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
EMISSARIES OF DIVINE LIGHT · Rolling / Open Foundation

EDL Northwest General Operating Support Grants Funder: Emissaries of Divine Light (EDL) Northwest Website: edlnw.org Program Description: EDL NW provides multi-year, general operating support funding…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NAPA VALLEY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Napa Valley Community Foundation Amount: Up to US $150,000 Last Updated: May 10, 2025 Summary The Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund supports…

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND NORTHWEST · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emerging Justice Fund Funder: Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF) Geographic Scope: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming Award Type: Unrestricted grants Focus: Grassroots organizing for…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TOMPKINS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Empowering Resilient Communities to Thrive Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Tompkins County Amount: US $500 - US $12,000 Last Updated: December 19, 2025 Summary The Empowering…

HEADWATERS FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Family Power Fund : General Operating Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Headwaters Foundation Inc Amount: Up to US $150,000 Last Updated: October 10, 2025 Summary The Family Power Fund, established by…

FOND DU LAC AREA FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

FDL Unrestricted Grant ( Bi-annual Grant Cycle) Status: ACTIVE Funder: Fond du Lac Area Foundation Amount: US $500 - US $5,000 Last Updated: August 18, 2025 Summary The Fond du Lac Area Foundation…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Flexible Funding 2026 Geographic Scope: Western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties) Funder: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Contact: - Address: 333 Bridge Street,…

Up to US $30,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN · Rolling / Open Foundation

Flexible Funding Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Amount: Up to US $30,000 Last Updated: August 09, 2025 Summary Flexible Funding provides unrestricted…

$2.3 million awarded in 2025
ACF BRIGHT LEAF PRESERVE · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Forever Austin Fund Grants Organization: Austin Community Foundation Program Type: Annual grant program from endowed community fund Geographic Scope: Central Texas Award Information: In 2025, ACF…

$2.3 million total (2025)
AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Forever Austin Fund Grants Funder: Austin Community Foundation Inc (TX, US) Program Type: Legacy/endowment grant program funded through planned gifts Geographic Scope: Central Texas Focus Areas: -…

$2.3 million total awarded in 2025
CHARITABLE HOLDINGS II · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Forever Austin Fund Grants Funder: Austin Community Foundation (CHARITABLE HOLDINGS II, TX, US) Website: austincf.org Program Overview Endowment-based grant program providing general operating…

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

Overview The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona Our Vision An Arizona where women and girls of all identities thrive. Our Mission WFSA innovates to create social, political, and economic…

US $300 - US $5,000
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Fund for Buhler Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Hutchinson Community Foundation Amount: US $300 - US $5,000 Last Updated: May 10, 2025 Summary The Fund for Buhler Grant, managed by the Buhler Community…

GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Fund for Community Good Geographic Scope: Kent County, Michigan Overview: The Fund for Community Good is an unrestricted fund that, along with field of interest funds, allows the Grand Rapids…

Up to $4,999 (Friends and Supporters); $5,000+ (President's Council)
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Fund for WCC Overview: Tax-deductible contributions to the Westchester Community College Foundation's Fund for WCC provide unrestricted gifts that support special programs, increase scholarship…

Varies
PUBLIC WISE INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Funds+® Overview: Public Wise offers unrestricted, operational grants for organizations working on voting rights and democracy. Geographic Scope Priority states (as of 2024): Arizona, North Carolina,…

The Five Wings Arts Council · Rolling / Open Foundation

FWAC: General Operating Support Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Five Wings Arts Council Last Updated: July 30, 2025 Summary The Five Wings Art Council offers General Operating Support Grants to…

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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