Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Texas

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

The Division of Governance Interventions supports TEA’s mission and vision by providing exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to school system leadership teams and governing boards. The division collaborates with external field support agents appointed by the TEA Commissioner of Education to build sustainable systems aligned to core TEA initiatives, so that the school system thrives after the release of agency intervention. 

Texas Instructional Leadership Discretionary Grant

Program Description

The Instructional Leadership Discretionary Grant seeks to provide ongoing support and skill building opportunities to regional Education Service Centers (ESCs) and school systems. This grant will allow ESC Region 13 to capture where school systems and ESCs are in their implementation of instructional leadership practices, determine what resources and supports are still needed, and respond to those needs through technical assistance and the creation of supplemental materials, as needed.

The 2026-2027 ESC Fellows - Texas Mentorship Training Grant, provided by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance mentorship programs for pre- and early-service teachers. This grant allows Education Service Centers to fund mentorship fellow positions which will undergo comprehensive training to effectively deliver the Texas Mentorship Training. This initiative supports sustainable educational practices and ensures quality mentorship, ultimately improving outcomes for school systems in Texas.

The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) offers an annual research grant of up to $1,200 aimed at enhancing music education. With nearly 20,000 members, TMEA focuses on diverse topics, including music teacher retention and social emotional learning. This grant supports research that promotes excellence in music education, welcoming proposals from active TMEA members in Texas. Through this initiative, TMEA aims to foster innovation and improve representation within music classes.

Rural Nursing Recruitment & Retention Program (RNRR) (TX)

The Rural Nursing Recruitment & Retention Program (RNRR) supports qualified rural health care facilities. The RNRR Program aims to provide eligible rural Texas healthcare facilities with funds to incentivize nurses to work, or continue to work, in their facility by providing a stipend assistance program.

An awarded facility shall provide stipend assistance to a selected nurse who is currently employed, or will be employed, by the facility and who agrees to work full-time for a minimum of 36 consecutive months.

The Native Plant Society of Texas offers the Dr. Alfred Richardson Scholarship, aimed at undergraduates majoring in biology, ecology, or related fields. This scholarship, funded through an endowment, provides $5,000-$10,000 per year for up to two years. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to the conservation and utilization of Texas native plants. This initiative aligns with the Society's mission to promote education and outreach regarding native plant conservation.

The Honda USA Foundation's Mobility Pillar Award aims to empower individuals with disabilities by funding programs that enhance access and mobility. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide therapeutic, adaptive, and comprehensive care programs, as well as mobility modifications and assistive technology. Applications are accepted from U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors, ensuring that the joy of mobility is accessible to all.

The Environment Pillar Award by Honda supports nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S. focused on sustainability. Grants aim to reduce environmental impact through programs in decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use. Eligible projects must align with Honda's mission and primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work. Organizations can apply for up to two grants, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including tax-exempt status under the IRS.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The Rufus J. Cleghorn Scholarship aims to support the higher education of facilities management professionals in Texas. It offers two grants: $2500 for full-time healthcare facility managers pursuing relevant degrees, and $1000 for full-time students in healthcare facilities management programs. Eligible applicants must meet specific GPA requirements and provide necessary documentation, including a letter of recommendation and a narrative on their interest in the field. The TAHFM Scholarship Committee oversees the selection process.

The HRMC Scholarship Grant Program grants funds on a yearly basis to local institutions (Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank Phillips Community College, Texas Tech University – Amarillo campus, and West Texas A&M University). The funds are allocated to scholarships for area students and professionals pursuing health care related education.

The mission of the Harrington Regional Medical Campus (HRMC) is to promote quality of life in the Texas Panhandle through exceptional healthcare, education, and research. One way HRMC works to fulfill this mission is to award annual grants to entities located in the HRMC campus as well as to nonprofits throughout the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle with healthcare related programs and services that fit the HRMC mission. HRMC launched the HRMC Resident Grant Program, HRMC Scholarship Grant Program, and HRMC Community Health Grant Program in 2016. The intent of the grant programs is to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare ultimately leading to an improved quality of life for residents of the top 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle.  

HRMC Resident Grant Program

The HRMC Resident Grant Program is for Medical Center campus resident nonprofit institutions and other facilities located at the Medical Center. Funds are allocated on a competitive grant basis for capital improvements and projects. Preference for funding will be given to Ronald McDonald House, Turn Center, Amarillo Botanical Gardens, Don Harrington Discovery Center, and Coffee Memorial Blood Center.

The Texas Panhandle General Scholarship Fund, managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports college students from the 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle. Applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and enroll in a college within the region, pursuing any degree from Associate to Doctorate. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster community development through accessible higher education.

AAF: Arts & Culture Fund

The boards of the Amarillo Area Foundation and the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation decided to allocate a portion of the Discretionary Grant funds from the Economic Opportunity cycle to fund visual and performing arts organizations within the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The funding priorities are operational, programmatic, marketing, and capital expenses. ​

​This application process is new, and an external arts committee will select organizations to recommend to the Amarillo Area Foundation board of directors for funding. The requests must fall within the range of $5,000-$50,000.

The Scott Riola Memorial Scholarship Fund, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports current flight nurses from the Texas Panhandle's top 26 counties who seek to further their education. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and possess a flight certification (CEN, CCRN, or CFRN). This initiative exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare education and ensuring skilled professionals serve the community's needs.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. TEA helps deliver education to more than 5 million students under the leadership of the commissioner of education. The TEA operational costs are supported by both state and federal funds.

The Texas Education Agency administers federal and state grant awards to its subgrantees to carry out a program. Such entities include primarily school systems (referred to as local educational agencies [LEAs] in statutes), including independent school districts and charter schools; education service centers (ESCs); and, to a lesser degree, institutions of higher education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), and other statutorily allowable organizations.

Pipeline to Leadership (P2L) Cohort 3 Grant

Program Description

Pipeline to Leadership (P2L) is technical assistance (TA) for school systems that address short- and long-term instructional needs by reimagining school staff roles and redesigning school schedules and compensation within their existing budget. Simultaneously, this service supports school systems as they strengthen educator pipelines and maximize the impact of the most effective teachers. 

Texas K-12 Cybersecurity Initiative

The purpose of this initiative is to provide immediate solutions to protect Texas school systems from major cyber incidents, such as ransomware. In addition to delivering near-term protections, the initiative will assist school systems in maturing their overall cybersecurity programs by strengthening governance, processes, and technical capabilities. The initiative will also provide cybersecurity learning opportunities and training to build local capacity, increase cybersecurity awareness, and support the long-term sustainability of security practices across participating school systems. Priority will be given to high-need school systems, and technical assistance will be available through regional ESCs to support the implementation of cybersecurity controls within the scope of this initiative.

The Ryan Foundation, established in 1983, aims to support charitable causes primarily in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, Texas. Grants range from $5,000 to $1,000,000, with a typical grant size around $30,000. Organizations must demonstrate 501(c)(3) status to be eligible. The Foundation prioritizes health care, education, and the arts while specifically excluding individual loans and out-of-state projects. Interested parties should submit a letter of inquiry before full applications.

Texas Foundations Fund: Disaster Recovery

From its inception, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation has been there to support Texans' path to housing stability. When an unexpected disaster hits, it's vital that low-income Texans are included in recovery plans. 

For this reason, TSAHC will be offering grants to eligible organizations providing housing assistance activities in response to disaster. Grant awards will be made for the critical repair of single-family homes located in any one or more counties affected by weather-related natural disasters. The disaster must be declared as such on or after June 1, 2025 by a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration, a Texas Disaster Declaration, and/or a local city or county disaster declaration.

The RFA- SHSP and UASI grant program by the State of Texas Office of the Governor aims to bolster state and local initiatives for preventing terrorism and enhancing public safety. It focuses on funding projects that address critical preparedness gaps, improve response capabilities, and ensure community resilience against threats. With a minimum funding level of $10,000, the program supports comprehensive efforts to protect citizens and infrastructure, ultimately fostering a secure environment for all Texans.

The Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (APCSP) program aims to prepare high school students for careers in the high-demand field of computer science. By providing funding to public school districts, this grant supports the development and expansion of computer science pathways, starting with the implementation of the AP Computer Science Principles course. This initiative not only benefits students and their families but also enhances the future economic landscape of Texas.

The Southwestern Branch John Henry Comstock Graduate Student Award promotes graduate-level interest in entomology. It recognizes one graduate student from the Southwestern Branch, who will be honored at the Southwestern Branch Meeting. The recipient receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the ESA Annual Meeting, a $200 cash prize, and a certificate. Covered expenses include airfare, hotel arrangements, meeting registration, and per diem allowances, fostering attendance at the fall/winter ESA Annual Meeting.

The Davison Bruce Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the mind, body, and spirit of humankind by investing in health, education, economic assistance, and Christian outreach. Their grantmaking program focuses on supporting vulnerable populations through wellness services, life skills training, and sustainable rehabilitation. By prioritizing community needs, the foundation aims to facilitate systemic change and empower individuals to regain their independence, thereby enabling them to bless the world.

The WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program celebrates and promotes local folklore, legends, and folklife as vital aspects of cultural heritage. Targeted at 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities across 14 US states, it aims to enhance cultural tourism by commemorating community stories. Successful applications typically focus on folktales, historical legends, and community traditions, while excluding purely literary works or personal folklore that lacks broader community significance.

The Alvin A. and Hattie Mae Bush Accounting Scholarship, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and current college students from the Texas Panhandle. Applicants must be majoring in Accounting and plan to attend Amarillo College, Texas Tech University, or West Texas A&M University. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for local students, fostering a brighter future for the community.

The 80/20 Foundation Grant aims to bolster San Antonio's workforce by funding nonprofits that attract, grow, and retain local talent. Established by Graham Weston, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that showcase the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhance educational offerings, and improve quality of life. By focusing on impactful projects, the foundation seeks to create a vibrant community where young professionals can thrive, ensuring a sustainable future for the city.

The John S. Stiff Governmental Services Scholarship, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports City of Amarillo employees pursuing a college degree in municipal government. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and complete the Foundation's General Scholarship Application. This scholarship aims to enhance career advancement opportunities within local government, thereby contributing to the overall quality of life in the Texas Panhandle.

The Brandy Lee Leard Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports high school seniors and college students from the Texas Panhandle who are parents or expectant parents. This scholarship provides up to $1,500 per semester for trade/vocational schools and up to $3,500 for accredited colleges/universities. Eligible applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and complete the Foundation's General Scholarship Application. This initiative aims to improve educational opportunities for young parents in the community.