Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The SNAP Employment and Training (NE) program, by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, aims to support low-income adults, including SNAP recipients, in gaining employment through various training services. These services include supervised job searches, job search training, job retention assistance, basic education, career or technical training, and on-the-job training. The initiative seeks to empower participants with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the workforce.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Green River Area Community Foundation Grant aims to support local nonprofits in Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties, Kentucky, with approximately $70,000 available for distribution. GRACF, established in 1993, is dedicated to enhancing community life through philanthropic efforts. By submitting the Needs Survey Form, nonprofits can share their financial needs, allowing GRACF to connect them with potential donors and media, ultimately fostering a stronger charitable network in the region.

The Harry Kramer Memorial Fund Grant supports U.S. charitable organizations that assist individuals and institutions in Israel, focusing on welfare, healthcare for the sick and aged, and education in South Florida. Founded by Harry A. Kramer, a successful entrepreneur and veteran, the fund reflects his deep commitment to charitable causes. Organizations must qualify under Section 501(c)(3) and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for funding, ensuring that aid reaches those in need.

The 1954 Project - Luminary Award seeks visionary nonprofit leaders dedicated to advancing educational equity for Black students. Awardees receive $1 million in funding, leadership development, and networking opportunities. The selection prioritizes leaders demonstrating strategic vision, community commitment, adaptability, and collaborative spirit. Applicants must align with one of three impact areas: Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Diversity in Education, or Pathways to Economic Mobility, ensuring their initiatives foster systemic change and uplift marginalized communities.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.

• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) offers Water Project Grants to support local governments, tribes, and individuals in developing water projects with economic, environmental, and social benefits. Eligible projects must include a 25% cost match and can focus on conservation, storage, and water distribution. OWRD anticipates approximately $2 million available for the first 2026 funding cycle, with public comments on funding recommendations accepted until December 2024.

The OR Forest Stewardship Program aims to support landowners in creating effective Stewardship and Tree Farm Plans. Collaborating with state forestry agencies, it provides essential resources to manage forests sustainably, ensuring timber production, wildlife habitat preservation, and recreational opportunities. The program offers up to 75% cost-share for professionally written plans, promoting responsible forest management while enhancing environmental quality. This initiative not only benefits private landowners but also contributes to healthier landscapes adjacent to National Forest System lands.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is an initiative by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service aimed at enhancing conservation efforts on working lands. It provides technical and financial assistance to help producers improve soil health, increase crop resilience, and develop wildlife habitats. Participants can receive annual payments for implementing conservation practices and can opt for bundles to achieve higher payment rates. By fostering sustainable agriculture, CSP promotes environmental benefits and economic viability for farmers.

The F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) aims to incentivize the adoption of ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant technologies in commercial and industrial sectors. By promoting these climate-friendly technologies, FRIP intends to reduce fluorinated gas emissions and support California's efforts to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets as mandated by Senate Bill 1383. The program focuses on achieving economies of scale to facilitate wider market adoption and enhance environmental sustainability.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

The Bark Beetle Mitigation Fund Grant aims to support family forestland owners in Oregon by providing financial assistance for prevention and restoration projects related to bark beetle infestations. The program focuses on enhancing forest resilience, with a 50% cost-share available for qualified projects. Priority is given to areas at immediate risk of outbreaks. This initiative aligns with the Oregon Department of Forestry's mission to promote sustainable forest management and protect valuable natural resources.

The ODFW Fish Screening Cost-Share Program provides funding and tax credits for water users to install fish screening devices, by-pass devices, and fish ways. Eligible applicants include individual users, irrigation districts, and municipal suppliers. The program prioritizes projects that enhance fish passage while excluding certain ineligible project types, such as hydropower generation projects. For assistance, applicants can contact their regional field coordinator or refer to the Statewide Fish Passage Priority List.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.

• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The Wabanaki Grant, offered by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, aims to support Wabanaki communities through flexible funding for initiatives that prioritize sovereignty, self-determination, and community well-being. With a total of $1.8 million available for 2025, grants range from $10,000 to $200,000, catering to both individual organizations and collaborative efforts. The foundation is dedicated to fostering Indigenous perspectives and ensuring that all funded projects align with the needs and goals of Wabanaki people.

The National Institutes of Health is launching a funding opportunity to explore the mechanisms of skin injuries caused by toxic chemicals. This initiative aims to understand the common pathways of injury from various harmful substances, facilitating the discovery of therapeutic targets. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate and apply their expertise in cutaneous wound healing. The goal is to develop broad-spectrum medical countermeasures for mass casualty events involving toxic exposures, enhancing public health safety.

The TX State Wildlife Grants program, initiated by Congress in 2000, offers essential funding to U.S. states and territories for proactive conservation efforts, aiming to prevent fish and wildlife from becoming endangered. This core initiative, supported by a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including conservationists and land developers, plays a vital role in maintaining species health and reducing listings on federal endangered species lists. The Nongame and Rare Species Program will not accept proposals for FY 2024.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $100,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The Texas Nonpoint Source Management Grant Program aims to combat nonpoint source pollution as mandated by the Clean Water Act. This program addresses pollution from various diffuse sources, including agricultural runoff and urban runoff. Administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, it undertakes comprehensive strategies to protect water quality and is refreshed every five years to adapt to new challenges.

The Focused In-Stream Habitat (FISH) project aims to enhance in-stream habitats in Maine through a collaborative effort by the Department of Marine Resources and NRCS. This initiative seeks to improve habitat diversity and connectivity for various fish species, particularly Atlantic salmon and brook trout. With funding from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, the project will implement restoration practices including streambank stabilization and habitat complexity restoration, ultimately benefiting local ecosystems and fisheries.

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program provides financial resources and consulting services to creative entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, especially focusing on BIPOC individuals and those in low-income communities. By reserving 55% of funds for these groups, the program aims to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the creative sector, empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and reach wider audiences while enhancing their revenues.

The DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grants, supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, aim to enhance tree planting efforts across public lands within DTE Energy's service area. This initiative encourages local governments, schools, and nonprofits to engage in sustainable tree planting projects to foster environmental stewardship and community revitalization. By focusing on properly planted and maintained trees, the program seeks to protect natural resources and promote a greener future for all.

The Kinsman Foundation Small Grants program supports projects that benefit the public in Oregon and southern Washington, focusing on historic preservation and native wildlife rehabilitation. Grants, typically under $5,000, are awarded to tax-exempt nonprofits and government agencies without matching fund requirements. Applications are reviewed every 6-8 weeks, with no specific deadlines for inquiries under $5,000. The foundation emphasizes project support while considering general administrative support valuable for nonprofits.

The Lead-Safe Homes Program (LSHP) is offering grant opportunities from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, aimed at reducing childhood lead poisoning in Wisconsin. The program seeks local partner organizations for lead laboratory analysis and services, funded through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Selected organizations will coordinate environmental investigations and remediation efforts in eligible homes statewide, prioritizing projects based on children's blood lead levels.

The Kinsman Foundation offers conventional grants exceeding $5,000 for projects focused on historic preservation and wildlife rehabilitation in Oregon and southern Washington. These grants support public benefit activities, especially for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies. Applications are accepted year-round, with a deadline of August 1 for annual review. The Foundation prioritizes architectural preservation and licensed wildlife rehabilitation, while no matching funds are required and there are no limits on reapplications.

The MI Source Water Protection Grants, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offer matching funds to public water supply systems. These funds aim to develop and implement source water protection programs that prevent contamination of drinking water sources. Eligible applicants include community and non-profit water systems that demonstrate financial commitment and establish local protection teams. Approximately half a million dollars in funding is available annually to support these crucial initiatives.

The Joseph H. Garagiola Sr. ASU/Cronkite School Sports Broadcasting Scholarship, established by the Arizona Community Foundation, supports Arizona students pursuing degrees in Sports Journalism or Broadcast Journalism. With a focus on academic excellence, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in a four-year program at ASU's Walter Cronkite School. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of sports media professionals.