Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

Rural Student Teaching Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Education

The AISES SPRK-ing Interest in Computer Science program engages Indigenous K-12 students through fun coding and robotics activities. By utilizing Sphero BOLT and Indi robots, students gain hands-on experience in STEM and computer science, fostering greater interest and competency in these fields. Participating schools receive essential materials and training, promoting a culturally relevant learning experience. Priority is given to middle schools, encouraging greater participation in STEM+CS education among Native students.

Montana Rural Education Association Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Education

The Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) aims to provide grants and loans for developing competitive sites, enabling businesses to relocate or expand within the Commonwealth. With a focus on planning and construction grants, the program helps cover development risks and supports strategic investments that enhance site viability. Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed quarterly, ensuring timely funding for eligible projects that promote economic growth across Pennsylvania.

Joan R. Bowman Memorial Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Education

The Designated Legislative (DL) Grants program allows communities and organizations in Alaska to seek funding through their state senators and representatives for capital projects. Funding is appropriated at the legislature's discretion and requires gubernatorial approval. Eligible projects include feasibility studies, construction, building improvements, design, land acquisition, and equipment repairs. For more information, contact your state legislator to initiate the funding process.

Angelina O. and Henry L. Parsons Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Education

The Local Share Account (LSA) funding program in Washington County, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance community and economic well-being. Established by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, this program allocates portions of local share assessments from licensed gaming facilities to support various local initiatives. Interested applicants should contact the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County for further details on the application process.

The Lots of Compassion Grant, supported by KidsGardening and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, aims to transform vacant urban lots into thriving community gardens. By providing $20,000 to each of the 10 selected grantees, the initiative focuses on empowering under-resourced communities, fostering social connections, and enhancing mental health. The grant prioritizes organizations that involve diverse participants and demonstrate significant community impact, ensuring that the gardens not only flourish but also cultivate kindness and compassion.

The Jim B. & Lillian F. Cooper Foundation Community Grants support non-profit organizations in Nebraska that focus on health, education, and recreation. Established in 1997 by the Cooper family, the foundation aims to give back to communities served by Midwest Bank. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The foundation has a strong commitment to fostering community well-being and enhancing the quality of life for residents across various Nebraska towns.

The National Home Library Foundation Grant supports nonprofits in distributing books and reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources. This initiative aims to promote literacy and combat illiteracy among all ages through various programs. Grants are available only to tax-exempt organizations that adhere to non-discrimination policies. Preference is given to requests from the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, with applications considered on a rolling basis.

Thomas S. Ritter Memorial Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to assist students who are attending or plan to attend a college or university and who have demonstrated a strong work ethic both inside and outside of the classroom.

Award

• Varies

The Raley’s, Bashas’, and Food City Project Learning Garden Grant Program, supported by the Captain Planet Foundation, offers schools valuable resources for STEAM education through garden-based learning. Schools will receive raised garden beds, a mobile cooking cart, access to online lessons, and professional development for teachers. This initiative promotes hands-on learning and healthy eating, enriching students' educational experiences while fostering a connection to nature. A total package valued at $7,500 will enhance the learning environment for students.

Vern Chesbro Memorial Scholarship Fund

This fund was established to provide scholarships to high school students who are graduating from any high school located within Franklin County and entering the field of public administration or political science.

Scholarships are awarded annually and dispersed in 2 equal payments in August and January. Scholarship award is renewable for up to 8 semesters, if eligibility criteria continues to be met.

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Franklin County Community Foundation

John A. & Louise V. Maslin Scholarship

Essay:

• On the topic “The Importance of Art, Science or Math in Society.”

Award:

• One time award of $1,000.

The Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund supports North Carolina counties in addressing critical public school building needs through grants funded by the NC Education Lottery. With over $258 million available for FY2025-26, counties can apply for significant funding to construct new schools and renovate existing facilities. Eligible counties must have a market value of taxable real property under $40 billion and are required to provide local matching funds. This initiative aims to enhance educational infrastructure across the state.

The TeachTX Pilot Grant, administered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance the educator pipeline through innovative Grow Your Own (GYO) initiatives. By implementing high-quality, campus-based recruitment and leadership development strategies, the program seeks to engage students in education careers. Through targeted support and stakeholder collaboration, the grant fosters early leadership experiences and increases participation in teaching-related programs, ultimately contributing to a robust future workforce in education.

The ACSCC: Develop Grants program offers funding up to $1,500 for professional development activities that enhance artistic skills or expand business capacities for artists and arts organizations in Santa Cruz County. The grants are designed to support the creation of artistically excellent work, increase accessibility to the arts, and engage new audiences without requiring a public exhibition. Eligibility is limited to local residents and organizations, with specific restrictions on previous grant recipients.

The FORUM Credit Union Foundation offers educator grants to enhance educational opportunities in Marion, Hamilton, Johnson, Boone, Hendricks, and Hancock counties. Each educator can receive up to $3,000 for classroom projects, supplies, and supplemental learning experiences, with a total of $30,000 allocated annually. Eligible applicants include K-12 teachers and administrators who are FORUM members in good standing. Preference is given to equitable distribution of grants across service areas.

What We Fund

The Dunham Foundation is committed to providing positive, multi-generational support to all individuals and families in our service area.

We believe that this support lays the groundwork for successful generations to come and builds an infrastructure for a community where all can thrive. The Dunham Foundation invests in the following three areas:

• Education
• Economic Growth
• Community 

Dunham Foundation General Grants (Requests that exceed $50,000)

At the Dunham Foundation, we strive to honor John C. Dunham's vision for building a healthy, thriving community with our grantmaking.

Through these efforts, we support projects and programs in Education, Economic Growth, and Community that create measurable and lasting impact in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

Organizations outside our service area are eligible if their programs directly impact residents within the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

Funded organizations are expected to submit a financial and program report at the conclusion of the grant. Reporting requirements will be outlined in the approval process and grant agreements. The reporting form will be available through the grant portal.

Background

The Community Vision Fund (CVF) is an unrestricted fund within the Community Foundation with the ability to be agile due to its discretionary nature. ​​Granting through this fund remains committed to fulfilling community needs and advancing the well-being for all in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties.

Community Vision Fund- Visionary Grants 

Focus:

Visionary grants support community-driven ideas that emerge from lived experience and grassroots leadership. They are designed to elevate voices with lived experience, encourage innovation and experimentation, and support early stage or non-traditional approaches. ​

​Grant Ranges:

• Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a one-year award​

​Grant Considerations:

In alignment with the namesake of this fund, visionary grants are focused on supporting:​

• Community-driven ideas shaped by lived experience​
• Efforts that test new approaches, pilot emerging ideas, or explore creative solutions​
• Initiatives that are just beginning or evolving but show promise for community benefit​
• Projects where there is potential for shared learning, community strengthening, or systems insights 

Worcester Neighborhood Arts and Creativity Grant

The Worcester Neighborhood Arts and Creativity Grant supports small-scale, resident and artist led projects that activate neighborhoods through arts, culture, and creative expression. This program is designed to fund ideas that respond to a clearly identified community need and use creativity as a tool to strengthen connection, belonging, and neighborhood identity. 

This grant program is being offered through a partnership between Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the City of Worcester Cultural Development Division using ARPA funds.

Unlike festivals or large public events, funded projects should be small scale, place-based, and deeply rooted in local context. Projects may be temporary, experimental, or pilot initiatives that test new ways of engaging neighbors and community members through the arts.

This program prioritizes projects that are accessible, community driven, and led by those who live, work, or create in Worcester neighborhoods.

Grant Amount

Awards of up to $5,000 per project. Applicants should request only what is necessary to successfully carry out the proposed activity.

Projects must:

• Be free and open to the public.
• Take place in Worcester neighborhoods.
• Demonstrate meaningful community engagement.
• Be achievable within the grant period.

The CORE Funding: AHNS/AAO-HNSF Translational Innovator Award supports innovative research in head and neck neoplastic diseases with a grant of $100,000 over two years. Eligible applicants include full-time academic head and neck surgeons, who must demonstrate a commitment to developing independent research careers. The award encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to yield significant findings within the funding period, fostering long-term research potential and attracting further funding opportunities.

CFNF: Arts Nonprofit Grant

The Community Foundation of North Florida is offering a non-recurring Arts Grant Cycle to support eligible nonprofit arts organizations across the Big Bend region.

The Community Foundation of North Florida (CFNF) recognizes the essential role nonprofit arts organizations play in strengthening the cultural and civic life of the Big Bend region. Through artistic expression, education, and engagement, arts organizations contribute to community vitality and quality of life.

The Big Bend region is home to a diverse network of 501(c)(3) arts organizations that serve as cultural assets for their communities. Sustaining this sector requires investments to support organizational stability and continued public interest.

In alignment with our mission to enhance the quality of life through charitable giving, CFNF offers this non-recurring Arts Grant Cycle to support eligible nonprofit arts organizations across the Big Bend region. The purpose of these grants is to strengthen organizational capacity, advance artistic programming, and expand community access to the arts.

Five grants of $6,000 will be awarded to organizations serving Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.

The Artist Support Grants program, funded by the N.C. Arts Council, aims to empower professional artists in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties. It provides funding for diverse projects including the creation of new work, equipment purchases, and professional development. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000, with projects required to be completed by December 31, 2026. This initiative fosters artistic growth and community engagement.

The PLTW Computer Science Program Expansion, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance access to STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants will fund the implementation or expansion of PLTW programs in under-resourced schools, covering costs like participation fees and required equipment. Eligibility includes public and charter schools focused on high-need populations. This initiative fosters educational equity and innovation in technology and programming for future generations.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance access to innovative STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are offered to assist under-resourced schools in implementing or expanding PLTW programs. Eligible schools must offer at least one PLTW Computer Science course and complete grant reporting. The initiative particularly favors schools serving high-need student populations, ensuring equitable educational opportunities.