Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Harry M. and Edel Y. Ayers Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, honors the founders of Consolidated Publishing Company, Inc. This scholarship supports individuals pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees, as well as approved workforce training programs in Alabama. It is a one-time award available for part-time and full-time students at accredited institutions in the U.S., covering tuition, housing, supplies, and fees based on available assets.

The Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Grant Program, supported by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, aims to enhance fisheries and aquatic habitats in these watersheds. Funding is available for projects that improve water quality, aquatic habitats, and recreational opportunities. Conservation partners are encouraged to apply for grants to support studies and initiatives that address these critical environmental concerns, promoting sustainable management of aquatic resources.

The TOS Conservation and Research Grant, offered by the Tennessee Ornithological Society, aims to support projects that protect Tennessee's birds and enhance scientific knowledge. With a total funding of $15,000, the grants are open to anyone with bird-related initiatives, including students and professionals. Applicants can also allocate up to $50 for attending scientific meetings to present their project results. A recommendation letter is encouraged to strengthen applications.

The Myron Stratton Home Grant aims to honor Winfield Scott Stratton's legacy by supporting organizations that assist underserved populations, including the elderly, children, and those unable to work due to illness. The grant prioritizes innovative projects that enhance existing services or create new programs to meet community needs in El Paso and Teller counties. Collaborative efforts that prevent service duplication are especially encouraged, ensuring that resources effectively reach those in need.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides federal funding to non-entitlement cities and counties to improve infrastructure, support community facilities, and strengthen local economies in ways that primarily help low-to-moderate income people while addressing local health and safety concerns. Project awards are available in several categories for a wide range of community development initiatives.

The Water/Wastewater category provides funding for communities to make improvements to drinking water and wastewater systems, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. Proposals can be obtained from the main funding partner at the time a gap in financing is identified. The Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee will help determine financing structures available among the participating agencies. If a need for CDBG funding is identified, the community will be invited to make full application.

Grants may be used for construction that is related to water treatment and distribution, and sewer treatment and collection for publicly owned systems. Operation and maintenance activities and not eligible. 

The Aerie Real Foundation™ Community Grant aims to enhance confidence, inclusion, and sustainability among young women while supporting non-profit organizations in the US and Canada. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to programs focused on mental well-being, fostering inclusive communities, and environmental protection. Applications are accepted from certified 501c3 nonprofits, with funding allocated for projects that align with the Foundation's mission. The goal is to empower the next generation and create a positive impact in local communities.

The Foster Foundation Support Grant aims to create a thriving community for all, particularly focusing on children, families, veterans, and seniors. Established in 2018, the Foster Foundation actively engages with local organizations in Central Virginia, providing essential funding to support their missions. The Foundation prioritizes tax-exempt entities under IRS regulations and emphasizes community-centered initiatives that resonate with its values, including education and food security.

The Ohio Forest Legacy Program aims to protect vital forests from conversion to non-forest uses through conservation easements. This partnership between the State and USDA Forest Service encourages landowners to participate voluntarily in preserving working forests, which are essential for biodiversity, water quality, and economic productivity. The program also promotes the management of forests for timber harvesting while maintaining ecological benefits, ensuring sustainable land use practices for future generations.

The THCF: Community Grants for Wildlife Conservation supports initiatives across Missouri, encouraging proposals that enhance regional wildlife efforts. Starting in 2024, organizations can apply for funding for up to three consecutive years, promoting sustainability and impactful conservation projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits dedicated to improving wildlife habitats and conservation strategies. This program aims to foster collaboration and maximize funding impacts to benefit the local ecosystem and communities throughout the state.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank seeks to enhance its network of partner agencies dedicated to alleviating hunger. Organizations must be located within a specified 18-county area and possess 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, or align with a qualifying umbrella organization. Partners are expected to maintain secure food storage, establish a budget for operational costs, and utilize the Link2Feed electronic system for record-keeping. This initiative ensures effective resource distribution and supports community members in need.

The Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants program in Nevada aims to support small communities in financing essential drinking water projects. Established to bridge the financial gap, it encourages local efforts before seeking state assistance. Eligible projects include water treatment facilities, pipeline replacements, and water conservation improvements. Preference is given to systems serving under 6,000 people and projects addressing compliance issues to ensure safe drinking water standards are met.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food. Our programs and activities are so varied and extensive, they touch the life of just about every Floridian.

Enhancing Gulf Waters through Forested Watershed Restoration - RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program

Introduction

The USDA Forest Service is providing funding to restore water quality and quantity through the implementation of forest management activities. This project is seeking applications for projects focused on restoring pine ecosystems and forest hydrology within the Florida project area.

The program is intended to target lands that have forests, are forests, once had forests or are capable of growing forests. This includes areas that might have been converted to farm or pastureland, burned by forest fires, cut-over, harvested, natural or planted pine stands, pine / hardwood stands or damaged byhurricanes.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) Program offers essential property assessment services at no cost to local government entities. This program is designed to minimize contamination uncertainties for brownfield sites, facilitating cleanup and redevelopment efforts. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, and non-profit organizations. TBA services, such as Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and remedial action plans, support real estate transactions and funding applications, ultimately transforming blighted properties into valuable community assets.

About Pfizer External Research & Grants

Pfizer External Research & Grants (ER&G) supports independent research, education, and QI initiatives to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet need. Competitive grants are awarded through transparent RFPs reviewed by independent expert panels.

About ASCP

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the world’s largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals, with more than 100,000 members. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients and the laboratory workforce. With a portfolio of more than 900 educational activities, ASCP is the worldwide leader in providing CME/CMLE credit for the entire laboratory team.

Quality Improvement in Molecular Testing Pathways for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), in collaboration with Pfizer Inc. and with participation from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO, invites proposals for pathology-centric Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives aimed at optimizing molecular testing pathways in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This grant opportunity seeks to fund sustainable projects that improve biomarker testing practices, strengthen targeted therapy selection, and support care teams in implementing patient-centered protocols. 

The overarching goal of this program is to advance diagnostic excellence and improve treatment decision-making for patients with mCRC.

The See, Test & Treat Grants, offered by the College of American Pathologists Foundation, aim to enhance community health by providing free breast and cervical cancer screenings. Since 2011, nearly 9,000 women have benefited from these programs, which will expand in 2026 to reach more underserved populations. This initiative empowers pathologists to reduce healthcare disparities through accessible screenings and follow-up care, ensuring prompt results and comprehensive health education for participants.

Our Mission and Vision

The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation exists to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet. We want to find solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today.

Our vision is to facilitate positive action toward sustainable and innovative solutions in agricultural and environmental sectors that reduce carbon footprints and minimize risk for our communities.

Grant Programs

Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation administers projects directly funded by donors that help reduce carbon footprints through carbon positive practices and emission offsetting. The foundation holds open application periods for projects in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and Canada that focus on reducing environmental risk through regenerative agricultural practices, habitat restoration and using natural energy sources to make our communities more sustainable.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

The foundation supports projects that work to reduce carbon footprints through the following initiatives.

Habitat Reclamation

• Restoration of habitats creates spaces for native flora and fauna and microorganisms to survive. Natural landscapes are integral to functioning ecosystems and increasing biodiversity, not to mention creating habitats for pollinator species like bees and butterflies that we so desperately need for agricultural success.

Regenerative Agriculture

• Regenerative agricultural practices have a far-reaching impact on the industry and our lives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by fostering projects that innovate row crop sustainability and dairy, beef, pork and poultry operations to create practices that are sustainable for years to come.

Renewable Energy

• We care about carbon positive practices that harness renewable resources like solar, wind and biomass for improved efficiencies and overall reduction in use. Organic matter often sourced from agricultural production, garbage and tree pruning can be converted to energy in various ways, recycling it back into the agricultural operation that created it or fueling our communities.

Soil

• Soil sequestering practices have wide-reaching benefits like restoring and building organic matter in the soil and increasing biodiversity. It boosts water infiltration and retention and reduces erosion. Through practices like no till, applying organic matter like manure and biochar, and planting cover crops, we improve soil health as well as take CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Tree Planting

• Planting trees is a simple act that makes a huge impact in our urban, suburban and rural communities. They provide shade, release oxygen and improve air quality, improve soil quality and biodiversity, all of which contributes to offsetting carbon emissions.  

• Water
• We want to find ways to protect and restore the integrity of our water resources. We aim to fund projects focused on practices that create efficiencies and reduce the agricultural production impact on water quality and benefit our communities by conserving one of our most important natural resources. 

John Harsch Regenerative Agriculture Grant

Funding for projects adopting best regenerative agricultural management practices that impact one or several of these areas:

• Improve water quality
• Reduce soil erosion
• Increase soil health index
• Reduce synthetic fertilizer use
• Increase effective manure use as a fertilizer
• Increase biodiversity
• Reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions

 The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department or TDHCA) announces an annual Notice of Funding Availability for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds for street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless prevention, rapid re-housing, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and Administration.

Winning Home Grants are offered by Winning Home, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and their families. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations aligned with this mission. Grants prioritize specific projects and require efficient use of funds. Capital projects, endowments, and routine social services are typically ineligible. Winning Home encourages applications that benefit children in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, providing essential services and support to those in need.

The Ocean Acidification, Hypoxia, and Harmful Algal Bloom Solicitation aims to enhance scientific understanding of critical water quality issues affecting California's coastal ecosystems. It provides funding for two tracks: understanding the biological impacts of ocean acidification and hypoxia, and researching harmful algal blooms for early warning and ecosystem resilience. This initiative is part of California Climate Investments, addressing growing environmental threats to coastal communities.

The Health Care Foundation of the Oranges (HCFO) addresses critical public health challenges in East Orange, Orange, Irvington, and West Newark. By supporting local nonprofits focused on mental health, food security, and health education, HCFO aims to promote wellness and eliminate barriers to healthy living for vulnerable communities, including the elderly and those in financial distress. Their commitment ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

District of Columbia Watershed Stewardship Project

DOEE seeks an eligible entity to provide a comprehensive watershed stewardship educational project to District residents. The proposed project will educate participants about the basics of watershed stewardship and provide hands-on experiences relating to the sources of pollution and different types of policies and practices. The amount available for the two-year project to a single grantee is $70,000.

Purpose of the Grant

The purpose of this grant is to design and implement a comprehensive watershed stewardship educational project for District residents, and to equip District residents with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to address sources of water pollution and work toward improving the overall health of local waterways while fostering education and continuous community involvement.

This NOFO invites applications for innovative research aimed at developing and implementing interventions to prevent and treat substance use disorders (SUDs) and overdose. It encourages studies that can rapidly advance candidate solutions towards regulatory approval or clinical use, while also addressing co-morbid SUDs. The initiative supports a wide range of research including basic, clinical, translational, and implementation strategies to tackle drug misuse and related health issues, such as HIV/AIDS.

The Kansas City Royals Foundation Grants Program has distributed over $25 million since 2001, focusing on Literacy and Education, Healthy and Active Communities, and Military and Veteran Support. Key initiatives include scholarships for underrepresented students, youth engagement through sports, and veteran recognition at games. Organizations within the greater Kansas City area are encouraged to apply, particularly those with budgets under $5 million. The foundation prioritizes projects aligning with its strategic pillars, fostering community growth and support.

NC DEQ 319 Grant Program

Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to reduce nonpoint source pollution. North Carolina typically receives around $1 million for competitive funding of watershed restoration projects. Funds may be used to conduct watershed restoration projects such as stormwater and agricultural best management practices and restoration of impaired streams. Section 319 grant projects must be used to help restore waterbodies currently impaired by nonpoint source pollution in areas with approved watershed restoration plans. (map) (list)

State and local governments, interstate and intrastate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions are all eligible to apply for 319 funding. An interagency workgroup reviews the proposals and selects those of merit to be funded. 

Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs

As part of the executive branch of the State of Oregon, ODVA is responsible for veteran advocacy, state programs, access to federal benefits and policy on behalf of Oregon veterans. The major and direct programs that exist within ODVA includes Statewide Veteran Services, Aging Veteran Services, Oregon Veterans' Homes, Oregon Veteran Home Loans, Educational and Emergency Aid, Conservatorship and Representative Payee Services.​

Veteran Services Grant

The purpose of the Veteran Services Grant Program is to fund eligible proposals that provide direct services to veterans that help improve outcomes in areas such as health or behavioral health care, housing security and houselessness, employment opportunities or stability, education and training opportunities, transportation accessibility and availability, or other critical services within a community, region, or statewide basis. 

The Veteran Services Grant is a reimbursement grant.

The Knight Foundation Advised Fund supports innovative projects that enhance democracy and community engagement in Columbia, SC. With grant amounts typically not exceeding $75,000, it focuses on revitalizing downtown areas and riverfront development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) charities or similar entities serving Columbia or Richland County. The foundation prioritizes civic engagement, smart design, and the arts to foster inclusive public life, while avoiding funding for debt reduction, capital campaigns, or projects with discriminatory practices.

Agricultural Enterprise Fund

The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners.

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation.

Project Categories

Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories. Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application.