include performing ensembles and music organizations with a minimum of two years of programming history. Projects must focus on contemporary works by American composers and can involve live performances, recordings, or educational initiatives. This support is pivotal for fostering innovation and creativity in the American music scene.

The William Penn Foundation invites proposals to reduce barriers to accessing and completing workforce training in Philadelphia. This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of quality workforce programs for populations facing significant challenges, such as young individuals not in school or working, returning citizens, and immigrants. With $5 million available, the Foundation seeks projects that will help these groups transition to employment and ensure job retention, fostering economic mobility for themselves and their families.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) intends to release an Implementation of Findings From PCORI's Research Investments PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) on Aug. 4, 2026, seeking to fund implementation projects that promote the uptake of peer-reviewed findings from specific PCORI-funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) in the context of the body of related evidence. This PFA is an open competition opportunity for principal investigators to propose implementation projects that move evidence toward practical use in improving health care and health outcomes. Applicants may propose projects with budgets up to $1.8 million in total direct costs.

PCORI seeks to fund implementation projects that incorporate active, multicomponent strategies that will lead to uptake and integration of evidence generated by PCORI-funded research in practice settings. Implementation should target specific end users with a clear interest in — and ability to benefit from — the evidence. Proposed implementation projects will adapt findings as needed to facilitate uptake in the proposed settings and accomplish scale-up to reach larger numbers and/or scale-out to reach broader populations and settings. Applicants must demonstrate commitment and buy-in — including from leadership as well as frontline staff critical to the success of the project — from proposed implementation sites across multiple health systems, such that they provide a supportive context and infrastructure for undertaking the proposed project. In addition, projects should involve regional and national stakeholder organizations positioned to extend uptake in broader venues.  

Applications must be guided by an established conceptual model or framework and, where possible, by evidence regarding effective strategies for implementing evidence-based practices and interventions. Additionally, applications must include a rigorous evaluation plan that documents the successful execution of the implementation approach and the impact of the project on health care and health outcomes as feasible and appropriate within the project scope.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

The Audubon Society offers small grants for field study projects, aimed at reimbursing undergraduate and graduate students for project-related expenses. Grants, generally up to $550, are awarded based on available funds, with applications reviewed throughout the year. Eligible projects focus on Southern California ornithology, local natural sciences, or ecological policy studies impacting the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding coastal areas. Funding decisions are made approximately 45 days after application deadlines.

The Nisqually Watershed Small Grants program, sponsored by Pierce County, aims to improve environmental literacy and enhance water quality in local watersheds. By supporting nonprofit organizations, schools, and individuals, the program encourages projects such as riparian plantings and community clean-ups. Successful initiatives must align with watershed councils' Action Agendas, promoting sustainability and ecological education within the Nisqually River Watershed and beyond.

The Sharing Prince George's County Grant supports nonprofits addressing urgent community needs in Prince George's County. With a two-stage application process, eligible nonprofits can apply for one-time grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, focusing on basic needs, economic mobility, and wealth-building opportunities. The initiative aims to advance economic justice and close the wealth gap, fostering a more equitable community. Selected organizations may also receive multi-year commitments to help achieve long-term goals.

Urban Agriculture

CDA's Urban Agriculture program focuses on supporting agricultural producers in and around Colorado's communities as they work to create local food systems and networks.

The goals of CDA's Urban Ag program are:

• Supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities
• Connecting urban producers with existing resources
• Conserving natural resources on urban farms

Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program

The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program is to aid Colorado’s agricultural producers in building a more resilient and sustainable food system by supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities and conserving natural resources on urban farms.

Due to limited funding, the Conservation Services Division has decided to use this microgrant opportunity to concentrate on small scale projects crucial to expanding urban production, implementing conservation practices, educating community members, and addressing other common challenges faced by urban producers.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Grant offers funding extensions for existing programs through June 2025, focusing on community improvement. Established in 1920, this organization partners with various sectors to enhance quality of life. Their mission mobilizes resources to support individuals and families, aiming for academic success, health independence, and workforce readiness. Grants range from $1,500 to $116,000, with a minimum request of $7,500 for the 2022-2024 cycle. Eligibility is limited to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

The City of Bellingham offers Community/Public Facility Improvement Grants aimed at enhancing facilities that benefit low-income individuals and areas. This funding, totaling approximately $250,000, supports various community projects such as food banks, senior centers, childcare facilities, and community centers. Additional funding may be available for housing initiatives. This program aims to strengthen community infrastructure and improve access to essential services for those in need.

The Butler Family Foundation's Community Grants Program focuses on supporting vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, through two-year grants. These grants, ranging from $30,000 for general operating support to $20,000 for specific projects, prioritize housing services, addiction support, and domestic violence prevention in urban areas of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with substantial annual budgets.