Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Listos California CERT Support Grant (LC) Program

The purpose of the LC Program is to provide funding to a fiscal administrator which will in coordination with Cal OES, support new and existing CERT programs to build their capacity to prepare vulnerable and underserved populations including, but not limited to: providing CERT training in languages other than English, providing CERT training to underserved populations and/or populations that are at high risk for disasters, providing accommodations for training participants that have access and functional needs, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) interpretation, and building capacity to respond to disasters.

Mission

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio is committed to honoring God and our Baptist heritage by fostering and funding health initiatives in our community.

Grantmaking

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio provides grants to around 100 nonprofits each year, supporting a wide range of organizations, from community food pantries to churches and medical facilities. At BHFSA, we deeply value the opportunity to foster long-lasting relationships and grow our understanding of the challenges affecting the residents of our service area.

BHFSA Community Impact Grants

Small organizations do big things and are incredibly valuable in our community. Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio recognizes this and provides Community Impact Grants of up to $12,000 to support smaller initiatives and organizations that have a large impact on community health.

Specific Grant Requirements

• The organization must have had less than $250,000 in actual revenue during the most recently completed fiscal year (Churches are exempt from this requirement);
• The organization must have an annual operating budget of at least $15,000 (for the fiscal year that includes July 1, 2026);
• The application amount must not exceed 20 percent of the organization’s total actual revenue in the most recently completed fiscal year;
• The application amount must fall in the range of $3,000-$12,000; and
• Organizations that received a Community Impact Grant in the most recent grant year may apply, but preference will be given to organizations that have not recently received funding from the Foundation.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Jerry Sharp Memorial Scholarship Application

This scholarship is in memory of Jerry Sharp who promoted motorcycle racing throughout Missouri.

Consideration will be given to financial need and the student’s work and community service record. 

These scholarships will be supplemental for students who have already earned athletic and/or academic scholarships. This scholarship is not automatically renewable, however, students may reapply for subsequent years.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund

The Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund supports a successful path for our employees, their children and step children to attain a degree or trade school degree creating an increasingly valuable asset for themselves and their families.

Length of employment is taken into consideration when applying, There are no restrictions on length of employment or full or part time status. Applicants will be considered based on academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities and financial need.

CultureSource

CultureSource is a member association for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties. As a regional service organization, we do this work through hosting professional development workshops that grow creative and leadership capacities, presenting programs that provide space for exchanging ideas about arts and culture, and leading initiatives that bring together stakeholders interested in the public accessing creative expression.

Our MISSION is to advance and cultivate creative and cultural expression in Southeast Michigan.

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists

The Spector Craft Prize (the “Prize”) is an annual initiative launched in 2025 to champion excellence in American craft. Founded by Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector through the Spector Family Foundation, the program supports craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers through awards, mentorship, and community-building.

In an era dominated by rapid technological advancement, the Spector Craft Prize stands as a vital counterbalance by preserving material connections in an increasingly virtual world, supporting creative expression amid declining public funding for arts education, and reconnecting makers and the public to our shared heritage of craft. By championing craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers, the Spector Family Foundation aims to strengthen the role of craft in contemporary American culture.

Aim of the Prize

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists seeks to identify and support exceptional emerging craft artists whose work demonstrates technical mastery, innovative vision, and deep engagement with American culture. The Prize aims to recognize artists who show significant potential for contributing to the field and who would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by the program.

Selected artists represent the future of American craft and demonstrate a commitment to strengthening craft's role in contemporary American culture through their practice, community engagement, and artistic vision. 

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund

This fund was established to provide scholarships for any type of further education beyond high school including college, junior college, vocational, technical or other trade schools.

The type and amount of aid may include, but is not necessarily limited to tuition, room and board, books, etc

About our scholarships

We partner with Civic Federal Credit Union to provide both professional development and student scholarships.

Over many years, the scholarships have provided nearly $3.5 million to credit union members to further their education. This investment not only advances the professional development and educational goals of Civic members, but also strengthens the communities they serve — amplifying their leadership impact and deepening their ability to drive meaningful change across North Carolina.

Civic Foundation Scholarship

Each year, Civic proudly awards $5,000 scholarships to 25 Civic members who are graduating high school seniors and are planning to attend a four-year college or university. These one-time scholarships are paid directly to the student’s school in a single installment and may be applied toward tuition, textbooks, computers, or other educational expenses.

The GO Grants, offered by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, provide education funding for K-12 classes in British Columbia to engage in outdoor learning experiences. Grants cover transportation costs, field trip equipment, and program fees, supporting projects up to $800. Eligible applicants include individual classes, with a focus on enriching students' connection to nature. This initiative fosters environmental stewardship and enhances educational opportunities through hands-on experiences in the natural world.

The Retina Society, Inc.

The Retina Society was founded in 1968 exclusively for educational and scientific purposes concerning the diagnosis, care and treatment of diseases and injuries to the retina. The Retina Society began as an outgrowth of alumni meetings of Retina Associates, a retina practice founded in Boston in 1951 by Charles L. Schepens. Dr. Schepens is credited with establishing retina surgery as a sub-specialty.  

Our mission is to reduce worldwide visual disability and blindness by promoting the education and professional interaction of vitreoretinal specialists, providing optimal care for patients with vitreoretinal diseases, and encouraging, through clinical and basic research, the discovery and development of new means to further patient care.

Retina Society Research Grants

Supporting the advancement of knowledge and education throughout the global retina community, The Retina Society established a research and education grant program in 2020 to fund annual innovative research grants by Retina Society members in good standing. In 2022, we entered into a partnership with the International Retina Research Foundation to fund three $50,000 grants.

• The applications should fall in one of two categories:
  • basic science/translational research
  • clinical research

Proposed research should attempt to advance our understanding of vitreoretinal physiology or pathophysiology or pursue avenues for potential therapies or therapeutic innovation.

The AMVETS Veteran, Active Duty & Guard/Reserve Scholarship provides financial assistance up to $12,000 for qualified U.S. Veterans and active military members pursuing undergraduate degrees. This scholarship is designed to bridge the financial gap after all other federal and state aid has been utilized. Eligibility includes being an honorably discharged veteran or active service member, enrolled in an accredited institution, and demonstrating financial need. AMVETS is dedicated to serving those who have served our country.

The Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation offers grants up to $5,000 for organizations engaged in health services or public health education in the U.S. Virgin Islands. These grants support initiatives that aim to improve health outcomes and disseminate health information through various media. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. The Foundation seeks to partner with new agencies while focusing on educational programming that addresses demonstrable community health needs.

The Youth Leadership Fund, established by Sally and Rick Botzler, aims to foster youth leadership skills in underserved communities by supporting K-12 initiatives focused on environment, sustainability, and community responsibility. Grants of up to $1,500 are available for organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes impacting youth and the local environment. The fund prioritizes projects reflective of diverse community needs and encourages collaboration with other partners.

About The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy, University of Utah

The Wilkes Center leverages the University of Utah’s unique position and environment to drive world-class research on climate change forecasting, impacts, and solutions and places this science in the hands of decision-makers. Drawing on multidisciplinary centers of excellence at the University of Utah, the Wilkes Center strives for practical, integrative, and solutions-oriented research that can translate into policy around climate extremes, including wildfire and drought, air quality, natural ecosystems, carbon and water cycling, human environment and health. The Center is fostering educational and research training programs that support climate innovation and developing a new generation of solution-oriented leaders.

Wilkes Center Postdoctoral Program

This postdoctoral scholar program will help create the next generation of leaders in climate science and policy. It endeavors to attract spectacular recent PhDs in sciences that address studies with relevance to the Wilkes Center climate research and climate policy goals.

Postdoctoral scholars will perform cutting-edge and impactful research in climate science and/or policy, with particular priority areas on data informed climate forecasting, wildfire and climate extremes such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, climate impacts on local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health, and the development of tools to mitigate, adapt, and manage climate impacts. These can include analysis of past, current, or possible future climate variability and change as well as the study of the underlying social, physical, chemical, and biological processes.

Postdoctoral scholars will identify 1-2 faculty sponsors at the University of Utah, these faculty members will provide mentoring and a collaborative environment to carry out the research project. Communication with potential faculty sponsors is required prior to the submission of your application.

The program offers two-year postdoctoral fellowships, reviewed annually. Fellows receive a fixed annual salary of $64,000. Benefits include health and dental insurance, paid time off and paid holidays. A relocation allowance is provided as well as an allowance for scientific travel and other support costs.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

Steven, James W and Cecile I Scholarship Fund

This fund was established by the James W and Cecile I Steven Trust to provide academic scholarships to graduating seniors living in the counties of Andrew, MO or Buchanan, MO.

Guidelines:

• Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

• As many non-renewable awards as balance allows.

The Current Art Fund, administered by Tri-Star Arts and supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation, grants $60,000 annually to Tennessee-based visual artists aged 21 and older. The program promotes innovative public-facing projects that enhance the contemporary art dialogue in Tennessee. In 2025, grants of $7,500 will be awarded to eight selected artists and collectives, encouraging diverse artistic engagement and community impact, while prioritizing BIPOC and AAPI applicants.

The U.S. Department of State's Annual Program Statement invites innovative architectural presentations for the International Architecture Biennales. This initiative aims to promote American cultural values and engage global audiences in dialogue about pressing international issues through compelling design. By showcasing U.S. architectural creativity, the program fosters understanding and collaboration on shared challenges, enhancing international relationships and cultural exchange. This opportunity is vital for architects and designers seeking to impact the global architectural discourse.

The Mayor's Youth Scholarship, established in 2005 by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, aims to alleviate financial barriers for students pursuing higher education. By providing crucial financial support, it empowers eligible students from Atlanta Public Schools or residents of Atlanta to enroll in accredited institutions. This initiative enhances access to college, fostering educational and economic mobility while promoting equity in the community. The scholarship opens doors to new opportunities, directly impacting students' futures and encouraging local donors' engagement.

The Community Development Block Grant - Tourism Development (NE) aims to enhance economic development through funding for effective tourist attraction projects. This initiative supports communities that prioritize long-term growth while benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals. With a funding range between $250,000 and $450,000, it focuses on projects that contribute to regional and local economies, ensuring sustainable development and combating slums and blight.

The Chambers Family Foundation, established in 1999, is a private non-profit based in Eugene, Oregon, committed to enhancing community welfare. It prioritizes funding projects in arts, education, medical, health, and human needs, specifically in Lane and Benton counties. The foundation supports initiatives that align with its values and have a significant community impact. Applications for operating funds are accepted, while capital project funding is considered under special circumstances.

The Local Parks Grant: Implementation Grants program by Arts in California Parks aims to foster community ties by enhancing local cultural history through art and nature in parks. Eligible projects must engage the public and contribute to community health and well-being, with grants awarded for initiatives in local parks across California. Projects are expected to be executed within a 12-month period, starting in October 2025, and should focus on creating sustainable connections to local heritage.

The Pulitzer Center offers U.S. Local News Reporting Grants aimed at supporting freelance and staff journalists in producing in-depth investigative reporting for local news outlets. This initiative seeks to amplify underreported stories crucial to community engagement, particularly those addressing systemic issues. The grants are available on a rolling basis, encouraging diverse voices in journalism. Applicants must provide a project description, budget estimate, and distribution plan to qualify for funding that covers essential reporting costs.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Gold Star Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Association of High School Women began raising funds in 1920 to provide financial support for high school students in the Kansas City, Missouri school district to encourage them to obtain their high school diploma.

This scholarship opportunity provides deserving students in the Kansas City, Missouri Public School District in grades 10 through 12 with financial assistance to encourage them to stay in school. This scholarship is not intended to provide assistance with college tuition or expenses. Students are awarded a set amount paid throughout the school year. Checks are made payable to the student and sent to their school counselor.

Previous recipients of Gold Star scholarships must apply on an annual basis to remain eligible. Renewal applications will have first priority

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

Liebling For Worthy Students Scholarship

This fund was established to provide academic scholarships to students graduating from the St. Joseph School District and past recipients.

Guidelines:

• Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

• Minimum of $1,500 one-time award

Perry County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Perry County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

J. Matthew Moore Memorial Scholarship

Annual, renewable scholarship created in memory of Matthew Moore by his wife, Lucy Goffinet, and his parents, John E. and Ann C. Moore, to help students pursuing advanced education.

Award Amount

• $1,580
• May be renewable for consecutive sophomore, junior and senior years. 
• Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.

The CNS Meeting Travel Awards, provided by the Society for Neuroscience, support PhD candidates and postdocs from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico attending the CNS Annual Meeting in Xi'an, China, from September 25-28, 2025. Eligible applicants must be SfN members, first authors of submitted abstracts, and not currently receiving other travel awards. The award covers registration fees and offers a $2,500 travel stipend after proof of attendance.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Virginia Whitsitt Memorial Scholarship

The Virginia Whitsitt Memorial Scholarship Fund program provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors in honor of Helen Virginia Whitsitt. Scholarship awards are focused on students interested in pursuing a career in teaching and that demonstrate financial need. If qualified applicants are not available, the scholarship may be awarded to teachers who have returned to school for their master’s degree in education.

One scholarship will be awarded annually and disbursed in equal payments in July and January. Recipients must continue to be enrolled full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above the previous semester to be eligible for the second payment. Scholarship awards are non-renewable.

The CFSM Youth Leadership Grants support youth-led programs that empower young people to take leadership roles within their communities in southeast Michigan. Established in 1991, this initiative encourages youth participation in grant proposal reviews and has funded over $1.8 million in youth-serving grants. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $20,000, fostering partnerships and enhancing young people's awareness of critical local issues. Applications are reviewed by the Youth Advisory Committee, ensuring youth voices are central to the decision-making process.