Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

Unrestricted grants — also called general operating support — are the most flexible and most valued form of nonprofit funding. These grants can be used for any organizational purpose: salaries, rent, utilities, programs, or anything else the organization needs. While harder to find than program grants, a growing number of funders recognize that strong organizations need unrestricted support.

285 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
$5,438 average (2025-2026: 16 grants totaling $87,000)
METROPOLITAN ARTS COUNCIL OF · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Mission Support Grants Purpose: Support non-profit organizations with the arts as their primary purpose. Funding is unrestricted. Status: Currently closed. Dates will be announced in summer of 2026.…

THE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Multi-Year Core Support Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Valley Community Foundation Last Updated: January 20, 2026 Summary Overview Multi-Year Core Support Core Support (general operating support) is…

ATHENS COUNTY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Multi-Year Unrestricted Grants Program Type: Pilot funding model introduced in Fall 2024 grant cycle Purpose: Provide grantees with greater flexibility and stability, allowing them to focus on…

THE NATHAN CUMMINGS FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Nathan Cummings Foundation - Enterprise Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc Amount: More than US $250,000 Last Updated: November 21, 2025 Summary The Nathan Cummings…

US $100,000 - US $1,000,000
THE MEREDITH AND ROSEMARY WILLSON CHARIT · Rolling / Open Foundation

National Meredith Willson Awards Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Meredith And Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation (aka The Music Man Foundation) Amount: US $100,000 - US $1,000,000 Last Updated:…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

New Hanover County Community Foundation Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000 Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Summary The New Hanover…

THE FORD FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

New York City Good Neighbor Committee Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Ford Foundation Amount: US $30,000 - US $100,000 Last Updated: August 18, 2025 Summary The New York City Good Neighbor Committee…

Sussex County · Rolling / Open Foundation

Non-Profit Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Sussex County Last Updated: December 16, 2025 Summary The Non-Profit Grant Program, funded by Sussex County, allocates $175,000 annually to support…

PNM TNMP FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Non-traditional Education Pathway Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: PNM | TNMP Foundation Amount: Up to US $400,000 Last Updated: August 14, 2025 Summary The Non-traditional Education Pathway Grant from…

County of Hawai'i · Rolling / Open Foundation

Nonprofit Grants-in-Aid: Waiwai Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: County of Hawai'i Amount: Up to US $50,000 Last Updated: December 07, 2025 Summary The Waiwai Grant Program, managed by the County…

$200,000,000 total (proposed); $50,000 - $150,000 per grant
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Inc · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Nonprofit Relief Fund Overview: MCN, with key partners, is advocating for creation of a one-time Nonprofit Relief Fund providing $200 million for nonprofits statewide. Funding would support…

$50,000,000 total (proposed)
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Inc · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Nonprofit Resiliency and Recovery Fund Overview: MCN, along with key advocacy partners, proposed to the Minnesota Legislature and Walz/Flanagan Administration a $50 million state-funded Nonprofit…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Northern Albemarle Community Foundation Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000 Last Updated: February 13, 2026 Summary The Northern…

NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

NVCF: Chico Children's Endowment Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Valley Community Foundation Last Updated: February 14, 2026 Summary The Chico Children's Endowment Grant, funded by the North…

US $5,000 - US $10,000
THE O'NEILL BROTHERS FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

O'Neill Brothers Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: O'Neill Brothers Foundation Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: December 04, 2025 Summary The O'Neill Brothers Grants support 501(c)(3)…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Onslow Caring Communities Foundation Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $750 - US $5,000 Last Updated: November 22, 2025 Summary The Onslow Caring…

$1.2 million total distributed ($25,500 average per organization)
ARTSMEMPHIS · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Operating Support Grant Program Status: Active Geographic Scope: Shelby County, Tennessee Overview: ARTSmemphis provides unrestricted funding to local arts organizations through its Operating Support…

WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY · September 15, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Ouray County Community Fund Funder: Western Colorado Community Foundation with Citizens State Bank Geographic Scope: Ouray County, Colorado Focus Areas: Unrestricted - all nonprofit areas serving…

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are unrestricted grants hard to find?
Many funders prefer program-specific grants because they can point to tangible outcomes. However, the Trust-Based Philanthropy movement is changing this — more funders now offer general operating support. MacKenzie Scott's no-strings-attached gifts have also shifted norms. Community foundations, corporate sponsors, and earned revenue are other unrestricted funding sources.
Which major foundations give unrestricted grants?
The Ford Foundation moved to primarily general support. The Hewlett Foundation's organizational effectiveness grants are unrestricted. MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving provides large unrestricted gifts. Many community foundations offer general operating grants. The Kresge Foundation, Packard Foundation, and Open Society Foundations also provide significant unrestricted funding.
How do I find more unrestricted funding?
Look for funders who explicitly mention "general operating support" in their guidelines. Build multi-year relationships with program funders and request unrestricted renewals. Develop earned revenue streams for maximum flexibility. Community foundations, United Ways, and federated campaigns often provide unrestricted annual grants to member agencies.

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