Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Genetics Society offers the Heredity Fieldwork Grant, providing up to £2,000 for travel and accommodation costs associated with field-based genetic research in the UK. Open to all Genetics Society members, including students, this grant supports projects expected to yield results suitable for publication in the Society's journal, Heredity. The Society promotes equality and diversity, welcoming applications from all community sectors. This initiative aims to advance genetic research while ensuring accessibility for all qualified applicants.

The Genetics Society offers Junior Scientist Conference Grants to support PhD students and postdoctoral members in attending genetics conferences. Established in 1919, the Society promotes genetic research and understanding. Grants cover travel, accommodation, and registration costs for eligible members. The program includes three streams: participation in Genetics Society events, non-Society meetings, and virtual conferences. A focus on presenting research through posters or talks is essential, ensuring members contribute to the field's advancement.

The Peyton Anderson Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing healthcare in Central Georgia, specifically Macon-Bibb County. The foundation prioritizes projects that improve health access and outcomes, support infrastructure development, and promote sustainability. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant and demonstrate measurable, lasting results. Collaboration with other nonprofits is encouraged. The foundation's aim is to ensure quality healthcare access locally, reflecting Mr. Anderson's commitment to reinvesting in the community.

The Baskin Family Foundation Grant supports innovative organizations that focus on education and social justice. Established by Samuel and Hadassah Baskin, Sheldon Baskin, and Judy Wise, this grant aims to empower 501(c)(3) organizations to create meaningful change in their communities. By promoting forward-thinking initiatives, the foundation strives to enhance the lives of those it serves and foster equality in access to education.

About

The Safety Grant Program awards matching funds up to $10,000 to qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury and illness to their workers.

Project conditions

To qualify, the project must be supported by all public entities involved and comply with federal, state and local regulations where applicable.

Costs eligible for program participation are all or part of the cost of:

• purchasing and installing recommended safety or health equipment; training for purchased equipment;
• tuition reimbursement; the cost of operating or maintaining safety or health equipment; and
• purchasing or renting real property, if necessary, to meet criteria established by the on-site safety and health survey.
• The costs of automobiles, weapons or personnel (such as salary and benefits) will not be covered by these grants.

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Mission Statement: The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) ensures safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible utility services and equitable access to telecommunications and broadband services.

State Broadband Expansion Grants

The purpose of the Broadband Expansion Grant (BBEG) Program is to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability in unserved areas of the state. This state program was established in 2014 and follows statutory requirements set forth in Wis. Stat. § 196.504.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a clear and achievable plan to improve broadband communications services in one or more unserved areas in the state.

The Smiles for Kids Grant Program, funded by the Delta Dental Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in North Carolina by providing grants focused on children's oral health education initiatives, particularly in underserved areas. Since 2010, over $510,000 has been awarded, benefiting more than 330,000 children and their families. Grants are capped at $5,000 and are limited to one proposal per organization annually, ensuring targeted support for meritorious programs.

Resilient Florida Grants

The Resilient Florida Program includes a selection of grants that are available to counties, municipalities, water management districts, flood control districts and regional resilience entities. To effectively address the impacts of flooding and sea level rise that the state faces, eligible applicants may receive funding assistance to analyze and plan for vulnerabilities, as well as implement projects for adaptation and mitigation. 

The Arts Learning Grants program, offered by the Oregon Arts Commission, supports innovative projects that enhance K-12 arts education. It aims to create responsive learning opportunities, promote collaboration between artists and educators, and positively influence student achievement and attitudes. Priority funding is directed towards initiatives that serve rural and Title 1 schools, ensuring equitable access to quality arts education and fostering a vibrant cultural community.

The Bigglesworth Family Foundation's Legal Services Program supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing legal aid effectiveness. Originating post-2008 financial crisis, this initiative helps non-profits combat poverty through legal assistance, targeting both individual organizations and the broader sector. Grants include I&R projects for testing new models and sector support for organizations providing technical assistance. Eligibility is primarily for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities, with specific limitations on budget sizes and project types.

L3Harris Technologies is collaborating with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to expand STEM education for PreK-12 students. This initiative aims to inspire young learners through enhanced PLTW programs starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible schools, including public and charter institutions in specified counties, can receive grants of $5,000 to support program expansion. The focus is on providing resources for new modules, teacher training, and ensuring access for diverse and economically challenged communities.

PennDOT Behavioral Highway Safety Grants

PennDOT’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Unit offers traffic safety grants to support local communities and organizations working to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer. Eligible applicants include local governments, universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania state related universities, and nonprofit organizations.

These grants are funded through federal programs administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under 23 U.S.C. §402 and §405. Funding follows the federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30.

Grant opportunities focus on proven, data driven strategies that address the most urgent traffic safety challenges across the Commonwealth. Available funds are allocated using formulas based on crash data to ensure resources are directed where they can make the greatest impact.

Community Traffic Safety Project (CTSP)

Traffic safety educational outreach programs to schools and communities targeting local safety issues identified through data analysis. Provide support towards national and statewide enforcement mobilizations and other programs. Applicants for these grants must be a PA county government.

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund, supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, aims to enhance the capabilities of preservation organizations through mentoring and organizational development. Grants cover travel and mentor honoraria, fostering collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, prioritizing those who previously applied but did not receive funding. Eligible applicants include Forum members and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on innovative ideas for mentorship opportunities.

The Historic Preservation Education Grant, offered by Indiana Humanities, aims to educate citizens about the importance of preserving historic places in their communities. The grant funds various educational formats, including workshops, presentations, and digital projects like webinars and online exhibits. In 2025, Indiana Humanities plans to award nine or ten grants, encouraging projects that foster community engagement and raise awareness of historic preservation's value.

The 4Culture Landmarks Capital Grants program supports the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes in King County. By funding projects that enhance community visibility, accessibility, and economic impact, this program fosters a stronger regional identity. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, and local governments owning designated historic properties. Grants of up to $30,000 can be used for restoration efforts, emphasizing sustainable practices and public benefit. Projects addressing urgent preservation needs are prioritized, particularly from historically marginalized communities.

The NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) grant aims to facilitate high-quality conferences that align with public health and scientific missions. Key deadlines include December 12, 2024, April 12, 2025, and August 12, 2025, among others, specifically for AIDS-related applications. This funding opportunity is provided by the US Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Pilot Project Grant at Western Washington University aims to initiate innovative research and creative endeavors. With funding up to $5,000, it supports diverse activities such as proof-of-principle projects, planning meetings, and data gathering for new collaborations. Open to all non-student employees, the program encourages exploration beyond traditional research boundaries. However, it does not fund fixed-term activities or ongoing projects. This initiative is designed to foster long-term, impactful scholarly work within the university.

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Company supports local communities through employee-driven grantmaking. Focusing primarily on Health & Human Services, the Colorado Chapter provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to nonprofits addressing vital community needs. With a commitment to positive change, Boeing empowers its employees to enhance their communities, ensuring sustainable growth and support for local organizations. This initiative exemplifies Boeing's dedication to corporate social responsibility and community involvement.

State Library of Oregon

Provides specialized information services to state government employees and the public and maintains several collections including Federal and Oregon documents.

LSTA Grants: Strong Libraries Mini Grant

The State Library is offering small grants to strengthen libraries in Oregon and enable them to more fully support their communities. Projects must address one or more of the following focal areas:

Collections: Make Reading Relevant to Your Community

• Enhance a nonfiction collection with recent titles or a specialty section (ex: travel).
• Engage reluctant readers with manga and/or graphic novels.
• Acquire books by Oregon authors and/or Tribal Nations.
• Purchase Spanish-language or bilingual materials.
• Complete incomplete series or add additional copies of popular titles.

Community: Get Involved in Your Local Area

• Bring services out of the building and into the community (ex: pop-up library, lending collection in laundromat, booth at farmers’ market).
• Perform outreach to communities that are underserved.
• Collaborate with local organizations to host public events or classes on topics of interest to the community (ex: civics workshops, language learning, seed exchange).
• Host or participate in a cultural festival.

Economy: Help Foster a Prosperous Community

• Collaborate with local organizations (such as WorkSource, OSU Extension Service, small businesses, community financial or entrepreneur groups, or chambers of commerce) to host public programs or training.
• Curate a set of resources that support Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at local high schools or community colleges.
• Host and/or participate in a local job fair.
• Add products to a makerspace that support local business needs.
• Establish a work area for job seekers, remote workers, and/or small business owners.

Staff: Encourage Growth and Engagement

• Organize a learning opportunity for staff.
• Coordinate staff visits to other area libraries and/or community organizations.
• Conduct a workforce analysis and create a plan for implementing improvements.
• Bring in a facilitator to host activities that build staff morale.
• Pilot a mentoring or peer-to-peer training program.

Technology: Support Digital Access and Skills Training

• Lend devices to eliminate barriers to technology.
• Update public and/or staff computer workstations.
• Acquire assistive technology that enhances access for individuals with disabilities.
• Collaborate with a local organization to host computer skills training workshops.

There can only be one application per organization (meaning, one application per public school district, per university or college, per public library, etc.).

Spending must adhere to Allowable Costs.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliance is required for public libraries and K-12 school libraries using funds for devices that access the Internet and/or for costs associated with accessing the Internet.

Entities may include indirect costs in the budget, as outlined in 2 CFR 200.414.

The Geraldine Hicks Grant honors Geraldine Virginia Hicks, a devoted parishioner of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church committed to Christian charitable endeavors. This grant emphasizes funding for youth initiatives, with applications capped at $5,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches, and organizations with Christian missions, focusing primarily on the Bartlesville area. The grant aims to support programs that positively impact local youth and enhance community well-being.

The Child Health Research Awards Program, funded by the Charles H. Hood Foundation, aims to support young investigators in pediatric research. It provides two-year grants of $200,000 to newly independent faculty, encouraging creativity and the transition to other funding sources. This initiative is pivotal in advancing children's health by fostering innovative research projects in New England, ultimately enhancing the well-being of children and families through early career support and funding opportunities.

Ohio History Connection

The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, is a statewide history organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered in 1885, the Ohio History Connection carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the State Historic Preservation Office, the official state archives and the Community Engagement Department and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio.

Certified Local Government Grant

Funding for grants to Certified Local Governments (CLG) comes from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Historic Preservation Fund (CFDA 15.904), administered by the National Park Service, which provides financial support to State Historic Preservation Offices. Under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act, 10% of the annual appropriation to Ohio is set aside for CLG grants. Ohio's CLG grants are awarded on a 60%/40% matching basis except for projects that qualify as Funding Priorities; for these projects, the grant can cover up to 100% of the project cost. For other projects, the grant amount covers up to 60% of the total project cost with the grant recipient providing the balance. The grant recipient match can be made through any combination of cash, in-kind and donated services and materials. With the exception of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, federal funds cannot be used to meet the matching share requirements of CLG grants.

Funding Priorities

The matching fund requirement is waived if your project meets one of our Funding Priorities. These change every year, and represent specific goals outlined in the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. If your project addresses one of these priorities the grant can cover 100% of your project costs. SHPO encourages applicants to contact our office with questions about qualifying for a Funding Priority. Examples of past funding priorities include:

• Projects to survey, nominate, or rehabilitate resources of the recent past, as defined in Ohio Modern: Preserving Our Recent Past / Statewide Historic Context, such as mid-20th century properties or properties reflecting mid-century themes such as civil rights.

• Projects that update National Register-listed historic district nominations with expanded periods of significance and/or boundary amendments. In-state historic preservation-related training for CLG commission and related bodies, design guidelines, or community-based preservation plan or plan components.

• Projects to survey, nominate or rehabilitate properties pertaining to the heritage of under-represented groups as defined in titled Reconciliation, Recovery and Resilience: A Historic Preservation Plan for Ohioans, 2023-2030, Goal 4. This can include ethnic minorities, women, and other regional, socioeconomic and ethnic groups.

The Student Assembly at the United States Air Force Academy, occurring from April 9-11, 2025, is a premier undergraduate national security conference. With the theme 'The Great Power Competition,' it will gather Harvard undergraduates to engage in insightful discussions with experts on pivotal global issues. Hosted by the Weatherhead Center, the event covers fees and transportation, offering a unique opportunity to interact with cadets and distinguished speakers. For more details, visit the USAFA Assembly website.

The Arts ADA Accessibility Reimbursement Grants, offered by the Oregon Arts Commission, aim to enhance accessibility in arts organizations for individuals of all abilities. This program supports funding for specific accessibility-related expenses and ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Organizations must operate as nonprofits and prioritize arts programming as their main mission. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in the arts community.

The Gerber Foundation offers the Career-Tech Scholarship for students graduating from Newaygo County Career-Technical Center. The scholarship aims to support students in pursuing education beyond high school, whether in traditional colleges, universities, or trade schools. Applicants must be seniors at the time of application. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life for young children and their families, focusing on essential areas such as health, nutrition, and educational development.

The Wyoming Arts Council offers Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants to foster in-person, hands-on instruction of traditional skills in Wyoming. These grants aim to connect master artists with apprentices to enhance their skills in cultural art forms. The initiative, launched in 2005, is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and encourages applicants to commit to preserving endangered traditions. Projects must last a minimum of six months and involve collaboration between selected artists.

State Board Programming Regrants (SBPG)

The Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) is pleased to provide a grant opportunity for improving the preservation of and access to Tennessee’s historical records, educate and train records custodians, and support archival program development and enhancement.

The grants will be available up to $5,000 per institution and are available to any government entity or not-for-profit organization that holds permanent, historically valuable archival collections. There is no match requirement,

Grant funds are available for the following:

Technology

• This category provides funding for hardware, software, peripherals, and other technology items used to create online digital collections.
• Items requested may not exceed $5,000.

Training

• This category provides funding for registration costs for webinars or workshops related to conservation, digitization, and digital project planning for archivists and museum personnel.

Contracted Services

• This category provides funding to hire a vendor or independent contractor for the purpose of digitization or conservation services.
• You must include a quote for these services from a specific vendor as part of your application.

Contract/Part-Time Archivist

• This category provides funding to hire a contract or part-time archivist for the duration of the grant period to scan documents and create corresponding metadata.
• This person cannot already be employed by or paid by your organization. This cannot be supplemental to an existing salary or hourly employee.

Supplies

• This category provides funding for archival shelving units, acid-free, lignin-free folders and boxes, and other necessary archival supplies or environmental monitoring devices.