Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Responsive Grants program by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area aims to support transformative charitable projects across various sectors including arts, education, and health. Open to eligible nonprofit organizations, the program provides funding for both existing and new initiatives with a focus on sustainable impact. Priority is given to proposals that align with the foundation's mission and demonstrate organizational capacity, ensuring community needs are effectively addressed.

SECU Foundation Grant

Purpose

The SECU Foundation promotes local and community development by primarily funding high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services. The State Employees’ Credit Union Board of Directors chartered the SECU Foundation to help identify and address community issues that are beyond the normal scope of State Employees’ Credit Union. While individual members may not have a large impact, collectively and cooperatively the Foundation can go a long way toward helping solve problems in our neighborhoods, schools and our community at large.

Programmatic Grants

Programmatic grants fund pilot programs or large-scale expansions that deliver regional or statewide services. Eligible projects must:

• Have an established proof of concept or evidence-based model
• Include clear objectives, a detailed implementation strategy, and a plan for sustainability and evaluation
• Demonstrate regional reach, with preference given to statewide impact
• Have a total grant request that does not exceed 30% of the total project budget

Grants are limited by SECU Foundation funding. We do not place minimum or maximum restrictions on the amount that may be requested in a grant proposal.

Fremont Area Community Foundation

The mission of the Fremont Area Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Fremont area by connecting donor interests with community needs and serving as a leader and catalyst in the development of solutions. Since 1980, generous donors in the Fremont and surrounding areas have invested their charitable dollars to be transformed, through careful stewardship and deep community knowledge, into positive local impact. Over $20 million in grants has been given through the Foundation.

Hooper Area Community Foundation

The residents of the Hooper area enjoy a wonderful quality of life in a unique small town atmosphere. To ensure that quality of life continues well into the future, the Hooper Area Community Foundation was established in 2008. With the purpose of receiving, administering and disbursing funds for community improvement, the Hooper Area Community Foundation will have the ability to provide assistance in areas such as civic, arts and culture, health and recreation, social services and education.

The local foundation is a component fund of the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF), a tax exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose funds must be utilized for charitable needs.

Hooper Area Community Foundation Grant

The Hooper Area Community Foundation’s mission is to support activities, which provide civic, educational, health and recreation, social services, or arts and culture benefits to Hooper, Nebraska, and its surrounding area. Requesting organizations must be tax-exempt; no grants are made to individuals, for ongoing operating expenses, or to religious organizations for religious purposes.

The United Way of Greater Waterbury provides funding through its Community Needs Fund to address the pressing needs of local communities. Their initiatives focus on education, financial stability, and basic needs, aiming to enhance learning opportunities for youth, connect individuals with economic resources, and ensure access to essential services like healthcare and food. This funding is available to 501c3 organizations serving the ten towns in the Greater Waterbury area, enhancing community resilience and support.

The Canadian Farm to School Grant, supported by Farm to Cafeteria Canada and the Whole Kids Foundation, provides funding up to $10,000 for schools across Canada to enhance local food initiatives. Schools from kindergarten to grade 12 are encouraged to engage students and communities in growing, cooking, and serving healthy local foods. This initiative promotes food literacy and sustainable practices, aiming to increase student access to nutritious meals while fostering community connections.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is offering the 2025-2026 ESC IDEA-B and State Dyslexia and Related Disorders Coordinators grant to provide essential technical assistance and training for dyslexia services across 20 Regional Education Service Centers in Texas. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Texas Education Code 38.003, enhancing educational support for affected students.

The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in Maryland supports vital criminal justice initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety. It provides essential funding to address gaps in services related to violent crime, victim assistance, law enforcement, and rehabilitation. Managed by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, this grant encourages public input on its draft application, fostering community involvement in shaping effective crime prevention strategies.

The Denton Family Foundation Grant, established by E. Warren Denton, Jr. in 1985, aims to support nonprofit organizations in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. It focuses on community needs, education, church, athletics, and the arts, particularly music. While there is no formal application deadline, proposals are preferred over personal meetings. The foundation, a 501(c)3 private entity, requires organizations to align with its funding priorities to qualify for grants.

The EA Funds: Animal Welfare Fund Grant aims to enhance the welfare of nonhuman animals globally through strategic grants. It focuses on neglected regions, innovative research, and impactful advocacy, particularly for farmed and wild animals. The fund supports projects that alleviate suffering, promote alternatives to factory farming, and engage in policy advocacy. By contributing to this grant, you can help create a significant positive impact on animal welfare and support initiatives that are often overlooked.

The California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) aims to enhance career technical education for students from kindergarten through grade twelve. This initiative, supported by the California Department of Education, focuses on equipping students with essential skills for employment and further education. By fostering collaboration among educators and community partners, CTEIG seeks to improve educational outcomes and workforce readiness, ensuring that students thrive in a diverse and interconnected society.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Grants

The South Dakota Community Foundation offers an array of grants to help state nonprofits realize their dreams and continue investing in their communities. 

Beresford Area Foundation Grant

The Beresford Area Foundation (BAF) promotes philanthropy and invests in a wide range of programs that contribute to our community's social, health, economic and well-being. Beresford Area Foundation’s annual grant program is made possible by generous donors who have contributed general and area-of-interest gifts which allow us to respond to community needs, changing opportunities and challenges. Beresford Area Foundation is an agent of the South Dakota Community Foundation.

Grant Program Objectives

Beresford Area Foundation strives to support a broad spectrum of programs and projects through nonprofit organizations that focus on emerging community needs, arts and culture, education, health and human services, economic development, historical significance, and community and civic engagement. BAF grant funds will NOT be awarded to subsidize normal operating expenses, elimination of budget deficit, annual fund drives, and capital campaigns. The foundation will not continually support the same project. BAF funds ongoing and established programs as well as innovative projects that address existing community needs. Grant funds may only be used for the purpose stated on the application.

The Tahlequah Community Fund Grants, managed by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, aim to connect donors with charitable needs in Tahlequah. Established in 1999, the fund supports projects in arts, education, health, and community development. Grants of up to $3,500 are awarded annually, with applications due the last Friday in September. Eligible recipients include 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and government entities, focusing on enhancing the quality of life in the community.

The Benton Telecommunications Foundation Grant aims to enhance human development across spiritual, intellectual, physical, and psychological domains. The foundation prioritizes projects that promote healthy living, address basic human needs, and foster educational and personal development. It supports community improvement initiatives, particularly in Benton County, Minnesota, while considering the financial need of applicants and the potential community impact of proposed projects.

Osborn scholarship

The Osborn scholarship is for BIPOC students with demonstrated financial need, who are enrolled in or planning to pursue an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in landscape architecture or civil engineering. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated a commitment to developing public infrastructure and/or public places in the State of Washington. The intention of the scholarship is to create opportunities for those who have faced historic barriers to access to these professions in the United States. The scholarship founders believe that the design challenges of the 21st century require diverse voices to solve. They look forward to the stronger design solutions to which future scholarship recipients will contribute. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the grit, resiliency and aptitude that is necessary for success in these professions. This may be demonstrated by any combination of at least two of the following characteristics: overcame a significant personal challenge to maintain at least a B average at school, honor roll grade point average, demonstrated ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, demonstrated service contributions to their community.

Awards

• $5,000 - $10,000

The Economic Development & Entrepreneurship Fund, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides up to $1.25 million in CDBG assistance for impactful economic projects. Eligible recipients are non-entitlement local governments, which may partner with nonprofits and other entities. These projects must create jobs or support significant business expansions. Interested applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from DHCD staff to enhance their proposals, ensuring the strongest competitive applications.

The Jean and Marie-Louise Dufrenoy Scholarship is awarded annually to American nationals or resident aliens pursuing studies in sciences or technology in France. Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Sciences or Arts degree obtained within the last five years. The scholarship provides $25,000, distributed in two payments, to support their academic journey. In exceptional cases, it may be renewed for an additional year if the recipient is registered at a scientific institution during their stay in France.

The Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities Grants, initiated by the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities in 2016, aims to reduce violence during summer months. It supports community-based organizations that foster safety and cohesion. This Fund provides rapid-response grants to empower local initiatives, addressing immediate needs while complementing broader violence prevention efforts. By targeting neighborhood-based groups, it seeks to deliver timely support to those actively working for a safer Chicago.

The James A. and Faith Knight Foundation Grant Program, established in 1999, focuses on enhancing community support in Jackson and Washtenaw Counties, Michigan. It prioritizes general operating support for nonprofits, aims to protect the natural world, and advocates for women and girls' empowerment. The foundation underscores the importance of sound financial practices, governance, and diversity in grantmaking, fostering trust between funders and grantees while addressing critical societal issues.

The 2025-2026 ESC IDEA-B Sensory Impairments program, administered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance support for local educational agencies. It focuses on improving educational outcomes for students with visual impairments, including those who are blind or deafblind. The program provides essential technical assistance and training for educators, as well as funding for certified interpreters, ensuring effective communication and access to resources for teachers at the Texas School for the Deaf.

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) Validation Program aims to accelerate the transition of innovative stem cell technologies from research labs to the commercial sector. With funding of up to $250,000, the program supports projects that address unmet medical needs, fosters collaborations between academic and private sectors, and emphasizes the development of new medical strategies for human diseases. This initiative is vital for advancing stem cell research and enhancing healthcare outcomes in Maryland.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

HCR develops, preserves and protects affordable housing and invests in economically vibrant communities. We work with many private, public and nonprofit partners to create safe, healthy and affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.

HCR is charged with carrying out Governor Hochul’s new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan to increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.

Eligible Activities

CDBG funding may be used for eligible activities as outlined below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of eligible activities and applicants are encouraged to develop projects in response to local need that may not fit neatly in any one category. In these cases, applicants are encouraged to contact OCR for additional guidance prior to applying.

Funding is available for the following activities: 1) Public Facility; 2) Community Planning; 3) Economic Development - Stand-Alone Business Assistance; 4) Economic Development - Microenterprise Assistance; and 5) Imminent Threat.

Economic Development

CDBG funds may be used to assist a specific, stand-alone business or to assist a community to establish a microenterprise assistance program to support multiple businesses.

Microenterprise Assistance

Funding is provided to eligible communities to provide entrepreneurial training and financial assistance to forprofit businesses with five (5) or fewer employees, including the owner(s), for an identified CDBG eligible activity which will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities, principally for persons from low-moderate income families. Businesses under this category may also meet HUD requirements if owned by a documented low to moderate income person.

The NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) supports low- and moderate-income communities through funding for various activities such as public facilities, economic development, and community planning. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and compliance with public participation requirements is essential. The program aims to enhance housing opportunities and economic growth in smaller municipalities, providing technical assistance to ensure effective use of funds for community development.

The Community Foundation of Richmond County Grant supports healthcare-related charitable needs in Richmond County, NC. It funds projects that promote health and wellness, indigent care, health education, and research. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) charities, churches, and government agencies. Ineligible projects typically involve debt retirement, direct individual support, or political activities. The foundation encourages collaboration and fiscal sponsorship for non-eligible organizations, ensuring that grants effectively benefit the local community.

The PRO 2026-07 Water Safety Leading Grant aims to fund initiatives that enhance water safety for children and families in Hillsborough County. Approved by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the grant focuses on collaborative service delivery addressing urgent community needs. Grantees will provide education, swimming lessons, and safety resources while meeting strategic outcomes. This grant prioritizes children aged 1 to 18 and their caregivers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing drownings and promoting family support.

The San Antonio Area Foundation's Annual Responsive Grants - Cycle 1 focuses on enhancing cultural vibrancy and youth success through multi-year funding. This initiative aims to empower nonprofits by providing essential operating support, advancing equity in the community, and fostering innovative collaborations. By prioritizing organizations that serve underrepresented communities, the foundation seeks to close opportunity gaps and ensure access to arts, education, and leadership development for all youth. The program embodies a commitment to trust-based philanthropy.

The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation aims to enhance the health and well-being of both the Jewish and general communities in Greater Cleveland. The foundation funds initiatives focused on improving mental and physical health, promoting health education, and supporting vulnerable populations. By collaborating with local organizations and prioritizing projects that demonstrate sustainability and measurable outcomes, it seeks to create lasting impacts in health promotion and disease prevention. Grants are available to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations within the region.

The Herbert Family Foundation Grant focuses on philanthropic efforts that promote healing and fight hunger. Founded by Jim and Judi Herbert, both Distinguished Alumni of the University of Tennessee, the foundation supports health and food charities. It aims to advance medical research, education, and hunger relief initiatives, emphasizing sustainable practices and nutritional assistance. The foundation's mission reflects its commitment to impactful charitable causes that resonate personally with the founders.