Texas Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations led by local residents in the Texas Gulf Coast region, focusing on pollution reduction and the equitable transition to clean energy.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Texas that promote access to justice and uphold the rule of law through impactful initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports water conservation projects in Harris and Galveston Counties, prioritizing initiatives that promote best practices in residential, commercial, and irrigation water use, and is available to local water utilities, non-profits, public entities, and research universities.

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.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the System Agency, is accepting Applications for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Program. ADRCs are part of Texas’ No Wrong Door (NWD) System. The NWD System initiative is a collaborative effort of Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The NWD System initiative builds upon the ADRC program and CMS’ Balancing Incentive Program NWD requirements that support state efforts to streamline access to long-term services and support (LTSS) options for older adults and individuals with disabilities. NWD Systems simplify access to LTSS and are a key component of LTSS systems reform. The ADRC core services include: Specialized Information, Referral, and Assistance (IR&A); Referrals to respite care services; Local Contact Agency services to provide assistance to non-Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay nursing facility residents to transition into community living; Housing Navigator Services to increase accessible and affordable housing; and Outreach Activities under the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) to educate Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes who may be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy program (LIS), Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), as well as disease prevention and wellness promotion.

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) has issued the 2025 Improvement Grant Request for Applications (RFA) for programs that improve indigent defense services in Texas. Donor Name: Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Improvement Grants help counties develop new programs or processes to improve indigent defense. Improvement Grants are competitive, dependent on available funding, and usually require county matching funds. Priority Program Areas Applications for the following program types shall be given funding priority: Managed indigent defense programs structured to ensure quality representation. This includes, but is not limited to, managed assigned counsel and public defender programs. Specialized indigent defense programs representing clients with mental health challenges. Regional indigent defense services. Programs that serve rural areas. Programs that measure the quality of representation for indigent defendants. Indigent defense process management software systems supporting compliance with indigent defense laws. Other programs that implement cost containment initiatives designed to limit local indigent defense cost increases or reduce county operating costs with respect to indigent defense. Improvement Grant Categories Multi-Year Improvement Grants Funding for programs providing indigent defense representation, including public defender offices, managed assigned counsel programs, and indigent defense coordinator programs. Provides funding over four years. Requires a cash match. Grants typically reimburse up to 80% of total approved project costs for the first year; 60% for the second year; 40% for the third year; and 20% for the fourth year. Awards for multi-year grants are made each fiscal year, with funding of eligible expenses provided on a reimbursement basis. Grantees will be required to submit a brief Continued Multi-Year Improvement Grant application form and submit a new Improvement Grant Resolution for continued funding for each subsequent year of eligibility. Minimum $50,000 project budget per application. Rural Regional Public Defender Sustainability Grants Regional programs must cover three or more counties. Counties with populations less than 100,000 are eligible. (Counties that exceed this threshold may request a variance based on special considerations.) Provides reimbursement of 80% of approved program costs in the initial year, transitioning to ongoing sustainability funding covering 2/3 of eligible costs in subsequent years. May be operated directly by counties or contracted to eligible nonprofit public defender organizations. Single-Year Improvement Grants Funding for indigent defense process improvement projects including technology projects. These projects require a cash match as detailed in Section II below. Minimum program budget of $5,000 per application. Routine equipment replacements or upgrades are not eligible. Technical Support Grants Special projects including indigent defense research, program assessments, or pilot projects that build the knowledge base about indigent defense and test processes that can be applied in other counties. All technical support projects require a project paper that describes the implementation, the benefits the county may have received, a brief commentary from participants, and a brief discussion on implications or suggestions for other similar projects. Continued Multi-Year Improvement Grants Counties with current Multi-Year Improvement Grant awards and Rural Regional Public Defender Sustainability Grants must submit a brief online Continued Multi-Year Improvement Grant form for each subsequent year of eligible funding. A new Commissioners Court or governing board resolution must be submitted with the application each year. Requests for scope changes, amendments or budget adjustments may be submitted with Continued Multi-Year applications. Funding Priorities  Funding priorities include the following: New public defender offices. New managed assigned counsel systems. Mental health, juvenile, or other specialty defender offices. Indigent defense coordinators. Grant Period Period for Funding and Program Operation: October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  The following entities are eligible for Improvement Grants: Texas counties. Counties may apply jointly for funding but must designate one county as the grant recipient. A law school’s legal clinic or program that provides indigent defense services for Texas counties as described in Section 79.037, Texas Gov’t Code. A regional public defender formed under Article 26.044, Code of Criminal Procedure that provides indigent defense services for Texas counties and meets the requirements of Texas Gov’t Code Section 79.037. An entity described by Section 791.013, Texas Gov’t Code that provides to a county administrative services under an interlocal contract entered for the purpose of providing or improving the provision of indigent defense services in the county. A nonprofit corporation that provides indigent defense services or indigent defense support services in a county. Nonprofit applicants must document support from and coordination with the county or counties and courts served. Nonprofit applications should contact TIDC staff early in the application process to provide online grant application account setup and for guidance on documentation of county support and coordination. For more information, visit TIDC.

The Leland Fikes Foundation is accepting grant applications until October 9, 2024. The Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including reproductive health, civic engagement, and human services in the Dallas area. Their funding priorities include improving access to reproductive healthcare, strengthening democratic processes through public policy and advocacy, and addressing local community needs such as housing and health. The Foundation focuses on national, state-level (Texas), and local Dallas initiatives. Grants are not available for individuals or politically partisan groups. For more information, visit the Leland Fikes Foundation.

The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for Fiscal Year 2025 to support local law enforcement efforts in combating motor vehicle theft, burglary from motor vehicles, and fraud-related motor vehicle crimes. This grant program is designed to provide funding to Texas law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities in addressing these specific crime issues. The funding is available for the operation of programs that meet the requirements and conditions outlined in the RFA, which is published in the Texas Register to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The grant aims to continue supporting programs that have demonstrated positive performance in FY2024, with possible renewal for FY2025 based on availability of funds and successful past performance.

The Texas Pride Impact Funds is accepting applications for its 2024 Community Grants. Donor Name: Texas Pride Impact Funds State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Communities and Populations In the effort to drive support and build capacity in LGBTQ+ communities that have been historically disadvantaged, TPIF has identified Focus Communities and Populations to guide its work and establish funding priorities. While they will continue to fund a full range of organizations, projects, and leaders, (particularly through the donor advised funds) they will prioritize funding within the general and special grant cycles for the Focus Communities and Populations. They embrace organizations and projects that address the current and direct needs of communities while also seeking to correct the systemic injustices that unfairly burden people living within these identities and at their intersections. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression: While using the acronym of LGBTQ+ serves the full spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions. These include but are not limited to: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Queer Asexual, Aromantic Questioning Transgender, Two-Spirit, Transexual, Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming, Agender Intersex TPIF places a focus on supporting the safety, rights, health, and well-being of Texas’ people of transgender experience. Geography: While TPIF funds groups that work statewide and in local communities, for the next five years it will seek to build capacity in these geographic areas: Rural underserved areas Border communities Towns and small cities Under-resourced areas and neighborhoods within urban centers Race and Ethnicity: TPIF focuses on building the capacity of organizations, projects, and leaders serving communities of color including: Black and/or African American Native and Indigenous Peoples Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Desi, and Arab (APIDA) Age: TPIF recognizes the difficulties of being LGBTQ+ at each end of the age spectrum and maintains a focus on essential services and social supports for: Senior and elderly people Youth particularly those who are unhoused Young adults 18 – 25 Displaced People: TPIF recognizes the complications to living of displaced people and will concentrate on: Immigrants Homeless Youth Undocumented Persons Refugees Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Persons People living with and at higher risk for HIV/AIDS: TPIF maintains a focus on organizations and projects that serve PLWHA and communities at higher risk to HIV/AIDS. People living with Disabilities: TPIF maintains a focus on organizations and projects that serve people with disabilities. Eligibility Criteria  The grantmaking to non-profit organizations and organizations with fiscal sponsorship is intentionally broad for initiatives providing direct support to LGBTQ+ persons and communities in Texas. Community Grants award funds for general operating support; applications are not required to identify projects or submit project plans. Ineligibility Applications from individuals. National organizations or their local affiliates, except for programs developed at the local level to meet local needs in Texas. Initiatives outside the State of Texas. Endowment funds. Annual campaigns, capital campaigns, donor recognition events, event sponsorships. Applications from government agencies. Organizations that do not support transformational change and inclusivity of all LGBTQ+ individuals as well as racial equity in Texas. More than one application per organization per year. Academic research. Organizations that are not 501(c)3 or do not have a Fiscal Sponsor. For more information, visit TPIF.

This grant program is designed to offer financial aid to counties in Texas for essential public services, including law enforcement, jail, and court services. It also covers the reimbursement of extraordinary costs associated with the investigation or prosecution of capital murder or crimes motivated by bias or prejudice, as outlined in Article 104.004 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. rojects are considered on a case-by-case basis with preference given to counties seeking reimbursement for costs incurred for the investigation and/or prosecution of capital murder or crimes committed because of bias or prejudice as defined in Article 104.004 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Eligible costs may include: Expert witness fees and travel; Trial exhibit costs; Additional courtroom security; Juror expenses; Investigative services; Court reporter fees (original transcripts only); Costs associated with change of venue including detention services; Prosecution costs; Other costs associated with trial and prosecution of crimes under Sec. 19.03 of the Penal Code or Article 42.014 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

This program provides financial support to commercial property owners and business tenants in Boyd to improve the exterior appearance and accessibility of their properties through renovations and enhancements.

The State of Texas, through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), announces the availability of state funding for the Grants to Increase Local Dementia Support (GILDS) program. The grant aims to provide support to persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), their caregivers, and promote early detection and diagnosis. Eligible applicants include governmental entities, non-governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and associations, but not individuals. The application deadline is June 28, 2024, by 10:30 a.m. CST. The grant period is twelve months, starting on September 1, 2024, with an option for four annual renewals. The maximum award amount is $150,000, with an estimated total funding of $1,200,000 and approximately 10 awards expected.

The Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) seeks to combat opioid overdoses in Texas by awarding funds to implement a statewide program that will distribute the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone where it is needed most, and provide related training, including airway clearance techniques. The Texas Legislature created the OAFC in 2021 to ensure funds collected through lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies are used fairly and efficiently to combat the opioid crisis in Texas. The OAFC is made up of 13 appointed experts and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) as the non-voting presiding officer. Grant Amount: Up to $25 million Up to $25 million is available for this grant opportunity: approximately $18.75 million for the purchase of naloxone and providing related training, with nearly $3.13 million for administrative costs and another $3.13 million for interventions in targeted counties. The expected term of the grant agreement is an initial two years, with three possible two-year renewal periods for a total project length of eight years. The grant recipient will receive funds on a reimbursement basis. Eligibility Texas governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and any entity registered with the Texas Secretary of State and eligible to conduct business in Texas are eligible to apply. Funding will be awarded to one applicant to implement the program statewide, but applicants may use qualified subcontractors or subgrantees. Companies that paid funds or currently are involved in opioid abatement lawsuits are disqualified from applying. Applicants and subcontractors must also not be subject to the general disqualifications, such as being included on the CPA debarred vendor’s list or having a conflict of interest with the OAFC. Grant applicants may submit a written request for CPA’s preliminary review of any potential conflict of interest by March 18, 2024, to [email protected]. Application and Award Process Applicants must complete an application form, including fully developed and detailed proposals and budgets, through the OAFC’s grant management system by May 7, 2024. The internet browser that works best with the grant management system is Google Chrome. A mobile app is also available. Applications will go through a multi-stage selection process, including a risk review and evaluation by an independent peer review panel. After the review process is complete, the OAFC will vote on the final grant award. The grant recipient will be required to submit timely detailed status reports that cover the grant recipient’s and any subgrantee’s performance, expenditures and any additional information requested by the OAFC. CPA may also conduct site visits during the project and after project completion to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of the program.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has identified the need to provide community-based care services in a proposed community that includes support services to all Children and families that support safety, permanency, and well-being of Children in its legal conservatorship. DFPS sees a service delivery model that fully engages communities in serving Children, Youth, and families provided through a performance-based Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) as the approach that can most effectively meet this need in a manner that achieves improved outcomes for Children in its conservatorship. The SSCC provider must ensure the full continuum of substitute care (foster and kinship care), purchased services, case management and reunification services for Children and Youth in DFPS legal conservatorship from the designated geographic proposed community, those placed in the proposed community through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), and through interregional agreements.

The City of Irving is offering a Neighborhood Association Grant Program, providing funds between $1000 to $10,000 for projects that foster community spirit, such as communication initiatives, neighborhood identity enhancements, physical improvements, special events, and participation in the Great Flag Caper initiative, with applications due by October 23, 2024.

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to support nonprofit organizations and local public agencies in the following nonparticipating states: Texas and Wyoming, for the purposes of carrying out activities of the kinds described in the core requirements under the Act (34 U.S.C. 11133(11), (12), (13), and (15). OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) is seeking proposals for its Building the Next Generation of STEMM Leaders in the Field of Environmental Justice. Donor Name: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine State: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and implementation of projects that cultivate the next generation of STEMM leaders in the field of Environmental Justice (EJ). Specifically, this funding opportunity will support proposals based in education and mentorship that aim to raise awareness, expand understanding, and empower young people (grades 9-12) to apply STEMM disciplines to explore and examine the relationship between environmental hazards and their effects on the health and resilience of communities. Ultimately, the GRP expects this funding opportunity to increase the number of young people in the Gulf of Mexico region who study and work in STEMM disciplines within the field of EJ. The GRP encourages nonprofit or community-based organizations to work with young people from communities affected by environmental inequalities. This grant opportunity aims to support experiences that foster the development of the scientific and environmental literacy, skills, competencies, and capabilities that are critical to cultivating a next generation of STEMM leaders working towards Environmental Justice. Activities should focus on education and mentorship opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico region that provide youth with opportunities to learn about and apply STEMM in the exploration and examination of environmental hazards and their effects on the health and resilience of communities, raising awareness and building capacity among youth to pursue STEMM studies and/or careers in the field of EJ. These activities may take place in formal or informal educational settings, should target youth in the 9-12 grade range, and be complementary to formal education standards and learning objectives. Projects should be grounded in appropriate teaching methods for the goals of the project. Funding Information Total funding available: $4 million Specifications for award amount: This funding opportunity is for projects of at least $75,000. The majority of the available funds will support projects that are less than $500,000, and the remainder will support projects between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Award Duration Grants will be awarded to support projects up to 24 months in length. Eligibility Criteria For the purpose of this grant opportunity, applications will be accepted from all nonprofit and community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status, which support educational, service, and/or coordination activities for youth in the 9-12 grade range. Preference will be given to applicants with a history of working with children and youth, particularly those who work with underrepresented or underserved populations, including but not limited to racial/ethnic minorities, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth, students demonstrating low socio-economic status as established by the free and reduced lunch program, children with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, students from rural or remote areas, and/or students experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Programmatic activities must occur in the United States Gulf of Mexico region. The Gulf Research Program welcomes proposals from all nonprofit and communitybased organizations with 501(c)(3) status, on behalf of qualified individuals. The applying organization will be referred to as the “applicant” hereafter. The individuals who will lead the proposed project will be referred to as “project directors” hereafter. All eligible applicants must have a valid federal tax ID number in order to apply. For more information, visit National Academies.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the System Agency, is accepting Applications for the Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program (RIGP) as directed by Senate Bill 1677, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023. Through the Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program, HHSC will award grants to Rural serving Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs), nonprofit organizations, or governmental entities to be matched in accordance with the specifications outlined in Section 5.4., to address the mental health needs of individuals with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance residing in Rural Texas in accordance with the specifications contained in this Request for Application.

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 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.