Texas Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides funding for capital improvement projects that benefit local communities, including volunteer fire departments, schools, and nonprofit organizations, within specific service areas.

The South Plains Foundation program grants is to encourage the development of programs for charitable purposes in Lubbock County, Texas. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of West Texas State: Texas County: Lubbock County (TX) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Grants are typically limited to a maximum of $10,000. Eligibility Criteria  Grants are restricted to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, units of local government (i.e. School district, county, city, etc.) and faith-based organizations that serve the general community. Ineligibility  Annual appeals, endowment funds, membership contributions or fundraising events. Existing obligations, loans or debt retirement. Long-term operating support. Medical, scientific or academic research. Political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts. Operating and construction costs at schools or universities unless there is significant opportunity for community use or collaboration. Projects that focus on the promotion of specific religious beliefs or construction projects of churches and other religious institutions. Out of region travel for individuals, bands, sports teams, classes and similar groups. Grants to individuals or for-profit businesses. For more information, visit Community Foundation of West Texas.

This program provides financial support and mentorship to diverse-led small businesses in Texas, promoting job creation and growth among underrepresented groups.

The City of San Antonio is seeking applications for its Small Business Construction Support Grant Program to provide financial support in the form of grants to eligible micro and small business owners whose businesses are located in an area impacted by City-initiated construction projects. Donor Name: City of San Antonio State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program, funded by the City of San Antonio and administered by LiftFund, has dedicated $1,459,168 in funding to support for-profit small businesses with grants between $5,000 and $35,000. Eligibility Criteria Have a minimum of $10,000 gross sales in 2022. Be a retail or service business that requires customer foot traffic for operations. Meet the SBA Size standard for small business based on your 6-digit NAICS code. Demonstrate net profit/loss in 2022 that is at least $5,000 greater than net/profit loss in 2023. Net profit/loss is based on Line 29 of Schedule C, Line 30 of 1120, Line 21 of 1120S or Line 22 of 1065. Be currently in operation and not have filed for bankruptcy during duration of application process. Be located within an eligible construction zone and remain for one year from date of grant award. Check if your business address is located within a construction zone at COSA Construction Zone Check. Not be in the following categories: non-profits, gambling/gaming businesses; franchisors; sexually oriented businesses; payday & auto loan providers; liquor stores and businesses in which a City employee or officer has a financial interest. Applicant must be majority owner of the business, or equal share owner with a partner. Grant awards are limited to one per business at each physical address within the City of San Antonio. Grant applicants with multiple businesses in eligible construction zones are eligible to receive more than one grant award if the applicant can financially differentiate between the businesses (e.g., provide separate financial statements for each business) and each business meets all of the eligibility criteria. For more information, visit City of San Antonio.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for residents in Abilene and Taylor County, Texas, across various focus areas such as education, health, and community development.

Equip Harlingen is a small business matching grant program offered by the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation that provides up to Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) for new equipment purchases for businesses that are looking to expand their production capabilities. Donor Name: Harlingen Economic Development Corporation State: Texas City: Harlingen Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant encourages the retention and creation of jobs for business enterprises in the City of Harlingen to stimulate further economic activity. Applicants must have been in business at least one full year prior to the application date. Funding Information Financial assistance to eligible commercial businesses for equipment purchases is fifty percent (50%) of the incurred costs, not to exceed Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000). Eligible Expenses New equipment that will allow the business to increase production to expand its operations or generate more sales. Equipment must be under warranty when purchased. Such equipment may include: stoves, ovens, refrigerators, lathes, table saws, tooling machines, plastic injection molding machines, etc. Equipment essential for the creation of more products. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible businesses must be for-profit entities occupying commercial space. Applicants must demonstrate that they have been in business within a commercial space for the previous 12 months of the application date. Applicants must be a commercial property owner and/ or an existing for-profit business (tenant) within the city limits of Harlingen, TX with fewer than 20 employees. National chains (more than three) or franchises are not eligible. Establishments with more than two locations are not eligible. Only one business per person will be considered. All existing business owner applicants must possess a current City of Harlingen Business Tax Receipt, and must generate local sales taxes. The business or owner must not be currently recipients of Harlingen EDC  incentives or must not have received a Harlingen EDC incentive as of December 31, 2021 including a Revitalize Harlingen Grant. All applicants (business and/ property owner) must not have outstanding code enforcement violations or liens (unless related to a change of use). All applicants must be current on rental, mortgage and all tax payments if applicable. For more information, visit Harlingen EDC.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant. Donor Name: Texas Woman’s University State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose is to create greater economic development activity in rural Texas by encouraging and enabling rural woman-owned, small businesses to undertake new and innovative projects. Funding Information A total of ten $5,000 grants for a total of $50,000 are available for this round of funding. What can the funds be used for? Purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology. Farm implements or machinery. Addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials. Purchase and installation of fixtures or display units. Property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue. Marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity that CWE deems is aligned with the stated purpose of this program. Who can apply? Eligible businesses must satisfy all of the following conditions: Existing rural, woman-owned businesses (at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens). The business owner must reside in Texas. The business must currently be set up as a legal business entity. The business must be a for-profit corporation, partnership, LLP or LLC, or sole proprietorship. Not-for-profit corporations or similar nonprofit entities are not eligible. If the business or business owner owns the premises where the business operates, all property taxes must be current. All sales, payroll, and other taxes must be current. The business must be located and operated within an eligible Texas County. The business, business owner and the applicant must not be involved in any pending or current litigation. The business owner must not have any felonies or convictions for a crime of dishonesty or breach of trust. Previous grant winners cannot apply. The business must be in one of the eligible rural counties in Texas. The business, business owner and applicant are operating with all required permits and licenses and are conforming to all required laws. Grant Requirements  The successful applicant will receive two installments of the award: $2,500 after signing the grant agreement, a photo release and all required paperwork for payment. $2,500 following completion of a small business training course hosted by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs, 3 hours of small business advising/mentoring and submission and approval of a completed business plan with three years of financials. Additionally, itemized receipts or proof of purchases made with initial grant funds of $2,500 (costs must have been incurred after receiving grant funding) must be provided to CWE to receive the remaining $2,500. You need to meet with CWE staff to talk over the grant specifics and ask any questions you have. Use the spreadsheet that the CWE provides for documentation. The University will send winners a 1099 for the grant funds received. Ineligible applicants Any business that is not on the rural county list. TWU faculty/staff (or any immediate family member of the applicant’s family, including spouse, child, parent), trustee, and advisory committee member. TWU Students are not eligible to apply. Prior grant winners. Applicants who have taken part in any CWE program in the last year including AccelerateHER, TechFW or NTEEC awardees. For more information, visit TWU.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and informal arts and culture groups for public arts and culture events and programs in Georgetown.

The Hispanic Impact Fund a signature program at Austin Community Foundation works to bridge the racial wealth divide and advance economic opportunity for Latino families in Central Texas. Donor Name: Austin Community Foundation State: Texas County: Bastrop County (TX), Burnet County (TX), Caldwell County (TX), Hays County (TX), Travis County (TX), Williamson County (TX) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Focus Areas This grants cycle, the Hispanic Impact Fund will be awarding funding to organizations and programs that fit into one of the following strategy areas: Early Childhood Education: The Fund will invest in organizations that provide access to affordable, high-quality Pre-K and early childhood education starting at age 3, building the pipeline from cradle to career for Latino families. Health & Wellness: The Fund will invest in organizations that provide preventative, culturally competent health education and access to quality mental and physical health services. Job Skills & Entrepreneurship: The Fund will invest in organizations that assist Latino entrepreneurs in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to expand their businesses. Leadership Development: The Fund will invest in organizations advancing Latino leadership and creating pipelines of youth, emerging, and established Latino talent, which are critical to building a thriving Central Texas. Funding Information Winning Finalist: $50,000 total; a multi-year grant over two years — $30,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2025. Runner-up Finalist: $35,000 total; a multi-year grant over two years — $20,000 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2025. Two Semifinalists: $20,000 in 2024. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations working in the 6 county Central Texas region, which includes: Travis, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, and Williamson counties Organizations must be tax-exempt under Sections 501(c)3 or 170(b)(1)(a)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or be a unit of government Proposals will be considered from organizations that engage in non-lobbying advocacy work. Organizations doing systems change level work such as educating the public about issues, community organizing, policy research and other non-lobbying advocacy activities may apply Proposals will be considered from religious organizations that engage in non-religious programming. Religious organizations will need to demonstrate that their work aligning with the Program Funds’ strategies is secular in nature and does not discriminate against any employees or clients based on religion. Ineligibility Endowment funds Scholarships Religious organizations for religious purposes Fundraising activities or events Umbrella funding organizations that intend to distribute funds at their own discretion Individuals Organizations with discriminatory hiring practices based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. For more information, visit ACF.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is offering the Rural Hospital Financial Stabilization Grant to provide financial support to rural hospitals in Texas to help them transition to long-term financial solvency and sustainability. Eligible applicants include hospitals classified as rural, licensed by HHSC for 25 or fewer beds, and able to demonstrate financial need as per the specified tiers. The application deadline is June 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The project period begins on the grant agreement effective date and concludes on August 31, 2025. Award amounts vary by need tier: $100,000 for Tier 1 (Basic Need), $175,000 for Tier 2 (Moderate Need), and $250,000 for Tier 3 (High Need), with a total of $4,500,000 available for distribution.

The Nexus Grant offers $5,000 grants for new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses to produce creative public projects. Donor Name: City of Austin State: Texas City: Austin Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Nexus grant is designed to nurture new and emerging applicants in the creative community. Funds support creative public activities for the city and its tourists through community-centered arts activities and collaboration. Grant funds may cover administrative costs, equipment and space rentals, marketing, and other eligible expenditures. Collaborations might include activities that involve: Artists Culturally specific groups Groups representing LGBTQIA and disability communities Nonprofits Social advocacy organizations. Priority will be given to: 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. Applicants who have never received City of Austin Cultural Funding awards in the last five years. Funding Information The Nexus award is $5,000. Eligible Activities Exhibitions Performances Workshops and classes that include a performance or exhibition Public art projects that are installed on public or private property and accessible by the public. Eligible Expenses Payments to administrators and artists Space rentals Equipment rentals (not purchases) Supplies and materials Marketing and promotion expenses Insurance costs Fiscal sponsor fee, if applicable. Eligible Applicants  501(c) nonprofit arts organization: Maximum Annual Expenses: $150,000. Maximum Request Amount: $5,000. An individual aged 18 or older: Maximum Annual Expenses: $150,000. Maximum Request Amount: $5,000. Creative Business: Maximum Annual Expenses: $150,000. Maximum Request Amount: $5,000. For more information, visit City of Austin.

This program provides funding to state entities, higher education institutions, and private businesses in Texas to support new and expanded semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing projects.

Funding available through this RFA supports company formation, as well as early research and development of novel oncology therapeutics, devices, treatment-oriented information technology products, diagnostics, or tools. The objective of the SEED Award program is to start with an interesting technology and to progress it toward a commercially viable business opportunity, i.e., make it more attractive to private funding agents. Typically, applicants have completed the following activities: Identified a novel therapeutic, diagnostic technology, or clinical tool and shown a biological effect Conducted preliminary safety and toxicology testing (in the case of therapeutic agents) Shown the product can be manufactured at small scale or as a prototype Assessed the business opportunity and organized a business plan that begins to address key issues (clinical utility, target market, financial plan, IP strategy, technical challenges, etc.) and lays out a preliminary development plan (formulation, toxicology, scale up, IND-enabling studies, phase 1 clinical trials, regulatory pathway, etc.). Established a company

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of innovative products, services, and infrastructure with significant potential impact on patient care. Generally, at this stage, the company has identified and characterized a lead compound; demonstrated efficacy in multiple translationally relevant animal models; completed pilot/dose ranging toxicology studies; determined the feasibility of a scalable, GMP compliant manufacturing process, including release assays; and identified a prototype formulation suitable for further development. The applicant is typically within one year from filing an IND/IDE or already in Phase 1. With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support the following: Studies that establish preclinical proof of concept (safety and efficacy) CMC/manufacturing development GLP safety studies to support INDs Phase 1 in humans to establish safety and a recommended dose for phase 2 Phase 2 studies to determine safety and efficacy in initial targeted patient population

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of new and emerging technologies for the detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, or treatment of cancer. CPRIT created this RFA to fund new and emerging technology projects that do not easily fit into any of the three other CPRIT Product Development Research RFAs. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, production of radionuclides or their precursors, manufacture of cell-based therapies, processes to improve the quality of the samples used for cancer research or clinical care, and biomanufacturing of therapeutics. With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support studies that establish preclinical proof of concept, product validation, design, production, manufacturing and development, and clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of diagnostic tests and devices to treat, detect, diagnose, monitor, and assist in the treatment of cancer. Relevant areas include: Devices and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, treatment and prediction of response or resistance to treatment Markers for cancer prevention and control, companion diagnostic to a therapy Development of diagnostic tests to distinguish high-risk early lesions Generally, at the time that an applicant applies to CPRIT pursuant to this RFA, the company has developed a commercial prototype of the device or a pictorial representation of the functional components/elements of the device. With respect to diagnostics, the company has developed assays that work on human samples and whose importance is well justified for development into clinical assays. The applicant should be working toward submitting an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or a 510(k) or Premarketing Approval (PMA) and is typically within one year from filing an IDE (or later stage work.) Potential applicants that are not at or near this stage of product development should consider applying for a Texas Seed Company Award. With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support studies that establish preclinical proof of concept, product validation, design, production, manufacturing and development, and clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Arts Respond - Cultural District Project Eligibility: TCA Cultural Districts; VERIFIED College Arts Institution, Established Arts Organizations, Established Arts Organizations of Color, Government Local Arts Agencies, Local Arts Agencies, Rural Arts Providers located within a TCA Designated Cultural District Intent: Projects that use the arts to diversify local economies, generate revenue, and attract visitors and investment. This competitive grant program provides project assistance grants on a short-term basis and may include administrative costs directly related to the project. This program is designed for projects that focus on significant cultural tourism projects. These projects should serve at least one of the following: High quality arts programming that will attract a significant number of visitors from 50 miles or more outside the community (i.e., blockbuster art exhibitions, national or regional premieres, major festivals) Enhancements to the cultural district to make it more accessible, attractive, cohesive-looking, and safe for visitors Improved signage and wayfinding for the district Promotion of the district; this may include the district’s website, branding, and marketing Organizational support for the management and operations of the district (TCA Cultural District only) These grants may include capital improvements. Grant Type: Annual Application Limit: Organizations may submit one application per deadline. Minimum Request: $3,000 Maximum Request: 50% of project budget, not to exceed $250,000 Match Requirement: dollar for dollar (1:1) Application Deadline: June 15 for projects beginning September 1 through Aug. 31 Attachments Deadline: June15 Criteria: see Application Review Criteria Click here for ineligible requests Click here for attachments checklist

TWC is committed to improving access to quality child care across the state of Texas. This RFA seeks Applicants to foster sustainable career pathways that increase the availability of qualified Early Childhood Educators through the development of RAPs, which combines OJL with related classroom instruction. RAPs have been expanding into more nontraditional occupations, including early childhood education in the form of child care RAPs. Child care RAPs will assist in improving the education and training that Early Childhood Educators receive, thus allowing them to improve their understanding of child development and improve the quality of child care. High quality training and supports for Early Childhood Educators are important to the child care field.

This program provides financial assistance to small business owners in Texas to help cover costs for training, memberships, and necessary licensing fees to enhance their business operations.

The North Killeen Downtown Start-up Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act through the City of Killeen, Texas, offers support to entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow businesses in the North Killeen and Historic Downtown Area. The program aims to enhance community resilience and increase economic prospects in areas that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act acknowledges the pre-existing economic disparities experienced by certain communities and families that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are encouraged to be used to reduce these disparities and create stronger neighborhoods in certain Qualified Census Tracts. North Killeen and the Historic Downtown are located within Qualified Census Tracts.