Best Grants for Religious Nonprofits in Texas

Nonprofit public charities serving Texas with religious, educational, scientific, literary, health, community, or cultural programs can seek support through the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation. With a mission to back charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational organizations, this Texas-focused funder favors research and education projects that create lasting community benefits.

Strake Foundation

Following in the footsteps of our founders and their deep commitment to Catholic faith and American values, our principles are guided by a fundamental belief in traditional Christian teaching, individual dignity, equality of opportunity, self-sufficiency, hard work, and faithful formation.

Based on this vision, Strake Foundation pursues a mission to support conservative Catholic causes, preserve the heritage of George W. Strake and his family, educate individuals and communities in truth, and care for those who are ailing — honoring a legacy of integrity and generous stewardship that spans more than seventy years.

Grant Application

Organizations whose mission aligns with the Foundation’s traditional Catholic values and donor intent are welcome to submit an application. 

Strake Foundation generally adheres to a schedule of 3 meetings per year, in February, July, and November. Grants are restricted to qualified nonprofit organizations holding tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. .

Donor Intent Guidelines

The Board of Directors adheres strictly to the following Donor Intent Guidelines, listed in order of priority:

• Judeo-Christian Religious Organizations: With priority given to Catholic institutions.
• Hospitals and Medical Research: With priority given to women’s health and pro-life causes.
• Private Secondary and Higher Education: With priority given to institutions aligned with Item 1 above.
• U.S. Military Support, Free Market Principles, and Individual Liberty: Organizations advancing these causes.
• Poverty and Homelessness Initiatives: With priority given to Harris County.
• Civic and Cultural Organizations: With priority given to Houston, and secondary consideration to Austin, Dallas, and the broader state of Texas.

Focused on visual arts and art history, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation invites Texas nonprofits, religious organizations with arts programming, universities, and fiscally sponsored projects to propose special projects tied to its collection areas. Funding may support significant exhibitions, artist programs, convenings, or academic research, with priority for rural and non-metro communities in the Southwest, including Texas.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations working in health care, human and social services, education, children’s services, the arts, or religious and spiritual causes can apply for Ryan Foundation grants supporting charitable programs and operations. Faith-based nonprofits in Texas, especially those serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County, may be eligible if they meet the foundation’s priorities.

Catholic 501(c)(3) campus ministries at institutions of higher education in Texas can apply for funding to strengthen faith formation, vocations, and evangelization among students. Focused on Catholic education and campus ministry, Scanlan Foundation supports expressly Catholic nonprofits furthering the Roman Catholic Church through robust ministry programs and related initiatives across the state.

Expressly Catholic 501(c)(3) ministries in Texas can apply for Scanlan Foundation support to further vocations, Catholic education, evangelization, and life and human dignity initiatives. Funding may assist parish and diocesan ministries serving families, youth, campus communities, and vulnerable populations, helping religious nonprofits strengthen Catholic life and outreach across the state.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits, especially religious organizations, youth-serving groups, and hospitals, can seek funding for programs benefiting young people and faith-based activities. Grants from Martha Sue Parr Trust help Texas organizations working in religion and spirituality, child and youth health, mental health, disabilities, and related services that support children and youth in the state.

Texas religious and other 501(c)(3) charitable, educational, or scientific organizations can access funding through Pangburn Foundation, with awards up to US $150,000. Faith-based nonprofits focused on religion and spirituality in Texas may apply through the JPMorgan-administered online system for support of their qualifying programs or institutional needs.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits with charitable programs, including religious and spiritual organizations in Tarrant County that do not receive United Way funding, can apply for Web Maddox Trust grants up to US $150,000 to support their work. Funding may support religion and spirituality alongside education, health, human services, and other community-focused activities.

Religious groups and other nonprofits in North Texas communities near Olney can seek support for programs that build philanthropy and advance racial, social, and economic equity. Focused on community and youth development, education, social entrepreneurship, family services, healthcare, and religion, Perry's Foundation offers operating, project, leadership, capacity-building, and matching support in Texas.

Religious nonprofits and other 501(c)(3) charities serving Central Texas counties can seek US $5,000 - US $50,000 for programs in economic mobility, health and wellness, arts and culture, environmental sustainability, green spaces, and animal welfare. Austin Community Foundation’s Forever Austin Fund supports work in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for charitable, educational, religious, scientific, arts, or hospital initiatives can apply for grants from the Adeline & George McQueen Foundation. With a mission to support a range of community-serving programs, this funder provides flexible funding that may benefit religious nonprofits and related projects across Texas.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including religious and faith-based organizations, can seek funding for a wide range of charitable programs such as community development, education, health, and social services. With a mission to support charitable purposes, Leo Potishman Foundation provides grants that may benefit religious nonprofits and other organizations serving communities in and around Fort Worth.

Religious, arts, library, hospital, and educational nonprofits in Fort Worth, Texas can apply for the Joyce Capper Charitable Trust, with awards of US $10,000 - US $20,000 for charitable programs. Organizations serving Tarrant County, including faith-based groups and churches, may be especially competitive if they align with the trust’s historic giving priorities.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in religious, educational, scientific, literary, or arts and culture programs can access funding through the Elias & Hanna Regensburger Foundation, with preference for the Grayson County area. Faith-based and other charitable organizations may benefit from support for a wide range of community-focused initiatives.

Texas religious and other 501(c)(3) charitable organizations operating in Tarrant County can access funding through the T. Patrick Carr Charitable Trust for a wide range of program areas. Eligible projects include religious activities as well as education, human and social services, health, community development, arts and culture, environment, animal welfare, civic activities, and scientific work.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in child or animal welfare, human and social services, arts, health, science, environment, or civic activities can seek program support through the John T. Shea Foundation. With a mission to support charitable purposes, it prioritizes Houston-area organizations serving underserved children and preventing cruelty to children or animals.

Texas 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can seek funding for programs in religion and spirituality, human services, education, health, community development, and more. Grants from Charlotte B. Proehl Foundation help Greater Houston nonprofits, including religious organizations, with project or program support, with awards up to US $20,000 for eligible initiatives.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental units in Texas can apply for the John Reagan Harris Community Fund Grant, awarding up to US $10,000 for civic, religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational projects benefiting Center, Texas. Religious nonprofits may request general operating or program support, including new or expanded programs.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities serving children and youth can seek funding for religious, educational, scientific, literary, or charitable programs through the Blanche Davis Moore Foundation. Organizations working with children under 18 in Nueces, Aransas, Jim Wells, Kleberg, or San Patricio counties, including faith-based groups, may be eligible if activities reflect historic Judeo-Christian principles.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in education, health, human services, environment, arts, or community development in Texas’s Smith County can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to advance their local impact. Altra Foundation supports community-focused programs; faith-based nonprofits may be eligible when their social service programs meet the stated criteria.

501(c)(3) charitable organizations in Stephenville, Texas can apply for the Birdie Hartsough Frey Memorial Fund; awards support a wide range of program areas including religious, human and social services, education, and community development. Religious nonprofits in Texas serving the Stephenville area may be especially well positioned to benefit.

Texas 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can seek funding for religion and spirituality projects, along with other community-focused work. Grants from Edith Winter Grace Trust help support Tarrant County nonprofits working in areas such as religious activities, human and social services, education, arts and culture, health, environment, and related civic or community development efforts.

Faith-based and other 501(c)(3) or government organizations in Texas’s six-county Central Texas region can receive support for Black-led programs in arts, education, health, advocacy, and wealth building. The Black Fund of Central Texas provides approximately US $12,500 grants, and inclusive religious nonprofits serving the broader community may be eligible if their work aligns with these impact areas.