Community Shop Grant Program

The Community Shop Grant Program, administered by The Community Shop, supports local nonprofit organizations operating within Aransas County, Texas. This annual grant program is funded through proceeds generated from the organization's community resale store. The organization utilizes these proceeds to provide direct financial assistance to mission-aligned nonprofits serving Aransas County residents. Each year, this initiative aims to uplift grassroots efforts that contribute meaningfully to the social and economic wellbeing of the local community. The grant supports projects and operational needs that are aligned with the applicant organization’s mission, provided they serve Aransas County residents exclusively. Awarded funds must remain within the county and cannot be directed toward individual scholarships, camps, or profit-generating activities. Projects must be measurable and verifiable, with proposed initiatives appropriate to the applicant’s stated mission. Past recipients include a range of local service providers such as Rockport-Fulton Good Samaritans and the Aransas County Council on Aging, which received $85,000 and $60,000 respectively, illustrating the funder’s commitment to organizations with demonstrable impact. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a registered address in Aransas County, as indicated on their IRS Determination Letter. Organizations affiliated with churches or secular missions are ineligible. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive set of documents, including their IRS Determination Letter, the most recent 990 Tax Return (2024), monthly and annual financial reports for 2025, and a fully completed and signed proposal form. For ongoing or complex projects, a detailed budget must also be submitted. If organizations have received prior funding from The Community Shop, they must include proof that past grant funds were used for their intended purposes. The grant application window opens annually on December 1st and closes on January 15th. All submissions must occur within this period; late applications are not accepted. The application process does not involve a pre-application stage, and there is no indication of a formal evaluation rubric, but adherence to eligibility and documentation requirements is critical. Upon review, selected applicants will be notified via an Award Letter sent by email. Prior to disbursement, selected organizations must sign a grant contract and acknowledgment form. A representative from the awarded organization must be present at the award ceremony to receive funds; absence will result in forfeiture of the grant. This is a recurring annual program with a structured application timeline. Given the December–January submission period, applicants can expect the next cycle to follow a similar schedule. Any misuse of awarded funds, such as diverting them to purposes outside the approved scope, requires reimbursement to The Community Shop. For assistance or questions, applicants may contact the program at [email protected] or (361) 247-0560. By focusing exclusively on nonprofits rooted in and serving Aransas County, The Community Shop Grant Program fosters hyper-local impact through strategic reinvestment of community resources. It stands as a model for place-based philanthropy that empowers local actors to address local needs.

Ensure a representative is present at the award ceremony; failure to attend results in forfeiture. Misuse of funds will require repayment. Applications outside the window will not be accepted.