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
Vail Valley Cares · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Vail Valley Cares Community Grants Funder: Vail Valley Cares Thrifty Shop Geographic Scope: Vail Valley, Colorado (Eagle County area) Overview: Vail Valley Cares distributes annual grants to local…

THE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview General Operating Support (GOS)  Responsive grants offer general operating support that provides flexible funding for nonprofits. General Operating Support is defined as a grant made to…

Bank Of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Volunteer Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Bank Of America Charitable Foundation Inc Last Updated: February 08, 2026 Summary The Volunteer Grants program by Bank of America Charitable Foundation…

WALTER AND ELISE HAAS FUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Walter and Elise Haas Fund: Possibility Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Walter and Elise Haas Fund Amount: US $100,000 Last Updated: June 17, 2025 Summary The Walter and Elise Haas Fund offers…

WAUB AJIJAAK PRESS & FOUNDATION · September 1, 2026 · Semi-annual Foundation

Waub Ajijaak General Operations Grants Funder: Waub Ajijaak Press & Foundation, Michigan (Anishinaabe Nation) Status: Active; Accepts proposals by invitation only Geographic Scope: - Primary focus:…

Greater Salina Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

WCCF: Clifton Community Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Greater Salina Community Foundation Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary Overview Greater Salina Community Foundation Our mission is to…

Greater Salina Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

WCCF: Hanover Community Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Greater Salina Community Foundation Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary Overview Greater Salina Community Foundation Our mission is to…

Greater Salina Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

WCCF: Washington County Opportunity Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Greater Salina Community Foundation Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary Overview Greater Salina Community Foundation Our…

WATERTOWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview About Institutional Support Grants WCF’s Institutional Support Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical…

WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY · September 15, 2026 · Annual Foundation

West Elk Community Fund Funder: Western Colorado Community Foundation Geographic Scope: West Elk area - Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford and surrounding communities (North Fork Valley, eastern Delta…

WESTERN INDIANA COMMUNITY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Western Indiana Community Foundation- Legacy Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Western Indiana Community Foundation Amount: More than US $7,500 Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Summary The Western Indiana…

WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Wikimedia Foundation General Support Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Wikimedia Foundation Org Amount: US $10,000 - US $550,000 Last Updated: November 21, 2025 Summary The Wikimedia Foundation…

$325,000 total (distributed among grantees; renewable for up to 3 years)
The Womens Foundation for the State of Arizona · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Women & Girls of Color Fund Funder: Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona Geographic Scope: Arizona (8 counties: Cochise, Gila, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, Navajo, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai) Focus…

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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