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
HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OF WILSON · Rolling / Open Foundation

CAREs Flexible Funding Funder: Healthcare Foundation of Wilson (HFW) Geographic Scope: Nonprofit organizations located in Wilson, NC Eligibility: - Nonprofit organizations located in Wilson, NC…

HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OF WILSON · Rolling / Open Foundation

CAREs Flexible Funding Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Healthcare Foundation Of Wilson Amount: Up to US $15,000 Last Updated: March 23, 2026 Summary Overview CAREs Flexible Funding Healthcare Foundation…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Cary Community Foundation: Grantmaking Endowment Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $500 - US $1,250 Last Updated: November 21, 2025 Summary The Cary Community…

$100,000 in unrestricted grants plus $10,000 for leadership development
NEW PROFIT INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Catalyze Investments Award Amount: $100,000 in unrestricted grants over one year, plus $10,000 of funding for leadership development Support Includes: - Unrestricted grants - Leadership development…

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Catholic Community Fund Overview: The Catholic Community Fund is the only unrestricted grantmaking fund of the Catholic Community Foundation, designated to make grants that build community within the…

CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY · Rolling / Open Foundation

CCCF General Operating Support Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Central Carolina Community Foundation Amount: Up to US $30,000 Last Updated: December 15, 2025 Summary The CCCF General Operating Support…

CENTRAL FLORIDA FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Funding For Real Change Through our strategic grantmaking process, Central Florida Foundation identifies organizations and initiatives that are truly transforming our community. This funding…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST ALABAMA · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFEA Mini Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of East Alabama Amount: US $500 Last Updated: December 02, 2025 Summary The CFEA Mini Grants program offers three $500 grants annually to…

The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: Reach out to our Community Impact Team to talk through proposal idea._ Generosity For Good As Chattanooga’s public foundation, we are privileged to work with so many incredible and…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER FLINT · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFGF General Grant Fund Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Flint Last Updated: April 01, 2026 Summary The Community Foundation of Greater Flint's CFGF: Community Impact Fund aims…

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER NEW · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFGNH: Responsive General Operating Support Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Amount: Up to US $150,000 Last Updated: January 29, 2026 Summary The CFGNH…

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFMT Community Impact Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Amount: Up to US $30,000 Last Updated: July 31, 2025 Summary The CFMT Community Impact Grants aim to…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFNF: Share Your Story Video Challenge Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of North Florida Amount: US $1,500 Last Updated: March 12, 2026 Summary The CFNF Share Your Story Video…

The Community Foundation of the New River Valley Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFNRV: Responsive Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Community Foundation of the New River Valley Amount: Up to US $4,000 Last Updated: June 09, 2025 Summary The Community Foundation of the New…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SANTA CRUZ · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFSCC Community Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Last Updated: May 19, 2025 Summary The CFSCC Community Grants aim to inspire philanthropy by funding nonprofits in…

US $1,500 - US $5,000
The Community Foundation of South Puget · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFSPS: Community Grants Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of South Puget Sound Amount: US $1,500 - US $5,000 Last Updated: December 10, 2025 Summary The Community Grants Program,…

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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