Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The UMN Graduate School's MAGS Distinguished Master's Thesis Competition invites nominations for outstanding master's theses in Biological & Life Sciences and Humanities for 2026. Eligible nominees must be pursuing their first graduate research degree and have received their Master's degree between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025. The award includes a $500 honorarium and recognition at the MAGS annual competition. Programs may nominate one student to represent their institution.

The Elizabeth City Foundation has been supporting the local community for over fifty years by providing grants for various civic projects. Their mission focuses on improving the lives of residents in Elizabeth City and surrounding areas. Grants may support initiatives such as care for the sick, enhancing living conditions, and addressing educational needs. The foundation encourages acts of kindness in return for support, fostering a cycle of compassion within the community.

The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing Ph.D. degrees in high-performance computing fields. Established in 1991, this fellowship offers financial aid, professional development, and practical research experiences. It aims to cultivate a diverse community of scientists who contribute to national workforce needs and encourages students to engage in impactful research at DOE laboratories and institutions. Eligible candidates can focus on computational sciences, applied mathematics, and related disciplines.

About Us

The Indiana Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) has been at the forefront of translational research since 2008. From the lab bench to clinical trials and beyond, we help researchers move their scientific findings through the development pipeline.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to bring together Indiana’s brightest minds to solve the state’s most pressing health challenges. We envision Indiana as one of the nation’s healthiest states.

RFA- Research Project Development Teams: Project Refinement ( first external submissions)

Research Project Development Teams (PDTs) are groups of experienced senior faculty located on each of the Indiana CTSI campuses who will connect you with resources, collaboration opportunities, and small (typically up to $15,000) awards for preliminary or additional data. Each PDT is designed around a common research theme.

There are biostatisticians and regulatory experts on each team, and other experts are added, as needed, to the team to when your application is discussed. You will have access to the expertise and knowledge you need all in one place.

The PDT application process is contingent on the stage of the project. You have selected the application process for pilot funding from the PDTs for a first time external submission. If you are seeking pilot funding prior to an external resubmission please use Research Project Development Teams (PDTs): Project Revision

La Crosse Area Community Foundation

Founded in 1930, La Crosse Area Community Foundation is one of Wisconsin’s earliest community foundations. For more than 90 years, we have helped individuals, families, businesses, and professional advisors make meaningful charitable gifts that stay local and grow over time.

Today, we steward hundreds of endowed and non-endowed funds, award grants and scholarships each year, and serve as a trusted convener for people who care about strengthening the greater La Crosse community.ty.

Standard Grants Program

Standard grants are part of our historic competitive grants program to be responsive to the needs of nonprofit organizations serving La Crosse County. La Crosse Area Community Foundation has allocated grant dollars this year specifically for nonprofits seeking standard grants for result-oriented projects and programs that address a proven community need or priority aimed at making La Crosse County a better place now and for future generations. 

All grant requests that represent a portion of a capital campaign will be eligible for a maximum of $25,000. See RFP details here.

The Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) offers sponsorships aimed at empowering community organizations to develop projects that benefit local residents. Applications for event sponsorships must be submitted at least 30 days in advance, with a recommendation to submit 60 days prior for timely consideration. The Board meets monthly from September to June, accommodating up to five requests per meeting. Late applications may be accepted with a valid explanation, ensuring continued support for community initiatives.

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships provide recent humanities PhDs with the opportunity to work with nonprofit organizations focused on social justice. Over 24 months, fellows receive a stipend of $70,000 in the first year and $72,000 in the second, along with relocation funds and health insurance. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all eligible scholars to enhance their professional skills in meaningful roles.

The National Humanities Center offers fellowships designed to support scholars engaged in advanced humanities research. These fellowships are open to applicants from various academic backgrounds, including the natural and social sciences, who have a doctorate or equivalent credentials. The Center provides resources for both year- and semester-long projects, aiming to generate new knowledge and understanding of cultural expression and human thought. Fluency in English and a strong scholarly record are essential for eligibility.

The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award supports individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing bold, groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. Applications in any area within the biomedical sciences are welcome. No preliminary data are required. Projects must clearly demonstrate, based on the strength of the logic, a compelling potential to produce a major impact in a broad area of relevance to the NIH. The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund.

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

Guthrie County Community Foundation

Mission of the Guthrie County Community Foundation:

The mission of the Guthrie County Community Foundation is to foster giving, strengthen service providers, and improve the local conditions and quality of life. To these ends, the Guthrie County Community Foundation promotes philanthropy, endowment building, community-building, capacity-building, grant making, organizational collaborations, and public leadership for the benefit of Guthrie County, Iowa.

The Guthrie County Community Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Guthrie County by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our communities with a way to give back.

Guthrie County Community Foundation Grants

Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving Guthrie County. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Guthrie County. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community.

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers Prescriptive Pathway Grants to non-residential facilities in Delaware to enhance energy efficiency. These grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with a maximum award of $250,000 per location annually. Eligible projects include upgrading lighting, HVAC systems, and appliances to energy-efficient models. Applicants must reserve funding before purchasing equipment, and a pre-approval process is recommended to ensure eligibility. This initiative supports diverse community sectors, including small and minority-owned businesses.

The Just Tech Fellowship, supported by the Social Science Research Council, aims to empower diverse researchers and practitioners to address injustices arising from new technologies. With a two-year award of $100,000 annually, this fellowship fosters collaboration and community engagement, promoting equitable tech futures. It focuses on the intersection of technology and social justice, encouraging insights from historically marginalized groups to inform structural change and create a more just society.

MissionOur mission is to connect people and resources to address local challenges and opportunities.

Impact AreasThe Community Foundation will prioritize local, mission-aligned grants in impact areas that:

• Address community challenges and opportunities
• Cultivate/maintain community collaboration
• Advance investment in our public spaces and under-resourced neighborhoods
• Maintain a thriving education system from birth through career
• Create a vibrant arts, culture and storytelling environment
• Strive to make Huntington County a more equitable community of choice for all
• Aid in the development of our current and future leaders
• Other impact areas will also be considered.

RequirementsOperational support refers to general organizational expenses such as staffing, administration, and ongoing program delivery, rather than a specific project. 

The Kansas Department of Commerce is committed to helping individuals, businesses and communities achieve prosperity in Kansas. One of the ways it accomplishes this mission is by providing financial assistance and partnership support to further identified goals. 

Kansas Main Street Program

Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy.

The program has a long history of success throughout the United States and in Kansas. What started as a small pilot program in the late 1970s has now grown to include nearly 2,000 communities in more than 40 states. Throughout the country, communities have utilized the Main Street Approach to rally residents around a focused plan of action that transforms their community and enhances their quality of life.

From 1985 to 2012, more than $600 million in redevelopment took place in participating Kansas communities. This included the opening or expansion of 3,800 small businesses, creating more than 8,600 new jobs. With the return of the state program in 2020, 25 previously participating communities and new programs will once again have the resources and tools they need to breathe new life into their communities and historic commercial districts.

Designated Communities

To become a Designated Kansas Main Street community, registrants must participate in a competitive, annual application process. This process includes attending our Application Workshop and attaining recommendation by the Review Team based on their evaluation of a community’s capacity to achieve success. The completed application must demonstrate:

• Public and private support for the program, as well as the capability of the applicant to successfully implement the local Main Street program.
• Financial capability to employ a paid professional director, fund a local Main Street Program, and support downtown-related projects.
• A cohesive and distinct variety of business activity conducted in a proposed Main Street Program area.
• An interest in, and commitment to, historic preservation, specifically in the designated downtown district.

Once selected, Designated Communities receive:

• Comprehensive technical assistance in all areas of the Main Street Approach designed to further economic development downtown.
• Training in strategic planning, program capacity building, and organizational management for the Main Street organization.
• Individualized training for Main Street managers, boards, and other Main Street participants.
• Attendance to statewide, Main Street-specific, quarterly trainings and professional development opportunities for participant communities.
• Access to design services on an as-needed basis to help downtown property owners undertake effective rehabilitation, restoration, adaptive re-use, and infill projects, as well as the reimagining of public spaces within the district.
• Access to state and national grant funds (when available).
• Membership to the Main Street America network.
• At least one paid registration to participate in the annual Main Street America national conference.

The Junior Fellowship at Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg provides early career researchers with the opportunity to engage in focused research while enjoying a vibrant community. With a duration of 3-10 months, fellows receive a stipend of up to 2,000 EUR per month. Applications are accepted from those who have completed their doctoral degree within the last five years and have not worked in the region for more than six months in the past three years. Collaboration with local institutions is encouraged.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) supports state agencies in utilizing their longitudinal data systems to inform educational policies and program decisions. This grant aims to enhance access to high-quality education and improve academic performance among learners. By empowering local education agencies with data-driven insights, IES fosters evidence-based practices that can lead to significant advancements in educational outcomes. This initiative is essential for shaping effective education strategies across states.

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

Madrid Community Endowment Fund

Mission of the Madrid Community Endowment Fund:

The Madrid Community Endowment Fund is a charitable foundation created by and for local citizens to improve the quality of life right here in our communities. We are here to help donors make a positive, local impact by offering a variety of giving tools to help people achieve their charitable giving goals and do good work in our community that lasts forever.

The Madrid Community Endowment Fund is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Madrid by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our community with a way to give back.

Madrid Community Endowment Fund Grants

Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving the Madrid community. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Madrid. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community. 

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers grants for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects in Delaware, supporting non-residential facilities in enhancing energy efficiency. Grant funding can cover up to 60% of project costs, with a maximum award of $250,000 per address annually. Eligible projects must demonstrate energy savings and sustainability, with a focus on supporting minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, small businesses, and non-profits. Pre-approval is encouraged to secure funding.

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers grants for energy assessments and improvements in non-residential facilities in Delaware. With a focus on energy efficiency, the program supports businesses in upgrading to more efficient systems. Grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with limits of $250,000 per year per facility. Eligible projects must exceed minimum energy code requirements, fostering sustainability and reducing operational costs in the community.

The Met's Interdisciplinary Fellowship promotes innovative research across various disciplines, inviting scholars from diverse backgrounds to engage with the Museum's extensive collections. This one-year program supports independent projects that transcend traditional boundaries, fostering collaboration among departments. Applicants must hold or pursue advanced degrees in arts, humanities, or social sciences, demonstrating excellence and project feasibility. With stipends of up to $57,000, the fellowship aims to enrich the scholarly community and explore connections between visual arts and other fields.

The Community Foundation of Boone County offers the Community Enrichment Grant to enhance the quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors in Zionsville. Established in 1991, the foundation has granted over $30 million to support local nonprofits. This grant aims to address unmet needs in the community through partnerships with local organizations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with awards made semi-annually on March 30 and September 30.

The Stevens Family Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) charities in Caldwell County, North Carolina, focusing on community services and the arts. Applications are accepted primarily via email, with a preference for one request per year. Notably, grants are exclusive to charitable organizations, and must not involve political lobbying or discrimination. This foundation aims to benefit the broader community, ensuring that grants are awarded fairly and without preference for previous applicants.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation offers "Emerging Needs" Mini Grants of up to $1,000 to support community development, education, and promotions in Allamakee County, Iowa. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and municipalities. This initiative aims to address pressing local challenges and foster community growth. Grant cycles are open three times a year: April 15-30, July 15-31, and October 15-31, encouraging timely applications for impactful local projects.

The Willson Center Public Impact Grant, offered by the University of Georgia, supports faculty-led initiatives that organize conferences, exhibitions, and performances showcasing humanities and arts research. With a funding limit of $7,500, this grant encourages collaboration between faculty and graduate students, facilitating interdisciplinary projects. Award recipients must communicate program details to the Willson Center and provide proper credit in all related publicity. Applications are open for the upcoming academic year, with a focus on impactful engagements.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers the Statistical and Research Methodology in Education grant (84.305D) to enhance education research through improved statistical methods and tools. This program invites applications focused on Core Grants for developing new methodologies or Toolkits for compiling existing research into user-friendly resources. The initiative aims to ensure these products are rigorously tested and disseminated widely to support effective education research practices.

Blue Mountain Community Foundation

Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF) started in 1984 based on the idea that the area needed a place for donors who cared about the community to make long-term charitable investments. A group of 36 local leaders and citizens, under the guidance of Pete Peery and John Reese, met and resolved to form a community foundation. Too many endowment gifts from people who cared deeply about their communities were lost to local control for lack of a community foundation. Since 1984, BMCF has received and grown assets to exceed $115 million in more than 440 charitable funds which benefit the entire community!

Walla Walla County Community Grants

Funding Focus: General operating support

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Clifton Community Fund

The Clifton Community Fund is an unrestricted community grant fund that supports the Clifton, KS community. The Fund was created by the generosity of individuals who have contributed money for the charitable use to address the present and future needs of Clifton, KS.

From this endowed fund, the advisory committee annually determines and designates the amount of available funding in the form of community grants.

The Foundation’s Clifton Community Fund accepts applications once a year. Applications received outside of the grant cycle are not accepted.

All non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply as well as groups and individuals working on a charitable community project. For-profit organizations will not be considered unless the request is for a charitable project. Grants will be limited to projects within Clifton, KS.

What type of support is funded?

• Projects or programs that serve the community and/or advance the mission of the organization
• Seed money to establish or initiate a new project, program, or organization, including operating expenses
• Capacity building or activities that strengthen an organization to increase its ability to fulfill its mission, including technology & equipment, professional development & training, additional staff to implement a new program, etc.
• Capital improvements including new construction or renovation of a facility
• Endowment funds to provide permanent and long-term support for an organization or program