Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Regional Impact Grants for Norwich Youth aim to support youth development programs targeting economically and socially disadvantaged youth in Norwich. Funded by generous legacy gifts, these grants prioritize initiatives that enhance early childhood education, mentoring, mental health access, and educational opportunities. With grants of up to $15,000 available, eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions committed to fostering youth empowerment and social change.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Here at the Department of Commerce, our job is to bring employment, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

Community Development Block Grant Programs

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program enables rural Oklahoma communities to finance a variety of public infrastructure and economic improvements and helps promote job growth as a result of these improvements. CDBG funds are provided by the federal government (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to help ensure Oklahoma’s most critical needs are addressed.

CDBG Water-Wastewater Construction

Oklahoma’s Community Development Block Grant-Water-Wastewater Construction program is for applicants that are ready to begin construction on a water or wastewater project. Eligible units of local government that provide documentation of final plans and specifications or a construction permit secured through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) may apply under this category. CDBG funds may only be utilized for construction, inspection, and administration costs. Engineering costs are prohibited.

Ameren Illinois Grants aim to enhance community quality of life through funding in areas like arts, civic engagement, environmental preservation, health services, and youth education. Organizations within the Ameren Illinois service area are eligible, provided they are tax-exempt and do not discriminate unlawfully. Applications are accepted year-round, but those submitted after December 1 may be reviewed the following year. This initiative supports diverse community enrichment and resource provision for vulnerable populations.

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.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

In keeping with our mission, the Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant

This grant is for tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas following a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency under s. 323.10, Wis. Stats. A catastrophic storm means damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind or tornado. Catastrophic storm does not include insect infestation or disease, forest fire, drought or water saturation due to flooding.

For this grant program, no local share (also called match) is required. Grant recipients may request 50% advance payment of estimated project costs. Applications must be postmarked no later than 60 days from the date of emergency declaration. Projects must be completed within 365 days after the governor’s emergency declaration.

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 Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants in Alaska assist low-income communities in planning and applying for USDA Rural Development projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes. Grants can cover up to $60,000 or 75% of planning costs, with a requirement for matching funds of at least 25%. This program aims to ensure communities have access to essential water and waste disposal services.

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Minnesota Housing is the state’s housing finance agency. We finance housing that low and moderate-income Minnesotans can afford while helping Minnesotans buy and fix up their homes. Along with fostering strong communities, we provide resources to stabilize neighborhoods, communities and families. We work cooperatively with others to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked to provide access to safe, decent and affordable housing and to build stronger communities across the state. In 2025, we distributed $1.8 billion in resources and served 73,000 households.

Vision: All Minnesotans live and thrive in a stable, safe and accessible home they can afford in a community of their choice. Mission: Housing is foundational to a full life and a thriving state, so we equitably collaborate with individuals, communities and partners to create, preserve and finance housing that is affordable.

Greater Minnesota Small Cities (Tier II Cities) Housing Aid Grant Program

Through the Greater Minnesota Small Cities (Tier II Cities) Housing Aid Grant Program (the Program), Minnesota Housing makes grants for qualified projects to cities in Greater Minnesota that

• Has a population less than 10,000, and
• Is located in Minnesota and outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties).

Grantees must prioritize projects that provide Affordable Housing to Low-Income Households.  Grantees may, but are not required to, also prioritize projects that reduce disparities in home ownership; reduce housing cost burden, housing instability, or homelessness; improve the habitability of homes; create accessible housing; create more energy- or water-efficient homes; or satisfy other criteria set by the Grantee.  

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Puerto Rico provides essential funding for rural communities to ensure access to clean drinking water, sanitary sewage disposal, and effective storm water drainage. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes. The funds can be utilized for construction, improvement, and financing of water systems, as well as related activities like legal fees and land acquisition, supporting sustainable community development.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Wyoming offers essential funding for rural communities to access clean drinking water and proper waste disposal systems. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes. Funding can be used for various infrastructure improvements such as water treatment and sewage systems, ensuring reliable services in rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less. This initiative aims to enhance public health and environmental standards in underserved regions.

The Future Conservationist Award by the Conservation Leadership Programme supports early-career conservationists in the Asia Pacific region. This grant invites proposals focused on protecting at-risk species, with eligibility criteria including project duration of three to twelve months and a team of at least three members. The award aims to empower individuals with less than five years of experience, fostering the next generation of conservation leaders dedicated to preserving global biodiversity.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Wisconsin provides essential funding for rural areas to develop clean drinking water systems and effective waste disposal. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and tribes who struggle to secure commercial credit. Funds can be utilized for various projects, such as drinking water sourcing and storm water drainage, ensuring communities have reliable access to necessary services.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in West Virginia provides essential funding for rural communities to develop clean drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater systems. Eligible applicants, including state and local governments and nonprofits, can use these funds for construction, legal fees, and operational costs. This program aims to enhance public health and environmental quality in underserved areas, ensuring access to reliable water and waste services.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Washington provides crucial funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage in rural areas. This program supports eligible applicants, including government entities and tribes, who lack access to commercial credit. Funds can also cover related costs like legal fees and maintenance to ensure sustainable water infrastructure, enhancing community health and environmental resilience.

The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship, established in 1994 by the Garden Club of America, supports college seniors and graduate students studying seasonal habitats for endangered native birds in the U.S. With an annual award of $4500, this scholarship aims to promote effective land-management practices. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. institution. Note that international applicants are not eligible for funding due to IRS restrictions.

The Main Street Matters program aims to revitalize downtown areas and surrounding neighborhoods through grants for planning, business support, and aesthetic improvements. Eligible entities include local governments, redevelopment authorities, and nonprofits. Funding supports various projects, such as building rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements, with a minimum 50% match required. This initiative promotes community development, safety, and sustainability, helping districts recover from disasters while fostering vibrant local economies.

Wisconsin Department of Justice

​​​​​The Wisconsin Department of Justice (Wisconsin DOJ) is led by the attorney general, a constitutional officer who is elected by partisan ballot to a four-year term. Public safety is the core of Wisconsin DOJ's mission. The main duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing legal advice and representation for the State of Wisconsin
• Investigating crimes that are statewide in nature, importance, or influence
• Providing technical assistance and training to law enforcement officers and prosecutors
• Assisting victims of crime in exercising their rights and accessing services
• Providing forensic analysis of evidence in criminal cases
• Promoting safe school environment​s​

State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Suicide Prevention Initiatives

Description

This SCIP funding aims to support a variety of suicide prevention and crisis intervention initiatives to decrease the amount of firearm deaths locally. Applicant agencies can use this funding to implement programming specific to their local area and its needs to maximize impact on the community.

Opportunity Category: Non-Competitive

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont provides essential funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and stormwater drainage in eligible rural areas. This program specifically targets households and businesses that struggle to secure commercial credit, aiming to enhance public health and environmental quality. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes, ensuring that vital services are accessible to all. Projects funded must demonstrate financial sustainability.

The DEEP Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants program invites proposals for FY25 to combat nonpoint source water pollution. Funded by the EPA, these grants support projects aimed at improving water quality through community engagement and environmental justice initiatives. A 40% match from non-federal sources is required. Priority is given to projects benefiting environmental justice communities in Connecticut, addressing critical environmental issues and fostering equity.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Utah provides essential funding for clean drinking water systems and sanitary waste disposal in rural areas. It supports the improvement of water sourcing, treatment, and stormwater management. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. This program aims to ensure reliable water services to communities with populations of 10,000 or less, addressing critical infrastructure needs effectively.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Texas provides essential funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage in rural areas. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes. Funds can be used for infrastructure improvements and related activities, ensuring that underserved communities have access to vital water and waste services.

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.

Wisconsin Department of Justice

​​​​​The Wisconsin Department of Justice (Wisconsin DOJ) is led by the attorney general, a constitutional officer who is elected by partisan ballot to a four-year term. Public safety is the core of Wisconsin DOJ's mission. The main duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing legal advice and representation for the State of Wisconsin
• Investigating crimes that are statewide in nature, importance, or influence
• Providing technical assistance and training to law enforcement officers and prosecutors
• Assisting victims of crime in exercising their rights and accessing services
• Providing forensic analysis of evidence in criminal cases
• Promoting safe school environment​s​

State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Continued Crisis Programming

Funding Announcement Description

This SCIP funding aims to provide funding to counties and tribes across Wisconsin to support crisis response programs, suicide awareness, firearm safety awareness, trainings, and programming to decrease the amount of firearm deaths locally. Each county and tribe can implement programming specific to their local area and its needs to maximize impact on the community. 

The Kings County Conservation Futures Grant provides essential funding for the Land Conservation Initiative, aimed at preserving vital natural and urban green spaces. This grant supports projects like parks, community gardens, and habitat restoration, particularly in underserved areas. Eligible recipients include local governments and qualified nonprofits. The initiative seeks to enhance community access to open spaces, ensuring that all residents can benefit from nature and recreational opportunities.

The Keep Louisiana Beautiful: Healthy Communities Grant supports initiatives in Louisiana aimed at enhancing community aesthetics through litter abatement, waste reduction, and environmental education. Since 2004, over $3.6 million has been awarded to various projects that promote community collaboration and volunteer involvement. Eligible applicants include municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions, while projects focusing on litter enforcement and recycling are prioritized. This grant aims to foster sustainable practices and community engagement for a cleaner environment.

The MN AWWA Community College Scholarship offers up to two $2,000 awards annually to students enrolled in technical or community college programs that support the water industry. Applicants must have completed at least one semester in a water-related program and provide a current transcript. Preference is given to MN AWWA members and those involved in related activities. The scholarship will be awarded directly to the college, and winners are encouraged to attend the MN AWWA Annual Conference.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Tennessee provides essential funding for rural areas to enhance their drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and solid waste management. This program is aimed at households and businesses that struggle to secure commercial credit. Eligible applicants include governmental entities, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes. The funding can be utilized for various purposes including construction, legal fees, and equipment acquisition, ensuring improved public health and environmental quality.