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Get operating grants for nonprofits covering essential expenses, staffing, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.
32,000+
Available grants
$9.00B
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$6K
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Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony.
Julia A. Frystak Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Julia Frystak, a Montrose student who passed away due to injuries sustained in an accident. Provides a post-secondary scholarship to a high school graduate who excels in academics and participates in athletics.
Mississippi Arts Commission
The Mississippi Arts Commission was established in 1968 by the Mississippi Legislature as the official grants-making and service agency for the arts in the state. MAC provides financial and technical assistance for arts programming to arts organizations and educational institutions throughout Mississippi. Funded annually by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and private funds, MAC uses this support to carry forth its mission and continues to act as a core and essential function of government.
Folk Arts Apprenticeship
The Folk Arts Apprenticeship program helps to ensure the survival, development and continued evolution of community-based traditional art forms found throughout Mississippi. The program allows master traditional artists to pass along their unique skills to promising novice artists that work in their art form. The master artist works with the apprentice on a one-on-one basis over an agreed upon period of time to teach specific aspects of the tradition.
Who is a master artist?
A master artist is a skilled and experienced practitioner of a traditional art form. The master artist acts as a mentor and teacher to the apprentice.
Who is an apprentice?
An apprentice is an emerging traditional artist who has an established skill set and seeks to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their art form through one-on-one instruction.
Many types of traditional artists can benefit from this program. Some examples of artists who have received Apprenticeship grants in the past include boat builders, quilters, old-time fiddlers, traditional potters, basket makers, and blues guitarists. The program is focused on supporting forms of creative expression that have been an important part of community life for many years and that are passed on informally rather than taught through formal classes. Please consult with the Folk and Traditional Arts Program Director to see if your art form qualifies for this program.
MAC also accepts Apprenticeship applications from foodways practitioners. MAC recognizes the creativity and cultural significance of foodways to the history and identity of Mississippians. The program honors foodways artists who make dishes that are directly related to the soil and climate of the state, or to the ethnic and regional heritage of their families or communities. Whether you are frying fish, rolling dough, stuffing tamales or canning figs (or something in between), MAC encourages you to share your expertise by participating in the Apprenticeship program. Before applying, please consult with the Folk and Traditional Arts Program Director to see if your foodways tradition qualifies for this program.
The master artist and apprentice work together to determine the budget for their project. The majority of the grant funds (80 percent or more – $2,400) should be set aside for the master artist’s teaching fee. The remaining amount can be used to purchase supplies (only expendable items, not permanent equipment) and for mileage incurred by the apprentice (this should be estimated using the State of Mississippi’s current mileage reimbursement rate.
Please note: MAC will provide reasonable accommodations for those individuals who are unable to access the online grant system. Paper applications are available upon request at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline.
Folk Arts Apprenticeship Showcase Requirement
Each apprenticeship team that is awarded a grant will be required to participate in MAC’s annual Folk Arts Apprenticeship Showcase near the end of the grant period. This showcase is a public program that highlights the work of the apprenticeship teams. The program has both online and in-person components and is developed in consultation with MAC staff and the participating artists.
Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony.
Matthew VanFleet Memorial Automotive Scholarship
Established by Matthew’s parents and his sister in memory of Matt who passed away in an automobile accident. The scholarship provides assistance to a student who will study automotive technology. The scholarship is available to students from all the school districts in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony.
Adam Liepinis Memorial Scholarship
Established by the family of the late Adam Liepinis to provide tuition assistance to a graduating senior from Susquehanna or Wyoming counties, who will attend a post-secondary degree program with priority given to a student majoring in welding or automotive technology.
FY27 480-10-3700 Early Childhood Block Grant: Prevention Initiative 0-3
To provide funds for intensive, research-based, and comprehensive child development and family support services for expectant parents and families with children from birth to age 3 to help them build a strong foundation for learning and to prepare children for later school success.
Opportunity Funding
Funding Sources
Summer Reading Program Grants
Applicants may request up to $15,000
The Summer Reading Program (SRP) Grant provides up to $15,000 per library to strengthen and expand literacy and learning driven summer programming. Funding supports activities that advance educational equity, increase access to information resources, and promote lifelong learning.
Because Summer Reading Programs vary widely in scale across Nevada, requested funding should reasonably reflect anticipated participation levels and the size of the population served. Larger library systems serving higher numbers of participants may request funding closer to the maximum award level, while smaller systems should scale requests appropriately to the scope of their local program.
Funding categories:
Who We Are
Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community
For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating female from Scranton or West Scranton High School who is a resident of Lackawanna County.
Who We Are
Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community
For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Scranton or West Scranton High School who demonstrates an interest in the arts.
Who We Are
Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community
For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.
This scholarship is awarded to either a graduating senior pursuing a post-secondary degree, or a currently matriculating student already so enrolled, who lives in Lackawanna or Wayne county and who is pursuing a degree or certificate in environmental science or a related field.
Seattle Foundation
Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.
At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.
Nora Stone Smith Scholarship
The Nora Stone Smith Scholarship honors and gives financial support to deserving immigrant high school seniors and students who have graduated in the past year and have participated in an ESL/ELL program at some point in their lives. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status. Undocumented students are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is $2,000 and renewable for 2 or 4 years.
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.
The Heritage Capital Projects (HCP) grant is for facilities projects that provide public access to history and support the capital needs of facilities and organizations that preserve and interpret Washington’s history and heritage. Since 1995, HCP has distributed more than $106 million in capital grants to support more than 421 community history facilities and historic landscapes. HCP follows the legislative two-year (biennium) cycle with applications opening in Jan/Feb of each even-numbered year. Applicants must first pass an Eligibility review (Stage 1) to be able to submit a full proposal (Stage 2).
Seattle Foundation
Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.
At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.
Walter H. Meyer — Garry L. White Memorial Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is available to non-traditional students working towards an undergraduate (must be over 24 years old) or graduate (must be over 30 years old) degree.
Seattle Foundation
Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.
At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.
Yuri and Tatsuo Nakata Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to honor and to give financial support to students of Asian heritage currently enrolled at Roosevelt, Cleveland or Franklin High School in Seattle, Washington.
Rural Infrastructure Fund
The Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) facilitates planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation, capital investment and the strengthening and diversification of rural economies. RIF funds are often used by rural communities as a match for other infrastructure funding programs, such as those offered by the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development, and the United States Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 RIF Available Funding
A total of $27 million in funding is available through RIF for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027. Funding in the amount of $22 million is available for eligible rural communities statewide. Additionally, $5 million is available to Panhandle Specific counties including Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington.
Up to $300,000 can be awarded for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and preparation activities.
The Illinois "Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development" (OSLAD) is offered annually through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The OSLAD program is a grant program that provides up to 50% (90% for distressed communities) funding assistance to eligible, local units of government to acquire and/or develop public outdoor recreation areas.
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.