Texas Arts Grants

The Austin Community Foundation is offering grants through its Women's Fund to advance the economic mobility of women and children in the Central Texas region, encompassing Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell Counties. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to address systemic barriers and provide direct services to improve the lives of these vulnerable populations. The grant program seeks to support organizations that are committed to creating lasting, positive change for women and children facing economic hardship. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are women and children with low incomes in the six-county Central Texas area. The program's impact goals are centered on increasing access to essential resources and opportunities that promote economic stability and long-term well-being. This includes fostering affordable housing solutions, expanding access to quality childcare, supporting women's educational pursuits, providing resources for unintended pregnancy prevention, and reducing health disparities, particularly for women of color. The Women's Fund has identified several key strategic areas for funding: Housing, Child Care, Education, Unintended Pregnancy Prevention, and Women's Health. Within these priorities, the foundation seeks proposals that offer both direct services and systems-level changes. This indicates a focus on both immediate relief and broader, more sustainable solutions that address the root causes of economic instability. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these critical areas, they can create an ecosystem of support that empowers women and children to overcome economic challenges and achieve greater self-sufficiency. Expected outcomes include increased access to affordable housing with support networks, expanded availability of safe and affordable childcare, improved educational attainment for women, enhanced access to unbiased pregnancy prevention resources, and a reduction in health disparities among women of color. The grant sizes range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a duration of two years, suggesting a commitment to substantial and sustained impact. Specifically, a total of $500,000 in unrestricted, general operating support will be awarded to 15 different nonprofit organizations, with individual awards for winning finalist ($55,000 total over two years), runner-up finalist ($30,000 in 2024), and semifinalist ($15,000 in 2024).

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and informal arts and culture groups for public arts and culture events and programs in Georgetown.

City of San Marcos Minority Business Stabilization Fund (Texas) - The City of San Marcos is offering minority entrepreneurs and small business owners within corporate city limits the opportunity to apply for the Minority Business Stabilization Fund Program. This one-time grant assistance program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), provides direct aid to minority-owned businesses in San Marcos. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000 based on the number of full-time employees and can be used for eligible expenses such as physical improvements, equipment, e-commerce expansion costs, rent, payroll, and operating expenses. To be eligible, businesses must have been in operation in San Marcos for at least 12 months, employ 1 to 25 full-time employees, and be at least 51% unconditionally owned by a socially disadvantaged individual. Only one grant may be awarded per business with multiple locations in San Marcos. For more information and to apply, visit City of San Marcos website.

The City of Athens is offering the 2025 Tourism Development Grant, a program specifically designed to promote tourism and attract overnight visitors to Athens. The primary mission of this grant aligns directly with the city's strategic priority to enhance and grow its tourism, convention, and hotel industry. The program is open to eligible organizations or events located within the Athens city limits, with a core focus on projects that are demonstrably effective in drawing visitors from outside the city. This initiative reflects the City of Athens' theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support for tourism-enhancing projects will lead to increased economic activity and the overall development of the local hospitality sector. The target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations and events that contribute to the tourism ecosystem within Athens, ultimately aiming to benefit local hotels, businesses, and the general economy through increased visitor traffic. The impact goal is to substantially increase the number of overnight visitors and, consequently, boost economic activity in Athens. This is achieved by ensuring that funded projects directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. The grant has specific priorities, including advertising, promotion of the arts (with a cap of 15% of annual Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax revenues), sporting event promotion, tourist transportation systems, and signage directing tourists to local attractions. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in hotel occupancy rates, greater attendance at local events, and an overall rise in tourist-related spending within the city. The program emphasizes that projects must be specifically designed to attract overnight visitors, ensuring that the allocated funds directly contribute to this key objective. While the City of Athens is not obligated to allocate collected Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues unless a funding contract is in place, the council's final decision on fund allocation ensures that projects are vetted for their potential impact and alignment with strategic goals. To ensure accountability and effective use of public funds, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. These include demonstrating good financial standing and having safeguards in place to protect public funds. Applicants must also be legal entities capable of entering into contracts, governed by a board of directors or similar structure, and demonstrate public accessibility for their programs or events. The focus on direct benefit, where funds must enhance tourism by attracting visitors from outside Athens, serves as a measurable result, ensuring that the grant achieves its core objective of promoting the city as a desirable tourist destination.

The Plainview Area Endowment, established in 2010 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of West Texas, aims to enhance the quality of life in Plainview. Its mission aligns with providing opportunities for donors to fulfill philanthropic goals, prudently investing contributed funds, and responsibly managing charitable gifts. This grant program supports organizations serving the Plainview area that are 501(c)(3) or the government equivalent, ensuring that all funding contributes to the local community's well-being. The endowment targets organizations within the Plainview area, ultimately benefiting the residents and communities through improved services and programs. The primary impact goal is to improve the overall quality of life in Plainview by supporting initiatives that address various community needs. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the focus is on the successful implementation of projects that lead to tangible improvements within the community. The Plainview Area Endowment prioritizes grants for start-up funding, general operating support, program support, and demonstration programs. This broad approach allows for flexibility in addressing diverse needs within the Plainview community. The endowment explicitly states it does not fund individuals, political purposes, debt retirement, or payment of interest or taxes, ensuring that grants are directed towards charitable and community-focused endeavors. The grantmaking policy and award recommendations are guided by the Plainview Area Endowment Advisory Board. Their strategic priority is to act as responsible stewards of charitable gifts, ensuring that funding decisions are made thoughtfully and effectively to achieve the foundation's mission. The theory of change implicit in this approach is that by investing in local organizations through various types of support, the endowment can foster a stronger, more vibrant Plainview community. Grant amounts can range from $1,000 to $10,000, though they cannot exceed $5,000 depending on the fund, providing essential resources for organizations to achieve their goals.

The City of Austin's Thrive Grant Program is designed to provide intentional investment in arts organizations and cultural institutions that serve communities at risk of cultural erasure and displacement, or those that have been institutionally marginalized and under-funded. This initiative aligns with the city's broader mission to support and develop Austin's diverse cultural landscape, ensuring that various cultures are visible and accessible. By providing sustained funding, peer leadership, and networking opportunities, the program seeks to bolster organizations deeply rooted in and reflective of these communities, fostering their growth and cultural preservation. The program primarily targets arts organizations and cultural institutions that are community-centered and responsive to the social and cultural needs of Austin's diverse communities. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, organizations serving Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities. The goal is to address historical underfunding and systemic barriers, supporting entities that demonstrate a critical need for meaningful investment and are prepared for long-term sustainability. The impact goals are to counter cultural erasure and displacement, promote equity in cultural representation, and enhance the overall visibility and accessibility of diverse cultures within Austin. Key priorities for the Thrive Grant Program include funding organizations that are accountable to and invested in their communities, with intersectionality in proposals being encouraged. The program also focuses on supporting organizations in obtaining cultural institution status through a cohort experience that includes peer leadership and networking opportunities. Organization improvement goals, such as expanding public programming and audiences, establishing reliable spaces for work, and diversifying revenue sources, become part of the contract deliverables. All activities funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue must be open and advertised to Austin residents and tourists, promote Austin as a cultural destination, and occur within Austin or its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The expected outcomes of the Thrive Grant Program include the long-term sustainability and growth of recipient organizations, increased public programming and audience engagement, and the establishment of more stable operational foundations. Measurable results will be tied to the organization improvement goals outlined in the contracts, such as the expansion of public events like exhibitions, performances, and workshops, as well as the successful implementation of new revenue strategies. The program's strategic priorities are rooted in a theory of change that posits direct investment in marginalized and underfunded cultural organizations, coupled with capacity-building support, will lead to greater cultural equity, community resilience, and a more vibrant and inclusive cultural arts sector for the City of Austin.

The T.L.L. Temple Foundation is dedicated to fostering a flourishing East Texas by combating poverty and expanding access and opportunities for all residents. Their grant program aligns directly with this mission, inviting applications from organizations committed to this vision. The foundation's support spans various critical areas, including general operating support, project support, capital improvements, and organizational development, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to empowering its grantees. The foundation's programmatic focus is structured around six key areas: Education, Economic Opportunity, Health, Human Services, Arts and Culture, and Environment and Conservation. These areas reflect the foundation's strategic priorities, aiming to address multifaceted challenges within the community. While the overall goal is to alleviate poverty and create opportunities, the specific impact goals within each program area would likely involve improving educational attainment, increasing economic stability, enhancing community well-being, supporting cultural enrichment, and promoting environmental stewardship. The target beneficiaries of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation's grants are primarily residents of the designated East Texas counties, along with Miller County, Arkansas. The foundation explicitly states its service area to include a specific list of Texas counties, and notably, it only funds organizations in Harris County if there's a direct benefit to residents of the rural counties, underscoring its commitment to the rural communities within its service area. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in a belief that by investing in these core areas and supporting organizations that directly serve these communities, they can create a ripple effect, leading to a more prosperous and equitable East Texas. While the provided text does not explicitly detail expected outcomes and measurable results, it is reasonable to infer that within each program area, the foundation would anticipate tangible improvements. For example, in Education, outcomes could include improved test scores or graduation rates; in Economic Opportunity, increased employment or small business creation; and in Health, better health outcomes or access to care. Organizations applying for grants would likely be expected to propose clear, measurable objectives aligned with these broader impact goals to demonstrate the effectiveness of their proposed projects and contribute to the foundation's overarching mission.

The Joni Elaine Templeton Foundation awards grants for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes and for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The foundation expresses a preference for organizations serving Austin, Texas, while considering qualified applicants across the state. Program types may include animal related work, community improvement, capacity building, education, human services, and religion related activities. The average grant award has been approximately 5,000 dollars in a cycle. Grants are awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities. Eligible organizations should operate in or serve the Austin community to receive preference. Requests should describe the intended community benefits and alignment with the foundation’s charitable purposes. Applications are due May 1, 2024 via the trustee bank’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available from Bank of America as trustee.

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

This fund provides financial support for nonprofits working on projects that improve the quality of life in rural communities across West-Central Texas.

These grants support 501(c)(3) organizations in preserving Texas history. Eligible projects include historic property preservation, events promoting state history, preservation of artifacts or archival materials, Texas history education, museum programming, publications on Texas history, archeology, and cultural heritage. Grants are awarded quarterly for up to $5,000 (micro-grants) and annually for up to $25,000. Applicants must submit a letter of inquiry detailing their project to grants@texashistoricalfoundation.org by no later than April 1, 2024. Approved funding for 2024 will be announced by the last week of September, 2024.

The City of Victoria offers grant funding to local non-profit organizations for programs focused on child safety, child abuse intervention/prevention, and drug and alcohol abuse intervention/prevention for children. This initiative directly aligns with the city's mission to enhance the welfare and safety of its youngest residents. Funding is generated from a $1.50 child safety fee assessed during vehicle registration in Victoria County, specifically designated for child safety and welfare services as defined by state law. This funding mechanism demonstrates a clear strategic priority to leverage local resources for community benefit, with a direct link between vehicle registration fees and child welfare programs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are children within Victoria County, particularly those in vulnerable situations such as foster care, at-risk youth, or those coping with the effects of abuse. The program targets specific needs, aiming to bridge gaps in services, provide essential after-school support, and offer critical training for caregivers and mentors. The impact goals are broad, encompassing physical and mental health, safety education, and the prevention of substance abuse among children. The City of Victoria's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on prevention, intervention, and support services for children. In fiscal year 2024, the City of Victoria prioritized various programs. These included "Bridging the Gap" for foster children (A World for Children), after-school programs for different age groups (Boys & Girls Club of Victoria, Mid-Coast Family Services), supplies and training for CPR/first aid and mental health (Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas), staff funding and occupancy expenses (Golden Crescent CASA, The Gabriel Project of the Golden Crescent), and part-time therapy for abused children and families (Hope of South Texas). These examples highlight a multi-faceted approach, addressing both immediate needs and long-term developmental support. The expected outcomes of these programs include improved child safety, reduced instances of child abuse, increased access to supportive after-school environments, enhanced mental and physical health for children, and decreased rates of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth. Measurable results could include the number of children served, participation rates in after-school programs, the number of individuals receiving training, and indicators of improved well-being among program participants. The City of Victoria's theory of change appears to be that by investing in local non-profits and their specialized programs, they can create a safer, healthier, and more supportive environment for the children of Victoria.

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.

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.

The Community Driven Change open call by St. David's Foundation is a grant program designed to support organizations that empower community members in decision-making and leadership roles. This initiative aims to foster healthier communities within the Central Texas region, specifically targeting Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The program aligns with the Foundation's belief that addressing social and environmental conditions for generational change in historically marginalized communities requires mobilizing those closest to the problems, indicating a strategic priority on community-led solutions and a theory of change rooted in local empowerment. The target beneficiaries are community-led, community-focused organizations with a demonstrated impact in engaging residents to create healthier communities. The grant's impact goals center on supporting these organizations to achieve their health priorities, emphasizing access to quality healthcare, stable and affordable housing, pathways to healthcare employment, navigation and coordination of related services, and robust social networks. The program prioritizes organizations that effectively engage community members in leadership, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainable change. The program's focus is on awarding unrestricted, one-time operating grants to eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include strengthened community health initiatives and increased capacity for organizations working at the grassroots level. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the overall goal of achieving health priorities, the emphasis on demonstrated impact and community engagement suggests that the effectiveness of these organizations in fostering healthier communities will be a key indicator of success. The St. David's Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly demonstrated through this open call, which allocates up to $10 million in funding. The grant amounts are structured based on organization size, with a maximum of $250,000 for organizations with annual budgets between $250,000 and $500,000, and $500,000 for those with budgets over $500,000. This tiered funding approach suggests a commitment to supporting a range of impactful organizations. The distribution of funds is expected in October 2024, highlighting a clear timeline for the initiative.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that enhance the quality of life, tourism, and economic vitality in Baytown, targeting nonprofits, businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to make a significant community impact.

The 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant, offered by Texas Woman's University, aims to foster economic development in rural Texas by empowering woman-owned small businesses to undertake innovative projects. This grant aligns with the university's mission to support women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, contributing to the overall economic well-being of Texas communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing rural, woman-owned small businesses in Texas. These businesses must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who also reside in Texas. The grant focuses on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships located and operated within eligible rural Texas counties. The impact goal is to encourage and enable these businesses to undertake new and innovative projects, thereby creating greater economic development activity in rural Texas. The grant prioritizes projects that involve the purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology; farm implements or machinery; the addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; the purchase and installation of fixtures or display units; property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue; and marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity deemed aligned with the program's purpose by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) is also eligible. This focus ensures that funding directly supports tangible growth and operational enhancements for the recipient businesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of new projects by ten woman-owned businesses, each receiving a $5,000 grant. Recipients are required to complete a small business training course, engage in three hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submit an approved business plan with three years of financials. These requirements are designed to not only provide immediate financial support but also equip business owners with the knowledge and resources for sustainable long-term success and growth, leading to increased sales and revenue for their businesses.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit initiatives in Houston that enhance health, education, community development, and LGBTQ+ support, particularly for marginalized populations.

The Town of Flower Mound's Community Support program offers annual funding to non-profit organizations. This program aims to support activities, programs, and services that directly benefit Flower Mound residents. The Town's mission, though not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission," aligns with fostering community well-being by empowering local organizations to address social services and cultural arts needs within its jurisdiction. This grant mechanism serves as a strategic priority to leverage community partnerships for local development and resident support, embodying a theory of change that by funding local initiatives, the overall quality of life for its citizens will improve. Target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Flower Mound, who will receive direct services through the funded organizations. The impact goals include enhancing social services and cultural arts offerings within the community. The program prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate a clear benefit to the Town, aiming to improve various aspects of community life. For example, social service programs could lead to improved access to essential resources, while cultural arts initiatives could enrich community engagement and appreciation for the arts. The program focuses on organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities, have been in operation for at least three years, and meet specific financial criteria, including not relying on the Town's funding for more than 25% of their operating budget and generally having no more than six months of operating expenses in reserve. These requirements ensure that funding goes to stable and well-managed organizations capable of delivering sustained impact. Exceptions for reserve requirements are considered with a clear explanation, demonstrating the Town's flexibility while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Expected outcomes and measurable results are tied to the information required in the application. Applicants must specify the funding amount requested, anticipated benefits to the Town, and statistics on service levels (both actual and as a percentage of total services). They also need to describe the intended use of funds, provide an organizational overview, detail goals from the most recent fiscal year, set goals and objectives for the proposed year, and explain any funding request increases. These requirements ensure accountability and allow the Town to assess the tangible benefits and reach of the funded programs, demonstrating a commitment to data-driven decision-making and measurable impact.

This grant provides $7,000 to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Houston Region that are dedicated to serving the Latinx community and demonstrate strong community engagement and inclusivity.