James B. and Lois R. Archer Foundation Grant Program

The James B. and Lois R. Archer Foundation is a private charitable foundation supporting organizations and initiatives intended to create lasting, positive change in the communities it serves. Its stated program areas are Arts and Culture, Civic and Public Affairs, Education, Health, and Human Services. Across these areas, the Foundation prioritizes social justice, equity, inclusion, systemic challenges, and support for underserved populations. Its funding is intended to inspire creativity, foster community engagement, improve public policy, enhance educational opportunities, promote better health outcomes, and provide vital human services. New applicants are directed to review the Foundation's eligibility information before submitting an application to determine whether their organization fits the types of nonprofits the Foundation funds. Arts and Culture funding supports organizations and initiatives that provide access to the arts, promote cultural heritage, and encourage creative innovation. Civic and Public Affairs funding supports civic engagement, active participation, informed decision-making, inclusive dialogue, policy change, community involvement, and governmental transparency. Education funding supports equitable access to learning, academic achievement, lifelong learning, and the development of critical skills for individuals of all ages. Health funding focuses on access to quality care, prevention and wellness, health disparities, barriers to care, and the root causes of health inequities. Human Services funding addresses immediate and long-term needs, particularly among people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and hardship, and includes critical services such as housing, food security, mental health support, and workforce development. Organizations wishing to apply must fully complete and submit an online application by the applicable deadline. A full application includes the Online Application and required forms applicable to the purpose of the request, the organization's latest Audited Financial Statements, its most recent Unaudited Financial Statements for the current year, and its IRS Determination Letter of Exempt Status. Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter and any other materials or information that may assist the Foundation in evaluating the request. All information submitted to the Foundation must be accurate and complete. The supplied information does not state award minimums or maximums, total program funding, the expected number of awards, a required cost share or matching contribution, or a grant performance period. After receiving a full application, the Foundation conducts an application review that may include an applicant interview, a site visit, and/or a request for additional information. The Foundation describes competition for grant funds as intense and explains that requests are frequently declined because it cannot fund every request received. A declined application should not be interpreted as a negative evaluation of the project or organization. The Foundation's broader program-area statements indicate that funding is directed toward organizations aligned with its mission and program priorities and toward initiatives capable of contributing to social impact, stronger communities, and a more just and equitable society. The Foundation operates two recurring application cycles annually, each with a two-month application window. The Spring/Summer Cycle opens March 1 and closes April 30. The Fall/Winter Cycle opens September 1 and closes October 31. As of September 4, 2026, the Fall/Winter Cycle is accepting applications, with an application period of September 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified. Following the current cycle, the recurring Spring/Summer Cycle is expected to open again in March 2027. The detailed grant timeline states that Spring/Summer recipients will be notified by July 31 and Fall/Winter recipients will be notified by January 31. The process information separately states that applicants will be notified in writing in late June for Spring/Summer applications and late December for Fall/Winter applications. The supplied information therefore contains differing notification timelines, and both are retained rather than resolving the discrepancy without additional source information. The Foundation explains that its two-month application windows provide applicants time to prepare thoughtful, well-documented submissions and allow the Foundation to assess applications against its funding priorities. Applications are accepted through the Foundation's online portal. Questions may be directed through the Foundation's contact form after applicants review its FAQ page; the Foundation states that its limited staff will not respond to questions already answered in the FAQ. No individual grant contact or email address is supplied. The Foundation provides the phone number 325-942-7642 and the address 5106 Knickerbocker Rd., San Angelo, Texas 76904. No explicit downloadable grant guidelines or application PDF URL is provided in the supplied materials.

Demonstrate clear alignment with the Foundation's program areas of Arts and Culture, Civic and Public Affairs, Education, Health, or Human Services; where applicable, show how the initiative advances social justice, equity, inclusion, addresses systemic challenges, or supports underserved populations; submit accurate, complete, thoughtful, and well-documented materials; include additional supporting information when it will assist evaluation.