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
PIQUA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Standard Grants Funder: Piqua Community Foundation Geographic Scope: Piqua, Ohio and surrounding area Contact: info@piquacommunityfoundation.org, 937-615-9080 Overview The Piqua Community Foundation…

ALLIANCE FOR EARLY SUCCESS FKA · Rolling / Open Foundation

State Policy Advocacy Grants Overview: The Alliance for Early Success provides grants to state early childhood policy organizations as unconditional, general operating grants (core operating…

US $5,000 - US $25,000
THE STONE FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Stone Foundation Grants - Maine Status: ACTIVE Funder: Stone Foundation Of New Jersey Amount: US $5,000 - US $25,000 Last Updated: February 04, 2026 Summary The Stone Foundation Grants in Maine offer…

$2.3 million over three years
HEART OF MAINE UNITED WAY · Rolling / Open · Biennial Foundation

Strategic Investment Grants Overview: Heart of Maine United Way's Strategic Investment Grants serve as the primary vehicle for funding programs that align with community goals across a 6-county…

SILICON VALLEY CREATES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

SVCREATES Unrestricted Operating Grants Geographic Scope: Santa Clara County and surrounding Central California regions Program Type: Ongoing annual grants to support unrestricted operating funds for…

SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS BOSTON INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: Interested in participating in our next grant cycle? Please fill out the form found here._ Our Mission We foster a community of engaged citizens, strengthen social impact…

DALLAS SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS · February 26, 2027 · Annual Foundation

SVP Dallas Advisee Program Overview: A comprehensive capacity building program designed to provide social impact organizations with opportunities to improve their ability to deliver effective…

WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY · Rolling / Open Foundation

T.R.U.E. FUND Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Western Colorado Community Foundation Last Updated: March 31, 2026 Summary The Two Rivers Unrestricted Endowment (T.R.U.E.) Grants Fund, established in…

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HARRISONBURG · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Our Vision Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is a place where its people and the greater community prosper generation after generation. Our Mission We make it easy to give back to the…

US $1,500 - US $3,000
PHILANTHROFUND FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

The Bisexual+ Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Philanthrofund Foundation Inc Amount: US $1,500 - US $3,000 Last Updated: August 13, 2025 Summary The Bisexual+ Fund Grant, offered by the PFund…

Inland Empire Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

The Community Impact Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) Serving Riverside & San Bernardino Counties Amount: Up to US $20,000 Last Updated: September 01,…

THE HEALING TRUST · Rolling / Open Foundation

The Healing Trust: Operating Grant: Resilient Families Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Healing Trust Amount: US $20,000 - US $55,000 Last Updated: May 21, 2025 Summary The Healing Trust is dedicated to…

US $1,000 - US $10,000
MARIE LAMFROM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

The Sunflower Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation 091898 Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: January 14, 2026 Summary The Sunflower Grant supports grassroots…

VALENCIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

The Valencia Fund Overview: The Valencia Fund addresses the most pressing needs across Valencia College campuses to advance equity, enhance access for students, and improve the community's…

MARIE LAMFROM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview The Washington Fund While we focus more exclusively on Oregon state impact, we still value our partnerships with Washington State nonprofits and value the incredible work being performed by…

Varies by organization (ranging from $2,500 to $100,000)
COLORADO GIVES FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant Overview: A responsive grant opportunity designed for nonprofits to share ideas and projects they believe will help Jeffco communities thrive. Unrestricted, one-year…

FALMOUTH ROAD RACE INC · Rolling / Open · Monthly Foundation

Tommy Leonard Charitable Fund—Nonprofit of the Month Funder: Falmouth Road Race, Inc. (MA, US) Mission: A new initiative announced November 2017 to assist local nonprofit organizations and honor race…

$3 million multi-year unrestricted grants
NEW PROFIT INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Transform Investments Award Amount: $3 million multi-year unrestricted grants Support Includes: - Multi-year unrestricted grants ($3 million) - Advisory support - Dedicated Deal Partner for alumni…

REALTY HOLDINGS INC OF THE QUAD CITIES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Transformation Grant Funder: Quad Cities Community Foundation Award Amount: $100,000 Overview: Transformation Grants are the largest single grants awarded through the Quad Cities Community…

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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