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
NASON FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Quarterly Foundation

Grant Guidelines of Unrestricted Funds Funder: Nason Foundation Mission Alignment: Organization must be in alignment with Nason Foundation's Mission: "To promote the health and vitality of our…

HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund Purpose: Support Hawai'i nonprofits facing funding cuts to help protect critical services for communities Geographic Scope: Statewide Hawaii Status: Reactivated by HCF…

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview General Operating Support Grants We allocate most of our funding to unrestricted general operating support, allowing us to invest boldly in organizations and community-led efforts that…

THE HELEN J SERINI FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Helen J. Serini Foundation: Major Grants Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Helen J. Serini Foundation Amount: US $5,000 - US $20,000 Last Updated: May 21, 2025 Summary The Helen J. Serini Foundation's…

US $3,000 - US $35,000
ICICLE FUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Icicle Fund Community Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Icicle Fund Amount: US $3,000 - US $35,000 Last Updated: November 22, 2025 Summary The Icicle Fund Community Grants support nonprofit organizations…

WOMENS WAY · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF) Status: Active ongoing program Geographic Scope: Greater Philadelphia region Program Focus: Rapid response funding designed to meet urgent and unanticipated…

IMPACT 100 METRO DENVER · Rolling / Open Foundation

Impact 100 Metro Denver Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Impact 100 Metro Denver Amount: Up to US $100,000 Last Updated: November 13, 2025 Summary Impact100 Metro Denver offers a transformative $100,000…

Impact 100 Seattle · Rolling / Open Foundation

Impact 100 Seattle Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Impact 100 Seattle Amount: US $100,000 Last Updated: January 08, 2026 Summary Impact 100 Seattle empowers women to make a difference through collective…

US $10,000 - US $15,000
Impact100 Essex · Rolling / Open Foundation

Impact100 Essex- Equity Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Impact100 Essex Amount: US $10,000 - US $15,000 Last Updated: July 14, 2025 Summary The Impact100 Essex Equity Grants provide unrestricted…

IMPACT100 PHILADELPHIA INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Impact100 Philadelphia Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Impact100 Philadelphia Inc Amount: US $100,000 Last Updated: October 10, 2025 Summary Impact100 Philadelphia provides impactful grants…

BONFILS-STANTON FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Mission Statement We invest in equitable arts and culture organizations and nonprofit leaders to create a thriving and just Denver. Bonfils-Stanton Foundation strategically provides grants…

US $5,000 - US $10,000
INDEPENDENCE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Independence Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Independence Foundation Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: January 23, 2026 Summary The Independence Foundation Grant supports…

$1,000,000 per round
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KANSAS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Indigenous Communities Fund Overview: United Way of King County's Indigenous Communities Fund honors and invests in King County's Indigenous communities through participatory grantmaking. The fund…

Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville · Rolling / Open Foundation

IronMountain Solutions: Employee Peaks Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville Last Updated: March 03, 2026 Summary The IronMountain Solutions Employee Peaks…

NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Jackson County Community Foundation Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Amount: US $1,500 - US $3,000 Last Updated: January 02, 2026 Summary The Jackson…

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: Grants are available for Core support and Innovative/Emergency programs. Innovative/Emergency grant applications are due April 3. Core grant applications are due June 15._ Community…

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Jewish Community Fund (JCF) Type: Core Annual Grant Program Overview: The Jewish Community Fund is the core of the Jewish Federation's Annual Campaign. These are unrestricted dollars used to support…

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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