Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Kansas Attraction Development Grant Program aims to foster sustainable tourism by funding projects that enhance travel experiences within the state. With a total of $1,000,000 available, the program supports public and private entities in creating new attractions or improving existing ones, ultimately driving economic growth, increasing visitation, and enriching community life. Eligible applicants include non-profits and government agencies, with a focus on projects that provide demonstrable ties to the tourism industry.

The ME Boating Facilities Fund Grant, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, aims to enhance recreational boating access throughout Maine. It supports towns and agencies in developing and rehabilitating public boat launching facilities. Eligible projects include both hand-carry and trailer boat launches on tidal and non-tidal waters, with a required match of at least 25%. The fund prioritizes facilities accessible to both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

The Venturous Capital Grants aim to empower small and medium-sized not-for-profit theaters to produce bold and experimental new plays. Grants range from $5,000 to $35,000, covering extraordinary costs that enable productions to thrive. The program supports text-based, author-driven works that are ambitious, challenging, and innovative, while emphasizing the importance of playwright compensation and adhering to AEA standards. This initiative fosters creativity and helps overcome financial barriers in theater production.

The Lawrence M. Brass, MD Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Stroke supports early career investigators focused on stroke and neurocritical care research. This award offers $65,000 annually for two years and an additional $10,000 yearly for educational costs, totaling $150,000. Eligibility requires applicants to be AAN members with MD, PhD, or equivalent degrees, and research must be conducted in accredited non-profit institutions in the U.S. Applications are assessed on research quality, innovation, and significance.

The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau Fund supports tourism-related activities in Albany County, New York. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, it aims to enhance the hospitality industry by funding programs that develop tourism attractions and events. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and projects that positively impact tourism infrastructure. The fund encourages collaboration and innovative ideas that can increase hotel stays and overall visitor engagement in the region.

The Riding for Focus Grants program supports public middle schools serving low-income students, providing them with bicycles, helmets, and educational resources to promote cycling. Through this program, schools can enhance their students' cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional well-being. The curriculum consists of 14 lessons focused on rider safety and skills, designed to be delivered over 6-8 weeks. Eligible schools can apply for grants or purchase the program to access these invaluable resources.

The Steinmetz Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation support U.S. military personnel and veterans in archaeological excavations. Established in 2019, these scholarships provide two awards of $2,000 each for participation in ASOR-affiliated projects. ASOR has a long history of funding archaeological research, having awarded over $1 million to more than 900 recipients since 2007. This initiative aims to broaden access to fieldwork opportunities for those who have served in the military.

The American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) offers donor-designated grants for cultural heritage projects in Libya, addressing urgent needs caused by the flooding crisis. Funded by the U.S. Embassy and private donors, these mini-grants support education and stewardship initiatives in North Africa and the Middle East. Eligible applicants include directors and senior staff of ASOR-affiliated projects, with a focus on projects that have not received ASOR funding in the past three years.

The Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant, funded by USITT, supports emerging theater artists with financial assistance up to $1,200 for academic costs. Grants cover research, travel, and project completion, along with a complimentary conference registration. Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students in theatrical design and technology, nominated by a USITT member. Winners receive mentorship for six months, fostering professional growth and development in the entertainment industry.

The Elliott Antokoletz Fund supports doctoral and post-doctoral research in twentieth-century music, honoring the legacy of esteemed scholar Elliott Antokoletz. It is open to Ph.D. students and recent graduates from North American universities, with an award range of $500 to $5000. Preference is given to applicants from institutions lacking financial support for musicological research. This initiative promotes creativity through music-centered research, ensuring equity and inclusion in the academic study of music.

The M. Elizabeth C. Bartlet Fund supports doctoral and post-doctoral musicological research in France, honoring the legacy of M. Elizabeth C. Bartlet, a distinguished scholar of French music. The fund primarily benefits students from North American universities, providing awards typically ranging from $500 to $5000. Preference is given to applicants whose institutions lack financial support for musicological research, promoting equity and access in academia.

The Virginia and George Bozarth Fund, established by the American Musicological Society, supports doctoral students and recent Ph.D. graduates from North American universities conducting research in Austria. The fund typically awards between $500 and $5000 annually. Preference is given to applicants whose institutions do not provide financial support for musicological research. This initiative aims to foster academic inquiry and promote equitable access to resources in the field of musicology.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance research on the long-term impacts of disasters on healthcare systems, particularly for populations facing health disparities in the U.S. and its territories. It encourages collaborative studies that assess how both natural and human-made disasters affect healthcare accessibility and quality. The initiative is supported by the US Department of Health & Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with multiple application deadlines from 2024 to 2027.

The William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Awards, named after a prominent Human Biologist, support AABA student members in attending annual meetings. This initiative not only alleviates financial burdens but also encourages participation from underrepresented groups. By engaging in biological anthropology discussions, students can showcase the relevance of their research amidst shifting political landscapes, emphasizing how bioanthropological insights contribute to societal well-being and warrant continued funding.

Dissertation Grants

With support from the National Science Foundation, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program seeks proposals for Dissertation Grants. The AERA Grants Program provides advanced graduate students with research funding and professional development and training. The program supports highly competitive dissertation research using rigorous quantitative methods to examine large-scale, education-related data. The aim of the program is to advance fundamental knowledge of relevance to STEM education policy, foster significant science using education data, promote equity in STEM, and build research capacity in education and learning. Since 1991, this AERA Program has been vital to both research and training at early career stages.

The Grants Program encourages the use of major data sets from multiple and diverse sources. It emphasizes the advanced statistical analysis of data sets from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal agencies. The program also supports studies using large-scale international data systems (e.g., PISA, PIRLS, or TIMMS) that benefit from U.S. federal government support. In addition, statewide longitudinal administrative data systems (SLDS) enhanced through federal grants are also eligible for consideration. The inclusion of federal or state administrative information that further expands the analytic capacity of the research is permissible. The thrust of the analysis needs to be generalizable to a national, state, or population or a subgroup within the sample that the dataset represents.

The Grants Program is open to field-initiated research and welcomes proposals that:

• develop or benefit from advanced statistical or innovative quantitative methods or measures;
• analyze more than one large-scale national or international federally funded data set, or more than one statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) or incorporate other data enhancements;
• integrate, link, or blend multiple large-scale data sources; or
• undertake replication research of major findings or major studies using large-scale, federally supported or enhanced data.

The Grants Program encourages proposals across the life span and contexts of education and learning of relevance to STEM policy and practice. The research may focus on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to such issues as student achievement in STEM, analysis of STEM education policies, contextual factors in education, educational participation and persistence (pre-kindergarten through graduate school), early childhood education and development, postsecondary education, and the STEM workforce and transitions. Studies that examine issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across STEM topics and/or for specific racial and ethnic groups, social classes, genders, or persons with disabilities are encouraged.

Award

• Award Component 1 - $27,500 Stipend
• Award Component 2 - AERA Research and Training Conference
• Award Component 3- AERA Annual Meeting Capstone Research Institute

The budget must include funds to attend the AERA Annual Meeting. The funds can be used for research-related expenses such as tuition, living expenses, travel to secure data enclaves or scholarly conferences, books, computer equipment, and other expenses directly related to conducting this research. AERA encourages cost sharing from universities in the form of tuition assistance, office space, university fees, and other expenses.

The Jan LaRue Travel Fund, established by the American Musicological Society, offers financial support for doctoral and post-doctoral musicological research in Europe. This fund honors Jan LaRue, a notable scholar in musicology. Award amounts typically range from $500 to $5000, and preference is given to applicants from institutions without financial backing for such research. Eligible candidates must meet specific academic requirements and can apply annually.

The Eugene K. Wolf Travel Fund, established in memory of Eugene K. Wolf, supports doctoral students from North American universities conducting musicological research in Europe. The fund aims to enhance understanding of music through research and advocacy. Eligible candidates must have completed all Ph.D. requirements except the dissertation. Awards typically range from $500 to $5000, prioritizing those without institutional financial support for research.

The Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize, awarded by the American Society for Theatre Research, honors the best essay published in English in a refereed scholarly journal or edited collection within the field of theater research. Eligible authors must be untenured and within seven years of their doctorate or enrolled in a doctoral program. The prize includes a $500 honorarium and complimentary registration for the ASTR annual meeting, acknowledging the editor's contribution to scholarship.

The Career Development Grants in American Music, offered by the American Musicological Society, provide $800 and free registration to the Annual Meeting for students and educators interested in American music. This initiative aims to enhance knowledge and professional connections through participation in activities at the AMS Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents and provide information about their educational status and relevant research interests.

The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) offers an annual research grant of up to $1,200 aimed at enhancing music education. With nearly 20,000 members, TMEA focuses on diverse topics, including music teacher retention and social emotional learning. This grant supports research that promotes excellence in music education, welcoming proposals from active TMEA members in Texas. Through this initiative, TMEA aims to foster innovation and improve representation within music classes.

The Lamond GenNext Award, provided by the NAMM Foundation, supports students enrolled in college or technical programs related to music and entertainment technology. Awardees receive a $750 stipend and a badge for The NAMM Show, facilitating valuable networking and professional development opportunities. Eligible applicants must be sophomores or higher with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and the application cycle opens on April 21, closing on September 8.

The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation Grant supports educational, artistic, and outreach initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round, with a focus on projects that yield specific outcomes rather than general operating expenses. While historically centered in Indiana and Florida, the foundation welcomes proposals from across the country. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) designation. This grant is an excellent opportunity for nonprofits aiming to make a tangible impact in their communities.

The School Trip Travel Grants, offered by the Galena Foundation, support school visits to historic sites in Galena and Jo Daviess County. Eligible schools can apply for funding to cover transportation, admission fees, snacks, and other related expenses. While there is no strict limit on requests, amounts exceeding $1,000 require board approval. This initiative encourages educational experiences that enhance students' understanding of local history.

The Transaction Assistance Grant (TAG) Program, offered by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, aims to enhance land conservation efforts by providing financial support for transaction-related costs. With applications accepted monthly, this program facilitates timely funding for land trusts, addressing immediate conservation needs efficiently. CLCC's commitment to fostering equity and environmental justice ensures that diverse communities benefit from enhanced access to open spaces and conservation resources, promoting a sustainable future for Connecticut's natural landscapes.

The PLTW Launch grant, supported by Chevron in Louisiana, aims to enhance educational opportunities for K-12 students by expanding Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs. With over $17 million invested since 2009, Chevron has facilitated access to transformative education for nearly 250,000 students and 8,100 teachers across several states. This initiative underscores Chevron's commitment to long-term social investments in the Gulf of Mexico region, fostering innovation and learning in public and charter schools.

The PLTW Launch grant, supported by Chevron, aims to enhance educational opportunities in Louisiana by funding Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs. With a total award of $12,500, schools are required to implement at least two different PLTW Launch modules over two years. This initiative is part of Chevron's commitment to social investment, having previously contributed over $17 million to PLTW, impacting nearly 250,000 students nationwide.

The NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01) aims to support clinical trials focused on effective interventions for communication disorders. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration between researchers and NIDCD Project Scientists to evaluate treatments that may require FDA oversight or are designed to establish efficacy, ensuring safety for participants. Letters of Intent are recommended 30 days before the proposal deadline, with applications due by 5:00 PM local time.