Texas Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

This grant provides financial support for projects and events that boost community development, tourism, and economic growth in McKinney, Texas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Texas that offer programs and services benefiting veterans.

This grant provides funding to registered neighborhood associations in Waco, Texas, to implement community projects that enhance local spirit, safety, and aesthetics through beautification, cultural activities, and events.

This grant provides $50,000 each to three nonprofit organizations in Central Texas that promote inclusion and support underrepresented communities through education, job skills, and health and wellness initiatives.

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in selected counties of Texas that focus on improving education, income stability, and health for individuals and families in need.

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 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 offers Arts & Culture Grants, funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax, to organizations promoting tourism and the hotel/convention industry through arts, historical restoration, and preservation projects, with priority given to those generating overnight visitors and renting local facilities for their events.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to grassroots organizations and community initiatives in Austin that work to combat systemic inequities, particularly in areas like immigrant inclusion, homelessness, and displacement prevention.

The Dallas Foundation’s Summer Grant Cycle consists of disbursements from The Dallas Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, which focuses on the strategic priorities to ensure a Strong & Healthy Start and Community & Economic Resilience, as well as several Field of Interest Funds, which are endowed funds customized to align with a donor’s interest in a specific cause. Donor Name: The Dallas Foundation State: Texas County: Dallas County (TX) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas  The Summer Grant Cycle is open to proposals from nonprofit organizations working in Dallas County and focused on the following areas: Strong & Healthy Start Support for projects that build a strong & healthy start for children with an emphasis on prenatal to three care, family homelessness, and child and youth mental health. Critical Needs Support to provide the necessities of life, including food, clothing, emergency and transitional shelter, and healthcare to children and families who are low-income, indigent, homeless, or ill. Community & Economic Resilience Support for education & workforce development, including Pre-K12, out of school time programs, and post-secondary access; Support for economic empowerment, including entrepreneurship and employment; and Support for housing and neighborhood infrastructure, including affordable housing and property support, transportation, infrastructure (i.e., broadband, utility access, sidewalks, etc.), and access to parks and recreation. Children with Intellectual and Physical Disabilities and Older Adults Support for disabled, blind, and deaf children; Support for the education of intellectually and developmentally disabled children to enable them to lead productive lives; and Support for older adults, including low-income older adults. Grant Restrictions  Funds are generally not available for: Programs or services that do not serve Dallas County residents Annual Fund campaigns, underwriting of fundraising events, and marketing campaigns Religious purposes (although they do support educational and social service programs offered by faith-based organizations) Endowments Individuals. For more information, visit The Dallas Foundation.

The City of Dallas is seeking applicants its 2025 ArtsActivate to create an equitable, thriving arts environment for all Dallas artists and residents. Donor Name: City of Dallas State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: ArtsActivate 2025 proposals should be innovative projects that create active and ongoing engagement with people, neighborhoods, and communities in Dallas. They should celebrate our diversity, build community connections, and enhance the visibility of neighborhoods through arts and culture. Priority will be given to projects focusing on neighborhoods outside of the Urban Core. Engage with the Dallas Cultural Plan 2018 and create programming to address its priorities and initiatives Provide public benefit by enhancing and diversifying artistic and cultural experiences to the residents of the City of Dallas Increase access and inclusivity in the experience of art and creativity for communities that have been historically underserved Connect individuals from diverse cultures, ages, and economic means in an effort to strengthen communities and/or neighborhoods through the arts Invest in historically underserved communities with artists or organizations rooted in that community to build individual capacity and economic viability Funding Information Applicants can apply for a maximum funding request based on its respective group. The maximum funding requests are as follows: Individual Artists $8,000 Group A $12,000 Group B & C $14,000 Group D $16,000 Eligibility Requirements All Applicants Applications must align with one of the ArtsActivate 2025 Program Goals All proposed projects must be artistically or culturally focused Proposed projects must not start before the respective round start dates All proposed projects must be completed by September 15, 2025 Applicants who were at fault and/or failed to successfully complete a contract during the City of Dallas fiscal year 2021-22 are not eligible to apply for project-based funding in FY 2023-24 Any proposed project budget showing a surplus of 10% or more of City of Dallas requested funding or any proposed project budget showing a deficit will be subject to disqualification Applicants must be willing and able to enter into a contract with the City of Dallas and meet the requirements associated with receiving funds from the City of Dallas All proposed project or activities must occur within the city limits of Dallas. NOTE: Highland Park, University Park, and Cockrell Hill are NOT considered within the City limits of Dallas. Applicants must obtain and maintain all necessary licenses, permits, insurance and other approvals required by law for the provision of services during the contract term Pursuant to Dallas City Code 2-36, applicants that are indebted to the City or delinquent in any payment owed to the City of Dallas under a contract or other legal obligation are not eligible for this ArtsActivate 2023 Program Non-Profit Organizations Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity as provided by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and in good standing Organizations must be in-compliance with local, state, and federal laws prohibiting discrimination Organizations must be authorized to transact business in the State of Texas Organizations must submit with their application their most recently completed fiscal year’s IRS Form 990 Organizations must not be receiving $150,000 or more through the FY 2021-22 Cultural Organizations Program (COP) or receiving $150,000 or more in operating and maintenance support from the City of Dallas in FY 2021-22. Organizations must have administrative offices permanently located in the City of Dallas. This does NOT include P.O. Boxes – organizations must have a physical office at a Dallas address. Proof of Dallas address will be requested at time of application submission. Acceptable proof of residency are driver’s license, current mail from the last 30 days that is typewritten or computer generated, and a rental/lease agreement. Organizations must have non-discriminatory employment and personnel practices Comply with regulations pertaining to federal grant recipients including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 Individual Artists Individual artists must be a resident of the City of Dallas or maintain a permanent studio/workspace in the City of Dallas. Proof of Dallas residency will be required at time of submission. Acceptable proof of residency is driver’s license, current mail from the last 30 days that is typewritten, or computer generated, and a rental/lease agreement. If rental or lease term is less than 12 months, eligibility is subject to Director approval Must obtain and maintain all necessary licenses, permits, insurance and other approvals required by law for the provision of services during the contract term Individual Artist must not have been employed by the City of Dallas in the last 12 months For more information, visit City of Dallas.

The City of Austin is accepting applications for its Thrive Grant Program. 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) 07/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Thrive Grant Program seeks to address a long-term need for intentional investment to support and develop arts organizations and cultural institutions of, by, and for 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. Through funding, peer leadership, and networking, this program will make Austin’s diverse cultures more widely visible and accessible by providing funds to sustain and grow organizations that are deeply rooted in and reflective of those communities. Key Elements Thrive funds organizations that are community-centered and responsive to current social and cultural needs of Austin’s diverse communities. Applicants who show investment from and into their communities are encouraged to apply. Intersectionality in proposals is encouraged.  Thrive offers a cohort experience to support organizations in obtaining cultural institution status through: peer leadership  networking opportunities  Organization improvement goals will become part of the contract deliverables.  All eligible applicants who apply for Thrive but are not awarded will also be considered for Elevate. Funding Priorities Organizations that serve and are accountable to communities that are at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin. This may include organizations that directly serve Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities.  Organizations that are representative of communities that experience other forms of institutional marginalization. This may include organizations that directly serve LGBTQIA+ and/or disability communities. Organizations that embody a commitment to equity through representation in leadership and program development. Applicants that have faced systemic barriers in obtaining institutional assets. Applicants that show a critical need for meaningful investment. Applicants that are ready for investment in long-term sustainability. What Foundation Funds All contracts funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue are required to:  Produce activities that are open and advertised to Austin residents and tourists  Promote and enhance the City of Austin as a cultural destination Occur in Austin or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) This program will offer additional investment in organization improvement. Examples of organization improvement include: Expanding public programming and audiences Establishing a reliable space for planning and presenting work Establishing new and/or more diversified revenue sources  Cohort participation to advance organization improvement goals Funding Information The Thrive award amounts range from $85,000 – $150,000 per year. Grant Period  2-year contract. Eligible Activities Activities related to the sustainability and growth of the organization. Examples: Expanding public programming and audiences Establishing a reliable space for planning and presenting work Establishing new and/or more diversified revenue sources  Operations related to the production of public events Exhibitions Performances Workshops, classes, and camps that include a performance or exhibition  Public art projects that are installed on public or private property and accessible to the public Eligibility Criteria 501(c) non-profit arts organization whose primary mission and over 50% of their body of work is the production of arts and culture. This includes organizations that provide professional support to creatives. 501(c) status can be new but must be active at the time of application. Minimum of five years of operating history in the Austin metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which includes:  Travis Bastrop,  Caldwell,  Hays,  and Williamson Counties. Over 50% of the applicant’s 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 Economic Development Department 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.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Tarrant County, TX, that assist children with physical or mental disabilities.

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

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Grayson County, Texas, that assist physically incapacitated, underprivileged, and underserved populations, with a focus on serving the blind, elderly, and orphans.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that provide essential services to physically incapacitated, underprivileged, and underserved individuals, with a focus on helping the blind, elderly, and orphans in Grayson County, TX.

The Houston Arts Alliance Festival Grant Program provides support of up to $10,000 to fund arts festivals or arts components of cultural festivals to celebrate Houston’s diversity and promote the city’s creative identity as a unique art and culture destination. Donor Name: Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) State: Texas City: Houston Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Festivals allow communities to share artistic and cultural traditions, creating vibrant opportunities and experiences for residents and visitors. Festival is defined as an annual or biannual celebration or immersion around a unifying theme or programmatic focus, featuring varied and curated events. Project Period January 1 2025–December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Organizations or fiscal sponsors must be tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), as verified by the IRS Tax Exemption Organization Search. An individual applicant must be at least 18 years old, which will be verified by the applicant’s submission of an official state-issued identification card, passport, or other official document. Applicants’ scopes of work must have a clear public presentation component, verified by staff review of the application. Applicants may submit only one application for each individual grant program. In other words, applicants cannot send multiple applications to the same grant program. Applicants cannot use the same project proposal to apply to more than one grant program. Applicants should decide which grant program best aligns with their project goals and apply to that specific program. If your project is awarded, that specific project cannot be funded again. Sequential projects or a series of related projects, with unique attributes, features, or iterations, are eligible provided that subsequent applications do not replicate the content or objectives of previous submissions. For more information, visit HAA.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Texas that address essential community needs through programmatic, operational, and capital initiatives.