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Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

Get operating grants for nonprofits covering essential expenses, staffing, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.

33,000+

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$6K

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33,000+ grants
$9.00B total
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Dan Daly Opportunity Fund

Chaffee County Community Foundation
Corporate
Colorado
US $5,000

Dan Daly Opportunity Fund

CCCF is proud to offer funding for High School wrestling programs in the State of Colorado through generous funding through the Dan Daly Opportunity Fund.

Funds Available:

$5,000 Grant available to one applicant annually.

Sports & Athletics Youth Services

County Fairground Improvement Grant

Compeer Financial, ACA
Corporate
Adams County, Illinois, Adams County, Wisconsin +142 more
Up to US $7,500
The County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program aims to support rural communities within Compeer Financial’s territory by providing funding for upgrades and repairs to county fair facilities. Eligible organizations can receive up to $4,000 to enhance livestock buildings, 4-H buildings, and judging arenas. This initiative not only improves facilities but also fosters community engagement and agricultural education, ensuring that fairs continue to thrive in delivering memorable experiences for all ages.
Livestock & Ranching

PFN-STRIDE Pilot Grant

Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
Federal Government
United States
Up to US $30,000

Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network

The RDCRN was established by Congress under the Rare Diseases Act in 2002. The network is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through is Division of Rare Diseases Research Innovation (formerly the Office of Rare Diseases Research). It is funded by collaborating NIH institutes, centers, and offices.

Now in its fifth funding cycle, RDCRN supports 20 rare disease research groups (consortia) that partner with 127 affiliated patient advocacy groups. In total, 180 diseases are currently being studied at 273 active clinical sites, both in the United States and internationally.

Pilot Grant in Pediatric Fungal Disease

Goal

Invites applications for one-year pilot projects that establish feasibility, refine the analytic design, or generate preliminary data to support future studies addressing critical knowledge gaps or improving patient-centered outcomes for pediatric invasive fungal diseases.

Objectives

  • Establish feasibility of proposed pediatric IFD studies
  • Refine study design or analytic approaches
  • Generate preliminary data to strengthen future large-scale research
  • Expand and support a diverse investigator community in pediatric IFD research
  • Encourage multi-site collaboration and incorporation of patient/caregiver perspectives

Award Description

Awards will provide up to $30,000 (inclusive of direct and indirect costs) for a one-year period. Applicants are encouraged to pursue co-sponsorship with institutional partners, research networks, industry collaborators, or other stakeholders to expand available resources. To receive the award, investigators must submit their full study protocol for approval by the RDCRN. Award recipients will be offered a project management team that meets quarterly to help ensure that progress is consistent with timelines and benchmarks. Funded investigators will also be required to submit quarterly progress reports and an end-of-project report to be reviewed by the Pilot Project Committee.

Mycology Children’s Health & Pediatrics

Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium - Pilot Projects RFA

Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
Federal Government
United States
Approximately US $100,000

Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network

The RDCRN was established by Congress under the Rare Diseases Act in 2002. The network is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through is Division of Rare Diseases Research Innovation (formerly the Office of Rare Diseases Research). It is funded by collaborating NIH institutes, centers, and offices.

Now in its fifth funding cycle, RDCRN supports 20 rare disease research groups (consortia) that partner with 127 affiliated patient advocacy groups. In total, 180 diseases are currently being studied at 273 active clinical sites, both in the United States and internationally.

Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium - Request For Pilot Project Applications

The pilot feasibility core of the Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium (DSC) is pleased to announce that it will fund an estimated $100,000 total costs for a pilot project to stimulate additional research through the DSC NIH grant for one/all of the following disorders: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), PTEN Hamartoma Syndrome (PHTS), Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) and SYNGAP 1-related disorders. The funding will be coordinated, dispersed and evaluated for progress through the DSC infrastructure. This project will be a two-year project with half of the funds ($50,000) allocated in each year, starting in October 2026. 

Rare Diseases

OCCF: Donna Nigh Foundation Grant

Oklahoma City Community Foundation
Private
Oklahoma
Up to US $8,000
The OCCF: Donna Nigh Foundation Grant supports Oklahoma-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and accredited schools that provide essential services to individuals with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundation provides funding for adaptive equipment and activities aimed at enhancing independence and quality of life. Eligible projects include environmental adaptations, classroom equipment, and sheltered workshop activities, while special events and capital improvements are excluded from funding.
Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities

Public Art Learning Fund

New England Foundation For The Arts
Private
United States
US $500 - US $3,000

New England Foundation For The Arts

Our work at NEFA is simple: to cultivate and promote the arts in New England and beyond. Our programs support artists across many forms of expression and many geographies, connecting them with collaborators and communities, fueling creative exchange and public discourse, and strengthening the arts and culture ecosystem.

Each program and project brought to life at NEFA builds a stronger and more dynamic infrastructure for the arts. Through grants, convenings, and online tools, NEFA continues an almost 50 year history of pioneering partnerships and programs supporting the arts.

Public Art Learning Fund

The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the field of public art in New England by providing professional development support directly to artists.

The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices. Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England.

Artists may utilize the Public Art Learning Fund to: pursue a specific professional development opportunity to strengthen their own public art practice in New England and beyond. Examples may include but are not limited to attending a conference, workshop, training, or discussion related to building creative or administrative skills related to their public art practice. 

Program Values & Goals

NEFA’s Public Art programs acknowledge the necessity of addressing the intersectionality of spatial justice and racial justice in cultivating a more vibrant and equitable public art ecosystem.  

The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the public art field in the region by supporting artists in further developing the skills, resources, and connections they need to build a more vibrant and equitable community of practice in the region. Learning in partnership with grantees, NEFA strives to learn how we may be able to better support a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem throughout the region. 

Funding Priorities

Public Art Learning Fund equips artists with skills, resources, and connections to strengthen public art practices that contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. 

The Public Art Learning Fund gives priority to timely opportunities that are: 

  • Specifically expanding an artist’s public art practice. NEFA will look for clarity on desired learnings and application to artist’s public art practice.
  • Equitably contributing to more just and inclusive public artmaking in the region. Artists at various stages in their public artmaking practice from urban, suburban, and rural communities across all six states in New England are welcome to apply.

NEFA values diverse cultural and artistic expressions as essential to more equitable and vibrant public spaces and recognizes that some artists may experience barriers to accessing professional development opportunities due to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography. The Public Art Learning Fund intends to prioritize equity in funding opportunities.

Public / Community Art Artist Training & Development

ArtsMemphis - Arts Build Communities Grant

ArtsMemphis
Private
Fayette County, Tennessee, Lauderdale County, Tennessee +2 more
Up to US $5,000

Arts Build Communities

We are proud to partner with the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) to fund projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises in West Tennessee counties: Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton.

Overall, 12 designated agencies administer the Arts Build Communities (ABC) program on behalf of TAC in all 95 counties of the state. If your organization is new to ARTSmemphis grant applications, this grant is a great way to get started.

Arts / Culture Access & Participation Community Culture & Heritage

The Wood Memorial Scholarship

Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County
Private
United States
US $1,100

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

The Wood Memorial Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Academic achievement and financial need

Required materials:

  • FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

  • $1,100 | 1 scholarship

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are NOT covered.

Education - Higher Education Vocational & Trade Education

Adult Education & Literacy Grant

New Hampshire Department of Education
State/Local Government
New Hampshire
Unspecified amount

Adult Education & Literacy Grant

Adult education and literacy programs are authorized under AEFLA to provide educational opportunities below the secondary level for adults who lack a high school diploma or who lack the basic skills to function effectively in the workplace and in their daily lives. This includes foundational skills and English literacy instruction for individuals who may have earned a high school diploma or postsecondary credential in another country, but do not have the English language skills to be successful in postsecondary education, training and/or employment. The purpose is to fund programs that:

  • assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
  • assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that—
    • are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children; and
    • lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
  • assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to post-secondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
  • assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in—
    • improving their—
      • reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and
      • mathematics skills; and
    • acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship. (AEFLA Section 202)
Adult Education Literacy

A New Direction Grant

Angels Over Sandpoint
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Angels Over Sandpoint

Mission: It is the mission of the Angels Over Sandpoint to honor the memory of the Angels who have gone before us by helping those in need in our community.

A New Direction Grant

Amber Coffman Campbell Memorial Fund

Amber and her generous heart took time to genuinely listen, as good friends do. She saw the bright side of everyone and believed in the goodness in each person. Her blue eyes were luminous and her smile made everything right in the world. Bubbly and effervescent, Amber was a soul of happy endless optimistic youth.

In 2007 Amber and Darby Campbell were married at their new home on Sunny Side Road. She fell for his dashingly romantic side and was swept away with his humor and creative ideas. He adored her passionate energy and bright spirit. They loved the sun and surf …and each other. Amber always had an interest in beauty. She was a model in her younger days and on Maui she found the Esthetician school from which she graduated in 2003. She creatively blended the idea of beauty with the natural world and brought about a new spa in 2008. Her creation of Wildflower Day Spa took off. It was an unfolding of her dream.

Amber was passionate, inspiring and generous of spirit. She brought forth an idea that there was always something about to unfold, something magical just in front of us, that something beautiful would happen this very day. And it always did, she would find something delightful in her path, even the littlest thing and embrace it.

Although Amber left this world too soon, she has given us a gift of her unbidden joy that we carry around with us in our hearts. 

A New Direction Grant is offered to Bonner County residents seeking to better themselves by attending a college, university or trade school. 

Education - Higher Education Vocational & Trade Education

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC): National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities (363975)

US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Federal Government
American Samoa, Guam +4 more
US $920,000 - US $925,000
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focuses on enhancing the lives of parents with disabilities through research, training, and technical assistance. This initiative aims to develop evidence-based services and supports that empower parents in their caregiving roles. Funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL), the project spans 60 months with a commitment to fostering inclusive environments for families. The RRTC will explore innovative interventions and technologies to better support these parents in their daily challenges.
Disability Care & Services Family Services

Wilburforce Foundation Conservation Grants

Wilburforce Foundation
Private
Arizona, Canada +24 more
Unspecified amount
The Wilburforce Foundation Conservation Grants aim to enhance the conservation of vital lands, waters, and wildlife in Western North America. By 2025, their vision is to ensure native wildlife thrives across connected landscapes. The foundation supports organizations dedicated to strategic conservation efforts, focusing on habitat security and wildlife linkages. Grants are available to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities, fostering initiatives that protect critical wildlife habitats and promote ecological integrity.
Environmental Conservation

Recruitment of Rising Stars (RRS)

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
State/Local Government
Texas
Up to US $4,000,000

This grant aims to recruits outstanding mid-stage investigators to Texas, who have demonstrated the promise for continued and enhanced contributions to the field of cancer research.

Cancer / Oncology

Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP)

University of Maryland
Private
Maryland
Up to US $5,500

Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP)

The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) helps Maryland retain top tech talent by increasing the number of paid technical internships offered in the state. Administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland, the program offers financial assistance to small businesses, start-ups, non-profits and state and local agencies, to hire more interns.

The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) helps the State of Maryland retain top talent by increasing the number of paid technical internships across the region. The program incentivizes state and local agencies and technology-based businesses to hire more interns by subsidizing salary costs and providing additional support.

Since 2018, MTIP has funded over 1,200 technical internships, primarily in smaller Maryland businesses, across Biohealth & Life Sciences, Engineering, IT/Software Solutions, Cybersecurity, and Manufacturing. More than 83% of MTIP interns assert that they plan to stay in the state for their first job post-graduation. In addition, 98% of employers report that MTIP interns made significant contributions to their business growth and organizational improvements.

Apprenticeship & Internship Programs STEM / STEAM Education

Local Early Childhood Advisory Council (LECAC) System Improvement Grant

Maryland State Department of Education
State/Local Government
Maryland
US $24,602 - US $34,732

About the Maryland State Department of Education

Maryland has over 1,400 public schools, 24 local education agencies, and over 7,000 child care providers serving all of the state’s 23 counties plus Baltimore City. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) works collaboratively with the State Board of Education and stakeholders to ensure the promise of an excellent and equitable education for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved. At MSDE, we are a dedicated team of educators, specialists, and administrators joined together by a single vision: to be a system of world-class schools where students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in college, career, and life.

Local Early Childhood Advisory Council (LECAC) System Improvement Grant

Purpose

The Local Early Childhood Advisory Council (Local ECAC) Systems Improvement Grant supports local advisory councils in strengthening early childhood systems at the county level.

Local ECACs will use grant funds to conduct or summarize local needs assessments, identify barriers to collaboration, develop local action plans, coordinate local early childhood initiatives, report local priorities to the State ECAC, and support evidence-based quality improvement and improved child outcomes.

Education - Preschool / Early Learning Early Childhood Development

Donna Kennedy Schatz Foundation Grant Program

Omaha Community Foundation
Private
Douglas County, Nebraska
US $15,000 - US $25,000

Omaha Community Foundation

The Foundation was created in 1982, first functioning primarily as a charitable bank for Omaha and Southwest Iowa philanthropists. Since then, our community knowledge has grown, programming has expanded, partnerships have been forged, and the Omaha Community Foundation has become a regional thought leader in philanthropy and community investment.

Our Mission: We maximize the power of philanthropy to strengthen our community.

Donna Kennedy Schatz Foundation Grant

An Early Childhood Development Initiative

Powered by Blue Sage Impact in partnership with OCF, the Donna Kennedy Schatz Foundation was established in Omaha in honor of Mrs. Schatz, a dedicated Omaha resident for more than 75 years.

Programmatic Emphasis

This Foundation is centered on early childhood, defined here as prenatal through 8 years old, in order to support a strong start to life. The Foundation will fund organizations and initiatives that support education, wrap-around services, or ecosystem-level infrastructure. Specifically, the themes of the foundation include:

  • Supporting caregiver relationships with children through training, wraparound supports, and engaging experiences. We define caregivers as trusted adults in a child’s life, including parents, extended family and educators.
  • Championing high quality early education opportunities that build a strong foundation of literacy and are grounded in the future of learning.
  • Elevating intergenerational connections through places and programs that combat the isolation epidemic. We envision these programs to strengthen bonds between older adults and young children.

Target Populations: Marginalized communities of Omaha, Nebraska

Funding Structure: Exploration Grants

Given the dramatically changing funding landscape and trickle-down effects on programs, we are structuring the exploration grants as flexibly as possible: providing resources for “thinking time.” Organizations or partnerships can use this funding to support an exploration or planning process to consider what the future looks like for their program(s).

We will provide 10–15 philanthropic grants ranging from $15,000–$25,000. There is flexibility in the use of funds (e.g., planning retreat; consultant assistance with data/strategy development; general operations for staff time; etc.), whatever would be most helpful to leadership to explore and think through.

Grant period: 6 months to 1 year

Education - Preschool / Early Learning Early Childhood Development

Otto J. & Adelia M. Hahn Scholarship Fund

Benton Community Foundation
Private
Benton County, Oregon
Unspecified amount

Many BCF scholarships designated for current college students are available only to students at Oregon State University. Exceptions include the Corvallis Woman’s Club Scholarship, which is available to Benton County high school graduates attending any accredited institution of higher learning, and The Tailwinds Fund and Resilience scholarships, which are available to any college students.

Otto J. & Adelia M. Hahn Scholarship Fund

The Otto J. and Adelia M. Hahn Scholarship Fund awards full-tuition scholarships (including books) to Benton County students attending institutions of higher education. “[Otto and Adelia] shared an interest in education, and Otto had always been interested in passing on his knowledge to younger generations,” neighbor and friend Loren Smith, Jr. recalls. The scholarship benefits rural Benton County students pursuing higher education in manual or mechanical arts. Because of Otto’s long involvement with Linn-Benton Community College, priority is given to students attending LBCC.

Education - Higher Education Vocational & Trade Education

CFRRR: The Virginia Heritage Fund Grant

The Community Foundation of Rappahannock River Region, Inc
Private
Caroline County, Virginia, Fredericksburg City, Virginia +3 more
Unspecified amount
The Virginia Heritage Fund Grant, supported by The Community Foundation of Rappahannock River Region, Inc., aims to preserve and promote the documentary history of the region. This initiative collaborates with museums, libraries, and historical societies to ensure that vital historical documents are safeguarded and accessible to historians and the public. Established through a generous donation from historian Paula Felder, the fund continues her legacy of dedication to preserving local history.
Historic Preservation Historical Records & Archives

Impact Award for Volunteer Service

United Way Of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Private
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania +3 more
US $5,000 - US $15,000

About Us

United Way is the glue, connecting all sectors of the community who share our goal of making southwestern Pennsylvania a thriving place. We solve problems by convening experts, including affected communities, to ask how communities we all love and belong to can thrive. We catalyze giving. With nearly 100 years of expertise in community needs, companies and individuals give to United Way because they know that their investments go farther when they do. We are a hub of volunteering and engagement, providing meaningful opportunities year-round with our partner agencies to demonstrate the difference that’s made by giving back. Our 211 contact center connects people in need to vital human services in times of crisis. We organize collaborations and special projects to provide unparalleled opportunity for everyone to understand what’s holding our community back and how we can create change together.

IMPACT Award for Volunteer Service

Tell us about an outstanding volunteer whose dedication, compassion and commitment have made a meaningful difference in your organization and community.

The IMPACT Award honors extraordinary volunteers whose service has created a lasting positive impact on the lives of others. By completing and submitting the IMPACT Award nomination, your agency becomes eligible to receive a $15,000 or $5,000 grant from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in honor of your volunteer.

Award History

Originally established in 1992 as the Senator John Heinz Award, this recognition was created by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Tocqueville Society to honor a local volunteer whose service reflected Senator John Heinz III’s commitment to strengthening communities and supporting local individuals and families.

Renamed the IMPACT Award in 2024, the award continues its long tradition of celebrating volunteers who exemplify the spirit of service and create meaningful change in our region. The award highlights the vital role volunteers play in advancing nonprofit missions and strengthening communities.

Award Criteria

This award honors an individual who exemplifies volunteerism and whose commitment to bringing hope, promise and opportunity into the lives of others has left a lasting positive impact on a person, group or community at large.

Volunteerism & Philanthropy

AR Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Arkansas
State/Local Government
Arkansas
Unspecified amount
The AR Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) supports agricultural producers in enhancing their conservation practices while improving operational efficiency. This program offers financial and technical assistance to farmers seeking to improve land management, boost crop resilience, and foster wildlife habitats. With continuous enrollment and opportunities for contract renewal, CSP is designed to create sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and producers, ultimately leading to enhanced resilience against market and weather challenges.
Farms & Farming

Maureen Curry Inspiration Scholarship

Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation
Private
Chautauqua County, New York
Unspecified amount

Maureen Curry Inspiration Scholarship

This fund was established to provide scholarship opportunities to inspire and encourage needy individuals who wish to improve their education and/or job skills through credit or noncredit education or training programs at Jamestown Community College or any other accredited institution.

Education - Higher Education Vocational & Trade Education

AR Forest Legacy Program

Arkansas Agriculture Department
State/Local Government
Ashley County, Arkansas, Baxter County, Arkansas +43 more
Up to US $7,000,000
The AR Forest Legacy Program aims to protect threatened forest areas from conversion to non-forest uses through the purchase of conservation easements or fee simple titles. This federal program, funded up to 75%, is available to states with significant forest land, including Arkansas since 2004. The program prioritizes projects that maintain environmental integrity and economic viability, supporting sustainable forest management while enhancing biodiversity and recreational opportunities.
Land / Habitat Conservation

Edna Andrade Grants

The Philadelphia Foundation
Private
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Burlington County, New Jersey +7 more
US $5,000 - US $25,000
The Edna W. Andrade Fund, a donor advised fund of the Philadelphia Foundation, offers grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to support local and national museums or nonprofit art organizations that benefit visual fine artists from Greater Philadelphia. Established in memory of Edna Andrade, a prominent artist of the Op Art movement, this fund aims to foster artistic initiatives and exhibitions, enriching the cultural landscape of the region.
Fine Art

Integration of Oral Health into Primary Care Settings for Children

Ohio Department of Health and Human Services
State/Local Government
Ohio
Up to US $300,000

Integration of Oral Health into Primary Care Settings for Children

The overarching goal of this contract is to improve oral health outcomes of children in the nine priority counties identified in section 1.6 by integrating oral health into non-dental settings. This will be achieved with the two objectives listed below:

Objective One:

  • Increase the application of fluoride varnish by non-dental practitioners.

Objective Two:

  • Increase the number of children aged five and under with a dental visit.
Children’s Health & Pediatrics Dental Health

Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research

US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Federal Government
American Samoa, Guam +4 more
US $795,000 - US $800,000
The Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR Center) aims to enhance the use of relevant disability and rehabilitation research through effective knowledge translation. Serving as a key resource for NIDILRR grantees and the general public, the KTDRR Center's initiatives will support high-quality research dissemination. The project spans 60 months, including five 12-month budget periods, ensuring ongoing support for researchers and stakeholders in the field.
Disability Care & Services Medical Rehabilitation

New York City Film Production Grant

El Jerome Foundation Inc.
Private
New York
Up to US $30,000

New York City Film Production Grant

This grant supports eligible New York City-based early career film directors whose work takes creative risks in expanding, questioning, experimenting with, or re-imagining filmmaking with production grants of up to $30,000.

The Foundation seeks to fund filmmakers who take creative risks, seek innovative approaches, have a clarity of purpose and vision for imaginative storytelling, are engaged directly with those involved in their filmmaking, and work to build relationships with and impact their creative community and the field.

Film

Survey and Planning Cost Share Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
State/Local Government
Virginia
Unspecified amount

About Us

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Virginia. As the SHPO, DHR administers a number of federal programs. DHR is also a state agency in the Natural and Historic Resources Secretariat. DHR fosters, encourages, and supports the stewardship and use of Virginia’s significant architectural, archaeological, and historic resources as valuable assets for the economic, educational, social, and cultural benefit of citizens and communities. Our programs include both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, Survey, Grants, Archaeology, Cemetery Preservation, African American and Tribal Outreach, the Historical Highway Marker program, 106 Review and Compliance, Conservation, Collections, Easements, and the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program.

Survey and Planning Cost Share Grant Program

DHR’s Survey and Planning Cost Share Grant Program assists local governments in meeting their preservation planning goals through the identification of historic resources. Participating localities receive partial funding and administrative support towards a preservation planning project developed in collaboration with DHR staff. Annual funding for Cost Share is limited and localities must compete to participate in the program. The cost share program was launched in 1991, with over 120 localities participating to date. 

What type of projects does the Cost Share program support?  

The Cost Share program supports survey of historic resources, completion of survey reports or management summaries, preparation of Preliminary Information Forms and National Register of Historic Places nominations, and the development of preservation planning documents. 

How does the Cost Share program work? 

A locality or PDC competes to participate in the program by submitting an application outlining a historic resource identification and/or preservation planning project proposal. If selected for funding, DHR will match the amount of money the locality or PDC is willing to commit for the project. In most cases, the local government provides at least one half of the cash for a project but DHR will entertain all applications, regardless of the match amount offered. DHR staff will assume the administrative burden of selected applications by hiring a qualified consultant to execute the project and monitoring the project through our field offices to ensure that project deliverables meet the expectations of the locality or PDC and the department.

How does the Cost Share program assist local governments?

The Code of Virginia directs each jurisdiction to develop a comprehensive plan and to update it every five years. Additional legislation calls for each locality to incorporate cultural resources into its comprehensive plans. Survey of historic architecture and archaeology completed under Cost Share can establish or strengthen local historic resource inventories to support local preservation planning programs. Other common cost share project deliverables, including survey reports, Preliminary Information Forms, and National Register of Historic Places nominations, provide copyright-free information for educational outreach, can be critical tools in developing heritage tourism, and enable owners of historic properties the opportunity to pursue state and federal historic preservation tax credits. 

Economic Services & Development Historic Preservation

Operating Grants for Nonprofits Highlights

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.


Search Instrumentl's Operating Grants Database


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.

Grant Insights : Operating Grants for Nonprofits

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.

8,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

3,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits over $25K in average grant size

3,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits over $50K in average grant size

1,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits supporting general operating expenses

7,000+ Operating grants for nonprofits supporting programs / projects

2,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Youth Services

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Operating grants for Nonprofits?

Most grants are due in the first quarter.

Q1
29.7%
Q2
24.7%
Q3
23.5%
Q4
22.1%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Operating Grants for Nonprofits?

Grants are most commonly $32,500.

$0 $0 Min.
$32,500 $32.5 K Median
$633,837 $633.8 K Average
$188,250,000 $188.3 M Max.

Frequently asked questions

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:

  • Showcase past impact – Use data and real-world examples to prove how your organization has already made a difference.
  • Prove how you align with funder priorities – Research what funders care about and explain how your nonprofit’s mission fits within their goals.
  • Prove financial stability – Funders want to support organizations that can manage funds responsibly and have a solid sustainability plan for the long-term.
  • Emphasize lasting growth – Describe how operating funds will help your nonprofit expand its reach, strengthen programs, and increase its overall impact.

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.