Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

About the Foundation

The Glass Recycling Foundation was created to help fill gaps in community glass recycling efforts.

Across the country, there exists strong support and consumer desire to recycle glass, but many state and local governments struggle to recover glass due to a lack of investment in glass recycling systems. GRF works to support these efforts by providing matching grants for equipment that helps these communities get started.

Our Vision

To increase recycling through education and best practices to ensure the highest benefit for communities and the environment.

Our Mission

To promote the preservation of the environment through glass recycling through education, grant making and creating pilot programs for effective glass recycling working in collaboration with other trade organizations in the glass recycling value chain. 

Glass Recycling Foundation Grant

About the Agency

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) brings together our state's efforts in water management, energy policies, and environmental protection.

Waste and Litter Grant

The purpose of the Litter Reduction & Recycling Grant and the Waste Reduction & Recycling Incentive Grant programs is to fund activities that reduce litter and waste and promote recycling in Nebraska. This document is intended to aid grant applicants in the preparation of an application and the quarterly report by outlining what expenses the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) deemed eligible for reimbursement through these grant programs, and by identifying documentation that must be submitted as part of the application and quarterly report. This guidance document applies to grant applications received for the current grant period.

Major updates for 2027 Grant Year:

• No in-kind match
• Personnel benefits will not be reimbursed but can be used for cash match
• Maximum of $500,000 per entity
• Equipment will require a 50% match
• Bid threshold is now $10,000 for supplies and contractual and $25,000 for equipment
• Refer to the updated Waste and Litter Priority Points:
  • 1%-24% = 1 pt
  • 25%-49% = 5 pts
  • 50%-74% = 10 pts
  • 75%-100% = 15 pts

The Clowes Fund supports socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in New England, particularly through immigrant services and workforce development. Grants are available for both introductory and continuation applications, focusing on areas like education and community integration. Organizations serving specific counties in New Hampshire are prioritized. With a rigorous application process, fewer than 10% of introductory applications result in funding, while returning grantees have a higher success rate for continuation grants.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Louisiana provides essential funding for rural communities to develop clean drinking water systems and efficient waste management solutions. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofits unable to secure commercial credit. Funds can be utilized for various projects such as water sourcing, sewage disposal, and storm water management, ensuring reliable services for households and businesses in need.

The Gold Beach Community Fund Grant, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, offers financial support for various projects aimed at enhancing Central Curry County. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits and public entities. The fund prioritizes initiatives in recreational activities, cultural enhancement, and youth-related projects. However, individuals and certain expenses like travel and payroll are ineligible for funding. Special preference is given to projects benefiting youth in the Gold Beach area.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The James Marston Fitch Mid-Career Fellowship offers research grants up to $15,000 for mid-career professionals in fields like historic preservation, architecture, and urban design. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to innovative research and a clear dissemination plan. The fellowship encourages impactful projects that contribute significantly to the field, ensuring that only qualified individuals can apply, as it does not fund organizational projects or dissertation research.

Hawai‘i’s Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) offers vital planning and financial support to private forest landowners in Hawaii. Aimed at promoting long-term stewardship and conservation, the program provides a 10-year management roadmap and financial incentives, including up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for developing forest management plans. With a focus on enhancing forest resource values, FSP encourages diverse management objectives like native species restoration and habitat improvement, ensuring sustainable forestry practices benefit both public and private interests.

The Kaulunani Grant Program, managed by Arbor Day Hawaiʻi, invites proposals for projects that promote the benefits of trees within communities, celebrating Arbor Day on November 2, 2024. Competitive proposals should focus on community capacity building, including workshops on tree planting and care, engaging volunteers, and promoting accessibility to the public. Eligible applicants include non-profits, schools, and community groups from all islands in Hawaiʻi, ensuring projects contribute positively to environmental stewardship.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Kentucky provides essential funding for clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. It supports local governments, nonprofits, and tribes to finance projects such as water treatment and waste collection. Additionally, funds can cover legal fees, land acquisition, and other necessary expenses, ensuring that communities have access to reliable infrastructure.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Kansas offers essential funding to enhance drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage in rural communities. This program is designed for entities unable to procure commercial credit, including state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. Eligible areas are primarily rural with populations under 10,000, ensuring that vital infrastructure improvements support public health and environmental sustainability.

The Save the Redwoods League Research Grant supports innovative research aimed at protecting redwood forests amidst environmental changes. Proposals that contribute to conservation or restoration science for coast redwood and giant sequoia forests are encouraged, particularly those led by Indigenous communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and public agencies. The League prioritizes projects that demonstrate matching funds and has a strict policy against funding indirect costs.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Connecticut offers essential funding for the development of clean drinking water and sanitary waste management systems in rural areas. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribes who cannot access commercial credit. This program supports various projects, including water sourcing, sewage treatment, and stormwater management, ensuring safe and sustainable environmental practices for communities in need.

About Us

Who We Are

We unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives across Story County, working toward our vision of a connected and thriving community.

Making a Difference since 1953

Since 1953, United Way of Story County (UWSC) has been a trusted leader and convener, mobilizing our community to create lasting change. We believe transformation happens when neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers unite around shared goals.

A connected and thriving Story County.

Unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County.

Investing in You

We provide grants to local nonprofits that are dedicated to serving Story County in our focus areas of health, education, and financial security. These grants aim to empower organizations that are making a difference in our community, helping them to enhance their programs and reach more individuals in need.

Community Impact Grants

These grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct under-funded needs that further the mission of UWSC.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Pierce's Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board provides vital funding for research and outreach projects aimed at protecting vineyards from serious pests and diseases. Focus areas include Pierce's disease, grapevine red blotch, and various insect threats, with awards ranging from $4,300 to $383,000. The program encourages multi-disciplinary projects that deliver practical solutions to enhance the sustainability of California's winegrape industry.

About VHCB

Our Mission: VHCB invests in the construction of affordable housing and conservation strategies that work together to ensure equity, resilience, and vitality for Vermont communities in perpetuity.

Project Feasibility Fund

The Board provides feasibility awards to assist with pre-development costs and feasibility analysis for individual projects. Feasibility funds typically cover the costs of appraisals, energy assessments, marketing studies, options, engineering and environmental studies, or other pre-development costs.

The purpose of this fund is to provide applicants with a source of funding to cover predevelopment project costs as described below in order to answer the question “is the project feasible?”. Evaluation of feasibility fund requests is done by VHCB staff.

Amount of Award

Conservation applicants may request up to $10,000 as a grant for a single project to cover feasibility related expenses. Housing applicants may request up to $20,000 as a grant for a single project to cover feasibility related expenses and up to $25,000 for scattered site projects containing more than two separate sites. Funds can only be used to compensate contracted services and shall not be used to compensate applicants for staff time.

The State Street Foundation Grant supports nonprofits and NGOs that promote economic opportunity and reduce equity gaps in education and employability. Organizations seeking funding must operate in areas where State Street has a business presence and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The foundation prioritizes measurable outcomes and focuses on racial equity and social justice, ensuring that grants support initiatives that foster community engagement and sustainable impact.

The John C. Bock Foundation supports the preservation and enhancement of natural land areas, particularly those near Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. It aims to educate builders and developers on the importance of conserving mature woodlands and old-growth forests. The Foundation funds educational activities and research while supporting qualified conservation organizations committed to protecting these valuable landscapes. Its mission is centered on public education and the custodianship of natural resources.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Montana provides essential funding for the development of reliable drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water systems in eligible rural areas. It supports applicants unable to secure conventional financing, including local governments, private nonprofits, and tribes. Eligible areas include rural towns with populations under 10,000 and tribal lands. Funds can cover construction costs, legal fees, and necessary project expenses to enhance community health and environmental sustainability.

About The Lawson Charitable Foundation

The Lawson Charitable Foundation, created in 2021 by Cathy and Tom Lawson, helps those that are working hard to help themselves and others.

For Grant Seekers

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

We are happy to offer two types of grants to support nonprofit organizations making a difference: Impact Grants and Amplify Grants.

Impact Grant

Impact Grants provide funding for programs and initiatives that closely align with our mission of helping those who are working hard to help themselves and others. These grants are designed to support opportunities that create positive change within our focus areas, ensuring resources are directed toward impactful and mission-driven efforts.

The Rudolph J and Daphne A Munzer Core Grants focus on community-level support, primarily in Long Beach, CA. The Foundation aims to enhance family support systems, provide educational opportunities for underserved children, and improve access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. Grants range from $10,000 to $125,000, targeting high-priority needs in nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and serve identified communities, ensuring impactful initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Missouri provides essential funding for rural households and businesses to access clean drinking water, sanitary sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage. This program aims to support areas that cannot secure commercial credit, helping eligible applicants such as local governments and nonprofits. Funds can be used for construction, improvements, legal fees, and equipment, ensuring a sustainable and reliable infrastructure for communities.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Mississippi offers vital funding to enhance drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage for rural households and businesses. Eligible applicants include local governments, private nonprofits, and tribes facing challenges in securing commercial credit. Funds can be used for construction, legal fees, land acquisition, and other essential project costs. This program aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation in underserved areas.

The General Program Support Grant, offered by the Florida Department of State: Arts and Culture, aims to bolster arts and cultural organizations across Florida. This funding supports a variety of general program activities, including performances, educational programs, and cultural exhibits. With four distinct types of support available, this grant encourages excellence in arts education and facilitates collaboration among local arts agencies, ensuring that cultural initiatives thrive throughout the state.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Minnesota provides essential funding for rural areas to ensure access to clean drinking water and effective waste management systems. Eligible uses include the construction, improvement, and maintenance of drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and stormwater management. This program supports state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribes in areas with populations of 10,000 or less, promoting public health and environmental sustainability.

The TruStage Foundation focuses on fostering economic mobility through education and housing initiatives. By supporting K-12 literacy, mentoring, and affordable housing projects, the foundation aims to uplift marginalized communities. With a commitment to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, TruStage seeks to empower individuals and families to build a brighter future. Their funding is directed towards impactful programs that align with their mission, while avoiding causes that do not meet their criteria for economic mobility.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Michigan provides essential funding for the development and enhancement of drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage in eligible rural areas. This program supports qualified applicants, including local governments and nonprofits, who struggle to secure commercial credit. Funds can be used for various activities, from construction to legal fees, ensuring clean and reliable services for communities.