Texas Local Grants

This program provides funding to Austin-based nonprofit organizations to improve digital access, skills, and technology adoption for local residents, helping to bridge the digital divide.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profits and government entities in Harris County to implement projects that combat homelessness through services like outreach, emergency shelter, and rapid re-housing.

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 funding for tree planting, care, and education projects that improve the urban forest in Austin, benefiting civic properties and engaging the community.

This program provides financial assistance to commercial businesses in Liberty for exterior improvements that enhance the aesthetic appeal and promote business development within the city.

This program provides financial assistance to local business and property owners in Seguin, Texas, for improving and beautifying their commercial properties to boost economic development.

This program provides funding for public-oriented projects that enhance cultural, recreational, and economic vitality in Brownsville, Texas, targeting nonprofits, businesses, and public entities that have been operating in the area for at least two years.

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 City of Kemah has opened the application for organizations to apply for a portion of the City’s Hotel/Motel Tax funds. Donor Name: City of Kemah State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Through the Hotel Occupancy Tax Sponsorship Program, qualified events can apply for funds from the City of Kemah. The mission of the Hotel Occupancy Tax Grant Program is to provide funding to directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry in Kemah. Applications for a HOT sponsorship must be able to pass a two-part test to be eligible for funding.  The first part is the ‘heads in beds’ test. What this means is that every funded project or event must attract overnight tourists to the city’s hotels and motels, thus promoting the city’s hotel industry.  The second part is that the project or event must fit into one of these nine statutorily authorized categories: convention and visitor centers convention registration.  advertising the city promotion of the arts historical restoration and preservation sporting events in a county under one million in population enhancing or upgrading existing sports facilities or sports fields (only in certain cities tourist transportation systems signage directing the public to sights and attractions that are visited frequently by hotel guests in the city. For more information, visit City of Kemah.

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.

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 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 Harlingen’s Community Development Department is pleased to announce the HOME-ARP Program to provide supportive services to Qualifying Populations. Donor Name: City of Harlingen State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Harlingen is seeking qualified service providers to provide supportive services to Qualifying Populations. A total of $287,900.00 will be available through the HOME-ARP Program as funding for Supportive Services. The services are meant to ensure that the needs of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness are met so that they can obtain and stay in affordable housing. Qualifying Populations are as follows Homeless At risk of Homelessness  Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking– as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  Other Populations has moved because of economic reasons 2+ times 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness prevention assistance.  is living in the home of another because of economic hardship  has notification in writing that right to occupy their current housing/living situation will be terminated within 21days after the date of application for assistance  lives in hotel/motel and the cost of hotel/motel is not paid by charitable organizations or by federal, state, or local government program for low-income individuals  lives in single occupancy or efficiency apartment unit in which there resides more than 2 persons or lives in a larger housing unit in which there are more than 1.5 persons residing per room.  is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system  otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness, as identified in the approved HOME-ARP Plan. For more information, visit City of Harlingen.

The City of Fredericksburg’s Historic Preservation Grant application for the 2023-24 fiscal year is now available to Historic District landowners or owners of Historic Landmarks in the City. Donor Name: City of Fredericksburg State: Texas City: Fredericksburg Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Historic properties are an important part of the culture and heritage of Fredericksburg. The City of Fredericksburg understands that some homeowners may need assistance in covering expenses related to the maintenance of these historic properties. Homeowners with structures in need of exterior maintenance are eligible to apply for funding assistance. The funds are designed for owners in need of financial assistance and are offered as a reimbursement. Given the limited amount of funding, the grant is only open to owner-occupied structures with significant need. Funding Information The City Council has allocated $30,000 for all grants this year. For more information, visit TCF.

This grant provides financial support to eligible nonprofit organizations in Calhoun County to enhance their community programs and initiatives.

Program: Arts Support Grants, Arts Project Grants, Artist Microgrant Program Funder: City of Lewisville Award Details: The City of Lewisville offers three grant opportunities for organizations and individual artists in the arts sector. The Arts Support Grants are awarded annually to local nonprofit arts organizations using Hotel Occupancy Tax money. The Arts Project Grants provide one-time or first-time funding for programs produced by nonprofits that were not considered during the Arts Support Grants review process. The Artist Microgrant program is open to individual artists and provides funding of $1000 for specific projects or programs that benefit the residents of the City of Lewisville and help drive tourism. Eligibility: Nonprofit arts organizations can apply for Arts Support Grants, while nonprofits and individual artists can apply for Arts Project Grants and Artist Microgrants. There may be additional eligibility criteria specified by the funder. Application Process: Applications for all three grant programs are reviewed by the Arts Advisory Board and recommended to the City Council for approval. The application schedule varies depending on the grant program. Contact Information: For more information on the Arts Project Grant Program, interested parties can contact Denise Helbing, the Arts Manager at 972.219.8478 or [email protected].

The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability’s (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division announces its partnership with Dallas County Health and Human Services on the implementation of an Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Support Program. Donor Name: City of Dallas State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The main goal of UAISP is to strengthen the capacities of urban growers and farmers in the city of Dallas, thereby advancing food security, fostering healthier communities, and mitigating disparities within the local food system. More specifically, the grant aims to assist farmers and food growers in the planning, design, and installation of eligible infrastructures, while also streamlining the permitting process.  Funding Information The available amount for this pilot program grant is $99,600 with maximum reimbursements of up to $10,000 per applicant.  Allowable Expenditures  Permissible costs mainly encompass expenditures associated with the planning, design, and/or implementation of power or water infrastructure to support the production, aggregation, and/or processing of food. Projects involved in activities falling within this scope will receive preferential consideration during the application evaluation and selection process. The following is an itemized list of some costs that the program will reimburse: Project/Infrastructure plans or designs.  Urban agriculture infrastructure counseling and professional services  Utility connections to on or off-grid water systems, including drip irrigations.  Utility connections for off-grid energy supporting urban agriculture operations. Contracted labor/installations. Greenhouses/hoop houses.  Versatile high tunnels (multi-season).  Cold storage temperature control equipment. Grow light systems.  Bee hives.  Other expenses deemed allowable by DCHHS & the City of Dallas Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for funding, individuals or establishments must fulfill the following criteria:  Engage in edible farming and gardening, and/or participate in aggregation, and/or process agricultural food products.  Contribute to the local food system by either engaging in food production and/or facilitating access to healthy and safe foods.  Clearly demonstrate a need for funding to improve food-related infrastructure.  For more information, visit City of Dallas.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority's 2024 Groundwater Conservation Grant Program supports agricultural irrigation efficiency improvements within its jurisdiction, encompassing over 8,000 square miles across eight Texas counties. This initiative aims to incentivize the adoption of water-saving practices among Edwards Aquifer permit holders, enhancing groundwater conservation efforts. Qualified projects that demonstrate potential groundwater savings are eligible for funding. Applicants are required to provide detailed project proposals, including descriptions of current and proposed irrigation methods, equipment to be used, and comprehensive cost estimates.

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.

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.