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
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…

The Womens Foundation for the State of Arizona · Rolling / Open Foundation

Women and Girls of Color Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona Last Updated: July 31, 2023 Summary The Women and Girls of Color Fund is a pioneering initiative…

US $10,000 - US $100,000
Womens Impact Fund · Rolling / Open Foundation

Women's Impact Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Womens Impact Fund Amount: US $10,000 - US $100,000 Last Updated: September 10, 2025 Summary The Women's Impact Fund Grant aims to provide significant…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Yadkin County Community Foundation: Legacy Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $750 - US $2,000 Last Updated: November 24, 2025 Summary The Yadkin…

ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Yield Giving Open Call Award Status: Award already received (March 19, 2024) Funder: Yield Giving (MacKenzie Scott's giving platform) Geographic Scope: Suburban Cook County, Illinois Award Details: -…

YOUNGSTOWN FDN GENERAL · Rolling / Open Foundation

Youngstown Foundation: Operational Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Youngstown Foundation Last Updated: February 24, 2026 Summary Overview About Us Established in 1918, The Youngstown Foundation is…

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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