Texas Private Grants

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is actively seeking applications from organizations dedicated to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice. This grant program is deeply aligned with Borealis Philanthropy's broader mission to foster a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in intersectional cross-movements and collaborative efforts, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and culture to policy and advocacy that dismantle ableism and promote authentic representation of disabled people. The primary beneficiaries of DIF grants are organizations whose work is driven by and accountable to the disability justice movement, with a particular emphasis on those most impacted by injustice and exclusion. This includes disabled people with multiple and intersecting social and political identities, such as race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. The fund prioritizes organizations led by disabled people, specifically Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer, gender non-conforming, and women with disabilities, where over 50% of the leadership (management staff, advisory committees, or governing boards) identify as disabled. DIF's core focuses include promoting radical inclusion by removing barriers and ensuring access, valuing lived experience, and emphasizing the leadership of those most impacted. The program also fosters cross-movement solidarity, encouraging collaboration and bridge-building among disability justice activists and across various social movements like Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, and queer and trans liberation. This approach reflects a theory of change that believes systemic change occurs through interconnected movements and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Expected outcomes include strengthening grassroots disabled-led organizations, expanding their operational capacities for ongoing movement building, and driving narrative change that dismantles ableism in policy, society, and culture. Measurable results will stem from work that moves practices of disability inclusion and justice forward through community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and policy work, as well as strategies that celebrate and elevate the authentic representation of disabled people in arts, media, and literature. This two-year grant opportunity provides $75,000 per year, totaling $150,000, for eligible U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with an annual budget under $1 million.

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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

This program provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations that serve youth in the Greater Houston area, with funding linked to the performance of the Houston Astros baseball team.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for its Southeast Aquatics Fund to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitats in the southeastern United States and Texas. This grant program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The fund's priorities are informed by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, adopted in 2018 and updated in 2023, which aims to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity across the Southeast. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aquatic ecosystems and the diverse array of species that inhabit them, particularly those identified as focal species in the Conasauga River (GA) and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. These include various endemic and native fishes like the Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, and trispot darter. The impact goal is to advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and other relevant conservation plans, ultimately leading to healthier aquatic habitats. The program prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints, with funding available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Projects benefiting the focal species in these areas will receive priority. The strategic priorities of the NFWF, as evidenced by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, emphasize a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitats in prioritized watersheds, reflecting a theory of change that by protecting these indicator species, the broader ecosystem health will improve. Expected outcomes include the conservation of aquatic habitat, the advancement of specific goals outlined in the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, and positive impacts on focal species populations. While not explicitly detailed as "measurable results" in the provided text, the focus on indicator species suggests that the health and population trends of these species would serve as key metrics for success. Projects are anticipated to have a completion time of 24–36 months, with grant awards ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 from approximately $8.45 million available in 2024.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

The Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program provides direct grant awards to African-American owned/operated businesses and attractions along Route 66, and funding to support research and programs designed to tell the stories of Black experiences related to Route 66. The program, celebrating the Route 66 Centennial, aims to help Black-owned businesses and attractions stay in operation, reopen, and expand, while also supporting research and storytelling efforts related to Black experiences on Route 66. Eligible applicants include Black-owned/operated businesses located along Route 66 with fewer than 20 employees. The 2024 grant round offers a total of $50,000 in awards, with applications due by July 14, 2024, and awards announced the week of August 5, 2024.

Texas Pride Impact Funds (TPIF) has opened applications for its 2024 Community Grants, designed to strengthen the capacity and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities across the state of Texas. The program reflects TPIF’s mission to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ individuals through strategic investments in community-driven initiatives. By focusing its funding on historically marginalized and underserved populations, TPIF aims to foster sustainable progress on both immediate needs and systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ+ people, particularly those facing multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination. The Community Grants program provides flexible general operating support to nonprofit organizations, empowering them to deploy resources where they are most needed to drive transformational change. The grant program is guided by a deliberate focus on key communities and populations. TPIF places strong emphasis on supporting the safety, health, and rights of people of transgender experience, recognizing that this group faces disproportionate discrimination, violence, and systemic exclusion. Additionally, TPIF seeks to strengthen organizations serving LGBTQ+ individuals in under-resourced geographic areas, including rural regions, border communities, small towns, and underserved urban neighborhoods. This intentional geographic targeting ensures that funding reaches communities often left out of mainstream philanthropy, thereby addressing gaps in access to resources, advocacy, and essential services. The program’s target beneficiaries also include LGBTQ+ communities of color, such as Black and African American, Native and Indigenous Peoples, Hispanic/Latinx, and APIDA communities. TPIF’s theory of change acknowledges that race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation intersect to create compounded barriers to equity. By channeling resources to organizations led by and serving these communities, TPIF aims to correct historical underinvestment and support culturally grounded solutions. The grant program further recognizes specific age-related challenges, supporting both LGBTQ+ seniors and elderly people as well as youth and young adults facing homelessness, family rejection, or other forms of displacement. Strategically, TPIF’s funding priorities are centered on equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation. Beyond supporting identity-based communities, the foundation also emphasizes the needs of displaced LGBTQ+ people—including immigrants, refugees, undocumented individuals, formerly incarcerated persons, and homeless youth. TPIF also prioritizes organizations working with people living with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS, as well as people with disabilities. By integrating these focus areas, TPIF aims to fund programs that not only provide direct services but also challenge structural inequities through advocacy, empowerment, and community capacity-building. The expected outcomes of the Community Grants program are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, TPIF anticipates increased organizational capacity, expanded access to services, and improved well-being for LGBTQ+ individuals across Texas. Over the long term, TPIF envisions a stronger, more equitable LGBTQ+ movement that includes rural, border, and BIPOC communities as central actors in shaping social change. Success metrics may include the number of organizations strengthened, the reach of community services provided, improved safety and health indicators, and the advancement of inclusive policies and practices. TPIF’s strategic priorities and theory of change emphasize that sustainable equity is achieved when those most affected by inequities lead the solutions. By providing unrestricted general operating support, TPIF removes barriers that often limit the flexibility of community organizations, allowing them to respond nimbly to evolving community needs. In doing so, the foundation is not merely funding programs—it is investing in the infrastructure of justice and the leadership of communities that have historically been underfunded, ensuring that progress for LGBTQ+ Texans is both inclusive and enduring.

The Legacy Foundation offers Responsive Grants to support specific projects or programs in the lower Rio Grande area aimed at improving health. Grants up to $50,000 are available for single year projects with clearly defined objectives and timeframes. Eligible organizations must meet specific requirements and focus on healthcare improvement within the designated counties. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Spring opening/closing deadlines: February 15th to May 1st

The 2025 Conservation Wrangler program, hosted by Texan by Nature, seeks to accelerate impactful conservation projects led by Texas-based organizations. The program supports up to six selected projects annually that demonstrate measurable benefits to people, prosperity, and natural resources. Selected projects receive 12–18 months of tailored program management and strategic guidance to enhance their reach and effectiveness. Eligible projects must be science-based, Texas-led, and demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes. They should engage diverse audiences and promote partnerships among community, business, and conservation organizations. Examples of eligible focus areas include wildlife, land, and water conservation across Texas geographies, from urban to rural settings. Selected projects are showcased during the annual Conservation Summit, offering visibility and networking opportunities. Participants in the Conservation Wrangler program are not guaranteed funding but gain strategic support such as program management, marketing assistance, content creation, and technical connections. Applicants must commit to collaborative participation, dedicate staff resources to achieve outlined goals, and present their work at the Conservation Summit. Applications are evaluated on a range of criteria, including impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes. The process requires detailed project descriptions, objectives, funding strategies, and impact metrics. Supporting documents, such as budgets, maps, and reports, are encouraged. Applications must be submitted in Word format by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. For guidance, applicants can reach out to the program team for consultations before applying.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

This funding opportunity is designed for nonprofit organizations that focus on improving health outcomes through better access to nutritious food for communities facing diet-related health challenges and social risks.

The Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District Grant, administered through Arts Fort Worth on behalf of Visit Fort Worth, provides marketing and promotional funding to arts and cultural organizations. The core mission of this grant program is to promote and enhance the visibility of Fort Worth as an overnight destination, aligning directly with the broader strategic goals of increasing tourism and economic impact within the city. This initiative supports culturally based programs and events that draw visitors from outside a 50-mile radius, thereby expanding Fort Worth's reach and reputation as a vibrant cultural hub. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations whose main mission is to present or produce arts or cultural programming. For-profit organizations are not eligible. The grant aims to support these organizations in their efforts to attract and retain overnight visitors to Fort Worth, fostering a symbiotic relationship where cultural enrichment drives tourism. The impact goal is to significantly increase the number of hotel room nights booked within Fort Worth city limits, contributing to the local economy and bolstering the arts and culture sector. The grant prioritizes marketing and promotional efforts, with a specific focus on reaching audiences beyond a 50-mile radius of Fort Worth. At least 30% of awarded funds must be used for targeting this external market, while up to 25% can be allocated for marketing and promotions staff or contractors. This strategic allocation of funds is designed to ensure that the grant's resources are directly applied to initiatives that can effectively broaden Fort Worth's visitor base and enhance its appeal as a destination. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in overnight stays, greater visibility for Fort Worth's arts and cultural scene, and strengthened capacity for nonprofit organizations to market their initiatives effectively. Applicants are required to demonstrate an intent to grow the number of overnight visitors and to promote Fort Worth as an overnight destination. The theory of change underpinning this grant is that by investing in the marketing and promotion of cultural initiatives that attract external visitors, Fort Worth will experience increased tourism, economic growth, and a reinforced identity as a premier destination for arts and culture.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in seven Texas counties for projects focused on health care, education, and community services.

The Brown Foundation Grant Program invites applications to support and enhance organizations dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant community in Houston. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to honor its founders' legacy by valuing visionary leadership, entrepreneurialism, loyalty, a commitment to excellence, and an orientation toward action and direct service. The foundation selectively participates in distinctive grantmaking opportunities, primarily focusing on Houston and its surrounding areas, but also extending to other parts of Texas and the country. The primary target beneficiaries are tax-exempt charitable organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are committed to making a positive impact. The foundation aims to achieve significant community impact by supporting initiatives that foster a stronger and more vibrant Houston. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on direct service and community enhancement implies an expectation of tangible improvements in the quality of life and organizational capacity within the areas served. The foundation's strategic priorities and focus areas include general operating funds, program support, and capital campaigns/projects. They maintain a low profile, keeping the focus on the mission of their grantees and the communities they serve. This approach reflects a theory of change that prioritizes empowering effective organizations to achieve their goals, rather than dictating specific programmatic outcomes, while also ensuring that the foundation's resources are channeled to organizations demonstrating strong leadership and commitment. The Brown Foundation strategically avoids funding individuals, individual scholarship funds, endowments, debt retirement, fundraising/marketing events, political activities, or religious/doctrinal purposes. However, faith-based organizations can apply for support for educational or social service programs, indicating a focus on the broader societal benefit over specific religious adherence. This selective grantmaking reflects a clear set of values and a targeted approach to maximizing their philanthropic impact within their defined scope.

The Gene Conley Foundation provides grants primarily within north central Texas for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes and for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The foundation supports programs that deliver public benefit across a broad set of community needs. Program areas include arts and culture, education, environment and animals, health, human services, public and society benefit, and religion. Average grants range from 5,000 to 20,000 dollars, with total annual giving of about 340,000 dollars. Funds may support programs or operations consistent with charitable purposes and demonstrated community impact. Eligible applicants are organizations that qualify as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Applications are submitted through the online grant application form or an accessible alternative. Proposals should clearly describe impact, outcomes, and alignment with the foundations mission. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available through the trustee portal referenced by Wells Fargo.

The Virginia Krug Groneman and Christian Harold Groneman Charitable Trust offers grants to support various charitable causes within Brazos County, Texas. This program is fundamentally aligned with the Trust's mission to address community needs, specifically focusing on health, human services, and religious purposes. The Trust's strategic priorities are clearly centered on local impact, channeling resources to organizations that directly serve the residents of Brazos County, thereby strengthening the social fabric and well-being of the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, operating within Brazos County. These organizations, in turn, serve individuals and communities in need of health services, human services, and religious support. The impact goal is to foster a healthier, more supportive, and spiritually enriched community by providing essential funding to these key areas. The Trust's theory of change posits that by investing in these specific sectors, it can create a ripple effect of positive change, leading to improved quality of life for a broad spectrum of the county's population. The grant program's priorities and focuses are explicitly defined: health, human services, and religion. This targeted approach ensures that the Trust's resources are concentrated where they can have the most significant effect. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not detailed in the provided description, the focus on these program areas suggests an aim to improve health outcomes, enhance access to critical social support, and strengthen religious communities. Organizations applying for grants would likely be expected to demonstrate how their projects contribute to these overarching goals within Brazos County. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, with an average grant size between $5,000 and $10,000, and an average total giving of $30,000 per year. The application process requires submission through an online grant application form or an alternative accessible application for assistive technology users, with a deadline of July 31, 2024. This structured approach, along with the clear eligibility criteria, underscores the Trust's commitment to transparency and effectiveness in its philanthropic endeavors, aiming to achieve measurable community benefits through its targeted funding.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Central Texas that aim to improve economic stability and health equity by expanding access to sustainable healthcare careers for individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds.

Launched in 2024, the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation's Working Grant Program aims to support individuals in the beef industry, including ranching, beef production, or related areas supporting the beef value chain, who wish to start or grow their businesses. Financial assistance is provided to overcome barriers like equipment purchase, operational expenses, infrastructure building, or labor hiring. Eligibility is determined based on operation in economically depressed areas in Texas or Oklahoma, disadvantaged status, and difficulty in obtaining conventional financing. Grants are not guaranteed even if all eligibility requirements are met, and the foundation retains the discretion in funding decisions. Grant renewed every year. Grant Spring annual opening/closing deadline: May 1st to May 31st