Texas Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial assistance to young agricultural producers in Texas who are starting or expanding their farming businesses.

This funding opportunity is designed to help educational institutions and non-profit organizations create and support high school robotics teams across Texas, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for students with disabilities.

This program provides funding to enhance high school students' exposure to STEM careers and educational opportunities through hands-on experiences and partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development programs in Texas.

This funding opportunity is designed to support summer camps that engage Texas middle school students in hands-on coding experiences, fostering their interest in technology careers.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit arts and heritage organizations in New Braunfels, Texas, to promote tourism and enhance cultural programs through projects related to the arts and historical preservation.

This grant provides financial support for historic preservation projects in the Austin area, aimed at promoting tourism and engaging communities through the preservation of culturally significant sites.

The StartHER Grant Program by Texas Woman’s University offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to women-owned startups in Texas, to be used for business-related activities such as purchasing equipment, marketing, and property improvements, with the aim of fostering growth and success in businesses that are five years old or less and meet specific eligibility criteria.

The Texas Workforce Commission is offering a grant for local boards and higher education institutions to create Externships for Teachers, aiming to connect classroom learning with real-world industry skills, thereby preparing students for future workforce demands in their local Texas communities.

The TII grant aims to create new internship opportunities for Texas students in Middle Skill STEM Occupations, providing them with work experience, educational credit, and potential progress towards industry-based certification, while also enabling employers to train potential future employees and address skill shortages.

The City of Marfa is offering Historic Restoration and Preservation Grants, funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax, to organizations that promote tourism and the hotel industry through projects enhancing historical restoration and preservation, with priority given to those generating overnight visitors and events held at specific local venues.

The City of Austin's Equity Office is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support community-driven initiatives, particularly grassroots organizations, that address immigrant inclusion, solidarity with unhoused people, and anti-displacement efforts in the Austin-Travis County area, with priority given to applicants with annual operating budgets not exceeding $500,000.

The City of Marfa in Texas is offering an Advertising Reimbursement Grant Program, funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax, to groups and businesses that promote tourism and the hotel industry by advertising their events outside the local area, with a maximum award of $3,500, prioritizing those that generate overnight visitors and rent local facilities for their events.

The Town of Trophy Club's Thrive Business Grant Program offers matching grants to local businesses for improvement projects such as façade enhancements, interior renovations, and equipment purchases, aiming to boost economic growth and community prosperity, with the application deadline set for September 30, 2024.

The PeopleFund’s BIPOC Small Business Accelerator provides underserved entrepreneurs in Texas with the capital, education, and resources needed to support healthy business growth. Donor Name: PeopleFund State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Training or Mentorship Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program participants commit to an orientation, a series of virtual training sessions, and assigned “homework”. Participants also receive access to technology and tools including LivePlan business planning software and an online curriculum for 6 months, expedited loan packaging and application support, and ongoing after-care provided by PeopleFund and the partners. Participants must apply, be admitted to the program, and qualify for a PeopleFund loan product. Funding Information A grant amount between $3,000 and a maximum of $5,000. Eligibility Criteria  To qualify for the BIPOC Small Business Accelerator, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be located in the state of Texas Participants must demonstrate at least one of the following three criteria: Their business is located in a low to moderate-income area OR That the address of the individual is in a low to moderate-income area OR That the household income of the participant is low to moderate-income Open to start-up and existing businesses Must be able to support a loan payment through available global cash flow Must meet credit and lending qualifications No bankruptcies within the last 5 years U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Not currently in active litigation Not currently past-due on federal obligations or are on a recovery plan Total collections, derogatory marks, and past due items cannot exceed 10% of the total loan amount up to $5,000 Not involved in felony-level criminal activity, crimes of moral turpitude, or financial Not engaged in any of the following industries: adult entertainment, gambling or gaming, real estate investments or housing projects, passive activity (rental), anything federally illegal, multi-level marketing, and nonprofit activities. Program Benefits Participants will have access to: Qualify for a PeopleFund loan product (dependent on approval) Connections to business and professional resources in the community Completion of a business plan, financial statements, and capital portfolio Access to tools and technology including LivePlan business planning software and the Verizon Digital Ready Program Curriculum guide within an online learning platform Ongoing support and aftercare through dedicated business coaching and mentorship Networking opportunities within the cohort. For more information, visit PeopleFund.

This program provides financial incentives for individuals and organizations to replace or upgrade older locomotives, marine vessels, and equipment in Texas to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions.

The City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods is seeking applications for its Matching Grant Program to improve Houston neighborhoods. Donor Name: City of Houston State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program is administered in partnership through the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods and the City of Houston Council Member’s Offices. It is designed to build solid relationships among neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and to develop projects that build a sustainable and stronger community. The goal is simple. They want to improve the quality of life for Houston communities and partner with active residents to: Improve neighborhood organization and pride. Improve community appearance and beautification. Enlist and increase community participation. Funding Information  The Matching Grants reimbursement is between $500 to $5,000. Eligible Projects The program helps pay for physical improvements or projects that are accessible and beneficial to the community. The program will not pay for ongoing operation or maintenance such as upkeep of landscaping or a community garden. Proposed projects must meet the following requirements: Improve a neighborhood through a physical improvement. Involve neighborhood residents, have long-standing benefits.  Accessible to the public. Letter of permission from property owners and/or government agencies of the proposed site at the time of submittal. The property owner may be a government agency, the owner of private property, or an association if the property is a common area. Proof of ownership of proposed site (Ex: Copy of Deed, HCAD record, etc.) Photo of proposed site. Three letters of support for your project (Ex: Neighborhood or area organizations, businesses, elected officials, schools, super neighborhood council, etc.) If the proposed projects require approval and/or permitting from a City of Houston department, pre-approval from the appropriate city department is required. (Ex: Pre-approvals must be issued by, Parks & Recreation Department for the Adopt-An-Esplanade Program, Public Works & Engineering Department for Subdivision Markers, etc.) The application is ineligible without the pre-approval from the appropriate city department (s). Examples of approved projects include, but are not limited to, street sign toppers, entryway signage, entryway columns, esplanade landscaping and irrigation, park benches, electrical signage, walkways with pavers, murals, etc. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria: Applicants must be a neighborhood-based organization and/or civic club incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (4) non-profit organization through the State of Texas. If the applying neighborhood-based organization is not 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (4), they must secure a 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (4) organization to partner with for this project. Applicant organizations must represent a specific geographic area located in the Houston city limits. Applicants must Identify how the organization will fund and support the project in the future. Political organizations and individuals are not eligible. For more information, visit City of Houston.

The City of Athens is currently soliciting proposals from eligible organizations seeking funds to be used for activities that serve a public purpose. Donor Name: City of Athens State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/22/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Athens community is home to numerous organizations who provide services that benefit the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City. In certain instances, the services provided by these organizations meet a public purpose that is not addressed by the City of Athens or supplements an existing service provided by the City, thereby relieving the City of the cost of providing those services. In such instances, the City of Athens can achieve its objectives more efficiently by providing targeted financial support to these organizations. This is a reimbursing grant program, with funding priority given to activities that assist the City in accomplishing its strategic goals. Eligibility Criteria The following requirements will apply for any application for funding to be considered:  As required by State law, all funded activities must serve a public purpose.  The applicant must be an organization or corporation governed by a board of directors, or similar governance structure. The applicant must be located in the Athens city limits.  The applicant must demonstrate that the disbursement of funds will directly benefit the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Athens.  The applicant must be a legal entity with the legal capacity to enter into contracts.  The applicant must demonstrate that the funded activities are available to and appropriate for the public. All funded activities must be provided to the public on an equal basis. The applicant must be in good financial standing and have financial safeguards in place to protect public funds. For more information, visit City of Athens.

TWC is re-issuing Statewide Family Child Care Network under RFA 32025-00067 to allow more inclusive Applicant eligibility requirements than the prior issued RFA 32024-00046. TWC is seeking Applications from entities that demonstrate experience working with child care providers, including facilitating or convening early childhood entities or providing technical assistance, training or professional development. In partnership with local or regional collaborative efforts, the Grantee selected under this RFA will develop one (1) statewide FCCN in Texas. The FCCN shall be designed to provide specialized services and technical assistance to address the needs of FCC Providers. The FCCN developed by the Applicant will increase the availability and quality of FCC Providers, particularly as related to TWC’s focus areas for this initiative that aim to increase supply of FCC Providers offering high-quality child care for infants and toddlers, offering Non-Traditional Hour Care, and operating in Child Care Deserts. Through this initiative, TWC also intends to strengthen the quality and supply of FCC Providers with funding for FCC Providers seeking to become newly permitted or permitted at a higher level, while also improving the quality of provided care.

The Thrive Business Grant (TBG) is a program by the Trophy Club Economic Development Corporation aimed at supporting local businesses through reimbursable matching grants. The initiative focuses on enhancing the visual appeal and competitiveness of businesses in Trophy Club, driving economic growth and community prosperity. In 2023, the EDC allocated $300,000 to launch this program, supporting projects like façade improvements, interior renovations, and equipment purchases to maintain the town's charm and stimulate customer growth. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants in Trophy Club who meet specific criteria such as being current on taxes, having no municipal liens, and adhering to local and state regulations. The application process involves Town Council approval, with a timeline starting on May 28, 2024, and deadlines on September 30, 2024, for applications, followed by reviews and tentative approval dates in December 2024. Projects must start within six months of grant receipt and funds are provided as reimbursements post-completion.

The Elevate grant seeks to provide funding in support of arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content for the public. Donor Name: City of Austin State: Texas County: Bastrop County (TX), Caldwell County (TX), Hays County (TX), Travis County (TX), Williamson County (TX) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This funding supports the creative, administrative, and operational expenses of creative activities for the people of Austin and its tourists. This investment in Austin’s cultural producers will elevate the City’s diverse arts and culture tourism sector, amplify equity, and prioritize inclusive programming. Key Elements  Minimum of one-year history of producing arts and culture activities in the Austin metro area Must produce over 50% of public arts/culture activities within the Austin 10-1 City Council districts or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) Applicants who prefer to work with a Fiscal Sponsor may do so. Fiscal Sponsorship is not required.  Awards will be based on alignment with Elevate’s funding priorities.  Annual operating budget is not a factor in determining award amounts. Applications will be reviewed and scored by trained outside review panelists. Funding Information Elevate for Non-Profits $40,000-$80,000. Elevate for individuals and creative businesses $15,000-$30,000. Funding Priority Activities that pay local artists and artistic administrators Activities that engage in community-based partnerships Applicants and activities with a commitment to equity  Equity is represented in leadership  Applicants who represent the diverse cultures of Austin, particularly those who are from backgrounds that have been historically under-represented in Austin’s Cultural Funding programs. Applicants that are representative of, serve, and are accountable to communities that are at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin and/or have been institutionally marginalized and under-funded by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division. This may include applicants that directly serve Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities or LGBTQIA+ and/or disability communities. Eligibility Criteria Applicant Type: 501(c) nonprofit arts organization, An individual aged 18 or older, Creative Business Maximum Annual Expenses: None, $500,000, $500,000 Maximum Request Amount: $80,000, $30,000, $30,000 Your artistic goals or creative mission is the production of arts and culture activities. This includes organizations that provide professional support to creatives. Minimum of one year of operating history in the Austin metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which includes:  Travis Bastrop,  Caldwell,  Hays,  and Williamson Counties. Over 50% of your creative production is within the Austin 10-1 City Council districts or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Proposed activity meets all program requirements as outlined by the Hotel Occupancy Tax.  All events are open to the public  Occur within Austin or the Austin ETJ Marketed to tourists  Or applicant is an arts service organization Applicants cannot accept more than one Cultural Arts Fund Grant (Thrive, Elevate, Nexus, or Austin Live Music Fund) per City of Austin Fiscal Year (October 1 – September 30 annually). Sponsored Projects do not count towards this limit. City of Austin employees are not eligible to apply for funding. For more information, visit City of Austin Government.