Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The AVID: Syage Family Scholarship Fund aims to support high school seniors from Orange County, CA, who have been enrolled in the AVID elective class for at least three years. This scholarship, administered by Scholarship America, promotes educational advancement by offering financial assistance for undergraduate studies. Applicants must demonstrate community commitment, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and show financial need, making this opportunity crucial for those seeking to further their education at four-year colleges.

The AVID Scholarship Fund, managed by Scholarship America, supports high school seniors in Orange County, CA, who are enrolled in the AVID elective for at least three years. Eligible students must plan to attend a four-year college and demonstrate financial need, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship emphasizes community commitment and is available through a single application for multiple funds.

The Victim Offender Dialogue Program Grants aim to provide funding for nonprofit organizations facilitating restorative justice dialogues between crime victims and offenders. With a total of $2 million available over two years, these grants support the creation of safe environments for personal healing and accountability. By empowering victims and encouraging offenders to express remorse, this initiative fosters empathy, responsibility, and healing within California's justice system.

The Dick and Carol Irvin Family Scholarship at Montana State University supports students pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. Applicants must be Montana high school graduates, demonstrate financial need, and be at junior or senior status. Preference is given to graduates from Shelby, Montana. This scholarship is part of the university's commitment to providing access to transformative education, fostering academic excellence and community development.

Sickle Cell Disease Pilot Program 2027

The SCD Pilot Program was established under New Jersey legislation (A4052) with funding appropriated for a three-year pilot. Beginning its third year (September-June) as a noncompeting continuation, the program supports Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in select municipalities in delivering coordinated, comprehensive care for individuals living with SCD. The program’s purpose is to improve health outcomes and quality of life by providing an integrated model that combines medical, behavioral, social, and educational services. It emphasizes strong communication pathways with external providers and ongoing education and outreach to patients, caregivers, staff, and the broader community. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS), oversees this initiative to address the complex healthcare needs of New Jerseyans affected by SCD.

SCD is a lifelong, inherited condition with several common types, including:

HbSS (Sickle Cell Anemia): The most severe and common form, caused by inheriting a sickle cell gene (“S”) from each parent. It predominantly affects individuals of African ancestry but can also impact people of Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian descent.

HbSC (Sickle Cell Hemoglobin C Disease): A usually milder form, caused by inheriting a sickle cell gene from one parent and a gene for Hemoglobin C (“C”) from the other.

HbS Beta-Thalassemia: Results from inheriting a sickle cell gene (“S”) from one parent and a beta-thalassemia gene from the other. Severity varies depending on the beta-thalassemia type (“zero” is severe; “plus” is milder).

Symptoms vary widely and can change over time, ranging from mild to severe. Early signs may include jaundice, fatigue, pain, and swelling in the hands and feet. Serious complications include severe anemia, infections, bone and chest pain, stroke, and organ dysfunction. While SCD is present at birth, many infants do not show symptoms until four to six months of age or later.

Anthony Wunderle Memorial Scholarship Fund

Established by Lori and Greg Wunderle in memory of their son Anthony who had childhood leukemia. This scholarship is to provide educational opportunities for a higher education, accredited trade, or apprenticeship program for any cancer survivor or family member of a cancer patient, living or deceased.

Amount:

• Varies

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Danny McCarty Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Family of Danny McCarty, who established the Danny McCarty Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County. Deb Del Zoppo and her family established a scholarship in memory of her nephew, Danny McCarty, after he passed away at the age of 26 in a motorcycle accident in Colorado. Danny was involved in the construction trades, so the focus of the two-year scholarship ($500 each year) is to support students who are going into that field of study.

Fair Share Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Services

The purpose of this competitive grant program is to expand the Public Adult Education (PAE) system's capacity to

• Increase the number of providers and classes to address the demand for adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services.
• Prepare English learners for entry and success in the Massachusetts workforce by incorporating digital skills and contextualized workplace preparation into instruction.

Priorities:

Competitive priority will be given to applications that

• Have formal agreements with current DESE providers to enroll eligible students who are currently waiting for English for Speakers of Other Languages ESOL classes.
• Include a partnership with a workforce training provider or employer.
• Demonstrate the capacity to provide adult English for Speakers of Other Languages ESOL students with the necessary job readiness and digital skills to meet the needs of local employers.

Funding:

• Up to $2,000,000 is available.

Summit, Portage, Stark, Carroll Nursing Scholarship (SPSCNS) Fund

Established to provide support to registered nurses living and/or employed in health care in Summit, Portage, Stark or Carroll counties who are pursuing an advanced master's or doctoral nursing degree.

Amount:

• Varies

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• Renewable for up to two years. Must reapply annually by submission of a new application.

The Omnibus Eviction and Homelessness Prevention RFP aims to provide essential support services, including legal assistance and case management, to low-income tenants at risk of eviction in New Jersey. By consolidating funding streams, this program addresses the critical issue of homelessness, which affects over 58% of admissions annually in the state. With an estimated $7 million in funding, the initiative seeks to prevent displacement and ensure access to necessary resources for vulnerable households.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering a grant aimed at improving environmental health through data-driven initiatives in local public health agencies and federally recognized Tribes. This funding opportunity, which amounts to up to $10,000 per agency, encourages innovative projects that address local environmental health concerns using Wisconsin Tracking data. The initiative seeks to enhance community health and wellness by empowering agencies with the necessary resources to implement effective solutions.

The Traditional Fine Arts Organization Grant aims to support art museums and cultural centers in promoting American representational art through co-sponsorship of exhibitions. The grant encourages institutions to provide detailed information about their exhibitions online and to make catalogs freely available. Grants are available for exhibits opening through mid-2025, fostering education and appreciation of art while avoiding funding for capital improvements or operating expenses.

The Galena Foundation Matching Grant offers financial support to not-for-profit organizations that align with its mission to preserve and enhance Galena's heritage and culture. Established in 1980, the Foundation provides matching grants up to $25,000 to IRS-approved tax-exempt entities. Eligible applicants must match the grant amount dollar-for-dollar, ensuring sustainable funding for community projects. This grant program plays a vital role in fostering local initiatives that nurture Galena's quality of life.

The 2026 Pet Lover's Spay and Neuter Grant Program aims to reduce pet overpopulation in California by providing financial assistance for spay/neuter services. Funded through the Pet Lover’s License Plate Program and the Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Tax Fund, this initiative expects to distribute up to $500,000 in grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 to eligible municipalities and non-profits, facilitating a healthier pet population.

The Mearl K. Gable II Memorial Grant, established by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., supports fiber artists by providing grants of $100 or more for non-accredited programs. Since 2000, the grant honors Mearl K. Gable II and promotes educational opportunities for all skill levels. Recipients must report their findings within six months, ensuring accountability and continued support for the fiber arts community.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Talbot Co. Public Schools Career and Technology Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from Talbot County Public Schools, who are planning to attend a vocational, trade, or career school.

The Henry Jackson Crook Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by Communities Foundation of Texas, provides financial support up to $5,000 annually for students attending the Episcopal School of Dallas. This scholarship aims to assist incoming freshmen through seniors who maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA and are citizens or legal residents. Established in 1953, the foundation is committed to fostering educational access and community growth.

The Harris-Lee Ranch Scholarship, provided by Communities Foundation of Texas, offers a one-year $5,000 award to a graduating senior from Throckmorton High School in Texas. This scholarship supports students pursuing a degree at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Selection is based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership potential, and financial need, aiming to empower students to achieve their educational goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The Dallas Athletic Club Scholarship Fund, established by the Communities Foundation of Texas, offers one-year scholarships up to $15,000 for DAC employees and their immediate family members. These funds can be utilized for tuition, books, and housing at accredited colleges, universities, or vocational schools across the U.S. Selection is based on academic achievement and community involvement, ensuring that deserving students have access to quality education and opportunities to thrive.

Charles Hayden Foundation

The Charles Hayden Foundation is committed to expanding opportunities for young people and helping them build the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships they need to thrive in school, work, and life.

We support youth-serving nonprofit organizations and public district, charter, Catholic, and independent schools, as well as organizations that strengthen the capacity of those serving young people. Our grantmaking spans academic success, social and emotional development, post-secondary pathways, and career-connected learning, with an emphasis on programs and organizations that create meaningful opportunities and demonstrate positive outcomes for young people.

The Foundation primarily supports young people from low-income communities in New York City and Boston, with some grantmaking in Newark, New Jersey.

Our Grantmaking

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking in the following areas:

• Academic Readiness: Programs and initiatives that strengthen young people’s academic skills and provide access to educational, enrichment, and other learning opportunities that prepare them for future educational and career pathways.
• Social, Emotional, and Practical Skills: Programs and services that help young people develop the social, emotional, and practical skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life.
• Post-Secondary Success: College access and persistence efforts that prepare young people to pursue post-secondary opportunities, matriculate, persist, and successfully graduate.
• Career-Connected Learning: Opportunities that enable young people to explore their interests, gain exposure to careers, build real-world skills and experiences, and pursue meaningful career pathways.
• Organizational Capacity Building: Support for organizations that strengthen youth-serving nonprofits and schools through technical assistance, training, and other capacity-building services. This may include support in areas such as program quality and improvement, leadership and staff development, organizational strategy, data and evaluation, infrastructure, and other areas that strengthen organizational effectiveness and improve outcomes for young people.

Multi-Year Grant Opportunity: Supporting Strategic Plan Implementation

The Charles Hayden Foundation is launching a Multi-Year Grant Opportunity to help strengthen organizations and improve outcomes for young people in New York City and Boston. Through this opportunity, the Foundation anticipates inviting up to 10 organizations to receive multi-year project grants over a two- to three-year period to support strategic initiatives identified as priorities in their current strategic plans.

Proposed initiatives may build upon or enhance an existing Charles Hayden Foundation-supported program, such as hiring additional program staff to expand or strengthen services, or focus on an organizational capacity-building effort, such as implementing a new data and evaluation system.

Organizations selected for a Multi-Year Grant will receive a two- to three-year award that will replace their annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant for the duration of the grant period. Current annual grant funding will continue as part of the multi-year award, along with additional funding awarded to support the proposed strategic initiative. Organizations that are not selected will remain eligible to apply through the Foundation’s annual grantmaking process.

Project Criteria

Proposed projects should represent strategic investments that strengthen an organization’s ability to serve young people over the long term. Examples of eligible projects include:

• Hiring key leadership or program staff
• Expanding or enhancing existing programs
• Strengthening organizational capacity
• Building evaluation, learning, or data systems
• Technology or infrastructure improvements
• Other strategic initiatives identified in the organization’s strategic plan

The Foundation anticipates providing partial support for proposed initiatives and generally will not fund the full cost of a project. Award amounts will be determined based on the scope of the proposed initiative and the resources required for successful implementation. Because these grants support strategic initiatives over a two-to-three-year period, the Foundation anticipates that most requests will exceed an organization’s current annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant.

The Alcon Foundation Grant aims to enhance eye care services and improve patient access, with a focus on educational and training programs. The foundation also supports cultural and community development initiatives that uplift the quality of life in areas where Alcon operates, including cities like Fort Worth, Houston, and Irvine. However, it does not fund non-501(c)(3) organizations, athletic leagues, or fundraising events, among other exclusions.

The Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations Grant, funded by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, supports projects that promote environmentally sustainable practices for local lakes and watersheds. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and community groups within Hubbard County. Projects can involve invasive species prevention, water quality research, and educational initiatives. A matched funding requirement ensures community engagement, making it a vital resource for preserving local natural resources and enhancing community resilience.

The Woman's Exchange offers scholarships aimed at local high school and college students pursuing education in the visual and performing arts. In June 2025, they announced a total of $450,000 in scholarships, contributing to over $10.5 million awarded since inception. Eligibility is limited to residents of Sarasota or Manatee County, ensuring support for local talent. The Exchange is a key scholarship provider in the region, fostering artistic development through its consignment operations.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Oklahoma provide essential support for small rural businesses, offering technical assistance and training. With no maximum grant amount, priority is given to smaller requests. Funds can be utilized for various purposes, including business planning, market research, and community development. Eligible applicants include rural public entities and nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing economic growth in rural areas. This initiative aims to empower local businesses and foster sustainable economic development.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Ohio aim to support small rural businesses through technical assistance and training. Eligible businesses, defined as having fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in revenue, can apply for grants with no maximum limit, although smaller requests receive priority. Fund usage includes project planning, equipment acquisition, and business training, helping foster economic development in rural communities.

The Woman's Exchange is offering $407,000 in grants and scholarships to support local arts and cultural organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. With a mission to enhance the visual and performing arts, this initiative has awarded over $10 million to date, generated through the consignment operations of the organization. The Exchange is deeply grateful for the contributions of volunteers and supporters who make this possible.

The Rural Business Development Grants in North Dakota aim to provide essential technical assistance and training to small rural businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees and under $1 million in revenue. Funding is prioritized for smaller requests, with two grant types available: Opportunity and Enterprise. These grants support various projects, from training and technical assistance to community and technology-based economic development, ultimately fostering growth in rural areas.