Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

The AFM Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This fund supports basic living expenses, including healthcare, housing, and utilities, to help prevent eviction or shut-offs. To qualify, applicants must be current members in good standing and demonstrate financial need. However, the fund does not cover expenses such as credit cards, personal loans, and tuition.

The American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This support aids in covering essential living expenses, including housing, healthcare, and utilities, to help prevent eviction or utility shut-offs. Applicants must be current members in good standing and provide necessary documentation to confirm their eligibility. This fund aims to ensure the well-being of artists during challenging times.

The Loudoun County Tourism Grant Program provides funding to support tourism initiatives that align with the county's goals. With increased maximum awards up to $25,000 and waived matching requirements, this program aims to enhance marketing efforts and drive visitor engagement. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and businesses looking to attract regional and national visitors. Unallowable expenses include corporate debts and entertainment costs. This initiative is vital for revitalizing tourism post-pandemic.

The Most Valuable Student Award, offered by the Elks National Foundation, provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 annually for U.S. high school seniors pursuing a four-year degree at accredited colleges or universities. This initiative aims to support students who demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement, ensuring they have access to education that fosters personal and professional growth. For more information, please visit the Elks Foundation website.

The Marliave Scholarship Fund, established in honor of Elmer C. Marliave and his family, supports students in Engineering Geology and Geological Engineering. This scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement and potential contributions to the profession. Awarded by the AEG Foundation, recipients are designated as "Marliave Scholars" based on their qualifications and involvement in professional societies. The program aims to foster excellence and commitment within the field, promoting future leaders in geoscience.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an esteemed, achievement-based scholarship aimed at high school seniors committed to leadership and community service. Annually, 150 scholars receive $20,000 to support their college education. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $87 million in educational funding to more than 7,000 students. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, planning to attend an accredited college, and demonstrate strong community leadership and service.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is announcing funding for comparative clinical effectiveness research across the cancer care continuum. This initiative aims to empower researcher-community partnerships to tackle significant healthcare challenges faced by patients and caregivers in the U.S. The focus is on enhancing care delivery and outcomes by addressing barriers to screening, treatment, and follow-up care for cancer patients. Applications are encouraged to identify strategies that improve patient-centered outcomes.

Saginaw Area Health Care Administrators Scholarship

The Saginaw Area Health Care Administrators Scholarship was established in 1987 to help advance health care for the elderly and ill elderly. The scholarship provides cash awards to assist employees of association members in meeting educational expenses. Each year, employees in the areas of administration, nursing, dietary, maintenance, and other health-related occupations are invited to apply for scholarships.

The West-Gray Scholarship Fund, established in 2014, supports undergraduate and graduate students in applied geology who demonstrate academic excellence and are members of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists. This fund aids students conducting field studies in environmental and engineering geology particularly in the eastern United States, fostering future professionals in the field.

The Elks National Foundation's Legacy Awards provide $4,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of Elks members. Eligible applicants must be high school seniors and can apply online. The program supports educational pursuits at accredited U.S. institutions, ensuring that the legacy of community service and support continues. With criteria focusing on family connections to the Elks and a commitment to education, these awards promote opportunities for future generations to thrive and contribute to society.

The Whataburger Family Foundation Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports individuals pursuing higher education. It is open to U.S. citizens or legal residents with a minimum 2.5 GPA, who are employed or have family ties to Whataburger employees. This scholarship is available for various fields of study and can be applied to both full-time and part-time enrollment in accredited institutions across the USA. It aims to enhance educational opportunities and community growth.

KKR Charitable Donations supports impactful collaborations and programs addressing current needs while paving the way for future progress. Through their Corporate Citizenship program, KKR focuses on philanthropy, employee engagement, and sustainable community initiatives. The KKR Cares initiative enables employees to engage with communities worldwide via matching gifts, board service, and volunteer opportunities, aiming to enhance economic opportunity and security for underserved populations.

The Walter and Hannelore Schwindt Trust, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students pursuing degrees in various scientific and technical fields. Eligible applicants include current high school seniors and college students from specific Texas counties, with a minimum GPA requirement. This renewable scholarship covers tuition and living expenses for full-time students, emphasizing academic excellence and commitment to fields such as astronomy, medical research, and biochemistry.

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation's General Grant Program funds educational and research projects aimed at enhancing financial literacy among underserved populations. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 support initiatives that promote financial inclusion and address systemic inequities. The foundation prioritizes projects that utilize existing data to improve understanding of financial capability and well-being. Applications are accepted anytime, with a focus on sustainability beyond the grant period.

The Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation, part of the San Antonio Area Foundation, offers financial assistance to high school seniors from Bexar County pursuing higher education. Students of Mexican-American descent, especially those who are bilingual, are given preference. This scholarship aims to empower youth by alleviating educational costs for various degrees, ensuring that students with financial need can continue their studies and contribute positively to the community.

The Career Women’s Network Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, empowers non-traditional female students aged 25 and older to pursue higher education. This scholarship promotes leadership and personal development for women in the community, offering varying amounts each year. Recipients may renew their awards for up to four years, contingent on meeting eligibility criteria. The fund honors Katherine Walters, who valued education and aimed to assist women in achieving their academic goals.

The DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award for FY26 promotes groundbreaking ideas in rare cancer research. This award encourages innovative applications that explore novel courses of investigation without requiring preliminary data. Unique to this program is the prohibition against mentioning the Principal Investigator or collaborators in the proposal materials, ensuring an unbiased review process. This funding opportunity aims to advance scientific discovery in the rare cancer domain.

The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Research Fund Grant, established by the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, aims to enhance research and treatment of MDS and related blood disorders. This fund supports innovative projects addressing etiology, biology, genetics, prognosis, treatment, symptom management, and quality of life. It offers up to $125,000 for Early Career Awards and $250,000 for Established Investigator Awards, facilitating significant advancements in the field.

The DoW Rare Cancers Idea Development Award promotes innovative research ideas for rare cancers, encouraging applicants to provide preliminary data and exploratory aims. This funding opportunity, offered by the US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command, seeks projects with the potential for high-impact findings that can significantly benefit the patient community. It aims to foster new avenues of investigation and support discovery-driven research in the field of rare cancers.

The 2026 Rare Cancers Research Program Resource and Community Development Award aims to enhance rare cancer research through improved resources and datasets. It addresses critical gaps in research resources, communication strategies, and data sharing infrastructures. Key features include engaging patient advocates throughout the research process and ensuring sustainability of community platforms. This funding opportunity emphasizes community building and the dissemination of findings to benefit scientific and patient communities alike.

The BECU Foundation Scholarship aims to support educational endeavors while promoting community service. This scholarship, valued at up to $5,000 over two years, is designed for BECU members who exemplify the philosophy of 'people helping people.' Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, who are committed to full-time education and community involvement. Apply to join a legacy of giving back while pursuing your academic goals.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Helen Montgomery Musician Fund

The purpose of this fund is to support local minority artists that need assistance in order to pursue musical endeavors/expand their talent through programs associated with schools, church and nonprofit entities with a focus on music.

The FY26 Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program's Military Medical Research and Development Award aims to fund the continuation of previous Department of War-funded research addressing high-priority medical needs for Service Members and Military Health System beneficiaries. It supports various projects, including late-stage preclinical studies and clinical research. Eligibility requires prior DOD funding, and a Clinical Research Option is available for studies involving human subjects or biological samples.

The Diekemper Sofia Scholarship, established by Mrs. Lou Dunn Diekemper, supports students aged 40 and older enrolled in the global program at Sofia University in Palo Alto, California. This initiative, part of the Community Foundation of West Texas, aims to create a lasting impact on students' lives through educational opportunities. By fostering personal growth and development, the scholarship helps build a stronger future for individuals and the community as a whole.

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Topical PCORI Funding aims to support high-quality, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This funding opportunity recognizes the diversity of conditions under IDD and the varying support needs among individuals. PCORI encourages the use of both person-first and identity-first language, acknowledging the preferences within the disability community, and aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery for these populations.

The TIP Office of the US Department of State invites applications for projects aimed at combating human trafficking, adhering to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. This initiative prioritizes prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing trafficking through strategies outlined in the National Security Strategy, executive orders, and the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, while aligning with America First Foreign Policy priorities.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Don Trygstad, who established the Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Two men, with a commitment to Mona Shores and to athletes who learn and play on their athletic fields, started the Sailor Classic over a decade ago to raise money for items needed, that fall outside the Athletic Department's budget. In addition, the Classic gives the community an opportunity to celebrate all that the school does for kids. Most importantly, the Sailor Classic provides an annual scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete who are outstanding on the field, in the classroom, and in need of financial support.