Stanzel Family Foundation General Grants

The Stanzel Family Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation whose mission is to encourage and support an educated and healthy community. With a vision centered on fostering lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles, and citizen philanthropy, the Foundation invests in initiatives that strengthen community infrastructure in the Schulenburg and Weimar school districts in Texas. The Foundation promotes a voluntary and self-motivated pursuit of education and health while recognizing individuals and organizations exemplifying generosity and community spirit. The Foundation supports grantmaking in six main focus areas: Navigation, Access, Mental Health, STEAM Education, Career and College Exposure, and Early Childhood. Each area reflects a strategic intent to address health and education disparities and improve community outcomes. For example, Navigation grants help individuals understand and maneuver complex systems to access services; Access grants prioritize improving equitable access to essential health resources, particularly for seniors; and Mental Health funding supports collaborative and sustainable approaches to expanding mental health care availability. STEAM Education grants foster engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, while Career and College Exposure funding connects young people with mentors and development opportunities. Early Childhood grants promote holistic development and support systems for families facing early care challenges. The Foundation also offers capacity-building grants, designed to strengthen nonprofit infrastructure. Eligible activities include strategic planning, fundraising development, technology upgrades, program evaluation, succession planning, and professional development. Startup organizations are encouraged to apply for seed funding, which can help them scale and attract future support. However, grantees are expected to eventually become self-sustaining unless continued funding is critical to service delivery. Grants are available only to 501(c)(3) or 170(c) nonprofit organizations serving within the geographic boundaries of the Schulenburg or Weimar school districts. Requests can be for operating, programming, or capital purposes. However, requests must not exceed 10% of an organization’s annual operating budget—except for seed funding proposals. Applicants must demonstrate community buy-in, partnerships, and a diversified revenue stream to strengthen the case for funding. The Foundation will not fund individuals, political campaigns, or religious programs that require adherence to a particular belief to access services. There are three application cycles based on organizational calendar alignment. For organizations following a school-year calendar, applications are due June 1, reviewed in July, with awards made in August. For those on a calendar year, applications are due August 15, reviewed in October, with awards made in November. Capacity-building applications are due December 2 and are reviewed in January, with awards disbursed in January. Applications must be submitted online via a link obtained by contacting Program Director Melanie Ramirez at melanie@stanzelmuseum.org or by calling (979) 743-9119. Funded organizations must submit a Year-End Report within 12 months of receiving the grant. The report must include an expenditure summary, demographics of those served, fundraising efforts, updates on programs, and examples of community involvement. Applicants who have failed to submit timely reports for previous awards will not be considered for future funding until reporting obligations are met.

Organizations should not request funds for basic operational needs that should be budgeted annually; they should show community partnerships and diversified revenue sources