Search Through Atascosa County Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Grant Opportunities

Our grant-making is centered on understanding our community needs, building meaningful relationships with our stakeholders, and being responsive to the feedback we receive about our grant processes. We invest in the nonprofit community using trust-based philanthropic principles to guide our grant efforts.

By partnering with the community, we aim to close the opportunity gap for the people in San Antonio who need it most. We offer general operating support to nonprofits of all sizes, to allow organizations to focus on meeting their mission and addressing the needs of individuals and communities they serve. In addition, providing multi-year support allows our nonprofit partners to achieve greater stability and greater ability to plan for future sustainability.

Our primary impact areas of Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, Youth Success and Animal Services guide the bulk of our grant-making efforts. However, we offer a range of grant opportunities for organizations meeting their communities’ needs.

Special and Urgent Needs

To provide rapid response funding for nonprofits facing unexpected challenges that threaten service delivery and/or unexpected opportunities to expand services.

Funding Overview

When other funding sources are not available, the Special and Urgent Needs grant provides rapid response support when an unexpected and unbudgeted need critical to operations would prevent an organization from fulfilling its mission.

One-time grants of up to $10,000 are provided to help organizations respond to an urgent need that could not have been anticipated or allows them to take advantage of an unforeseen opportunity.

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Ameriprise Financial Grantmaking

At Ameriprise Financial, giving back is deeply rooted in our culture. We’ve initiated positive change in the communities where we live and work for more than 120 years. We believe our community involvement enables us to actively live our values. Through grant making, volunteerism and employee and financial advisor gift matching programs, we support a diverse group of over 6,000 nonprofits across the country.

Focus Areas

Awarding grant dollars to nonprofits is one way we strengthen our communities and help individuals on a path to financial independence. To ensure we're meeting the needs of our communities and making an even greater collective impact, we focus on three key giving areas when awarding grants.

Volunteer engagement is a priority across all focus areas:

The engagement of Ameriprise employees and financial advisors is a critical component of our philanthropy. Whether it’s serving on a nonprofit board, engaging friends, clients and community members in volunteering or providing skills-based support, our relationships with nonprofits go deep. For this reason, we give priority across all focus areas to applications where there is active volunteer engagement of Ameriprise advisors and employees. 

Meeting Basic Needs

At Ameriprise Financial, we help clients achieve financial security and peace of mind. That’s satisfying, meaningful work. We also help the people in our neighborhoods who struggle to meet basic needs such as where their next meal comes from, where they’ll sleep tonight or how they’ll find a higher wage job. We’re here to help them through the three platforms of our Meeting Basic Needs focus area.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Hunger
• Food banks, food shelves and food pantries, daily meal programs or meal services for the homebound
• Hunger-relief programs targeted to meet the special needs of children, ethnic populations or veterans
• Food programs run by nonprofits where hunger is not their sole focus, for example a youth meal program at the YWCA or a backpack program run by a Boys & Girls Club
• Shelter
• Emergency shelter, including youth homelessness
• Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and efforts to end chronic homelessness
• Housing-first models (programs quickly providing housing and then addressing needed services)
• Achieving and maintaining home ownership, repair and maintenance efforts helping keep seniors, veterans and other populations in their homes 
• Adult Self-Sufficiency: Programs serving adults age 21 and older that help address the following areas:
• Basic hard and soft skills that help adults achieve economic and family stability
• Basic financial and budgeting skills
• Increase employability and wages, including work readiness and job transitions
• Employment of disabled adults

Supporting Community Vitality

We believe communities should be strong, healthy and resilient. We want livable places for all, where neighbors look out for one another, cultural events are well-attended and people pull together in times of crisis and joy. We work to create economic vitality and cultural enrichment through the following areas of focus.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Community Development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Economic development
• Strengthening and supporting small businesses and nonprofits through technical expertise
• Cultural Enrichment
• Arts education
• Access for underserved populations
• Diverse artists and performances that spark topical community conversations 

Volunteer Driven Causes: Ameriprise employees and financial advisors are outstanding volunteers who serve in teams and also as individuals bringing personal skill-sets to nonprofits. Volunteering is part of the culture at Ameriprise and we are proud to support communities through contributions of both service and financial resources. 

Funding for Volunteer-Driven Causes is determined by current Ameriprise volunteerism. In general, funding is in proportion to the size of the Ameriprise volunteer team supporting a nonprofit. A team may include employees, financial advisors and/or staff or a combination of any Ameriprise volunteers. 

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

Carvajal Educational Fund

Course of Study: Available for all areas of study

Geographic: USA

Enrolment Status: Full-time

Degree Level: Associate or Bachelor's Degree

Renewable: Yes

Renewal Term: 3 additional years

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees, Books

Total Scholarship Awards: 1 student

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

Express-News Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund

Course of Study: Journalism or Communications

Geographic: USA

Enrolment Status: Full-time

Degree Level: Associate, Bachelor's, or Graduate Degree

Renewable: Yes

Renewal Term: 3 Years

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees, Books, Supplies, Educational Expenses

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

Rapier Education Fund

Course of Study: Available for all areas of study

Geographic: USA

Enrolment status: Full-time

Degree Level: Associate, Bachelor's Degree, Technical/Vocational Certificate or Degree

Renewable: Yes

Renewal Term: 3 Years

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees, Books

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

Robert B. Taylor Fund

Course of Study: Available for all areas of study

Geographic: USA

Enrolment Status: Full-time or Part-time

Degree Level: Associate, Bachelor's Degree, Technical/Vocational Certificate or Degree

Renewable: Yes

Renewal Term: 3 Years

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees, Books

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarship Fund

Course of Study: Journalism or Communications Major; Career in Communications Industry

Geographic: Any school in the USA IF student lives in the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, or Wilson, OR  must attend a school in San Antonio if student lives outside of the counties listed above.

Enrolment status: Full-time

Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree

Renewable: No

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees

San Antonio Area Foundation

We Are San Antonio's Community Foundation We are in the business of building community.

We help people make meaningful gifts to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come.

We provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving so your contributions can have an everlasting impact on the community. We contribute through grants and scholarships fueled by you, helping nonprofits further and strengthen their mission, and providing leadership for key community issues.

Since 1964, the Area Foundation has distributed millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.

Tito Villalobos Moreno Memorial Scholarship Fund

Course of Study: Health Care, Social Services Environment

Geographic: USA

Enrolment status: Full-time

Degree Level: Associate, Bachelor's Degree, Technical/Vocational Certificate or Degree

Renewable: No

Renewal Term: N/A

Funding Type: Tuition, Fees, Books

Supporting Nonprofits

The San Antonio Area Foundation supports nonprofit through grants, strengthens nonprofits through a variety of capacity-building services and sustains organizations with financial tools. 

Responsive Grants

The Responsive Grants process is designed to leverage community leadership, convening power, and capacity building efforts to advance equity in San Antonio. By providing general operating awards, we take an asset-based approach to allow organizations to focus on mission and address the needs of individuals and communities they serve.

In speaking with many of our nonprofit partners, we heard that the shift to multi-year grants and our deepening commitment to putting trust-based philanthropy into practice has provided an element of stability during a time when so much is in flux. For many, this translated into a greater ability to plan for the coming year and in turn, greater stability in the programs and services this provides for our communities. 

By partnering with the community, the Responsive Grants process aims to close the opportunity gap for the people in San Antonio who need it most. Our primary five impact areas include: Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, and Youth Success. 

We recognize that our shift to multi-year funding is challenging for organizations who are not recent grant recipients and would benefit from an opportunity to apply for funding through a competitive grant process. We continue to work with our staff, board, and non-profit partners to identify and invest in programs that support your work outside of the Responsive grants, including capacity-building for nonprofits, peer learning and strategic partnerships. 

Cycle One: Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success

Cultural Vibrancy

Supports organizations and programming that ensure access to arts and cultural programming and encourage broad participation from all parts of our community; reflect the diverse cultures of the San Antonio area; and promote the value of arts and culture through arts education, advocacy, and the integration of arts and culture across sectors through innovative collaboration. 

Youth Success

Supports organizations and programs that encourage the achievement of all youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career; address disparities across youth educational outcomes; provide equitable access to scholarships, and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers. 

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

Since 2004, through the collective power of women, Impact San Antonio has awarded over $2.6 Million to nonprofit organizations in greater San Antonio and the surrounding area.

Focus Areas

These applications are screened by committees that review and evaluate the applications to select finalists in five focus areas:

• Arts & Culture
  • Programs and projects that cultivate, develop, educate and improve the cultural and artistic climate in the community.
• Education
  • Programs and projects that advance learning opportunities, increase educational access and improve education.
• Environment, Recreation & Preservation
  • Programs and projects that improve, restore, conserve, revitalize or enhance the natural environment, recreational facilities or preserve historic sites.
• Family
  • Programs and projects that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families.
• Health & Wellness
  • Programs and projects that positively impact the mental or physical health and wellness of people.

Community Ties Giving Program

As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, Local Grants help us achieve our mission by providing small and medium-sized grants within our priority cause areas to local organizations spread widely across Union Pacific's footprint.

Funding Priorities & Objectives

Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific's business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. We take pride in the role we have played in helping communities thrive and believe the impact we can have on local communities is greatest when it is authentic to our history and reflective of the diverse company we are today.

As such, we have carefully aligned our Local Grants cause areas to our company's unique heritage, strengths, and assets. Specifically, we prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities. Within each focus area, we aim to support programs and organizations working to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local context and issue areas addressed. Find more information about our commitment to DEI in our FAQs.

Safety

In order for communities to thrive, all residents must feel safe. Just as the safety of our employees and community members is paramount to how we operate, Union Pacific is committed to helping communities prevent and prepare for incidents and emergencies, and helping residents get home safely at the end of each day. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to: 

• Encourage safe behaviors and prevent incidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety, and ensure outreach efforts reach underserved populations.
• Eliminate risks and improve safe and equitable access to community spaces through infrastructure improvements, such as signage, proper lighting, and public trail improvements.
• Prepare and equip residents and emergency responders* to effectively respond to incidents and emergencies if or when they occur.
  • *Union Pacific supports publicly funded emergency responders through a variety of corporate programs; only independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) emergency response organizations, such as volunteer departments, are eligible for funding through this grant program
• Prevent crime and violent incidents and support survivors of domestic violence through efforts that address the root causes of these issues and seek to mitigate their occurrence.
• Build the capacity of safety-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Workforce Development

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has helped stimulate economic growth in cities and towns throughout the nation by training and providing employment to millions of workers. More than ever, we are committed to helping underrepresented residents in our communities achieve family-supporting careers like those offered by Union Pacific. As such, we prioritize funding for programs that seek to:

• Put youth on the right track by creating awareness of and pathways toward employment opportunities; building foundational skills, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); establishing necessary technical skills and life skills; and providing mentorship and positive role models for the future.
• Raise awareness of, educate and prepare young adults for middle skills jobs like those Union Pacific offers, for instance through community colleges, vocational and career training programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and programs that assist with job placement and/or on-the-job experience.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas relevant to Union Pacific operations such as welding, electrical work, machine operations, and civil and electrical engineering are given priority.
• "Up-skill" the existing workforce by providing training and resources that enable them to reach the next level of their career.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations are given priority.
• Resolve barriers to employment such as transportation, childcare, acquiring necessary equipment for work, and second chance employment programs.
• Build the capacity of workforce development-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Community Vitality

Union Pacific Railroad is committed to establishing vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for employees, customers and residents to work, visit and call home. Just as the railroad opened avenues for economic development and opportunity more than 160 years ago, we maintain this tradition by cultivating unique cultural and recreational experiences and equipping community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Create, sustain or expand artistic and cultural experiences offered to a broad and diverse audience (e.g., museums, theaters, zoos, cultural and local heritage, visual and performing arts, etc.)
• Provide recreational opportunities that foster wellbeing, enrichment and/or an appreciation for our natural environment (e.g., parks, libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, learning centers, etc.).
• Revive neighborhoods and main street areas, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods, to improve livability, promote commerce and attract more residents, businesses and visitors to town.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs are met and barriers are overcome (e.g., safe shelter and homelessness prevention, hunger relief, mental health and community health needs, etc.).
• Offer youth development and educational opportunities to ensure young people can thrive into healthy and productive community members (e.g., mentoring, leadership development, tutoring, services for youth in foster care, etc.).
• Build the capacity of community vitality-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Environmental Sustainability

The future of our business, communities and planet depends on bold, collective action to reduce and slow the impacts of climate change while building a more sustainable economy for the next generation. Union Pacific is taking deliberate steps to reduce our environmental impact and helping our partners improve their own. Extending this commitment to our community investments, we seek to support leading environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations to advance the health of our environment. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Preserve and restore nature, including programs focused on natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
• Protect and enhance water, soil and air quality through innovative and proactive solutions such as water conservation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction programs.
• Reduce waste through initiatives focused on promoting recycling and circularity throughout the community, including recycling and composting programs and other efforts that reduce waste.
• Develop environmental stewards through youth programs focused on fostering environmental appreciation, responsibility, and leadership.
• Advance a sustainable economy by helping communities accelerate their transition to environmental jobs and renewable energy, as well as helping nonprofits and small businesses build their own capacity to operate more sustainably.
• Promote environmental justice through initiatives that ensure access to clean air, water, and land and protect underserved populations from disproportionate and adverse environmental effects.
• Build the capacity of sustainability-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience.

Supporting Nonprofits

The San Antonio Area Foundation supports nonprofit through grants, strengthens nonprofits through a variety of capacity-building services and sustains organizations with financial tools.

Responsive Grants

The Responsive Grants process is designed to leverage community leadership, convening power, and capacity building efforts to advance equity in San Antonio. By providing general operating awards, we take an asset-based approach to allow organizations to focus on mission and address the needs of individuals and communities they serve.

In speaking with many of our nonprofit partners, we heard that the shift to multi-year grants and our deepening commitment to putting trust-based philanthropy into practice has provided an element of stability during a time when so much is in flux. For many, this translated into a greater ability to plan for the coming year and in turn, greater stability in the programs and services this provides for our communities.

By partnering with the community, the Responsive Grants process aims to close the opportunity gap for the people in San Antonio who need it most. Our primary five impact areas include: Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, and Youth Success.

We recognize that our shift to multi-year funding is challenging for organizations who are not recent grant recipients and would benefit from an opportunity to apply for funding through a competitive grant process. We continue to work with our staff, board, and non-profit partners to identify and invest in programs that support your work outside of the Responsive grants, including capacity-building for nonprofits, peer learning and strategic partnerships. 

Cycle Two: Livable and Resilient Communities and Successful Aging

Livable and Resilient Communities

Supports organizations, programs and initiatives that further access to affordable, safe, and stable housing; transportation; wellness resources and public spaces; public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the San Antonio area; and platforms for community/stakeholder voice and leadership.

Successful Aging

Supports organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities for older adults to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources. 

Collaborative Grants

The Collaborative Grants process is designed to leverage community leadership and unique opportunities to advance equity in San Antonio. This process enables the Area Foundation to provide funding for collaborative programs outside of the triennial responsive grant process. Proposals may be submitted to the Area Foundation, reviewed by Area Foundation staff; and, if approved, the requestor will be invited to apply for funding.

Such needs may include:

• Collaborative program expenses (programs can carry the Santikos name).
• Unique opportunities to collaborate with other providers.
• Community needs and pressing issues to the community.
• Collaborative programs that address equity or systemic issues.

Grant requests may include:

• Program and operating expenses related to a collaborative opportunity.

What We Fund

Collaborative grants are one-time grants awarded to organizations whose services align with the vision of at least one of our four primary impact areas. Priority is given to organizations serving under-represented and under-served communities.

Cultural Vibrancy

Supports organizations and programming that ensure access to arts and cultural programming and encourage broad participation from all parts of our community; reflect the diverse cultures of the San Antonio area; and promote the value of arts and culture through arts education, advocacy, and the integration of arts and culture across sectors through innovative collaboration.

Livable and Resilient Communities

Supports organizations, programs, and initiatives that further access to affordable, safe, and stable housing; transportation; wellness resources and public spaces; public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the San Antonio area; and platforms for community/stakeholder voice and leadership.

Successful Aging

Supports organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities for older adults to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources.

Youth Success

Supports organizations and programs that encourage the achievement of all youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career); address disparities across youth educational outcomes; provide equitable access, and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers.

Capital & Naming Rights Grants

The Capital/Naming Rights Grants process is designed to leverage community leadership and unique opportunities to advance equity in San Antonio. This process enables the Area Foundation to provide funding for capital naming rights programs outside of the triennial responsive grant process. Proposals may be submitted to the Area Foundation, reviewed by Area Foundation staff; and, if approved, the requestor will be invited to apply for funding.

• Such needs may include:
  • Capital program expenses (programs that should carry the Santikos name).
  • Capital project expenses (“brick and mortar” projects that should display the Santikos name).
  • Unique opportunities to collaborate with other funders on a capital project or program.
  • Unique opportunities to collaborate with other funders
• Grant requests may include:
  • Capital program or project expenses.
  • Operating expenses that are needed after the capital project is complete.

For information about our Responsive Grants process, along with information about our other grants, including Animal Services and Biomedical Research Grants, please visit our Grants page. 

Capital/Naming Rights and Collaborative are one-time grants awarded to organizations whose services align with the vision of at least one of our four primary impact areas.

Cultural Vibrancy

Supports organizations and programming that ensure access to arts and cultural programming and encourage broad participation from all parts of our community; reflect the diverse cultures of the San Antonio area; and promote the value of arts and culture through arts education, advocacy, and the integration of arts and culture across sectors through innovative collaboration.

Livable and Resilient Communities

Supports organizations, programs, and initiatives that further access to affordable, safe, and stable housing; transportation; wellness resources and public spaces; public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the San Antonio area; and platforms for community/stakeholder voice and leadership.

Successful Aging

Supports organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities for older adults to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources.

Youth Success

Supports organizations and programs that encourage the achievement of all youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career); address disparities across youth educational outcomes; provide equitable access, and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers.

Supporting Nonprofits

The San Antonio Area Foundation supports nonprofit through grants, strengthens nonprofits through a variety of capacity-building services and sustains organizations with financial tools.

Animal Services

Our Impact

Prior to 2006, San Antonio had the third highest euthanasia rate of pets per capita in the country, with 50,000 animals euthanized annually. For 10 years from 2007 – 2017, the San Antonio Area Foundation partnered with the animal welfare community including nonprofit animal shelters, spay/neuter clinics, animal rescue organizations, and involved citizens working with the City of San Antonio to help improve the lives of people and pets through the Animal No-Kill Initiative.

Over 10 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation through its Animal No-Kill Fund and Talk About It! Program helped organize and promote adoption events, pet fiestas, low cost shot clinics and:

• Invested in grant and program funding to local animal services nonprofits for No-Kill projects through this initiative.
• Funded over 94,000 pets to be spayed/neutered, preventing 1,700,000 dogs/cats from being born and contributing to overpopulation of stray and free-roaming dogs and cats.

These efforts helped increase the live release rate at the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services from 11 percent in 2006 to 90 percent in 2016 and maintain a live release rate of over 90% since then.