Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Dr. Doris R. Corbett-Johnson Leaders for Our Future Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors young professionals under 36 who exhibit exceptional promise in scholarship, teaching, and leadership. This prestigious award is available in two categories: college/university and non-college/university, with a maximum of two recipients per category each year. By recognizing emerging leaders, SHAPE America aims to inspire a new generation dedicated to advancing health and physical education.

The Jefferson Jump-Start Grant, offered by Jefferson Community and Technical College, aims to support new students by covering their remaining tuition balance after other financial aids are applied. This “last-dollar” grant is available for the first two consecutive semesters up to 30 credit hours for eligible students. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria including age, residency, and enrollment in an eligible program, ensuring accessibility to education for those in need.

The Healthcare Infection Society offers a Small Research Grant aimed at funding innovative research in infection prevention and control, particularly related to nosocomial infections. Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects lasting a maximum of 24 months. Eligible applicants must be based in the UK or Republic of Ireland and be members of HIS. This initiative encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to support small-scale research that can lead to larger funding opportunities.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Massachusetts provides essential funding for developing community facilities in rural areas. This program supports public bodies, non-profits, and federally recognized tribes in purchasing, constructing, or improving vital services such as healthcare, education, and public safety. Eligible areas are rural communities with populations under 20,000, aiming to enhance quality of life through accessible facilities and services. Funding is available year-round, emphasizing support for low-income communities.

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Marion Academy of Medicine Scholarship

The Marion Academy of Medicine Scholarship was created by physicians of the local medical community in 2008. While the Academy dissolved in 2014, it had existed for decades as an educational organization comprised of physicians in Marion County. Through this fund, its support of future medical students will continue in perpetuity.

Assets from this former organization were donated to create this scholarship at Marion Community Foundation and support the education of local students pursuing degrees and careers in osteopathic medicine. Recipients will be graduates of any high school in Marion County and maintain a college GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Perry's Foundation Scholarships support students aged 17-19 from Olney, TX, and surrounding areas. Established in 2017, the foundation prioritizes applicants demonstrating financial need and offers scholarships for tuition, books, and other essential school expenses. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and attend accredited four-year institutions. Family members of the board are ineligible. The foundation aims to strengthen communities by empowering service-driven individuals through education.

The Washington State Elks Association Vocational Grant supports U.S. citizens who are graduating high school or obtaining their GED, providing funds for tuition, fees, books, and supplies at community colleges or technical schools in Washington. This grant aims to assist students pursuing vocational or technical education beyond high school, promoting skills in various trades and professions. By investing in education, the Elks Association fosters community development and supports students in achieving their career goals.

Kids’ Chance of Nevada

Kids’ Chance of Nevada, in collaboration with Kids’ Chance of America, was established for the purpose of creating, assisting, and supporting programs that provide educational opportunities and scholarships for the children of injured workers in Nevada who have been seriously injured or who have suffered from a fatality as a result of an on-the-job incident.

Kids' Chance of Nevada Scholarship

Kids’ Chance of Nevada scholarships are for children of workers who have been killed, seriously injured, or experienced a debilitating illness in a work-related incident. Scholarships are awarded once a year and students may apply every year for which they are eligible. Current annual scholarships are determined based on the student’s financial need.

Students between the ages of 16-25 whose parent’s on-the-job death or injury resulted in a substantial decline in family income are eligible to apply. The applicant must meet adequate academic standards set by the selection committee. Scholarships may be used to pay for technical school or undergraduate college tuition, books, housing, meals or transportation.

The Niagara Cares SkillPointe Scholarship offers $1,000 to $3,000 for individuals pursuing high-demand careers in manufacturing. Administered by the SkillPointe Foundation, this initiative addresses the skills gap by funding vocational training for candidates enrolled in post-secondary institutions. With over 1,000 scholarships awarded and a 97% employment rate among recipients, this program empowers workers and strengthens the economy by promoting essential skills without requiring a four-year degree.

The Healthcare Infection Society offers a Public Engagement Grant to support events promoting clinical microbiology, infection prevention, and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Grants of up to £1,000 are available for HIS members and teams in the UK and Ireland. Eligible events may include workshops, exhibitions, and awareness activities. Priority is given to activities that cannot proceed without HIS funding, ensuring impactful outreach and education on microbiology and infection control.

The Healthcare Infection Society offers a Sponsored Events Grant of up to £1,000 to support events aimed at preventing healthcare-acquired infections. Eligible events include lectures, regional gatherings, and virtual meetings, specifically targeting healthcare professionals. Applicants must be HIS members and apply three months before the event. This grant prioritizes events that cannot proceed without HIS funding, ensuring impactful educational opportunities in the UK and Ireland.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Clare Cooke Performing Arts Scholarship

Clare Cooke, the namesake of this fund, has worked as a performer, choreographer, and director for the Marion Palace Theatre since 1977, directing Christmas at the Palace and numerous community theater productions and junior musicals for many years, including The Wizard of Oz, The Will Rogers Follies, Annie, Oliver!, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, and Oklahoma!

The Clare Cooke Performing Arts Scholarship Fund, created in 2012 through gifts from nearly 100 friends and family members, recognizes her outstanding contributions to the performing arts community and quality of life in Marion.

The Cooke Fund awards scholarships to Marion County high school seniors and graduates pursuing an education in the performing arts. Recipients are high school seniors who rank in the top 50th percentile of their graduating class or graduates with a college GPA of at least 2.5.

The Bies Family Foundation SkillPointe Scholarship provides $5,000 to support individuals pursuing careers in automotive maintenance in the Detroit area. Applications are accepted until March 31 and September 30, remaining eligible until graduation. The foundation has funded over 1,000 scholarships nationwide, raising more than $5 million to close the skills gap and enhance workforce readiness. With a high completion and employment rate among recipients, the initiative aims to uplift both individuals and the American economy.

The Muktuk Marston Foundation Fund supports charitable, literary, educational, and scientific initiatives primarily benefiting Alaska Natives in the region west of the 156th Meridian. With approximately $30,000 available annually, the fund welcomes applications from September 1 to December 1 each year. It aims to enhance subsistence food security and promote projects that serve cultural and educational purposes, fostering community development and support for local organizations.

The Mockingbird Foundation offers competitive grants for music education for children. Focused on underserved communities, the foundation supports innovative projects that engage children directly through music. Grants are only available for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including public schools, in the U.S. The aim is to enhance creative expression and provide music education in unconventional settings. Applications must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in their programs.

The Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics, established in 1992, aims to deepen understanding of global and local multicultural environments through artistic heritages beyond Euro-American concert traditions. This donor-advised fund invites applications from schools and organizations to support performances of non-Western classical and folk musics, as well as contemporary compositions that incorporate these traditions, fostering appreciation for diverse musical expressions.

The ChildTrust Foundation offers program grants aimed at enhancing early education and literacy in North Carolina. Focused on supporting organizations that serve young children and their families, the foundation prioritizes equity for historically underserved communities. By fostering collaboration and building capacity within the sector, it seeks to amplify the impact of its funding. Grants are directed towards 501(c)3 organizations, emphasizing inclusive practices in early childhood education.

The nccPA Health Foundation offers the Oral Health - Research Integration Grant to support PAs in integrating oral health into their curriculum or clinical practice. With grants of up to $3,000 available, this initiative aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of PAs, ensuring that oral health is recognized as a critical component of overall health care. Applications are accepted year-round, encouraging innovative strategies to improve access and reduce disparities in oral health.

The nccPA Health Foundation's Oral Health - Community Outreach Grant offers up to $2,500 for PA-led initiatives that enhance oral health awareness and treatment. Open to certified PAs, PA students, and organizations, this grant aims to empower applicants to bridge healthcare gaps in oral health. Applications are accepted year-round, promoting continuous engagement in advancing community health. This initiative highlights the vital role of PAs in enhancing access to oral healthcare services.

The nccPA Health Foundation's Mental Health - Community Outreach Grant supports innovative PA-led projects aimed at improving mental health awareness and reducing stigma in communities. With funding up to $2,500, this grant encourages collaboration among PAs, PA students, and organizations to address the mental health needs of vulnerable populations. Applications are accepted year-round, promoting ongoing community engagement and systemic change through education, prevention, and treatment initiatives.

The Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HIC) program, funded by the US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), aims to empower families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). By providing crucial information, education, and peer support, the program helps families navigate complex health systems to access necessary services, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of CYSHCN and their families.

ChildTrust Foundation provides Policy Grants aimed at supporting 501(c)3 organizations in North Carolina that focus on early childhood education and literacy. Their grantmaking emphasizes collaboration, networking, and capacity building to enhance the impact of advocacy efforts. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that promote equity for underserved children and families. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis without strict application deadlines, allowing for flexible funding opportunities throughout the year.

The AFM Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This fund supports basic living expenses, including healthcare, housing, and utilities, to help prevent eviction or shut-offs. To qualify, applicants must be current members in good standing and demonstrate financial need. However, the fund does not cover expenses such as credit cards, personal loans, and tuition.

The American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This support aids in covering essential living expenses, including housing, healthcare, and utilities, to help prevent eviction or utility shut-offs. Applicants must be current members in good standing and provide necessary documentation to confirm their eligibility. This fund aims to ensure the well-being of artists during challenging times.

The David Dupps Scholarship, established in 2017, supports students pursuing careers in trade-related fields such as welding and machining. This scholarship is available for those enrolled at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center or the Hobart School of Welding, aiming for degrees or certificates in machining, welding, robotics, or automation. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be accepted into the respective programs.

The Hawkins Charitable Foundation Grant, established in honor of Allen W. and Gladys Hawkins, aims to support community betterment projects in Osawatomie, Kansas. The foundation prioritizes grants for organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities that operate for charitable purposes. Applications are reviewed by local trustees to ensure resources are directed to areas of critical need. The foundation does not fund requests outside Osawatomie or those aimed at influencing legislation or benefiting individuals.

The SODEXO Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge invites K-12 classrooms in the U.S. to enhance existing hunger relief initiatives, such as food drives and backpack programs, by making them more impactful and student-driven. This initiative not only addresses the critical issue of child hunger but also empowers students to take action and lead projects that foster community engagement and social responsibility.