Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

The Wyoming Arts Council's Arts Access Project Grant aims to enhance access to the arts for under-served communities, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, and economically disadvantaged groups. With a funding limit of $1,000, the grant supports collaborative projects that foster community engagement and artistic expression. Organizations eligible for this grant include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies, emphasizing the importance of the arts in community development and cultural vitality across Wyoming.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.

ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.

Munising Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Unendowed FundGiven to an Alger County graduate who has completed one full year (2 semesters) in the medical field. Students may receive scholarships twice, providing college transcripts.

The Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence, funded by the American Academy of Periodontology, offers a $10,000 scholarship to outstanding third-year students enrolled in accredited U.S. periodontal graduate programs. Selection is based on academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership, and community involvement. Finalists must present their application research at the AAP Annual Meeting. This prestigious award aims to encourage excellence in periodontics through support and recognition of dedicated students.

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 Educators Professional Development Scholarship, established by the Homer Foundation, supports local public school educators seeking to enhance their skills and obtain continuing education credits. Eligible educators can use funds for class tuition, professional development supplies, transportation, and guest speakers. This initiative aims to empower educators within the community, ensuring they have access to essential resources for their professional growth.

The Charles W. Finley Visiting Scholar Education Grants, established by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, honor Dr. Finley's legacy by providing $2,000 grants to accredited U.S. periodontal programs. These funds support honoraria, travel, and seminars featuring prominent speakers in periodontology, requiring matching funds from the institutions. The grant also mandates a formal presentation to the entire dental school, fostering educational opportunities for students and faculty alike.

About Us

Since its founding in 1875, the Akron Bar Association has served as the primary guardian of the Summit County legal system. Through education, advocacy and community service, the Akron Bar empowers its members to reflect the highest professional standards, enabling them to earn the community’s utmost respect so our legal system will be recognized as fair, accessible and just.

Mission Statement

The Akron Bar Association, through education, advocacy and community service, empowers its members to reflect the highest professional standards, enabling them to earn the community’s utmost respect so our legal system will be recognized as fair, accessible and just.

Vision Statement

The Akron Bar Association will be recognized as the voice of the legal community to promote the highest respect for the law and justice system, thereby creating a thriving democracy.

Grants

The Akron Bar Foundation (Foundation) welcomes grant requests from 501(C)(3) nonprofit organizations to fund law-related programs or projects that serve the communities of Summit County, Ohio.

The American Association for Anatomy offers the Outstanding Mentor Award to recognize individuals committed to mentoring in anatomical sciences. This award acknowledges mentors who inspire intellectual growth and provide professional guidance to their mentees. Eligible nominees must have at least ten years post-degree experience and be active members of the association. Award recipients receive a $1,000 honorarium and an additional $1,000 for travel to the Annual Meeting to accept their award.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Open Door Fund, established by the Community Foundation Boulder County, supports LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Boulder County. With over $2M raised since 1996, the fund addresses challenges like discrimination and mental health struggles within the community. It aims to empower LGBTQ+ people, foster collaboration, and provide support to organizations that serve this community. By promoting inclusivity, the fund strives to enhance the lives of individuals facing systemic challenges.

The Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship, established in 2007, supports writers from all backgrounds in crafting biographies. It offers four resident fellowships and a Sloan fellowship for biographies in science, with a stipend of $72,000. Fellows gain writing space at CUNY Graduate Center, access to research facilities, and opportunities to engage in seminars and public events. This fellowship encourages both emerging and established writers to contribute to the vibrant biography community.

The Career-Focused Vocational Education (CFVE) Scholarship Program supports Bristol Bay Native Corporation shareholders and their descendants in pursuing vocational training for careers such as piloting, maritime, and cosmetology. This initiative emphasizes cultural heritage and aims to enhance long-term employment opportunities in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. Eligible applicants must have a high school diploma and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 while enrolled in an approved program.

The Leon Levy Center for Biography offers the Sloan Fellowship, which supports the writing of biographies about figures from science or technology. Established in 2007, the Center fosters excellence in biography through events, lectures, and funding for outstanding research. The fellowship provides a stipend of $72,000, access to research facilities, and opportunities for mentorship. Writers of all nationalities, including first-time biographers, are encouraged to apply, although memoirs and fictional works are not eligible.

The 2027 Continuing Education Grant is made possible by funding from the Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  This grant aligns with Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives' (KDLA) five-year strategic plan to enhance Institutional Capacity to “enhance the knowledge and skills of public library and archival staff through professional development and training opportunities. This grant will only cover conferences taking place between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.  The goal is to provide essential funding to Kentucky's public libraries, enabling them to expand and enhance their staff’s learning opportunities.

Awards shall be disbursed as follows-

• $5000 large libraries (40+ full-time staff)
• $4000 medium libraries (15 – 39 full-time staff)
• $3000 small libraries (6 – 14 full-time staff)
• $2000 very small libraries (1 – 5 full-time staff)

The Department of Natural Resources

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources leads the state toward a resilient future by using data, partnerships, and an innovative spirit to improve ecological, social, and economic outcomes for all communities.

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) is a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to enhance recreation opportunities in rural and urban communities. ORLP’s funding helps communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors.

Recreation is core to the American experience. ORLP is making recreation attainable for more Americans funding an array of projects from sports fields and playgrounds to walking trails, and community gardens. Land acquisition, site development, or renovation of existing facilities are all possible ORLP projects. Projects are locally led and designed to meet pressing community needs.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) provides 50/50 matching grants for park projects in urban areas with a population of 25,000 or more, with a preference for projects in low-income communities. You can us​e this map to determine if your park is in an eligible location. The minimum grant amount is $300,000 ($600,000 project) and the maximum grant amount is $15,000,000 ($30,000,000 project​​). 

About

Our Mission:

To acquire, manage, and distribute funds to enhance the lives of youth in the Martin County area.

The Martin County Youth Foundation (MCYF) is a permanent community endowment dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of area youth. Formerly known as the Fairmont Area Youth Foundation, MCYF was established in 2000 by a group of active citizens concerned about the area’s future.

The name was changed to Martin County Youth Foundation in 2005 to better reflect the area served. Today, MCYF exclusively supports youth-oriented programs of nonprofit organizations, schools and units of government.

The MCYF advisory board is responsible for reinvesting the endowment’s earnings into the community. MCYF offers flexible giving options that allow individual and corporate donors to support area youth now and far into the future.

Community Parks and Playgrounds Program

Maryland's Community Parks and Playgrounds Program invests in the future of established communities by developing and revitalizing parks and playgrounds statewide. With the support of the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly, a total of $102.4 million has been approved so far for 934 parks and playground projects for our communities across Maryland.

The Governor's Fiscal Year 2027​ budget includes $5 million to fund 26​ ​new parks and playgrounds projects. The projects will be presented to the Board of Public Works for final approval.​

New Parks & New Life for Old Parks!​

The Community Parks and Playground Program provides funding to allow the State to focus on restoring existing and creating new park and green space systems in Maryland's cities and towns. The Community Parks and Playgrounds Program will provide flexible grants to local governments to respond to the unmet need for assistance to rehabilitate, expand or improve existing parks, create new parks, develop environmentally oriented parks and recreation projects, or purchase and install playground equipment in older neighborhoods and intensely developed areas throughout the state.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is offering funding through the Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund to eligible not-for-profit shelters and humane societies. This grant supports capital projects that enhance the health and care of sheltered dogs and cats, such as construction, renovation, or expansion of facilities. Organizations can apply for funding for specific components of larger projects, ensuring better containment and welfare of animals.

The Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund, managed by the RRCA, offers financial support to running clubs, schools, and nonprofits that promote inclusive youth running programs. Since 2007, the fund has awarded over $385,000 to 495+ programs, helping more than 198,500 children embrace running. Grants between $500 and $1,000 are available for structured, gender-inclusive programs that meet specific criteria, encouraging healthy lifestyles and regular participation in running activities.

The Arts Alive! Individual Artist Grants, offered by the Weld Community Foundation, support emerging artists in Weld County, enabling them to advance their artistic careers. This initiative encourages projects that enhance cultural experiences and access to the arts in the community. Applicants must be legal residents of Weld County and at least 18 years old, having resided there for a minimum of 12 months. Note that travel expenses are typically not funded.

The Bristol Bay Foundation offers a Higher Education Scholarship Program supporting both full-time and part-time students pursuing 4-year or advanced degrees. Eligible applicants must be shareholders of the BBNC or their descendants, have a high school diploma or GED, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Scholarships are based on academic performance and life experiences, with applications due in April for the next academic year.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries offers the E-Rate & Broadband Grant Program, which helps public libraries cover internet service costs. Libraries can receive significant discounts on eligible services through the E-rate program, with state reimbursements available for the remaining costs. Timely submission of invoices is crucial for eligibility. This funding opportunity is vital for enhancing digital access in Idaho's libraries, ensuring they can provide essential online resources to their communities.

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation offers Capital Grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Worcester, MA area, focusing on building construction or improvements. These grants support sustainable solutions to local challenges, particularly for programs benefiting girls aged 10-14. Applications are considered annually, with funding typically spread over three years. Emphasizing arts, culture, education, and social services, the Foundation prioritizes projects near Worcester City, aiming to enhance community self-reliance.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries offers Continuing Education Grants aimed at enhancing the skills of library staff in Idaho. These grants, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act, support various educational activities including First-time Conference Attendance, Library Science Courses, Leadership Development, and Group Training. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least 30 days before their event. This initiative helps libraries better serve their communities.

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development works to encourage strong civic engagement through INFRASTRUCTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, COMPLIANCE, and RESILIENCY. WV CAD administers state and federal programs designed to improve the quality of life in West Virginia.

Weatherization Assistance Program

What is Weatherization?

The West Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded program that helps to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons or to provide such persons renewable energy systems or technologies, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high energy burden. The full scope of the WV Weatherization Assistance Program can be read in the current State Plan. 

The State of West Virginia does not provide direct assistance to households. The State awards program funds to local non-profit Community Action Agencies that provide Weatherization services in all 55 counties of West Virginia. To see who provides Weatherization in your county, check out our resource map here.

The SMAC Artist Growth Grants support artists at any career stage in the SW MN region, promoting artistic development and audience expansion. Grants of up to $4,000 cover costs such as supplies, mentorship, workshops, and studio rentals. Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of the area, at least 18 years old, and may have only one pending application at a time. Ineligible projects include those lacking an art focus or tied to for-profit activities.

The Youth Philanthropy Committee Grants, offered by the Hamilton Community Foundation, empower local teens to engage in philanthropy by making funding decisions. Comprising 20 students from various high schools, this initiative has been impactful for 15 years, awarding around $50,000 annually to support youth programs in the Hamilton area. The committee focuses on organizations that serve youth and emphasizes the importance of civic leadership and community involvement.