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
State/ Foundation
Updated daily
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…

GEORGE N WILCOX GENERAL TRUST · Rolling / Open Foundation

G. N. Wilcox Trust Grant - General Operating Status: ACTIVE Funder: G. N. Wilcox Charitable Trust Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary The G. N. Wilcox Trust Grant - General Operating provides…

PIQUA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

G. William Hartzell Community Grants Funder: Piqua Community Foundation Fund Established By: G. William "Bill" Hartzell estate bequest Geographic Scope: Piqua, Ohio Contact:…

$500,000 total (distributed to 18 nonprofits in 2022)
ONE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Gallatin County Nonprofit Vitality Grant Overview: A grant program funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars allocated by the Gallatin County Commission through One Valley Community…

$50,000 (endowment)
HIGHLAND AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Gene A. Daiber Designated Fund Status: Active - established February 11, 2025 Total Gift: $50,000 Purpose: Create a permanent endowment to support HACF's general grants program Focus Areas: Wide…

LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

General Grant Program Funder: Lexington Community Foundation (LCF) Geographic Scope: Lexington, Nebraska and surrounding area Purpose: Financial assistance for programs and/or projects which will…

OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: New applicants must set up a 10 minute call before applying. _ Our Mission We empower nonprofits to think bigger, solve more problems, and make life better in the neighborhoods served…

LEXARTS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview 2025-2026 (FY26) General Operating Support Grant Guidelines Welcome to the LexArts General Operating Support (GOS) Grant Program. GOS Grants provide unrestricted general operating support to…

Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
CA Arts Council · May 12, 2026 State

General Operating Support The General Operating Support grant program provides direct funding to arts and cultural organizations in support of ongoing operations.  An arts and cultural organization…

THE ROSE HILLS FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

General Operating Support / Program/Project Support Funder: The Rose Hills Foundation Geographic Scope: Southern California, with current emphasis on organizations based in and serving Los Angeles…

HUMANITIES COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON DC · Rolling / Open Foundation

General Operating Support Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: HumanitiesDC Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: March 18, 2026 Summary The General Operating Support Grant, offered by HumanitiesDC,…

$10,000 - $50,000/year
PARTNERSHIP FOR BETTER HEALTH · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

General Operating Support Grants Purpose: Flexible funding for existing grantees that can be used at their discretion to work on priority issues related to addressing health equity and the root…

THE BRONX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open · Semi-annual Foundation

General Participatory Grantmaking Program Funder: The Bronx Community Foundation (BxCF) Geographic Scope: The entire Bronx, NY Award Amounts: - Standard grants: Up to $50,000 (typically for two-year…

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

General Support Grants Program Administrator: DC Bar Foundation Purpose: Provides unrestricted funding grants to DC legal services organizations that provide free or low-cost legal assistance to…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR LOUDOUN AND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Give Choose Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties Last Updated: January 16, 2026 Summary The Give Choose Grants program, organized by the…

US $10,000
THE HOWARD GILMAN FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

GO Queens Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Howard Gilman Foundation Inc Amount: US $10,000 Last Updated: December 29, 2025 Summary The GO Queens Grant, funded by the Howard Gilman Foundation, aims to…

US $1,000 - US $25,000
American Fundraising Foundation Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Golden Pear Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Fundraising Foundation Inc Amount: US $1,000 - US $25,000 Last Updated: February 10, 2026 Summary Overview Mission To empower worthy…

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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