Texas Private Grants

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.

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.

The Texas Farm Bureau's Ag Mechanics Grant Program is designed to support agricultural mechanical and metal technologies educators by providing additional resources. This grant aims to enhance the skills of students in Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technology through the education of 9th to 12th grade teachers. These teachers must be addressing Agriculture Mechanics and Metal Technologies, Agriculture Structures Design and Fabrication, Agriculture Equipment Design and Fabrication, and/or Agricultural Power Systems as per TEKS standards in a public or accredited non-public secondary educational institution.

This grant provides financial support to female visual artists in the Houston area to help fund their creative projects in contemporary art.

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.

The Najim Charitable Foundation offers grants to support children in the Greater San Antonio area. The Foundation's mission is aligned with assisting children in critical areas such as Food, Shelter, Clothing, Child Abuse/Neglect, Developmental Disabilities, Education (PreK – 12, Out of School, Post-Secondary), Foster Care, Homelessness, Mental Health, Medical Treatment, and Substance Abuse, as well as other charitable purposes benefiting children. This grant program is a direct reflection of the Foundation's strategic priority to address the holistic needs of vulnerable children within their defined geographical scope. The target beneficiaries for these grants are children residing in specific Texas counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson. The impact goals are to significantly improve the well-being and life outcomes for these children by providing essential resources and support. This includes ensuring access to basic necessities, protection from harm, opportunities for development and education, and crucial mental and physical health services. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in these fundamental areas, they can foster healthier, safer, and more educated children, leading to long-term positive community impacts. The Foundation's funding priorities are explicitly focused on a range of services designed to support children. These include direct assistance for food, shelter, and clothing, as well as critical interventions for child abuse/neglect, developmental disabilities, and mental health. Education is a key focus, spanning from PreK to post-secondary, with a particular emphasis on out-of-school programs. Support for foster care, homelessness, medical treatment, and substance abuse further highlights the comprehensive nature of their commitment to children's welfare. Eligibility criteria stipulate that only Section 501(c)(3) organizations that have been operating for three or more years may apply. These organizations must also be qualified as 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), with this designation appearing on their IRS Determination letter. If an organization is a 509(a)(3), a legal opinion is required. Grants are exclusively awarded for the stated purposes and to 501(c)(3) organizations located in and serving children within the specified counties. The Foundation explicitly does not fund higher education organizations, individuals, capital campaigns, multi-year requests, adult populations, sponsorships, galas, or events, and limits organizations to one grant request per calendar year, contingent on the full expenditure and reporting of prior year grants.

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation provides grants to support the missions of non-profit organizations serving the people of Texas, with a focus on educational, health, human service, and cultural programs and projects. Established in 1947 by Sid W. Richardson, the Foundation began distributing major grants in 1962, following the availability of substantial income from assets from Richardson's estate. Despite Richardson's global interests, his primary concern remained with the people of his home state of Texas. The Foundation, through its Board of Directors and staff, continues to fulfill his vision by prioritizing grants that directly benefit clients or target audiences, particularly in smaller communities and rural areas. Grants are not available to individuals but are made primarily to organizations within Texas, especially those in the Fort Worth area for human services and cultural organizations. Grant renewed every year. Annual Spring deadline: February 1st.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.