Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Resident Scholars: Mellon Foundation Fellowship offers annual support to up to six scholars who have completed their research and need time to finalize manuscripts or dissertations. This competitive fellowship, administered by the School for Advanced Research, emphasizes proposals with empirical significance and cultural context. Eligible scholars include those with doctorates at the assistant professor level or PhD candidates. The nine-month fellowship provides an office, low-cost housing, and a stipend, fostering a collaborative and intellectually enriching environment.

The Broadwater Community Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Broadwater County through charitable projects. Established in 1993, the foundation supports local initiatives with a cash matching requirement and prioritizes long-term benefits for residents. Eligible projects must be led by committed leaders and serve community needs. Ineligible projects include conferences, planning efforts, or those benefiting individuals directly. The foundation values community support and sustainable funding for impactful initiatives.

The Absarokee Community Foundation Grant supports local non-profits and organizations in Stillwater County by providing monetary assistance for projects that strengthen the community. With a focus on 501C3 non-profits and exempt government units, the Foundation aims to channel financial resources effectively, ensuring a thriving community through its permanent endowment fund. Organizations in need of funding are encouraged to partner with the ACF to enhance their community impact.

The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County (CFMJC) supports grant-making to organizations that benefit Jefferson County residents. Since 1991, it has funded diverse causes such as education, health, and welfare. CFMJC prioritizes projects that demonstrate preventative measures and collaboration among organizations while ensuring legal compliance. Grants are not available for political activities or sectarian purposes. This initiative encourages impactful contributions from generous donors to enhance community well-being.

The Tower Lakes Community Foundation (TLCF) offers the Giving Grant to support community-driven projects in Tower Lakes, Illinois. With funding up to $500, this grant aims to enhance local initiatives by providing resources for materials, labor, and educational expenses. Proposals are welcomed in various categories, including civic investment, cultural enrichment, education, and health. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, making it accessible for community organizations to seek assistance without the burden of extensive reporting.

The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation offers discretionary grants aimed at initiating or supporting projects that can be completed with a single grant in a short timeframe. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3). The foundation prioritizes emergency grants for urgent needs that threaten the existence of an agency or its programs. However, it rarely awards grants for ongoing support or projects outside the Greater Philadelphia area.

About University of California Humanities Research InstituteThe University of California Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives, and competitive grants. As a grantmaking organization, UCHRI primarily funds UC faculty and graduate students who participate in innovative research and projects that engage a variety of disciplines and stakeholders.Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Sustenance FundingThe UCHRI Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Sustenance Funding grant provides financial resources to broaden and augment the support of Multicampus Faculty Working Groups engaging with the Institute’s new theme, Sustenance. Faculty working on themes outside of the Sustenance initiative are not eligible to apply for this supplement.Some possible outcomes may include creative responses such as exhibitions, interactive websites, and interpretative performances; they may be tied to activism and include documents like policy proposals or records of involvement with union work within the university; they may take the form of pedagogical recommendations and proposals for cross-campus seminars; or they may be linked to the strengthening or development of relationships with community partners.

The Community Foundation for San Benito County, established in 1992, aims to strengthen the community by enhancing the quality of life through philanthropy. With a focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and addressing local needs, the Program Project Grant supports initiatives that foster community engagement and organizational capacity. Since its inception, over $30 million has been granted to various local causes, inviting community members to contribute their time, talent, or resources in making a positive impact.

CT Humanities: Mini Grants

Mini Grants are small grants of up to $2500 that support small-scale humanities activities such as discussion-based public programs, mini exhibitions, and portions of tours. Please note smaller organizations will be prioritized for this grant line.

Successful proposals must be:

• Open to the general public
• Free or low-cost to attend

Mini Grants fund several project types, including small exhibitions, walking tours, parts panel discussions, digital learning tools, and community reading projects. 

The Big Give is a community initiative in Midland that brings together men dedicated to supporting local nonprofits. Members contribute $100 at each of three annual meetings, voting on which nonprofit will receive the funds. Since its inception, over $240,000 has been allocated to various Midland County nonprofits. This unique model fosters community involvement and enhances the support for essential local services, benefiting schools, public safety groups, libraries, and more.

Med Center Health is a dedicated not-for-profit health system focused on enhancing community well-being and quality of life. It operates several hospitals across Kentucky and offers a range of services, including specialized care in over 50 medical fields. With more than 4,000 employees and a commitment to improving lives, Med Center Health invites organizations aligned with its mission to apply for sponsorship opportunities, fostering community support and healthcare access.

The SFACF Community Fund Grants aim to support nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that serve the Sioux Falls area. These grants are designed to fund transformative programs addressing significant community needs, including start-up funds, program expansions, and assistance during financial crises. Grants are awarded bi-monthly, with applications reviewed by the Grants Committee within six to eight weeks. The initiative seeks to foster a thriving community where everyone has access to essential resources and opportunities.

About University of California Humanities Research InstituteThe University of California Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives, and competitive grants. As a grantmaking organization, UCHRI primarily funds UC faculty and graduate students who participate in innovative research and projects that engage a variety of disciplines and stakeholders.Multicampus Faculty Working GroupsThe Multicampus Faculty Working Group Grant supports UC faculty as they collaborate on innovative agendas in ways that contribute to the advancement of the specific working group topic and the humanities as a whole. Although we will consider all humanistic topics, UCHRI is particularly interested in working groups that approach humanistic problems broadly related to its new theme, Sustenance. The initiative addresses sustenance and sustainability as material and metaphor to better understand the forms and outputs of human community building and disintegration as well as of our planetary predicament. 

The CFGFW Engage Grants, offered by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, provide up to $3,000 to first-time applicants for operational support and specific programs. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being by funding new organizations and projects. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, the grants are accessible to various backgrounds without the necessity of 501(c)(3) status. Applications are accepted from March to October, fostering community impact through equitable funding opportunities.

The Salem Community Benefit Grant, established by Salem Co-operative Bank, aims to address various charitable needs within the Greater Salem community. Since its inception in 1997, the foundation has contributed over $1.8 million to support nonprofits and charitable organizations, emphasizing the importance of community service. The Bank's commitment to philanthropy reflects its dedication to enhancing the quality of life in Salem, ensuring that all qualified community needs are considered for support.

The Community Vision Fund (CVF) is an unrestricted fund within the Community Foundation with the ability to be agile due to its discretionary nature. ​​Granting through this fund remains committed to fulfilling community needs and advancing the well-being for all in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties.

Community Vision Fund- Annual Responsive Grants ​

Focus:

Grants play a vital role in strengthening nonprofit resilience by giving organizations the flexible, timely support they need to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. These cycles honor the reality of day-to-day mission work, allowing nonprofits to direct resources where they will have the greatest impact. 

The Annual Responsiveness grant is our pilot effort at being more open to hearing what nonprofits need in the moment. The 2025 nonprofit survey demonstrated that overall, nonprofits desire “general, responsive funding.” The Annual Responsiveness grant allows nonprofits to share an overall picture of opportunity: You can submit for general operating and/or a specific program. This is your time to help us understand what is currently happening within your organization and how continued philanthropic support would make a difference. ​

​Grant Deadlines:

With recognition of the cyclical nature of philanthropy, we will have three cycles. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the cycle that best aligns with their needs:​

​Grant Ranges:

• Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $15,000 for a one-year award​.

​Grant Considerations:

• Annual responsive grants support flexible, general operating support and the applications will reflect a more general approach to understanding the mission, current work being done, and financial need. ​

The Cheyenne County Impact Fund Grant, established in December 2016 through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, aims to enhance projects across Cheyenne County, Kansas. Grants are available for nonprofit organizations, educational, governmental, and religious institutions serving the local area. With annual matching campaigns continuing through 2025, the fund supports various community initiatives. Applications are accepted until the last day of each month for consideration in the following month.

The Barton County Affiliate Grantmaking Program, established by the Barton County Community Foundation, aims to enhance community life through strategic grantmaking. With over $7.8 million distributed since its inception in 2015, the program focuses on innovative projects and collaboration among local organizations. The current grant cycle offers $20,000, inviting proposals that address pressing community needs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving Barton County, with a preference for nonrecurring special projects.

Meredith Village Savings Bank is dedicated to enhancing community welfare through its sponsorships and contributions program. They actively support non-profit organizations by encouraging employees to engage in volunteer work and contribute to local initiatives. If your organization is seeking support, reach out to the nearest local office for assistance. This commitment reflects their core value of caring and community involvement, making them a vital partner in fostering positive change.

The Martin Samuelsohn Scholarship Fund, established by the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, offers a $6,485 scholarship to support local Jewish undergraduate seniors and law students at Southern Methodist University. This scholarship aims to promote academic excellence and assist students in advancing their legal education in a highly regarded program. By investing in the future of these students, the fund exemplifies a commitment to education, community service, and the values of philanthropy.

Bader Philanthropies' Community Matters Grant Programs focus on enhancing community engagement and support in Milwaukee. They provide funding to tax-exempt organizations and government entities that address critical human needs through innovative strategies. The program emphasizes grassroots initiatives and metrics like individuals served and mindset changes to measure success. Preliminary applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with deadlines aligned to biannual board meetings, ensuring timely responses to applicants.

The A. Ward Ford Memorial Research Grants, administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, support innovative research projects. Applications are accepted through the ASLMS Research Grant application process. Interested applicants should fill out either the Standard Pre-Application or the Student Application to be considered for funding. This grant aims to foster research excellence and advance knowledge in relevant fields.

The British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships support established scholars in completing significant research projects by providing a year of research leave. This fellowship is aimed at individuals who have struggled to dedicate time to their research due to teaching and administrative responsibilities. Eligible candidates must be employed at a UK institution, with no restrictions on age or status, and are encouraged to disseminate their findings for future academic advancement.

Key Bank Philanthropic Support - Community Sponsorships aims to enhance community welfare by providing financial backing to nonprofit organizations. With grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, these sponsorships focus on fundraising events and operational support for initiatives that foster economic inclusion and community growth. Applications are accepted from January to October, with decisions typically made within 90 days, ensuring timely support for impactful local projects.

The Martin County Community Foundation Grant supports local nonprofits and educational institutions in Martin County, Indiana. Through permanent endowment funds, the foundation enhances community life by providing grants and scholarships. Eligible projects include those under $2,000 for operational expenses and larger impact grants for significant programs. However, funds cannot be used for gift cards, sales tax, or proselytizing projects, ensuring support aligns with community needs.

The South Central Community Foundation (SCCF) aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in Barber, Comanche, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt, Rice, and Stafford counties. Through its Community Grants program, SCCF provides up to $2,000 to eligible nonprofits, schools, churches, and local governments addressing community needs. The foundation prioritizes donor engagement, responds to emerging challenges, and supports charitable initiatives, fostering a sustainable community.

The ScanSource Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting underrepresented children, PreK-12 education, and community-based family support. The foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that provide essential resources and services to help these children thrive. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of meaningful volunteer opportunities, ensuring funds directly address community needs. Organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) entities and operate within the ScanSource footprint to be eligible for funding.