Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Crail-Johnson Foundation focuses on enhancing the well-being of children and families in Los Angeles through grants aimed at Health, Human Services, and Education. It supports non-profit organizations that provide essential services, prioritizing communities such as San Pedro and Watts. The Foundation emphasizes mental health, access to care, and innovative programs for disadvantaged youth. Grants are typically one-year, with a focus on systemic change and proven approaches to community health and education.

The Robert B. and Ruth K. Lee Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Greenville County, South Carolina. Established in 2000, the foundation supports diverse areas including arts, education, health, and human services. With no geographic limitations, it primarily funds programs benefiting the local community. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $5,000, emphasizing initiatives for the elderly, children’s programs in the arts, and literary projects. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to be eligible.

Funding Innovative Research

Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc) prioritizes funding clinical trials, research that is nearing translation to a clinical trial, and young investigator grants.

Grants funded by CKc must be innovative and provide better quality of life or symptom relief than current treatments. 

When possible, CKc will prioritize funding research:

• with a focus on cancers that are under-funded or under-researched,
• with a focus on patient populations who are traditionally underserved.

When possible, CKc will prioritize funding researchers of diverse backgrounds.

For CKc, “innovation” means the invention or application of novel methods or treatments, specifically treatments that have fewer side-effects than standard care, increase a child’s quality of life, and/or create an option for care where there otherwise were few or none (either on primary diagnosis, relapse, or for recalcitrant cancers).

Research Grants

Grant Program: Young Investigator

$100,000 over 3 years

• PI must hold an academic appointment at the instructor level or higher
• PI must be within 5 years of completing a training fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology or a closely related discipline that has direct clinical contact with pediatric cancer patients
• Research must be within 2-3 years to translation to a clinical trial or already associated with a clinical trial

• Evidence of Mentor's commitment to the PI's career development plan
• Translational potential

The PDCED Appalachian Regional Commission Grant supports economic development in Pennsylvania's Appalachian Region. It funds projects that enhance job creation, improve infrastructure, and promote business development. The goal is to leverage federal, state, and local resources to strengthen the economy of this 205,000-square-mile area. Funding is prioritized for initiatives that lead to sustainable economic growth, workforce readiness, and improved community capacity. Eligible projects include technical assistance, infrastructure development, and local government support.

The RIF Community Priority Grants, initiated by the Rhode Island Foundation, aim to enhance community well-being through targeted support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. These grants focus on addressing six identified community priorities, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. By fostering collaboration and understanding community needs, the program seeks to empower local organizations to effectively respond to systemic inequities and support thriving communities for a better Rhode Island.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation Grant supports youth in underserved areas of Alaska and Hawaii, focusing on empowering young people through career exploration, mentorship, and skill development. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, prioritizing organizations that demonstrate partnership and sustainability. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that do not discriminate based on protected categories. Funds should be utilized within a year, with grants not exceeding 10% of the organization's budget or 50% of the program budget.

The Adolph Coors Foundation's Youth and Adult Grant Programs support initiatives that promote self-reliance and integrity among Coloradans. Priorities include mentoring for youth, vocational training for adults, and fostering entrepreneurship. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities operating in Colorado, while special consideration is given to rural nonprofits. The Foundation aims for evidence-based results and transformational outcomes, focusing on programs that empower communities and enhance economic opportunities.

The Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership Capacity Grants, offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado, provide funding ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to support regional collaborations in conservation and recreation planning. This initiative invites coalitions to enhance outdoor recreation experiences and promote sustainable practices across Colorado. Eligible applicants include non-profits and government entities committed to building diverse coalitions focused on community-driven conservation goals. The grants cover one to two-year terms, requiring a 10% match.

Every Dream of Parenthood Deserves a Chance

Making dreams of parenthood a reality, one grant and one bundle of joy at a time.

Our Mission

The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund is dedicated to advancing access to IVF care and coverage, increasing awareness and providing support so others don’t have to navigate infertility alone.

Apply for a Grant

Your Journey to Parenthood Begins Here

We distribute grant awards up to three times annually.

Please note that the number of grants and funding amounts fluctuate based on:

1) the unique needs of our applicants, and

2) the success of our fundraising efforts.

Our mission is to help as many people as possible.

The CityArts Program Grants, offered by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, support local artists and cultural organizations by providing general operating grants based on average annual revenue. Eligible nonprofits can apply for grants ranging from equal to their revenue for smaller organizations to a maximum of $50,000 for larger ones. This initiative aims to enhance access to the arts across Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5412 - Determinants of Workforce Retention in Public-Sector Water Utilities

Grant Information

• Quantify the relative influence of compensation, pension stability, mission alignment, schedule flexibility, leadership support, career development opportunities, and other factors on employee retention in public-sector water utilities.
• Identify and analyze key impediments to retaining talent, including structural, cultural, compensation-related, and organizational barriers.
• Identify and benchmark retention best practices from sectors outside the water industry to assess transferability and develop case studies of high-retention organizations to distill replicable strategies and measurable success factors.

The CRCF Youth Grants support initiatives that benefit teens aged 12-18 in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, Michigan. With a focus on pressing issues like substance abuse, mental wellness, and violence, the grants are awarded through the Youth Advisory Council, consisting of local high school students. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and governmental entities. This program aims to empower youth and address critical challenges they face in today's society.

The Arts Projects – Organisations Grants program, funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, supports diverse activities that enhance the arts sector and engage communities. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000, eligible organizations can propose various initiatives including professional development, creative collaborations, and community engagement projects. Applications are open to organizations that benefit practicing Australian artists and audiences, fostering artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

Maryland Heritage Areas Authority

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) is an independent unit of government that operates in the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and is chaired by the MDP Secretary. MHAA oversees the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, which is housed administratively within the Maryland Historical Trust.  

Maryland Heritage Areas Program Project Grants

The Maryland Heritage Areas Program awards approximately $3 million towards capital and non-capital project grants within one or more of Maryland’s 13 heritage areas. These projects highlight Maryland's diverse heritage, enhance local communities, and promote tourism, sustainability, and economic development. 

Non Capital Project Grants

Capital projects funds support and create heritage tourism resources and experiences within the 13 heritage areas. Includes: Planning; Interpretation; and Programming (preference is given to new or pilot programs rather than ongoing activities.

Community Investment Fund

Community Investment Funds (CIFs) have been established in communities near our operations in Colorado, New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The CIFs engage community leaders in cultivating and assessing community projects that address identified community priorities (developed at Community Partnership Panels), and allow them to allocate Freeport-McMoRan Foundation funds to programs and projects that encourage a strong focus on local capacity-building, community development and sustainability.

Focus Areas

Education and Workforce Development:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Education & Workforce Development priority and goals.

• PK-12:
  • Professional development programs for teachers and/or school administrators
  • Student preparation, incentive or other programs that drive achievement /performance and matriculation (including early childhood)
  • Classroom equipment or supplies that are proven to drive achievement /performance and are tied to a program or training/professional development
  • Programs that remove barriers or address problems related to lack of performance
  • Programs that engage parents in supporting their student’s achievement in reading, math or the pursuit of graduation and/or enrollment in higher education
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs
• Higher Education:
  • Student counseling or advising services that help students navigate the process of enrollment in a higher ed program
  • Programs that increase access / remove barriers to enrollment or the pursuit of higher ed
  • Teacher/school administrator or counselor training needed to fully understand the higher education landscape, what is available to students and how to access it
  • Student preparation, awareness, incentive or other campaigns or efforts that drive enrollment and attainment
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs

Economic Opportunity:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Economic Opportunity priority and goals.

• Small Business Development:
  • Programs that provide training or skill-building to entrepreneurs on start-up or growth
  • Access to capital programs
  • Other support services that drive start-up, expansion or retention
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs among small business owners
• Affordable Housing:
  • Loan funds or other resource programs that help families access housing options or make housing more affordable for them
  • Housing improvement programs that allow families to stay in safe, quality housing
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps, needs or viable models
• Other Economic Opportunity:
  • Programs that provide transportation to health, education, recreation or other critical activities
  • Programs that increase the availability of and access to quality healthcare facilities and services
  • Projects that create or improve parks or other recreational activities
  • Projects that improve or eliminate blight or beautify high traffic areas in the community
  • Restoration of lands for habitat or public use
  • Projects that improve river or waterway health
• Capacity and Leadership:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Resiliency, Capacity and Leadership priority and goals.

• Programs that provide leadership or other skills for staff, board, volunteers or other community constituents to improve organizational or community performance.
• Organizational self-assessment or diagnoses activities to determine gaps and needs.
• Efforts to develop leadership succession plans that protect and prolong organizational effectiveness.
• Planning initiatives to evaluate, identify and/or consider supports needed to weather future economic disruptions (commodities market or global economy downturns, health pandemics, technological disruptors to the future of jobs/economies, etc.)
• Programs, training or other efforts that aid organizations in understanding the broader social context of which they are part and how they can collectively mobilize to address community needs and create resiliency.
• The development of leadership networks as a tool for transformative social change and amplifying impact across social systems or issues.
• Projects to increase citizen engagement in solving or addressing community challenges or opportunities.

This philosophy includes securing and maintaining our social license to operate and delivering transformation through robust stakeholder engagement and consultation, social investment, and impact evaluation. 

The Fund for Change Grants support organizations advocating for social change, focusing on underserved communities. With an average grant size of $10,000-25,000, it funds initiatives in housing, behavioral health, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. Eligible organizations can apply annually, but multi-year commitments are not available. The fund does not support capital campaigns, indirect costs, endowments, or individual scholarships, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct program expenses.

The WACF Community Fund Grants support eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Walker County, offering opportunities through Spring and Fall cycles or year-round requests under $5,000. The Walker Area Community Foundation focuses on community needs, funding innovative projects that foster economic growth, lifelong learning, health, and leadership development. With a commitment to collaboration, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and encourage impactful community engagement.

MI Healthy Climate Challenge

The MI Healthy Climate Challenge (The Challenge) is Michigan’s boldest call to action yet—putting millions in green energy grants into the hands of Michiganders to accelerate the clean energy transition.

There has never been a more urgent time to act. To reach our climate goals, Michigan must rapidly scale renewable energy, electrification, energy storage, and efficiency efforts. The Challenge is designed to break down barriers, spark new partnerships, and launch transformative projects that deliver real impact.

These grants will fuel high-impact initiatives that cut emissions, create good-paying jobs, and unlock even greater investment in Michigan’s clean energy economy. From energy efficiency and electrification to innovative financing models, we’re seeking bold, catalytic proposals that push boundaries and deliver real solutions for communities.

Local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and more—if you’re ready to lead in the clean energy transition, Michigan is ready to invest.

The "Challenges"

Throughout the year, the MI Healthy Climate Challenge will launch a series of grant competitions to drive clean energy deployment and unlock additional investment across Michigan. 

Go Big, Go Clean is the fourth grant program of the MI Healthy Climate Challenge supporting industrial decarbonization feasibility studies that help Michigan industries evaluate practical near-term decarbonization interventions while also identifying the technologies, conditions, and support needed to achieve deeper emissions reductions over time. Funding can be used to support studies, assessments, analyses, and related planning work that support industrial decarbonization at Michigan facilities. 

The program is designed not only to inform facility-level decisions, but also to help the State of Michigan understand what will be required to accelerate decarbonization across Michigan’s industrial sectors. In addition to highlighting what is feasible today, studies should help clarify what is not yet feasible, what is missing, and what role the state and other partners can play in expediting progress towards industrial decarbonization.

Executive Summary

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Division of Health Promotion – Community Health and Wellness Unit (CHWU) addresses leading causes of death and disability from chronic disease and illness. The core mission of the CHWU is to prevent premature death and disability from chronic disease, to understand the risk factors of chronic disease, and to promote healthy behaviors through leadership efforts that address evidence-based policies, systems, and environmental change. To achieve this mission, the CHWU has cultivated a robust group of partners – clinicians, academicians, community advocates, patients, consumer representatives, business leaders and government agencies – across the state of New Jersey to reach high burden populations and communities and complete funded work. Improved quality of life and extended years of healthy living for New Jersey residents are the overall outcomes for all activities undertaken through CHWU programs and services.

The Community Health and Wellness Unit’s – Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention Program announces the availability of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 funding and technical assistance for primary care clinics operating in Cumberland, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset and Essex counties whose colorectal cancer (CRC) screening prevalence is between 25% and 55%, to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and quality improvement (QI) processes to increase CRC screening in eligible and priority populations. This RFA seeks to increase CRC screening among populations aged 45 to 75 years that have lower colorectal cancer screening prevalence. The NJDOH-CCSPP is seeking up to four (4) primary care clinics to adopt strategies that utilize multi-component EBIs to increase CRC screening and to partner with NJDOH-CCSPP by accepting technical assistance, and support for data collection and evaluation activities.

Funded entities must demonstrate capacity and readiness to implement the program by completing the following:

• Engage in a formal readiness assessment of funded entities’ capacity to implement EBIs. This assessment will be used to select EBIs that will support improved CRC screening.
• Implement multicomponent interventions that combine a minimum of three (3) evidence-based interventions (EBI), as recommended in The Community Guide. These EBIs must focus on different areas of the clinical system (which will increase demand, access, and delivery of screening recommendations). The EBIs of priority for this work includes patient reminders, provider reminders and feedback, reducing structural barriers, and patient navigation.
• Provide high-quality, clinic-level data, including baseline and annual CRC screening prevalence, aggregate data on stool-based tests provided to and returned by patients, and aggregate data on follow-up colonoscopies. Emphasis will be on the capacity to collect data and track the entire CRC screening process patients undergo.
• Support completion of stool tests and colonoscopies, including tracking and follow-up of colonoscopies for positive stool tests

In addition to funding and technical assistance, each awardee will have the opportunity to utilize a free patient navigation service supported by NJDOH. The navigators will be deployed to the awardees primary care clinics site and will provide direct patient referrals and outreach via electronic health records (EHR). Leveraging innovative tools, including a patient chat text concierge, the patient navigators will enhance patient engagement, reduce barriers, and empower informed decision-making. Navigators will also coordinate care, track outcomes, schedule screenings, and ensure timely follow-up to promote comprehensive, equitable colorectal cancer prevention and care.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service

About Us

The Maryland Forest Service restores, manages, and protects Maryland’s trees, forests, and forested ecosystems to sustain our natural resources and connect people to the land.

MUCFC Grant Program

Community Tree Planting and Education Grant Program

The Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Council (MUCFC) provides funding to support community-based tree planting and forestry education projects that strengthen Maryland’s urban forests. Grants are open to organizations statewide for work on public lands that improves the urban tree canopy, engages citizens, and promotes long-term environmental stewardship.

The Janet Y. Sato Na Lima Paheona Scholarship Fund supports Maui high school graduates pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, be Hawaii residents with a minimum GPA of 2.7, and provide a letter of recommendation. This fund aims to empower local students in various artistic fields, including music, dance, and graphic design, fostering creativity and educational growth within the community.

Impact 100 Richmond aims to transform lives in the Richmond area by empowering women through philanthropy. With a focus on granting $100,000 to local nonprofits, this initiative targets projects in Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family, and Health & Wellness. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a budget of at least $250,000 and a minimum of 36 months of operation. Preference is given to projects benefitting women and children.

The Sponsorship Grant Program by the Chesapeake Bay Trust aims to enhance public awareness of environmental issues related to the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland watersheds. It supports events like conferences and festivals, fostering community engagement. Grants typically award up to $500 for programmatic and marketing support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, encouraging diverse organizations to apply, especially those traditionally underrepresented in environmental initiatives.

The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) offers the Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants Program to enhance health equity across Maine. This program, launched in 2020, complements previous grant initiatives by focusing on traditional systems-based organizations. It aims to improve access to healthcare in rural areas, support aging populations, address behavioral health issues, and promote maternal and child health. Community involvement is a key element, ensuring that those affected by health disparities have a voice in program development.

Bates Philanthropic Initiative

Mission Statement

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is committed to making a positive impact on our community by ensuring that high school students in Colorado experiencing financial hardship have access to quality post-secondary education and career opportunities with a particular focus on career and technical education (CTE).

We provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors with a financial need who are pursuing post-secondary certifications, associate degrees, and apprenticeships in skills-based fields.

In addition to scholarships, BPI provides grants to nonprofit partners that deliver critical wrap-around services like transportation, childcare, language support, and mentoring to these financially disadvantaged young adults.

Nonprofit Partner Grants

We provide grants to registered Colorado nonprofit partners who deliver critical support services to in-need students and eliminate the barriers to their education. From providing solutions for transportation, child-care, course, certification, and materials fees, and apprenticeship opportunities, nonprofits are at the forefront of making CTE more accessible to our under-served young adults. We are seeking to support nonprofits in expanding their impact.

Who does BPI focus its grants on, and how does this align with its mission?

At BPI, we focus our grants on empowering financially disadvantaged young adults aged 17 to 19 as they transition from high school to adulthood. While we support nonprofit partners serving broader communities, our grants are dedicated to programs that directly benefit this vulnerable group. By concentrating our efforts here, we aim to transform lives and create meaningful opportunities during this critical phase of personal and professional growth.

The Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation Wetlands and Waterfowl Research Fellowship supports graduate students in North America conducting research on waterfowl or wetland biology. The fellowship, offering up to $9,500 annually, emphasizes applicant qualifications, research proposal soundness, originality, and potential contributions to conservation efforts. This competitive opportunity is renewable for up to two additional years for PhD students and once for Masters students, pending satisfactory progress reports.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is a state agency whose goal is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Those laws and related rules outline Ohio EPA's authority and what things we can consider when making decisions about regulated activities.

Ohio EPA was created on Oct. 23, 1972. It combined environmental programs that previously had been scattered throughout several state departments. 

Community and Litter Grants

Local governments and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase equipment for collecting and processing recyclables and construction and demolition debris. These organizations can also receive funding to implement litter collection events, outreach, and education. Tire amnesty programs, with a minimum $0.50/tire collection fee, are an eligible activity. Grantees have 24 months to complete their projects, but they may choose to close out the grant earlier than the specified deadlines with no penalty, provided it aligns with the grant timeline.

Combination Grant Requests

A single application may include a combination of grantrequests. For example, a litter collection event, drop-off containers, and outreach and education may be included in one application. Combination grant requests will be evaluated as a single application, not by the individual activities. A combination grant request is eligible if:

• the requested total amount equals $100,000 or less
• KAB certification and KAB renewal may not be requested together