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.

291 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
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…

Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

PACF: Community Impact Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Princeton Area Community Foundation Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Summary Overview About Us Our Vision: Thriving Philanthropy, Thriving Communities…

US $5,000 - US $20,000
THE PALO ALTO COMMUNITY FUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Palo Alto Community Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Palo Alto Community Fund Amount: US $5,000 - US $20,000 Last Updated: December 05, 2025 Summary The Palo Alto Community Fund Grant supports…

PARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Park City Community Foundation: Community Fund Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Park City Community Foundation Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: February 03, 2026 Summary The Park City…

Path Foundation Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

PATH Flexible Funding Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Path Foundation Inc Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: January 16, 2026 Summary The PATH Foundation offers Flexible Funding Grants of up to…

US $1,000 - US $3,000
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NORTHERN · Rolling / Open Foundation

Paul and Martha Rees Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Amount: US $1,000 - US $3,000 Last Updated: April 25, 2025 Summary The Paul and Martha…

Up to US $25,000
PINELLAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

PCF Operating Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Pinellas Community Foundation Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: July 13, 2025 Summary The Pinellas Community Foundation's PCF Operating Grants provide…

Pincus Family Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview PFF Core Grants Core Grants may help establish new relationships, allowing PFF to learn more about how well an organization's goals align with our own and possibly elevate our level of…

Pincus Family Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview PFF Small Grants Small Grants may help establish new relationships, allowing PFF to learn more about how well an organization's goals align with our own and possibly elevate our support…

Pincus Family Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: The Foundation is currently engaging in a period of strategic planning to assess and refine our priorities and focus areas. As part of this process, we are temporarily pausing the…

Philanthropy Connection Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Philanthropy Connection Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Philanthropy Connection Inc Last Updated: January 29, 2026 Summary The Philanthropy Connection Grant supports Massachusetts organizations through…

Point32Health Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Point32Health Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Point32Health Foundation Last Updated: December 24, 2025 Summary The Point32Health Foundation Grant focuses on advancing equity in aging by…

$10,000 - $50,000
UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Racial Equity Fund Funder: United Way for Southeastern Michigan Purpose: Provides financial support and technical assistance to BIPOC-led organizations through operational unrestricted grants…

Radiance Technologies · Rolling / Open Foundation

Radiance Gives Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Radiance Technologies Last Updated: February 13, 2026 Summary The Radiance Gives Fund Grant, established in 2022 by Radiance Technologies, supports…

ROCHESTER AREA FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

RAF Better Communities Grants: Fall Focus Areas Status: ACTIVE Funder: Rochester Area Foundation Amount: US $10,000 - US $20,000 Last Updated: August 08, 2025 Summary The RAF Better Communities…

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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