Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The TCA Texas Arts Create 1 Grant, offered by the Texas Commission on the Arts, supports established arts organizations and college arts institutions with budgets between $50,000 and $1 million. This multi-year grant aims to enhance the creative economy of Texas by providing operational support up to 25% of the last completed year's cash operating budget. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including nonprofit status and compliance with federal regulations.

The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund Grant supports nonprofit arts organizations in Connecticut by providing unrestricted funding to enhance their operations. Organizations eligible for funding must demonstrate significant donor contributions and maintain compliance with state regulations. The grant incentivizes fundraising efforts by matching contributions based on a formula, ensuring that arts initiatives receive the necessary financial backing to thrive. This program aims to cultivate long-term sustainability within Connecticut's arts sector.

Lotus Fund

The Lotus Fund, a fund of the Perry County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), is pleased to announce that Letters of Application are now being accepted from nonprofit organizations for arts projects serving residents of Perry County. Within this opportunity, up to $2,100 will be available for the support of arts programs or projects. All presented activities may take place at any time between April 2026 – March 2027. 

About the Lotus Fund 

The Lotus Fund was established in memory of Christine (Chris) Mathna to honor Chris’ love for the arts and all manner of creative expression. Chris celebrated and supported the arts throughout her life. She promoted and encouraged local artists through her support of the Perry County Council of the Arts and through her personal encouragement of many artists she knew and loved. The Lotus Fund is currently accepting donations in honor of Christine. For those who may wish to contribute to the fund, TFEC accepts donations from individuals, families, organizations, institutions, and through bequests and planned gifts. 

The Supporting Arts Grant Program, administered by the CT Office of the Arts, provides essential funding to arts organizations and municipal arts departments in Connecticut. This grant aims to support programmatic costs that align with the organizations' core missions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations and municipal arts departments with specific operational requirements. By applying, organizations must adhere to federal terms and conditions set forth by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Small Town Challenge Fund, launched by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, invites municipalities in Cambria and Indiana counties to apply for one of two $25,000 grants. This initiative aims to establish endowment funds that support long-term community projects. Eligible applicants can receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds for their fundraising efforts. The program encourages local investment and collaboration among municipalities, ultimately fostering sustainable growth and development in small towns.

The Madeleine B. Wildes Fund Grant offers financial assistance to residents of Salisbury facing hardships due to illness or misfortune. Established by Madeleine Wildes, the fund supports projects by nonprofit organizations that help the needy in Lakeville and Salisbury. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $3,000, with potential for higher amounts. This endowed fund aims to continue its support indefinitely, reflecting Miss Wildes' legacy of generosity and community care.

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

Through its dual focus on government services and library development, ODL plays a vital role in preserving Oklahoma’s history, supporting efficient governance, and ensuring libraries remain vibrant community hubs.

ODL’s work is divided into two primary areas: Services to Government and Services to Libraries. The Services to Government division includes managing the State Library and administering the State Archives and Records Management Division. The Services to Libraries division focuses on Library Development and Statewide Initiatives, supporting public libraries, and fostering statewide library programs.

Professional Development Conference Grant - Association of Rural and Small Libraries

The Professional Development Conference Grant supports Oklahoma public library staff attending the 2026 Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Annual Conference. Funded through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the grant helps library professionals expand their skills, connect with peers, and strengthen library services in communities across Oklahoma. Funding is available to assist eligible applicants with conference registration reimbursement for the ARSL conference in Montgomery, Alabama.  This grant is for reimbursement ONLY. 

The Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grant, established by the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, supports educational initiatives by awarding grants up to $5,000 to teachers and professional staff in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and St. Tammany Parishes. Initiated in 1991 and named in 2007, this program enhances educational outcomes through research-based projects that directly benefit students, honoring the legacy of its founder, Kelly Gene Cook, Sr.

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque offers the Grants for Tech program, partnering with the University of Dubuque to assist small nonprofits in the area. Organizations without IT staff can apply for technology assessments and improvements, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. This initiative aims to enhance nonprofits' effectiveness and sustainability by providing essential technological support.

The William E. and Thelma F. Housman Foundation for Medical Research Grant supports charitable organizations in Oregon focused on medical research. Grants are typically awarded for one year and can cover various types of support, including program and operating costs. The foundation aims to improve the lives of underserved communities through its funding efforts, promoting impactful medical research initiatives.

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) offers the TCA Texas Arts Creates 5 Grant to advance Texas's creative economy. This grant supports Government Local Arts Agencies and Local Arts Agencies with operational funding up to 25% of the previous year's cash operating budget. New organizations can apply only in odd-numbered years. The grant aims to foster a vibrant arts community in Texas, contributing to economic development and cultural tourism.

The Dickson Prize in Medicine, awarded by the University of Pittsburgh, honors outstanding biomedical researchers with a $50,000 prize and a medallion. Nominees must demonstrate significant contributions to innovative research and its impact on the scientific community. Eligible candidates are actively engaged in work that is recognized as paradigm-shifting and must be U.S. citizens. Nominations require a completed form and a current CV submitted electronically by the deadline.

The KidsGardening Youth Garden Grant supports organizations in the U.S. or U.S. Territories that aim to enhance youth gardening programs. With a focus on underserved communities, the grant provides resources to develop or improve garden projects for youth aged 0-18. This initiative not only promotes educational opportunities but also fosters community engagement through gardening. Recipients receive a variety of supplies, including seeds and gardening tools, to help cultivate sustainable gardening practices.

The SF WPS Community Garden Irrigation Meter Grant Program supports urban agriculture by providing up to $12,000 for irrigation water service installation. This initiative enables community gardens to track water usage efficiently, promoting sustainable practices. Additionally, a $1,300 rebate is available for backflow prevention devices. Grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, ensuring that eligible urban agriculture projects can thrive and contribute to local food systems.

The Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support grant program by the California Arts Council provides essential funding to arts and cultural organizations to support their ongoing operations. This initiative aims to strengthen California's cultural landscape by fostering a diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. Eligible organizations can utilize these funds for various operational costs, ensuring they can continue their vital work in the community without the limitation of project-specific funding.

The Appalachian Community Fund's Technical Assistance Grants are designed to strengthen grassroots organizations in Central Appalachia. These small grants support specific technical assistance needs, enhancing skills in areas such as leadership, fundraising, and community organizing. ACF prioritizes projects that address systemic issues and promote social, economic, and environmental justice. Organizations eligible for funding must be community-led and demonstrate a commitment to creating equitable change in their communities.

The AHNS Alando J. Ballantyne Trainee Research Pilot Grant aims to support innovative research in head and neck oncology, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of neoplastic diseases. Open to residents in U.S. or Canadian training programs who are AHNS members, this grant encourages collaboration across disciplines and requires letters of support from academic chairs and mentors. Projects should yield useful results within the award period, with a total funding limit of $20,000.

The AAO-HNSF Maureen Hannley Research Grant offers $50,000 for one year to support research addressing clinical gaps in otolaryngology. Eligible applicants include otolaryngologists in the U.S. or Canada, emphasizing projects with direct patient significance. The grant encourages junior faculty and mandates a letter of support from department chairs. Funds cannot cover principal investigator salaries but can support non-clerical staff. This initiative aims to enhance the development of independent researchers focused on patient-oriented outcomes.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program in Alaska aims to provide financial assistance to local communities for essential public facilities and planning activities that enhance health and safety. With a maximum grant of $850,000 per community, it supports initiatives that create jobs for low and moderate-income residents. In the 2024 cycle, approximately $2.5 million is available to eligible municipal governments, excluding Anchorage, and non-profits may partner as co-applicants.

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey offers Standard Grants aimed at reducing health disparities and enhancing the well-being of underserved populations in Newark and Greater MetroWest NJ. The Foundation supports innovative healthcare initiatives, capital improvements, and capacity-building projects. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations serving vulnerable communities. The Foundation prioritizes programs that infuse compassion into healthcare delivery and address emergent needs, while ineligible projects include individual support and general operating expenses.

The Washington Square Health Foundation Grants support medical research aimed at improving community health. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving high-risk and underserved populations. Applications are accepted biannually, with deadlines on June 1 and December 1. Projects must ensure ongoing benefits after funding ends and must align with the foundation's principles for community health care.

Ohio Department of Development

Empowering communities to succeed.

That’s the mission statement for the Ohio Department of Development, and it’s what we work toward every day.

Our work is aimed at helping Ohio businesses, communities, and individuals thrive. We know that Ohio is the best state to live, learn, work, innovate, and play, and we strive to improve on that every day. Our programs and employees can have an impact on the lives of many Ohioans, and we take that responsibility to heart.

State Energy Program

The Ohio Department of Development’s State Energy Program (SEP) helps businesses, manufacturers, nonmanufacturers, nonprofits, colleges/universities, local governments, and others implement energy efficiency improvements to lower energy use and costs.

Energy efficiency measures must reduce utility energy usage by at least 15 percent, as shown by an ASHRAE Level II energy audit.

The SEP consists of two programs: Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers and Nonmanufacturers (EEPM/NM) – Audit Support; and Ohio Energy Efficiency Program (OEEP) – Implementation funds for energy efficiency retrofits

Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers and Nonmanufacturers (EEPM/NM) – Audit Support

Eligible Applicants

Small businesses, small-to-medium-sized manufacturers, school districts, nonprofits, and local governments are eligible to apply for the program. Manufacturers applying for the program will participate in energy planning specifically for manufacturing. 

Please contact one of our approved energy auditors for additional information on the EEPM/NM audits. Our auditors walk applicants through the grant process and will provide full funding information based on audit requirements.  

The AHNS Pilot Grant offers $20,000 for one year to support innovative research in head and neck oncology. It is aimed at medical students, residents, and junior faculty who are AHNS members. The grant encourages clinical and translational studies that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic diseases in this field. Applicants must submit letters of support from their department and advisors to ensure adequate resources and supervision during the project.

The Roy A. Hunt Foundation offers Community Development Initiative Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Pittsburgh and Boston. With a focus on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and partnerships, these grants support programs that address community needs through innovative solutions. Grants typically range from $15,000 to $250,000, promoting best practices and collaboration. The foundation prioritizes proposals that align with regional goals and have the potential for replicability, especially in underserved areas.

The MPS Materials Research Programs, funded by the National Science Foundation, aim to enhance the understanding of materials and their diverse applications. These programs cover areas such as biomaterials, ceramics, condensed matter physics, and electronic materials. With an emphasis on transformative research, NSF MPS encourages proposals that are innovative and foundational, without the necessity for immediate commercial outcomes, fostering long-term advancements in materials science.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Stuart Jay Freedman Award in Experimental Nuclear Physics

This award is presented annually to an outstanding early career experimentalist in nuclear physics. The award will consist of an $5,000, a certificate, a registration waiver, and an allowance for travel to the Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics (DNP) to give an invited prize talk and receive the award.

Nominations will be considered for two review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Stanley Corrsin Award

To recognize and encourage a particularly influential contribution to fundamental fluid dynamics.

The Prize consists of $5,000, an allowance for registration and travel to the meeting at which the Prize is awarded, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. The award will be presented annually at the Division of Fluid Dynamics annual meeting and will be accompanied by a Distinguished Lecture from the Award winner.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.