Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Rowland Fellowship Program at Harvard University invites outstanding early-career experimentalists in all scientific and engineering fields to establish an independent research program in Cambridge. With a focus on high-risk, innovative research, the fellowship offers substantial start-up funding, dedicated lab space, and mentoring. It lasts up to five years, allowing flexibility in start dates. Ideal candidates will bridge traditional disciplines and contribute to a vibrant intellectual community.

The McCune Foundation's Training Mini-Grants support grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties that empower marginalized populations to effect systemic change. By funding community organizing and social justice-oriented training, the Foundation aims to build social capital and enhance community capacity. Grants between $4,000 and $5,000 are available, covering up to 75% of training costs, ensuring that those who are most affected by social issues are engaged in the solutions.

The Limited Competition: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant aims to enhance clinical and translational science training by supporting programs that prepare predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers. This initiative, funded by the NIH, focuses on translating scientific discoveries into effective health interventions. Eligible institutions will be invited to apply, and only high-quality applications will be considered for funding, ensuring a robust peer-review process.

The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grant, offered by the Region 2 Arts Council, supports artists who are enrolled tribal members and descendants residing in specific Minnesota counties. This grant funds exhibition, performance, and production costs, as well as materials and educational opportunities in the arts. It aims to enhance the careers of artists across all disciplines, thereby strengthening the cultural fabric of North Central Minnesota since 1980.

The State-Local Partner Mentorship (SLP-M) program aims to establish local arts agencies in Glenn, Kings, and San Joaquin counties, where none currently exist. This initiative supports existing State-Local Partners in fostering new agencies that will enhance arts and cultural activities across these communities. Eligible applicants must have a history of arts programming, nonprofit status, and be current grantees in the CAC State-Local Partners Program, ensuring strong support for local artists and organizations.

The McCune Foundation provides funding to grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties that empower economically and politically marginalized groups. Their grants support community-led initiatives focused on creating systemic change and enhancing social capital. Eligible applicants must demonstrate inclusive leadership and engage affected populations in project planning. The Foundation prioritizes projects that mobilize communities to address root causes of social issues, fostering collaboration and action for social justice.

DICK'S Sporting Goods offers a Sponsorships & Donations Program aimed at supporting youth sports leagues and organizations. They prioritize requests that promote community engagement and character development through sports. Eligible organizations must operate in areas with a DICK'S store and adhere to anti-discrimination policies. The program evaluates requests monthly, with sponsorships up to $25,000 and donations up to $250. Support may include gift certificates or coupons for teams and events, fostering an inclusive sports culture.

The Maryland Energy Administration's Fiscal Year 2025 Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Grant Program offers funding to Maryland-based commercial, industrial, non-profit, and agricultural entities. Grants are available for both new constructions and existing facilities that enhance energy performance beyond current standards. With a total budget of up to $3.1 million, the program prioritizes first-come, first-served applications until funding is exhausted or the deadline on February 14, 2025, is reached.

The Rapoport Doctoral Dissertation Grants support PhD students conducting innovative research in American political behavior. Funded by the Rapoport Family Foundation, the grants offer up to $15,000 for survey research. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program at an accredited U.S. university and have completed all preliminary requirements. The foundation emphasizes originality and transformative potential in research proposals, aiming to foster diverse approaches to understanding political behavior.

The Simons Foundation's Scientific Software Research Faculty Award supports faculty positions focusing on scientific software development in mathematics and physics. It aims to enhance research capabilities by providing five years of salary support and a $50,000 yearly research allowance. Awardees must have a Ph.D. and demonstrate leadership in scientific software. This initiative addresses the career limitations faced by software experts and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

The AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36) provides crucial funding for doctoral candidates engaged in health services research. This program aims to support individuals in their academic pursuits, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the field of healthcare. By fostering innovative research, AHRQ enhances the quality of health services and promotes evidence-based practices. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, ensuring timely submissions for those seeking to advance their academic careers.

About the IAC

The IAC Mission

The mission of the Interagency Commission on School Construction is to achieve a safe, healthy, and educationally sufficient learning environment for every child attending a public school in Maryland. Our vision is a fiscally sustainable statewide portfolio of Pre-K-12 school facilities that will remain educationally sufficient for current and future generations of students and teachers.

Capital Improvement Program

The CIP is the State’s largest school construction program, averaging at least $280 million per year in recent years. CIP funding can be used for major new, renewal, or replacement projects as well as for addition projects or capital maintenance projects (systemic renovations). 

The CIP includes supplemental funding from the Significant Enrollment Growth and Relocatable Classroom (EGRC) Capital Grant Program.

The program is governed by Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland and regulations promulgated by the IAC in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).

The Stouder Memorial Foundation Grant, managed by the Troy Foundation, supports charitable organizations providing health care services in Miami County. Established in 1974, it transitioned to a donor advised fund in 1998 after the closure of Stouder Memorial Hospital. Grant requests are reviewed quarterly, with applicants notified within ten working days of the review meeting. This fund aims to enhance healthcare accessibility in the region, ensuring vital support for local medical services.

The Therapeutic Garden Grants program, sponsored by the National Garden Bureau, awards $7,500 annually to five selected therapeutic gardens, promoting health and healing through gardening. Organizations must have a defined therapeutic program for at least a year and a commitment to the garden for five years. Grants are co-funded by several partners, and winners are determined through a social media voting contest, ensuring community engagement and visibility for the gardens.

Dearborn Community Foundation

The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc., (DCF) is a community foundation, tax-exempt public charity that enables individuals, families, businesses and organizations to fulfill their charitable wishes. DCF builds and safeguards endowments for the community through contributions large and small. The endowment contributions are permanently invested to produce earnings so that these charitable funds make a difference in our community now and forever.

DCF Grants 

The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc., (DCF) has awarded more than $33 million in grants since 1997. The grants support the needs/interests of the community in the fields of Art, Culture and Humanities, Community and Public Benefit, Education, Public Safety, Environment and Animal Protection, Human Services, and Youth Programs.

City of Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program (LCGP) - Phase II

The City of Lawrenceburg has generously provided funds for the Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program. The program is specifically for non-profit, IRS tax exempt organizations that provide a benefit, direct or indirect, to the Lawrenceburg community and Dearborn County.

LCGP Specific Guidelines

• grant funds are not granted to sustain ongoing projects/programs;
• grant applications will be considered as long as funds are available;
• organizations may not apply for any property improvements (buildings, fencing etc. …) to land not owned by the organization seeking the grant funds

The Back to Better Resilience Grants provide $3,000 to artists and creative entrepreneurs in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, or Huntingdon County, who experienced significant income disruption due to the pandemic. Eligible applicants must have primarily earned their income from their artistic practice in 2019 and be active in their creative field. This initiative, funded by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to support the recovery of the arts community.

The Digital Divide Grant Program, established under California's Public Utilities Code, aims to bridge the technology gap for low-income rural and urban schools. With an annual funding of $200,000, it supports projects that enhance digital literacy, provide take-home devices, and ensure broadband access. This initiative, transitioning from a pilot to a permanent program, focuses on delivering essential resources to underserved communities, fostering equitable access to technology and educational opportunities.

The Apostle Islands Area Human Rights Fund, managed by Boreal Waters Community Foundation, supports initiatives promoting tolerance and understanding while combating discrimination. Applications are welcomed for projects in education, mediation, and celebrations that address human rights issues in the Bayfield-Madeline Island-Red Cliff region. The fund prioritizes proposals demonstrating clear objectives, effective organizational capacity, and realistic budgets. Grants are available year-round for community interventions or emergency responses to specific incidents.

The Boston Cultural Council Organizational Grants support small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and artist collectives with operating grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Aimed at enhancing Boston's cultural landscape, these grants promote accessibility and participation in arts programming. Organizations with budgets under $2 million can apply, with tiered funding based on budget size, ensuring a vibrant and just community for all residents.

The McKean County Development Fund, part of the McKean County Community Foundation, aims to enhance community development initiatives that improve the economic and social well-being of McKean County. The fund offers competitive grants, with a maximum award of $2,000, to support innovative projects that address community needs and create lasting impacts. Organizations are encouraged to apply if their projects align with these goals and demonstrate sustainability for the future.

The NCAC: Statewide Service Organizations Grant Program, established by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to enhance arts services statewide. It provides funding (ranging from $5,000 to $30,000) to eligible nonprofit organizations for programs that support the arts community through newsletters, workshops, and more. This initiative promotes transparency and accessibility, ensuring diverse artistic resources are available across all 100 counties in North Carolina. First-time applicants are encouraged to consult with staff for eligibility guidance.

The NHSCA ARTS Conservation License Plate Grant, offered by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, supports projects aimed at conserving publicly owned artworks and historic cultural facilities. This initiative ensures that significant cultural heritage is preserved for community access and enjoyment. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and state agencies. The grant encourages projects that enhance public access to the arts, while maintaining the integrity of original artworks and facilities.

Utah State Library

The Utah State Library (USL), created in 1957, provides funding, training, professional expertise, and technical advice to library directors, library staff, and trustees across Utah. Through the Program for the Blind and Disabled, Utah Bookmobiles, Interlibrary Loan program, Book Buzz for Book Groups, Utah's Online Public Library, and the Utah Government Digital Library, USL ensures access to library materials and state publications for all Utahns.

LSTA Competitive Grant

Purpose

The Utah State Library via the Library Development Program supports Utah's libraries and librarians and promotes the improvement of library service through training, grant funding, consulting, youth services, outreach, and more. The Institute of Museum and Library Services priorities for LSTA funding can be found here. Together, these institutions provide this funding in support of the goals, and an application should primarily support one of these focal areas:

• Institutional capacity: Improve the library workforce; Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure; Improve library operations.
• Information access: Improve users' ability to discover information resources; Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
• Lifelong learning: Improve users' formal education; Improve users’ general knowledge and skills.
• Human services: Improve users’ ability to apply information that furthers their personal, family or household finances; Improve users’ ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness; Improve users’ ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.
• Employment & economic development: Improve users’ ability to use resources and apply information for employment support; Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.
• Civic engagement: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community; Improve users’ ability to participate in community conversations around topics of concern.

To determine eligibility, applicants are encouraged to review the most recent Applicant Library Eligibility Criteria prior to applying.

Grant projects must fit into at least one of the Goals stated in USL’s LSTA Five Year Plan 2023-2027.

The Cole Center Family YMCA Capital Fund aims to enhance community well-being by providing essential support for capital projects and repairs at the Cole Center YMCA facilities. Established in 1997, the fund reflects the YMCA's commitment to serve individuals of all backgrounds, promoting healthy living through diverse programs that foster community engagement and inclusivity. By leveraging generous donations, the fund plays a vital role in ensuring the YMCA can continue its mission of positive change in Noble County.

The Arts & Culture Grant, offered by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life through support for arts, music, history, and cultural projects. Open to eligible nonprofit organizations, the grant encourages innovative approaches and community collaboration. Proposals are evaluated based on their impact, organizational capacity, and the comprehensiveness of the plan. This initiative fosters a vibrant cultural landscape, ensuring lasting benefits for Charlevoix County residents.

The Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture provide funding for nonprofit arts and culture organizations in New York, offering grants up to $2 million. These grants focus on projects that enhance accessibility, artistry, cultural development, and sustainability. Smaller no-match grants ranging from $10,000 to $99,000 are available for organizations with operating budgets under $2 million, encouraging strong design and community engagement.

The Manatee Community Foundation offers competitive grants aimed at enhancing animal welfare in Manatee County. Focus areas include animal rescue, veterinary access for low-income pet owners, and wildlife conservation. The foundation prioritizes organizations that serve the local community and demonstrate effective governance. They do not fund individual grants, political campaigns, or unrelated charities. Established in 1998, the foundation has invested over $65 million in community initiatives, showcasing its commitment to philanthropy and service.