Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The Darlington Area Community Fund Grants, established in 1999, is a vital endowment supporting charitable, educational, and cultural initiatives in the Darlington area. Managed under the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, these grants are awarded annually to non-profit organizations and local agencies that benefit the community. The fund relies on community support to sustain its growth and impact, making it essential for local development and community well-being.

The Procter & Gamble Strategic Fund Grant aims to enhance lives through impactful initiatives such as infant development, hygiene, and oral care. As a highly competitive fund, it supports IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations that provide national programs where P&G can uniquely add value. Interested applicants should carefully assess their eligibility and align with the grant's specific focus areas before applying.

The NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) aims to support emerging scientists by providing protected time for career development in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. This award, effective for three to five years, encourages research independence and may be beneficial for those transitioning fields or returning from a hiatus due to personal circumstances. Deadlines for applications vary, with important dates set for standard, renewal, and AIDS-related submissions.

The NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) supports mid-career health professionals by providing protected time for patient-oriented research and mentorship to clinical residents, fellows, and junior faculty. The program aims to enhance research capabilities and promote career development in the field of patient-oriented research. Key deadlines for applications include June 12, 2024, and October 12, 2024, among others, ensuring opportunities for renewal and resubmission.

The NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) supports early-career scientists with up to five years of protected time for intensive research training in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. This award is tailored for those pursuing independence in research and is particularly beneficial for individuals transitioning fields or returning from a hiatus. Importantly, applicants must not lead independent clinical trials but may participate in trials overseen by mentors.

The NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) aims to develop the research careers of individuals with clinical doctoral degrees. This program provides essential support and protected time for intensive, supervised research experiences in biomedical and behavioral fields, including translational research. Important deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to February 2027, accommodating various grant types, including standard and AIDS-related applications.

About Madison Community FoundationSince 1942, Madison Community Foundation (MCF) has been building a stronger, more generous community and helping people like you make a lasting impact through charitable giving. Mission : MCF will engage Greater Madison in philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community.About Rio Community Foundation GrantThe Rio Community Foundation (RCF) Committee awards grants from the following funds:

• General Education Fund – to support general educational needs in the Rio School District
• Agriculture Fund – to support agricultural related educational needs in the Rio School District
• Athletic Fund – to support Rio School District athletics
• Strmiska Fund – to support general community needs within Rio

The ROSES 2025: D.4 program by NASA focuses on enhancing theoretical and computational astrophysics through collaborative networks. It aims to address grand challenges in Time Domain Multi-Messenger Astrophysics by integrating diverse expertise from various fields. Researchers from U.S. institutions are encouraged to propose innovative tools for modeling complex multi-messenger phenomena, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across academic, national laboratory, and private sectors to prepare the next generation of scientists.

About Madison Community FoundationSince 1942, Madison Community Foundation (MCF) has been building a stronger, more generous community and helping people like you make a lasting impact through charitable giving.

Mission : MCF will engage Greater Madison in philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community.Middleton Endowment GrantThe Middleton Endowment (ME) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Middleton area for present and future generations. ME will accept grant requests from qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Key interest areas include: cultural enrichment, community development, education, natural and historic preservation and the needs of residents in the Middleton area.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers funding opportunities through the Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) programs. These initiatives support faculty research at predominantly undergraduate institutions, fostering professional engagement and educational integration. Eligible institutions include accredited colleges and universities that award degrees in NSF-supported fields but have limited Ph.D. production. Proposals are evaluated by NSF programs based on disciplinary relevance and funding is allocated within existing research and education programs.

About Us

Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

Beck - O.J. Beck, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Purpose:

Established in memory of O.J. (Junior) Beck, Jr., a respected general contractor and builder in the Coastal Bend with a reputation for attention to his projects and friendly relations with owners. He served his community as a member, director, vice president and president of the South Texas Chapter of the Association of General Contractors, the Business Development Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Ada Wilson Hospital, United Way, YWCA and many other organizations. He came to an untimely death on April 15, 1982.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Funding Announcement aims to enhance methods for conducting patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. This initiative seeks to address critical methodological gaps, focusing on improving the use of artificial intelligence in clinical research, study design, data research networks, and ethical protections in patient-centered CER. With a budget of up to $750,000, successful proposals will contribute to the quality and strength of evidence generated in CER studies.

The AOAP Swim Lesson Grant aims to enhance drowning prevention by providing financial support to aquatic facilities for swim lessons and life jackets. With a minimum allocation of $10,000 annually, the program seeks to offer at least 100 free lessons to low-income participants and distribute 500 life jackets each year. It encourages non-profit organizations to apply, ensuring a focus on education and safety in aquatic environments. This grant represents a significant step towards making swimming accessible and safe for all.

Investing in research and healthcare to prevent, treat, and heal firearm-related harms

Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education

Kaiser Permanente established this Center in 2022 to scale its longstanding commitment to help communities prevent, treat, and heal from firearm-related injuries or death. The Center’s focus on violence prevention is rooted in healthcare, care delivery, and clinical interventions.

The Center is coordinated in collaboration with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI).

Research to support more effective health interventions

The Center funds research to test and expand health interventions that treat and prevent firearm injuries and deaths. This approach uses the same rigor and expertise that has helped treat and prevent other leading health concerns and causes of death, such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Funding supports projects to:

• Identify and evaluate health system strategies to address firearm injury and death, especially in communities that are most impacted.
• Test clinical interventions to prevent, treat, and heal trauma caused by firearm injuries and death.
• Assess pathways to implement and scale clinical interventions for firearm injury prevention in various healthcare settings.
• Improve healthcare identification and engagement of individuals at high risk of firearm injury or death.

Since its inception, the Center has awarded more than $8.5 million through 49 grants across 25 states and Washington, D.C., to advance research, capacity building, narrative change, and education.

Funding Opportunity

The call is open to applicants at varying stages of the research continuum. It is expected that central to all proposed initiatives are efforts to meaningfully engage communities that have been the most impacted by firearm violence.

What Work Will Be Considered for Funding?

Funding is currently available in two categories: Category 1 - Research Capacity Building; Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Category 1: Research Capacity Building

Up to two (2) projects will be selected, each receiving up to $100,000 over two (2) years.

Build capacity within the organization, institution, and/or clinical care setting to conduct research on healthcare approaches to addressing firearm violence or firearm suicide.

The Arnold Ventures RFP invites proposals for causal research on community safety and the criminal justice system. This initiative aims to generate evidence that informs effective policies to enhance safety and fairness in justice. Applicants should propose robust research designs capable of isolating treatment effects, focusing on real-world outcomes in the U.S. Preference is given to interventions with potential for policy adoption and led by early-career researchers or those without previous funding from Arnold Ventures.

Innovation in Religion and Spirituality Seed Grants Call for Proposals

The Religion and the Public Sphere program at the Social Science Research Council aims to foster research on the wider implications of new forms of religious and spiritual life. This program is offered with the support of the Luce Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Templeton World Charity Foundation.

Overview

In recent years, scholars have noted that religious and spiritual life is being substantively reshaped. “Innovation” is one way of framing these changes, but it remains a partial and contested analytic lens, and is popularly associated with the sudden emergence of a “new” element introduced into an otherwise static tradition. Scholarship on religion and spirituality, however, points to a more complex set of processes. The essays in an ongoing forum for The Immanent Frame have set out some initial parameters of these dynamics: rather than invention ex nihilio, what we often see is the strategic recombination of existing elements within a broader context of social, political, and cultural change.

Research Themes

This request invites proposals that examine the dynamics of religious and spiritual change that fall within the frame of “innovation.” Possible topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Explorations of innovations within transnational or diasporic religious and/or spiritual communities within the United States, particularly related to the circulation of ideas and culture from or to the Global South.   
• Gendered knowledge of innovation. 
• Studies of the process by which an innovation attains—or does not attain—legitimacy, relevance, or authority within a given community or institution. 
• The relationship between contemporary economic conditions—poverty, economic insecurity, and competitive pressures for time and money—and innovations in religion and spirituality. 
• Historical studies of innovations in religion and spirituality; the creation, reception, transformation, and longevity of an innovation over time.  
• Civic participation and the social mobilization of new or innovative religious identities, as well as the reinterpretation of religious or spiritual traditions or ideas in the service of particular political or ideological projects.

Program Terms 

The program offers research support over a period of up to 6 months. The grant funds will be up to $10,000 per award.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is continuing support for the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT), which focuses on clinical trials and biomarker validation studies for neurological disorders. This initiative aims to foster innovation in neurotherapeutics by providing essential infrastructure and expertise. The program encourages the establishment of Clinical Coordinating Centers (CCC) and Data Coordinating Centers (DCC) to enhance collaborative efforts. Note that applications are not currently being solicited.

The Digital Wish Donation Program, initiated by Mobile Beacon, aims to provide affordable high-speed Internet access to K-12 schools, colleges, and libraries. For just $10 a month, participating institutions can receive donated mobile hotspots and discounted tablets, enabling them to enhance digital literacy and connectivity among underserved students. This initiative not only breaks down barriers to access but also fosters educational equality, ensuring that all learners have the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.

The ACI Foundation's Tribute to the Founders Fellowship supports graduate students in construction, design, education, or materials. Awardees receive a $10,000 educational stipend, recognition in Concrete International magazine, and travel expenses to two ACI conventions. This fellowship aims to foster the next generation of concrete industry leaders through education and mentorship, while also encouraging personal development and career readiness through a structured internship program.

The Robanna Fund, established in 1992 by Robert and Deanna Levy, supports students pursuing careers in healthcare. Administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the fund awards scholarships averaging $6,000, depending on various factors such as the number of qualified applicants and donor preferences. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, reside in Hawai‘i, intend to major in a health-related field, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to cultivate future healthcare professionals in the community.

The Collins Medical Trust Grant, established in 1956, supports health-related research and professional education for tax-exempt organizations. Eligible applicants include institutions with approved tax status and a commitment to equal opportunity. Early career investigators are encouraged to apply, but funds cannot be used for individual benefits or political activities. The Trust prioritizes projects in Oregon and does not support product development for industry. Applications are accepted thrice yearly, with specific deadlines for timely consideration.

The Dairy Health, Efficiency & Resource Dynamics Initiative Grant seeks innovative research proposals to enhance animal health, economic viability, and environmental outcomes in the U.S. dairy industry. A partnership between FFAR, Dairy Management Inc., and Zoetis, this initiative aims to explore the interconnections between dairy health, welfare, economics, and environmental sustainability, addressing critical gaps in understanding the impacts of improved animal health on dairy production.

The NASA ROSES 2025: A.18 Geosphere program provides funding for research on solid-Earth processes across various scales. It aims to enhance understanding of the Earth's structure and dynamics, particularly in the core, mantle, and lithosphere. Key areas of focus include Earth Surface Properties, Crustal Dynamics, and Earth Interior. This initiative supports advancements in managing natural resources, assessing geohazards, and exploring the forces driving plate tectonics, ultimately contributing to improved hazard forecasting and mitigation strategies.

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program offers $10,000 in startup funding for community-driven groups in small towns to adopt the Community Heart & Soul model. Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on the last business day of each month, with funding decisions made the following month. This initiative aims to empower residents to engage in local development and foster community connections.

About Spirit of Blue

Our Vision

To become the nation’s leading supplemental provider of law enforcement safety equipment and training across the county.

Our Mission

Spirit of Blue is dedicated to the enhancement of officer safety throughout the law enforcement community by fulfilling unfunded safety equipment and training needs.

Safety Grant Program

Spirit of Blue’s primary initiative is the granting of safety equipment and training to municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to protect their sworn personnel. 

Most grants are 100% funded, meaning that no match is required. In the majority of cases, Spirit of Blue conducts the procurement of the goods or services being granted so that the recipient agency isn’t burdened with having to negotiate prices, place orders or track delivery. Rarely, if ever, does Spirit of Blue provide cash awards. Once selected, Spirit of Blue will provide the recipient agency with an official grant award letter outlining everything that is contained in the award. The recipient agency must gain acceptance of the grant, whether on the authority of their agency head or by working with their local governing authority as their policy may dictate. There are no reporting requirements after the award of the grant, but agencies are asked to submit a photo to be used in the announcement of their grant.

Grant Application

The Spirit of Blue Safety Grant Program is designed to award equipment, or in some cases training, that will protect officers serving on duty. You should only request items that you can articulate will have a positive impact on officer safety.

Investing in research and healthcare to prevent, treat, and heal firearm-related harms

Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education

Kaiser Permanente established this Center in 2022 to scale its longstanding commitment to help communities prevent, treat, and heal from firearm-related injuries or death. The Center’s focus on violence prevention is rooted in healthcare, care delivery, and clinical interventions.

The Center is coordinated in collaboration with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI).

Research to support more effective health interventions

The Center funds research to test and expand health interventions that treat and prevent firearm injuries and deaths. This approach uses the same rigor and expertise that has helped treat and prevent other leading health concerns and causes of death, such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Funding supports projects to:

• Identify and evaluate health system strategies to address firearm injury and death, especially in communities that are most impacted.
• Test clinical interventions to prevent, treat, and heal trauma caused by firearm injuries and death.
• Assess pathways to implement and scale clinical interventions for firearm injury prevention in various healthcare settings.
• Improve healthcare identification and engagement of individuals at high risk of firearm injury or death.

Since its inception, the Center has awarded more than $8.5 million through 49 grants across 25 states and Washington, D.C., to advance research, capacity building, narrative change, and education.

Funding Opportunity

The call is open to applicants at varying stages of the research continuum. It is expected that central to all proposed initiatives are efforts to meaningfully engage communities that have been the most impacted by firearm violence.

What Work Will Be Considered for Funding?

Funding is currently available in two categories: Category 1 - Research Capacity Building; Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Up to two (2) projects will be selected, each receiving up to $250,000 over two (2) years.

Expand or pilot new research on evidence-informed healthcare practice or clinical care models that address firearm violence or firearm suicide.

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.

Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund

To honor the life and legacy of Ronald Clark "Ron" McDaniel, family and friends established the Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008. Ron, born in Harlan, Kentucky, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan at the age of 5. He was involved in the National Honor Society, Boys State, played baseball and football and graduated in the top ten of his class at Pennfield High School. He then served in the United States Air Force obtaining presidential awards and honors before he made his home back in Battle Creek. Ron managed to balance his commitment and love for his family and sports while exhibiting an unequaled work ethic, often working 7 days a week, at the same company for 38 years. This fund was established to carry on his value of education. He believed that all young adults should participate in extra-curricular activities in or outside of school while focusing on education. Most of all Ron McDaniel believed education was the key to success. Scholarships in memory of Ron will be awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in high school athletics and are seeking educational opportunities in teaching/education.