Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

Seeding Research, Networking, and Capacity Building at Minority-Serving Institutions

Introduction & Purpose

RWJF is committed to ensuring everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. To achieve this goal, we support research that examines the historical and systemic factors that cause health inequities. Some of those determinants are poverty, discrimination, and limited access to quality education, housing, safe environments, and healthcare. As attacks on data and academic freedom and ongoing funding cuts to federal health equity research and programs continue, philanthropy’s work to achieve fair and equitable health, including a more equitable research funding ecosystem, is more important than ever. While philanthropic support for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) has increased in recent years, there is more to be done to rectify historical disparities in funding. 

This call for proposals (CFP) provides support to health equity research centers at MSIs to strengthen research infrastructure and capacity-building. Capacity-building will help develop staff, skills, culture, resources, and systems that enable research to happen effectively. Specific work that RWJF may fund under this CFP includes specific skill or methodology training; faculty release time; support for research assistants, advisors, and project staffing; mentoring, professional development and collaboration, and more.

Through this CFP, RWJF will expand its efforts to transform deeply rooted beliefs about which data and research methods are valued, whose perspectives are prioritized, and which populations deserve resources. By supporting the infrastructure and capacity-building needs of MSIs, this opportunity strengthens their ability to generate critical evidence and to cultivate transformative, actionable solutions toward health equity. 

RWJF believes in health equity research that is grounded in systems thinking; supports and disseminates evidence identifying and implementing structural solutions to racial and health inequities. This CFP seeks mission-aligned institutions to participate in cohort-style peer learning to advance their ability to engage in health equity research and apply for competitive funding opportunities in the future.

Although no single philanthropy can fill the gap left by federal funding cuts, this CFP demonstrates strong support for research, historically underrepresented researchers, and research centers that are positioned to pave the way toward a future where health is not a privilege, but a right.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants by the Plastic Surgery Foundation and ACAPS aim to fund innovative pilot research projects in academic plastic surgery, focusing on education and global health. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for one-year projects. Applicants must hold a relevant degree, be affiliated with a U.S. or Canadian institution, and have ties to ACAPS. This initiative encourages pioneering research that addresses significant questions in the field, promoting the development of surgeon scientists.

The Dr. and Mrs. W.C. Culp Student Research Grant supports medical students conducting summer research projects in interventional radiology. With funding of up to $6,000, the grant aims to inspire innovative research ideas and foster advancements in patient care. Eligible applicants include undergraduates and medical students in MD, DO, or PhD programs, including DACA recipients. A designated project advisor is required to guide the student throughout the research process.

About the Emporia Community Foundation

Our Mission

To connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities within the Emporia area which includes Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

Pink Gravel Fund

The purpose of the Pink Gravel Fund is to provide funds to qualified individuals to cover expenses related to the treatment and recovery of breast cancer. 

The Empowering Students Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, provides $5,000 to six promising audiology students. This initiative, supported by the Oticon Hearing Foundation, aims to enhance diversity by designating up to $20,000 for Black students. Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good standing at a U.S. university. The scholarship emphasizes professional development, education, and research in audiology, contributing to the advancement of hearing and balance health care.

The Jerry Northern Scholarship in Pediatric Audiology, funded by the American Academy of Audiology, offers $10,000 scholarships and $500 for travel expenses to three full-time graduate students pursuing audiology programs. To qualify, applicants must be in good standing, have completed a pediatric audiology course, and be in their second academic year. This initiative celebrates Dr. Jerry Northern's commitment to advancing pediatric audiology and supports students in their professional development.

Elias Eade Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship was created in honor and memory of Elias Eade Jr. by his children. Elias Eade Jr. was a lifetime resident of Olean who faithfully served God, his country, his family and the Olean community. Mr. Eade was a graduate of Olean High School and St. Bonaventure University and a member of the Olean business community for many years. Mr. Eade was an entrepreneur, leader and a man of great strength and integrity with an unprecedented work ethic. Candidates must be a graduating senior of a high school in Cattaraugus County with good academic standing and leadership skills and who plan to continue their education at a trade school or 2- or 4-year college or university. Candidates must answer an essay prompt of their choice from the three prompts provided by the fund advisors.

The Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology, provides $500 to a minority or international graduate student in audiology who demonstrates exceptional research potential. This scholarship honors Dr. Sadanand Singh, a dedicated educator and advocate for audiology, who passed away in 2010. Eligible candidates must be full-time students in good standing at a U.S. university, showcasing their promise through a resume, rubric, and personal statement.

The Supporting Outdoor Programming RFP invites projects aimed at enhancing equitable access to outdoor programming in Philadelphia and Camden. It recognizes the importance of nature for health and well-being while addressing barriers like safety and lack of engaging spaces. Organizations are encouraged to propose innovative solutions that foster community connection and joy through outdoor activities. This initiative by the William Penn Foundation seeks to uplift communities by activating parks, trails, and water resources for all.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, promotes excellence in journalism education by awarding scholarships to outstanding students. With up to $700,000 in awards, the program includes various competitions in writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia. Open to undergraduate journalism majors and minors from ACEJMC-accredited institutions, it encourages participation in campus media and recognizes exceptional work published while enrolled. The Hearst Foundation has a rich history of supporting educational initiatives.

The Howard Fellowships, administered by the George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation, support early mid-career artists and scholars with $40,000 awards for independent projects in selected fields. This unrestricted, non-residency fellowship encourages significant creative development and public visibility through exhibitions or publications. Applicants should demonstrate a promising program of work and must currently reside in the U.S. or its territories. Ten fellowships are awarded annually, promoting artistic and intellectual advancement.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

Kenneth E. & Mary Lou Dunbar Scholarship to Honor Perry & Dunbar Employees

Amount:

• $1,500 | 1 scholarship

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are NOT covered.

The EdTA Thespian Growth & Excellence Grants support theatre programs by providing financial assistance for troupe expenses, including travel to professional productions and participation in state conferences. Founded by the Educational Theatre Foundation, these grants aim to enhance educational theatre access and representation. By the end of 2024, 349 grants totaling over $286,000 will have been awarded, benefiting schools with Title 1 designations and empowering students and educators in their creative pursuits.

Community Foundation: Central Blue Ridge

Proudly serving the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Nelson in Virginia.

Our Mission

To enrich the quality of life by responding to needs and inspiring philanthropy in our community.

Scholarships

Our 2026 Scholarship Program will disburse over $300,000 this year!

Our scholarships support students of all ages (high school seniors, current college students, and adults returning to school) residing in Staunton, Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Nelson. 

Only one application is required to be considered for the majority of Community Foundation scholarships.

Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship

The Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship was established in 2025 by the Ravenhill Charitable Foundation.

Description

The Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors from Augusta County who are pursuing degrees in Medical/Health Sciences fields or Accounting.

The National Scleroderma Foundation supports pediatric scleroderma research with up to $500,000 in funding for new and established investigators. Their mission focuses on advancing medical research and promoting awareness of scleroderma, with the vision of improving the lives of those affected. This initiative aims to encourage innovative research that could lead to better treatments and a potential cure for pediatric scleroderma, enhancing support for affected families.

Blue Meridian Partners Grant aims to transform lives of young people and families in poverty by investing in scalable strategies that enhance economic and social mobility. The organization seeks stand-alone nonprofits with a proven track record, a compelling vision, and strong leadership. With a commitment to performance-based investing, Blue Meridian provides significant capital, often exceeding $100 million, to foster impactful solutions and address pressing social challenges effectively.

The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program addresses childhood food insecurity by partnering with schools to establish or support food pantries. More than 9 million children in the U.S. face hunger, and this initiative ensures students from pre-K through college have access to meals, so they can focus on their education rather than their hunger. Currently, new applications are not accepted from schools in Boston or NYC boroughs due to capacity issues.

WalkWorks Community Capacity-Building Pre-Planning Assistance Program

The Department of Health is working to increase equity and ensure that communities most in need are able to pursue WalkWorks planning funds.

WalkWorks is pleased to announce its fourth round of technical assistance to support low-capacity, high-interest municipalities with the pre-planning steps they must undertake to be ready to apply for funding to develop Active Transportation Plans. 

Purpose of Program

Creating healthier places for all is the basis for the program’s technical assistance support. Preparing communities to invest in pedestrian-, bicycle-, ADA accessibility-, and public transportation-supportive plans and facilities will in turn create opportunities for people to engage in physical activity as they travel to everyday destinations. Physical activity helps to maintain a healthy weight and reduces risk for many chronic diseases. The prevalence of obesity and overweight for both adults and children has reached epidemic proportions throughout the nation, as well as in Pennsylvania. In addition, many people suffering from anxiety, depression, and mood swings find walking has a calming effect on mood. The Pennsylvania State Health Improvement Planiii (SHIP) identifies a goal to increase the population at a healthy weight through increasing availability and accessibility of physical activity.

The Pillars Artist Fellowship, launched in 2021 by Pillars Fund in collaboration with Riz Ahmed’s Left Handed Films, aims to empower emerging screenwriters and directors from Muslim communities. With a focus on authentic storytelling, the fellowship provides recipients with a $40,000 unrestricted award, mentorship, professional workshops, and industry connections. This initiative seeks to enhance representation in film and television, fostering narratives that challenge stereotypes and reflect the rich experiences of these artists.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

For EdTA Members

Production Grants are offered in collaboration with the rights holders for specific plays and musicals or for initiative-based productions that build community.

Production Grants

Show-specific financial assistance for educational theatre programs

Disney on Broadway: School of Excellence Grant

In collaboration with the Educational Theatre Foundation and Music Theatre International, Disney Theatrical Group will award complimentary licenses of select Disney musicals to middle and high schools throughout the United States to be performed each school year.

This nationwide program celebrates schools that display both outstanding artistic achievement and student-led engagement in theatrical disciplines such as stagecraft, theatrical design, choreography, direction, or performance. Together, these schools will honor the timeless magic of Disney musicals on stage and represent the future of theatrical storytelling for the next generation.

The Graduate Student Scholarship: Student With a Disability Scholarship, offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports graduate students with disabilities pursuing degrees in communication sciences and disorders. Eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited program. This scholarship aims to foster academic achievement and provide financial assistance for educational expenses. Applicants may also consider additional scholarship categories but can only receive one award. Up to 15 scholarships of $5,000 are available.

Adult Treatment Court Program

Overview

The Department of Justice began supporting treatment courts over 25 years ago. Through the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Congress first authorized the Attorney General to make grants to states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribal government to establish treatment courts. In 1995, the Office of Justice Programs established the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, occurring just 6 years after the implementation of the nation’s first treatment court in Miami, Florida. This work was merged into the Bureau of Justice Assistance in 2003.

The Adult Treatment Court Program supports state, local, and tribal efforts to plan, implement, and enhance the operations of adult treatment courts, including tribal healing to wellness courts. Adult treatment court programs are a tool for criminal court partners and the judiciary to facilitate coordinated approaches that address the needs of nonviolent individuals involved in the justice system who have substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health needs.

These courts effectively integrate evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, random drug testing, equitable sanctions and incentives, and recovery support services in judicially supervised court settings to reduce recidivism and substance use and misuse, as well as prevent overdoses. These initiatives can incorporate cultural elements and approaches.

Category 1: Planning and Implementation (Anticipated Award Amount: $950,000)

Planning and Implementation grants are available to eligible jurisdictions ready to commit to a 6-month planning phase followed by an implementation and/or launch of an ATC that supports core capacity and provides critical behavioral health treatment, case management and coordinated judicial supervision, sanctions and incentives, and other supportive services, such as transitional housing, peer recovery services, relapse prevention and employment services, that can reduce recidivism.

The We Raise Foundation's Emerging Leader Grant supports individuals aged 20-35 at Christian organizations developing innovative programs addressing poverty, violence, and inequality. With a total of $15,000 over two years, the grant allocates $10,000 for program support and $5,000 for leadership development, including coaching and conferences. This initiative aims to foster impactful leaders who inspire, communicate effectively, and engage deeply with their communities, ultimately creating lasting change.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, awarded by The J.M. Kaplan Fund, supports early-stage social innovators tackling critical issues in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. With up to $175,000 in funding and tailored support over three years, it empowers organizations to pilot transformative solutions. The Prize fosters collaboration among awardees, providing resources and mentorship to enhance their impact. Open to both non-profit and mission-driven for-profit entities, it addresses the funding gap for innovative, high-potential projects.

The Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP) aims to support low-income tenants facing eviction by offering competitive awards to around 16 nonprofit organizations and government entities. These grants will fund no-cost legal assistance, covering pretrial, trial, post-trial, and alternative dispute resolution services. The initiative, backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is designed to ensure that vulnerable tenants have access to essential legal resources, ultimately reducing eviction rates and promoting housing stability.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs aims to provide crucial mentoring services to at-risk youth, helping them avoid delinquency and victimization. This funding opportunity emphasizes the importance of one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring approaches. The program aligns with the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to public safety and juvenile justice reform, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and fostering positive youth development.

The Adult Treatment Court Program Enhancement Grant aims to support state and local jurisdictions in enhancing adult treatment court operations. With a focus on nonviolent individuals with substance use disorders, the program integrates evidence-based treatments and recovery services to reduce recidivism and prevent overdose deaths. The grant allows jurisdictions to improve treatment capacity, expand support services, and enhance court operations, ultimately fostering a more effective response to addiction within the justice system.