Amarillo Area Foundation’s Catalyst Grant

The Catalyst Grant Program is administered by the Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF), a regional community foundation dedicated to supporting initiatives that benefit the Texas Panhandle. This particular program is designed for organizations in need of smaller-scale funding, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. It is particularly well-suited for smaller nonprofits, volunteer-run organizations, and those with minimal or no prior grant experience, offering an accessible entry point into the foundation’s funding opportunities. The Catalyst Grant offers a simplified application process, lowering the administrative burden on applicants. Feedback is provided to all applicants, whether funded or not, thereby supporting organizational learning and development. Applicants must choose to apply either to the Catalyst Grant Program or the Discretionary Grant Program in any given calendar year but may not apply to both. Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of local residents aged 45 and younger from across the Texas Panhandle. This committee makes recommendations to the AAF Board of Directors, fostering civic engagement and community leadership among younger residents. Grant funds must be used within and for the benefit of the residents of the 26 northernmost counties of the Texas Panhandle. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code or be a recognized governmental, educational, or faith-based organization serving public charitable purposes. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Financial documentation is required and varies by organizational budget size—from internal financial statements for those with less than $50,000 in revenue, to independently audited financial statements for those exceeding $500,000. The Foundation excludes funding for projects serving communities outside the 26-county region, religious or tuition-based private schools, sectarian religious programming, political lobbying (with limited exceptions), debt retirement, completed projects, or fundraising activities. Previous grant recipients must fulfill reporting obligations before being eligible for new funding. Primary contacts for the grant include Sarah Griffin, Director of Grants and Community Investment; Beth Cameron Gunn, Grants Program Officer; and Raul Rodarte-Suto, Grants Program Officer. Their contact forms are available on the AAF website. There is no specified application opening or closing date for the Catalyst Grant, and recurring status is not indicated. Interested applicants should consult the Foundation’s website or contact staff directly for deadline information.