Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program aims to enhance the library and archival workforce by addressing community information needs and strengthening institutional capacities. It supports innovative projects that explore alternative pathways into library services, advance continuing education, and foster recruitment and retention of future professionals. By focusing on diverse training and development, the program seeks to cultivate a new generation of library leaders equipped to meet evolving challenges.

The Festivals Program Grant, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to support a wide range of arts activities at festivals that significantly impact local communities. By fostering public engagement and participation in arts and culture, this grant prioritizes festivals in underserved areas, enhancing access to creative experiences for all. Eligibility extends to local governments and registered nonprofits, ensuring that the arts remain integral to South Carolina's community life, especially during challenging times.

The DCCF Community Grants program aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of Douglas County, Kansas, by funding diverse local projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community development. The program prioritizes clear project descriptions and sustainability, welcoming proposals from 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local governments. Notably, it does not support multi-year funding or general operating expenses, ensuring that grants are targeted and impactful.

The Ruth Foundation offers ongoing support for non-profit organizations focused on animal welfare and marine life preservation in Pierce County, Washington. With no submission deadline for Letters of Intent (LOI), applicants are encouraged to allow 12-16 weeks for a response. The foundation seeks to empower community initiatives that align with the Milgard family values, while ensuring compliance with tax-exempt requirements and promoting inclusivity in grant eligibility.

The Paddock Foundation Grant, established by the Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation in 1967, focuses on supporting vulnerable seniors and children with disabilities. The foundation prioritizes applicants addressing essential needs, including healthcare and economic equity, particularly in Sarasota County. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and aligned with the foundation's mission. Grants are not available for political advocacy or individuals, ensuring that support goes directly to those in need.

The Jolley Foundation Grant offers up to $100,000 to charitable organizations that are 501(c)(3) exempt and based in South Carolina. This grant aims to address poverty and discrimination through systemic solutions, capacity-building for nonprofits, and collaborative efforts. Priority is given to projects in arts, education, health, and human services, particularly those benefiting residents of Greenville County. Applicants must demonstrate financial sustainability for their programs.

The John C. Frybarger Memorial Scholarship, established by the Chippewa County Community Foundation, provides financial support to LGBTQ+ students from Chippewa, Mackinaw, or Luce County pursuing careers in fields such as Culinary Trades, Dietitian/Nutrition, Journalism, Literature, and Horticulture. This scholarship aims to foster inclusivity in education and assist deserving students in achieving their academic goals, with financial need considered when awarding the scholarship.

The Patterson Family Foundation is inviting innovative proposals to enhance community engagement in rural areas. With a focus on projects that foster long-term involvement from all generations, the Foundation aims to support initiatives that contribute to the mission of thriving rural communities. To apply, organizations must be located within the Foundation's Kansas and western Missouri catchment and possess nonprofit status. Early submission of the Letter of Intent is highly recommended for timely review.

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering the Rec for All - Fort Dupont Ice Arena Grant to support inclusive recreational programming for youth. Organizations can request up to $235,000 for innovative programming that promotes physical and emotional wellness, with categories including leisure and competitive activities. This initiative aims to foster community engagement and personal growth while providing structured opportunities for youth at Fort Dupont Ice Arena.

Sexual Abuse Services Program (SASP)

Funds are awarded by the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Congress appropriates the funds annually. Funds are awarded to support the establishment, maintenance and expansion of sexual assault services including providing intervention, advocacy, accompaniment (e.g., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), support services and related assistance for adult, youth and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.

The Thomas P. and Sondra D. Sheehan Charitable Foundation provides essential medical assistance to financially challenged families, focusing on children in need. The foundation prioritizes Hamilton County residents and offers support for durable medical equipment, therapy services, and short-term treatments. Applications for funding must meet specific medical guidelines and are reviewed annually. Families connected to nonprofit organizations or medical facilities have a better chance of receiving assistance, ensuring children can access necessary healthcare and improve their quality of life.

The NYSAR Community Reuse Grant supports community-based groups, municipalities, businesses, and non-profits in New York State to implement reuse initiatives. This year, $15,000 is available, with each awardee receiving up to $5,000. Notably, projects focusing on recycling or organics will not be considered. Applicants must submit a budget and answer all questions for consideration. Grant winners will be contacted in mid-October and are encouraged to attend the NYSAR3 Annual Conference to receive their awards.

The Camp Roy-El Scholarship Endowment, established by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, offers financial support to college juniors and seniors studying at Michigan-based institutions. This scholarship is aimed at students pursuing careers in fields that serve individuals with disabilities, such as nursing, occupational therapy, and social work. Applicants are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and previous applicants are encouraged to reapply, fostering ongoing support for dedicated students.

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)

Funds are awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families. Congress appropriates the funds annually. Funds are awarded to prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence and to provide immediate shelter, supportive services and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence or dating violence and their dependents.

Citizen Security Research Initiative

IPA's Citizen Security Research Initiative (CSRI) supports rigorous impact evaluations, pilot studies, infrastructure and public goods projects, and foundational and contextual research to inform policies and programs on building safer communities and strengthening justice and law enforcement systems. Funding for CSRI comes from the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Supported projects will generate actionable evidence to inform policy and programming in the citizen security and justice sector, with a focus on studies that challenge common beliefs, pioneer innovative interventions, and produce evidence where little currently exists. Priority areas of research include:

• Countering organized crime
• Combating drug trafficking and production
• Preventing crime and violence
• Strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice institutions

Budgets are expected to adhere to the budget caps outlined in our Call for Proposals (US$75,000 for pilots, US$400,000 for full impact evaluation studies, US$250,000 for infrastructure and public goods creation projects, US$75,000 for foundational and contextual research projects). In recognition that research in some locations or with some populations is more costly, on a case-by-case basis, we will consider budgets over the above award maximums with appropriate justification.

Awards are normally paid on a cost-reimbursable basis.

Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program

This NOFO sets forth the requirements for funding the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20; 14 Ill. Admin. Code Part 840) and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program (20 ILCS 730/5-30), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, PA 102-0662 ("Climate and Equitable Jobs Act" or "CEJA") and PA 104-458, as amended. CEJA establishes several workforce programs, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to expand the clean energy workforce in Illinois and accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency. Finally, this NOFO will provide additional training funds for successful applications under the CPRG Program. The CPRG Program is funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that allocated funds to the Illinois EPA Office of Energy under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant [FAIN 00E03862] to implement greenhouse gas reduction measures.

Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and federal funding sources, will generate significant construction, installation, maintenance, and repair activity in Illinois. Historically, these investments have not benefited all Illinois' communities and workers. The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is one of several programs created by CEJA to grow the clean energy workforce in a more equitable way.

To create a qualified, diverse pipeline of workers prepared for careers in clean energy, the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program creates Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs in 14 regions throughout the State to provide clean energy and related workforce and training opportunities to participants, engage with potential employers, and form partnerships to ensure participants have dedicated and sustained support to build careers in clean energy and related sector jobs. The main objective of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is to increase access to and opportunities for education, training, and support services to help program-eligible individuals succeed in the labor market generally and the clean energy sector specifically. Upon completion, participants will be prepared for entry-level clean energy jobs.

This NOFO will award grants to fund Clean Jobs Workforce Network Hub (Workforce Hub) sites located in or near each of the following CEJA workforce regions:

• Chicago (South)
• Chicago (Southwest and West)
• Waukegan
• Rockford
• Aurora
• Joliet
• Peoria
• Champaign
• Danville
• Decatur
• Carbondale
• East St. Louis
• Alton
• Kankakee

The Fund for Columbia County: School-to-Work Grants, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, aims to enhance educational opportunities for youth facing challenges in Columbia County. Since 1998, the fund has supported innovative projects that facilitate transitions from school to work, including internships and skill-building programs. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a focus on collaboration among nonprofits and educational organizations to create lasting community impact.

The Wilkes Community Foundation's Greater Wilkes Community Fund supports local nonprofits through competitive grants, addressing diverse community needs since 1994. With over $100,000 awarded, the fund focuses on education, health, and economic development. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $2,500, with total funding not exceeding $10,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments, fostering inclusive community support without discrimination.

The Healthy Retail Grant aims to improve access to healthy food options in underserved neighborhoods like Bayview and Tenderloin, driven by grassroots initiatives from organizations such as SEFA and TLHCSC. Established by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development following Supervisor Eric Mar's legislation in 2013, it provides tailored support to local stores through Individualized Development Plans, enhancing business operations, physical changes, and community engagement.

The Jesse N. Bosang Trust Grant, established in 1951, supports charitable organizations in Pulaski County, Virginia. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 are awarded annually to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. The Trust focuses on charitable purposes that are religious, educational, or public in nature, emphasizing relief efforts for the poor and suffering. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, the Trust aims to benefit the local community through dedicated support.

The Northrop Grumman Corporation Graduate Education Scholarship, part of the Graduate Education Fund, supports Australian students pursuing graduate-level studies in the USA. Offering up to $40,000 for one year, it is aimed at fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Physics, and Aerospace Engineering. Eligible candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and have a formal offer from an accredited American institution. This scholarship promotes academic exchange and fosters international collaboration in specialized disciplines.

The Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (AGS-PRF) support early career researchers conducting independent studies in diverse areas such as Atmospheric Chemistry and Space Weather Research. These fellowships, lasting up to 24 months, aim to enhance the research capabilities of promising individuals while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership within the scientific community. AGS encourages applications from diverse backgrounds to promote inclusivity and equity in geoscience.

The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that champions the overall health and well-being of every Coloradan. We do this by advocating for and investing in solutions and policies that drive health equity and racial justice.

Our mission is to improve the health of Coloradans. We believe that health and well-being can be in reach for everyone. So, every day, we collaborate with organizations and communities across the state to break down the many systemic inequities that stand in the way of health. When every Coloradan has the power to be healthy, our entire state is stronger.

Colorado Health Foundation Sponsorships

The Colorado Health Foundation views sponsorships as important opportunities to support events and communications-related projects that increase engagement with those we serve or raise awareness of issues aligned with our priority areas and cornerstones. 

The Foundation sponsors organizations that demonstrate trust with and among communities we prioritize and serve. We will sponsor events and communications-related projects that:

• Raise awareness of issues that align with the Foundation’s 10 priority areas and cornerstones.
• Provide Coloradans with information to increase understanding of systemic and social inequities
• Are community-informed
• Aim to impact Colorado’s public discourse that reinforces the need for and a connection between racial justice and health equity

The RosaMary Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in the Greater New Orleans area, prioritizing education, human services, arts, and community development. Grants are available for both capital projects and operational support, with a preference for short-term multi-year requests. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Proposals are accepted year-round, and decisions are made at biannual trustee meetings. This commitment fosters community improvement and enhances the vibrancy of the region.

The Elkhorn Community Fund, established in 2007, enables residents to contribute to a permanent endowment that supports local non-profits. Grants are awarded annually to enhance community welfare through projects in education, health care, and cultural preservation. Governed by a volunteer board, the fund encourages community engagement and philanthropy, ensuring that donations make a lasting impact on the Elkhorn area.

The SECU Foundation Grant, offered by the State Employees Credit Union Foundation, focuses on supporting non-profits and governmental organizations that embody the philosophy of people helping people. The grant aims to promote community development through high-impact projects in housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Eligible projects should be tangible, have a statewide or major regional impact, and enhance the conditions for public employees in North Carolina. This initiative fosters collaboration and addresses critical community issues.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to develop dementia-capable home and community-based service systems in Indian Country over a 36-month period. This initiative is designed for federally recognized tribes and organizations, promoting person-centered services that support individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Applicants can choose between two options: enhancing existing programs or establishing new dementia services, ensuring tribal leadership support and community engagement throughout the process.