Search Through Community Development Grants in Texas in the U.S.

Background

De Colores Rapid Response Fund (RRF) has been established at PDF in honor of retired Development Officer, Ray Santiago. In his many years working in the farmworker movement, “De Colores,” a traditional Mexican folk song that celebrates nature and diversity, was and still is one of Ray’s favorite tunes. It is a great example of solidarity.

Ray recalls, “If I remember correctly, the song came to the Americas from Spain back in the 16th or 17th century. The song became very popular within the Latino community for special celebrations and occasions. It became the anthem of the United Farm Workers in California in the early 1960s. In time, it became the anthem of the larger farmworker movement, including the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in the Midwest, Florida and Texas. We would cross arms and sing it at rallies and picket lines. It’s a very uplifting song and always brought comfort to me.”

De Colores RRF is looking to impact positive, dynamic-shifting opportunities, rather than provide emergency response for humanitarian crises or technical assistance. It is designed to make funds available for quick, short-term delivery to hot spots of opportunity for organizing in marginalized urban and rural communities.

Criteria for grants from the fund include:

• Organizing in U.S. grassroots communities, with a focus on communities of color, poor and working class; 
• Opportunities for strategic intervention (i.e. Ferguson and Baltimore moments);
• Opportunities to impact new and strategic shifts (i.e. Occupy); and
• Opportunities to amplify the effects of in-the-moment issues (i.e. Hurricane Maria or #MeToo). The event or situation you are responding to was unanticipated and requires urgent action that is well thought out with clear goals and desired outcomes.

Under the direction of Mary Josephine Hamman, the Foundation was formed on May 20, 1954. The Foundation was established to: 

• give assistance to students in the pursuit of higher education through scholarships;
• to promote the arts;
• to fund qualified institutions in the furtherance and development of scientific projects;
• to aid churches, associations and conventions of churches in the advancement of religion;
• to aid colleges and universities in both operating and capital needs;
• to provide aid for the needy;
• and to assist hospitals, medical colleges and research institutions for the study, treatment and cure of disease.

The Foundation has awarded $132.2 million in grants and scholarships over its 70 years of service to the community.

The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation is a Texas chartered non-profit corporation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 509(a) and is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3).

The Harold Simmons Foundation, established in 1988, is based in Dallas Texas and is funded primarily by Contran Corporation, a company controlled by Harold Clark Simmons.

The Harold Simmons Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life of all members of our community and to ensure they have the resources and opportunities to live with dignity and meaning. The Foundation strives to invest strategically in programs that support systems change and scalability of impact. We support organizations that promote early health and development, safe and enriching environments, and comprehensive support systems for individuals, children, and families. We believe advocacy and research are key elements in this work.

Grants are made by the Harold Simmons Foundation with the goal of improving lives and enriching the community.

Areas of interest include:

• education;
• health care, social welfare, including human rights;
• civic improvement; and
• culture & the arts.

We make grants for operating expenses, capital needs or special projects, generally in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for first time applicants.  In 2024 the Foundation distributed approximately $7.3 million dollars.

We seek well-researched grant proposals for projects that address current community needs only in the Dallas, Texas area. Projects that complement other public and private efforts and/or agency collaboration is encouraged. Proposals are welcomed year round and we have no application deadlines.

About Hendrick Health

Headquartered in Abilene, Texas, Hendrick Health is a healthcare system owned and directed by a local, volunteer board since its founding in 1924 as a not-for-profit hospital in response to a community need for quality healthcare. Throughout the decades, the hospital has grown with the community, offering a wide range of comprehensive healthcare services to West Central Texas.

In 2020, Hendrick Medical Center became Hendrick Health and expanded to a three-hospital system—Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center South in Abilene; and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood in Brownwood. Hendrick Health also includes Hendrick Clinic, a multispecialty medical group of physicians and other advanced professional providers. Today, Hendrick Health has more than 100 service locations and serves 24 counties.

Providing the strength of a complete system of health services, Hendrick continues to offer aggressive, innovative treatments and preventive healthcare measures that include cardiovascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, orthopedics, women's health and cancer services.

Community involvement is important to Hendrick, not just from a healthcare perspective. Staff and employees know what it means to give back. They help raise funds and give their time to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, The United Way, Meals on Wheels and many other organizations.

Hendrick is an institution where people can feel a strong sense of belonging – an advanced medical provider the people of the region can call their own. Hendrick Health is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and people of all ages and races receive precision care every day, regardless of the way they are able to pay.

Hendrick Health was founded by pioneering West Texans who believed in working together for better health. That legacy lives on today at Hendrick through medicine, ministry and research.

Community Grants and Event Sponsorships

As part of Hendrick Health’s commitment to the community, we offer opportunities for various agencies and organizations to request funding for causes that are consistent with the Hendrick Health's organizational goals for community initiatives.

The mission of the Community Initiatives Allocations Committee is to respond to community requests through an efficient and intentional process that will provide funds to effectively:

• Empower residents of our community to live healthier, safer lives (Health/Human Services)
• Enhance the lives of children and youth of the community in a holistic way (physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually (Youth & Children)
• Educate the community both in basic learning and professional development (Education)
• Establish a stronger economic base (Economic Development)
• Enrich West Texas culture (Arts/Culture)

Background

At Lubrizol, the communities where we work and live have long been valued stakeholders in the sustainability of our organization. In 1952, Lubrizol established The Lubrizol Foundation (Foundation), which provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and charities in our local home communities.

Grants will be awarded to organizations with missions consistent with Lubrizol's community engagement priorities and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, focused on advancing health and wellbeing, quality education, climate action and life under water and on land. 

Lubrizol’s Corporate Community Engagement Priorities

Grants will be awarded to organizations with a mission that is consistent with Lubrizol's Corporate Community Engagement Priorities, which are to improve lives and also align with the United Nations Strategic Development Goals (UN SDG) through:  

• Good Health and Well-Being – aligned with UN SDG 3
• Quality Education – aligned with UN SDG 4
• Protecting, preserving and enriching the natural environment – aligned with:
  • UN SDG 13 – Climate Change
  • UN SDG 14 –Life under Water
  • UN SDG 15 –Life on Land

We are a private family foundation on a mission to improve the quality and circumstances of life for the people of Texas now and in the future.

What We Fund: Our Program Areas

Texas is diverse. So is our giving.

We provide grants throughout Texas within our program areas and also our initiatives in education, environment, homelessness, and mental health.

Arts and Culture

Our founders were passionate about the arts’ ability to illuminate and reflect our communities, reimagine conversations, promote public engagement, and preserve memories. We support organizations throughout the state that provide opportunities for all Texans to experience and benefit from the arts. Our most significant partner is Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts and the Meadows Museum.

Civic and Public Affairs

Communities thrive when effective civic leadership and healthy public systems are supported by a strong network of nonprofit organizations. We assist communities in developing leadership talent, promoting civic and public collaboration, supporting nonprofits through management and capacity-building, and improving processes and infrastructures for delivery of services to all residents. We also recognize the importance of animals and the role they have in many people’s lives. We fund projects that improve their welfare and enhance the human-animal connection.

Education

The link between quality of education and quality of life is undeniable. Knowledge empowers choices that influence our social and family environment, health and mental well-being, home and community, and career and income. Each additional year of schooling increases earnings by 8-10%. In addition, early reading, high-quality instructors, access to resources, and high expectations for all students improve life-long study skills and academic achievements.

Environment

With our population in Texas expected to increase by 73% to 51.5 million people in 2070, the impacts on our environment will be significant. We focus on preserving our rich ecological and biological resources for future generations while meeting our growing needs.

Health

Access to quality health care is essential. Health and mental health programs that offer a chance to rethink what can be accomplished with new knowledge and technology ultimately lead to Texans living healthier lives. We invest in programs and initiatives that promote innovation in services and delivery and strengthen the ecosystem of health and mental health care.

Human Services

In communities across Texas, people face overwhelming challenges and times of personal or family crisis. We support programs and agencies that thoughtfully weave compassion and respect into the support systems that improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable Texans. We also place emphasis on supporting efforts that reduce homelessness in the Dallas area.

What We Fund: Initiatives 

Five initiatives are linked to our long-term goals, and requests in these areas receive additional consideration in the review process.

Postsecondary Completion

The changing economic landscape requires a shift in the kind of preparation offered to connect Texans to jobs, career paths, livable wages, and economic and social mobility. By 2030, 60% of the Texas workforce will need a postsecondary credential to be gainfully employed, a driving factor for the state’s higher education plan. We aim to ensure that awarded postsecondary degrees, credentials, and certificates align to real-time labor needs, are affordable for all Texans, and offer value to students and society. We are working with our partners to increase postsecondary completion rates beyond current projections to meet current and future workforce demands.

Educator Preparation

Quality teachers are consistently identified as the most important school-based factor in student achievement. On average, a high-performing teacher increases student learning by 50% more than expected growth over the course of a school year. Texas has hundreds of educator preparation programs of varying quality and varying levels of accessibility to aspiring teachers. The teacher pipeline must be robust to meet the needs of a growing state with a growing student population. We are working with our partners to define, build, and scale models of high-quality educator preparation. 

Water Conservation

Texas has grown rapidly, and the state’s population is projected to expand by 70% from 2020 to 2070. While this growth can fuel robust economic development, ensuring the vitality of Texas’ cities, industries, and agriculture while also protecting natural resources will require careful water management. As water demand increases, state water supplies will drop by 18%. The state water plan suggests that water conservation strategies could meet 30% of future water supplies. 

While conservation success can be determined in part by policies, everyday water users are the conservation decision makers, and how they value water is the most crucial element of achieving an overall demand reduction. We are working with our partners to advance water conservation, with the goal of reducing the planned use of water by 30% by 2030.

Depression

Depression is the most common mental illness in the U.S. In North Texas alone, 300,000 adults and children experience depression annually. We know that mental health treatment works: two-thirds of individuals who receive evidence-based, measurement-based care get better. However, less than one in 10 receive this type of care. 

With appropriate training and support, primary care physicians can screen, identify, and provide effective behavioral and mental health treatment and referrals to their patients, which could fill this gap in care. In fact, at least 80% of individuals diagnosed with depression can be treated by their primary care physician. We are working with our partners to integrate evidence-based practices into primary care at large healthcare systems, with the goal of ending untreated depression in North Texas by 2030.

Homelessness

Thousands of individuals experience homelessness every year in Dallas and Collin counties. Our neighbors face several challenges as they try to exit homelessness, such as affordable housing shortages, increased cost of living, and limited access to resources that help them remain housed. Access to adequate housing provides the safety needed to survive and the stability needed to thrive. We are working with our partners to make homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties rare, brief, and nonrecurring. Our goal is to house 6,000 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness by 2025.

Types of Funding

• Specific programs or projects account for almost 85% of our total giving
• Although not a significant part of our funding, we will consider
  • Capital projects aligned with our initiatives and green building guidelines
  • Program-related investment loans
• Endowment and scholarship grants are rare

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Founded in 2006 by Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, The Rees-Jones Foundation is a private foundation that works with non-profit organizations, primarily in North Texas, to serve others and improve their quality of life and life circumstances in tangible ways.

The vision of The Rees-Jones Foundation is that the love of Christ is experienced in tangible ways by those in our community who are disadvantaged or who are suffering spiritually, physically, or emotionally.

The mission of the Foundation is to serve God by serving others, sharing His resources in ways that provide opportunities for the disadvantaged, relief for the suffering, and encouragement in the growth and well-being of children and families in our community.

What We Fund

Thoughtfully giving to those who are driving community transformation and quality-of-life improvement. Dallas-Fort Worth is The Rees-Jones Foundation’s home and we’re passionate about this community and the people working tirelessly to improve it. Since 2006, we’ve partnered with and supported nonprofit organizations making life more hopeful for the most people in North Texas.We do this through focused and relational philanthropy in eight key areas of giving:

• Animal Welfare
• Child Welfare
• Community Benefit
• Disability Care
• Evangelism & Discipleship
• Family & Youth Support
• Neighborhood Development
• Youth Formation

Topfer Family Foundation Grant

The Topfer Family Foundation is committed to helping people connect to the tools and resources needed to build self-sufficient and fulfilling lives.

Program Areas

The mission of the Topfer Family Foundation (TFF) is to fund programs and organizations that connect people to the tools and resources they need to build self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. Programs eligible for TFF funding will adhere to the guidelines listed below and address one or more of the following program areas:

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 

Self-sufficiency for children and families begins in a safe, healthy home. TFF supports programs that provide resources, training and treatment for families and children of abuse. Grants are awarded to programs that promote positive parenting, strengthen families, and provide early intervention. Additionally, TFF funds therapeutic support services for victims of abuse to enhance their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential.

Youth Enrichment 

TFF is committed to helping at-risk youth prepare for self-sufficient, fulfilling lives. Therefore, the foundation funds initiatives that help youth develop practical life skills, promote education, build self-confidence, and provide positive development and enrichment opportunities.

Job Training and Support Services

Self-sufficiency is unlikely without the skills and knowledge to earn a livable wage. Therefore, the foundation supports job training programs and support services that enable people to increase their earning potential and enhance their quality of life through sustainable and meaningful employment. Initiatives eligible for TFF funding include vocational training, remedial education and life skills training. Successful programs will address the multiple needs of the individual to ensure that employment is secured and sustained.

Children's Health

For parents who have faced the expensive and overwhelming task of caring for an ill child, self-sufficiency can be a distant dream. TFF supports organizations that provide access to critical healthcare for low-income children and those with chronic and terminal illnesses. Grants are awarded to programs that address the physical and emotional needs of sick children and their families through compassionate care, medical treatment and intervention services.

Aging in Place

Aging does not lead to an inevitable loss of independence. However, limited access to safe, affordable housing can be a barrier. TFF partners with local organizations that provide housing options for the elderly while ensuring access to the support services needed to maintain their health and independence. Eligible programs include those that offer home modification, home repair, food and nutrition services, and affordable housing alternatives.

Application Process

The Topfer Family Foundation accepts applications year-round and reviews them on a quarterly basis. Please see below for information about how to apply. Due to the volume of requests received each year, we cannot accept requests in the form of letters, proposals or presentations.

Valero Energy Foundation 

Valero, its employees and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where we work and live, fulfilling a mission that was set from the beginning. We set the standard for corporate citizenship and promotes prosperity in our communities. 

The Valero Energy Foundation -- a public charity and Valero's philanthropic arm -- funds nonprofit agencies that serve predominantly disadvantaged children and families. In 2019, the Foundation contributed appoximately $40 million in assistance in the communities where Valero has major operations.

Four Pillars of Support

Our funding focuses on our four pillars of giving in communities where we have major operations.

• Basic Needs:  Valero gives assistance to agencies that provide basic needs of life, including shelter, food and clothing necessary for the development of a strong and safe community. 
• Health Care: We invest in the development of strategic community health resources and facilities that will support the needs of all members of our nearby communities, with major gifts going to children’s hospitals, university medical centers and service providers that offer specialized health care services and programs.
• Education: Valero is a strong advocate of education as it creates a necessary foundation for all children to thrive and for adults to lead productive lives. 
• Civic: We support civic and environmental initiatives directly related to the success of the communities where we live and work.

Our Mission

To support individuals and families as they build productive and meaningful lives.

We Value

• The legacy of M.B. and Edna Zale
• Jewish identity, heritage, and Tikkun Olam*
  • *Hebrew: “Repair the world” – Humanity’s shared responsibility to heal, repair, and transform the world.
• The power of community
• The diversity and passion of our family members
• The creativity and dedication of our nonprofit partners

Our main funding areas:

Education & Workforce

Programs that support:

• Equality of access
• Early intervention and early childhood development
• Academic assistance and enrichment
• Training the unemployed, or underemployed, in job skills
• Wraparound services in partnership with education and development
• Growth in financial, digital, and emotional literacy

Social Services

Programs that support:

• Support for individuals experiencing homelessness
• Services to promote self-sufficiency
• Assistance for needy families
• Social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth for all stages of life.

Civic

Programs that strengthen:

• The quality of life for a community, it’s people and animals
• Philanthropy
• Civic education

Hunger Relief

Programs that address:

• Hunger and food insecurity
• Access to food and healthy choices
• Food choice and dignity for those suffering from hunger.
• Strategies to support an individual’s journey out of hunger

Jewish Culture & Continuity

Programs that address:

• Identity and heritage
•  Continuity
• Education
• Human services

Healthcare

Programs that support:

• The prevention and treatment of illness and disease
• Family planning, maternal health, and education
• Access to affordable and impactful mental health services

The Foundation gives priority to:

• Programs or organizations that promote personal self sufficiency.
• Innovative approaches to solving social problems.
• Clear outcomes and accountability
• Programs that can be replicated or scaled for larger impact.

The Foundation encourages:

• Requests for programs and projects, rather than ongoing operational support
• Programs that include an element of collaboration or the possibility of using other community support.

Large Grants

For Requests Above $10,000

Organizations requesting a grant greater than $10,000 or more must use the application set forth below. All grant applications must satisfy the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and restrictions irrespective of grant size.

Our Program Areas

Our Foundation focuses on several key program areas that aim to create lasting, positive change in the communities we serve. These areas include Arts and Culture, Civic and Public Affairs, Education, Health, and Human Services. 

Arts and Culture

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts and culture as essential elements that enrich and define our communities.

Civic and Public Affairs

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations and initiatives that promote civic engagement and strengthen public affairs. 

Education

Our Foundation is committed to supporting educational initiatives that provide equitable access to learning and foster the development of critical skills for individuals of all ages.

Health

Our Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that improve health and well-being, with a focus on promoting access to quality care and addressing health disparities. 

Human Services

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting human services initiatives that address the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families, particularly those facing challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and hardship. 

Smaller Grants

For Requests of $10,000 or Less

Organizations requesting a grant of $10,000 or less must use the application set forth below. All grant applications must satisfy the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and restrictions irrespective of grant size.

Our Program Areas

Our Foundation focuses on several key program areas that aim to create lasting, positive change in the communities we serve. These areas include Arts and Culture, Civic and Public Affairs, Education, Health, and Human Services. 

Arts and Culture

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts and culture as essential elements that enrich and define our communities.

Civic and Public Affairs

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations and initiatives that promote civic engagement and strengthen public affairs. 

Education

Our Foundation is committed to supporting educational initiatives that provide equitable access to learning and foster the development of critical skills for individuals of all ages.

Health

Our Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that improve health and well-being, with a focus on promoting access to quality care and addressing health disparities. 

Human Services

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting human services initiatives that address the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families, particularly those facing challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and hardship. 

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice. Since our founding in 1992, the Impact Fund has made more than 800 recoverable grants totaling more than $10 million for impact litigation. We award grants four times per year, most within the range of US$10,000 to US$50,000.

Social Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants and legal support to assist in human and civil rights cases. We have helped to change dozens of laws and win cases to improve the rights of thousands. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Texas and North Carolina, incarcerated people with mental health disabilities are forced to remain in jail despite being found not guilty and unable to proceed with a criminal trial.
• In Orange County, California there are currently 13 gang injunctions under effect, which disproportionately affect young men of color.
• In Chicago, Illinois, the city’s homeless shelter program is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
• In Springfield, Oregon, the city and its police department used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters.
• In West Virginia, the state fails to protect children in foster care from abuse and neglect. 
• In Montana, voter suppression laws disadvantage young adults and give priority to gun owners.
• In Gary, Indiana, a gun manufacturer negligently marketed and distributed its guns, leading to an epidemic of gun violence in the city. 
• In Vancouver, British Columbia, the police perpetuate systemic discrimination against Indigenous people through bureaucratic measures.

Environmental Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants to support local litigation for environmental justice. These grants are for cases aiming to help people or communities who are affected by environmental harm or who lack access to basic environmental needs, such as clean water, clean air, adequate waste treatment, and green spaces. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Centreville, Illinois, the city’s failure to maintain its sewer system has caused raw sewage to flood peoples’ homes, endangering the property and health of a predominantly Black community.
• In Fresno County, California, the California Department of Transportation approved a highway expansion project that would increase air pollution and traffic in one of the state’s most environmentally burdened communities.
• In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the proposed expansion of a highway would divide the region's Black, Asian, and Latine neighborhoods and cause pollution and ill health.
• In North Dakota, the five-month closure of a highway in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests disproportionately affected the livelihoods and health of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe members.
• In Ontario, Canada, mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon river system causes catastrophic environmental and health impacts for the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• In Sacramento, California, the county government and Sacramento Area Sewer District violated the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into nearby rivers.
• In the Eastern Coachella Valley in California, 1,900 residents of the Oasis Mobile Home Park suffer from arsenic-laced drinking water, wastewater contamination, and overcharging for utilities.

Economic Justice

The Impact Fund provides financial and other forms of support to cases fighting for economic justice. From workers' rights to consumer protection for vulnerable populations, impact litigation is a powerful tool to hold corporationss and the government accountable. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Brooklyn, New York, a prominent mortgage lender engaged in predatory practices, leaving homeowners of color at risk of losing their homes. 
• In Washington, live-in caregivers are unconstitutionally excluded from the state’s wage-and-hour protections.
• In Ravalli County, Montana, the county has created a “modern-day debtors’ prison” by incarcerating people unable to afford pre-trial fees. 
• In San Diego, California, vehicle ordinances target unhoused vehicle owners even when no adequate housing alternative exists.
• In New York, a federal immigration detention facility is violating minimum wage and forced labor laws by forcing detainees to work for just a dollar a day. 
• In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the city and county destroy the property of unhoused individuals and conduct forced evictions from public spaces. 
• In Miami, Florida, insurance companies discriminate against a nonprofit community development corporation renting to tenants with Section 8 rental subsidies.

Mission

Our mission is to meet basic human needs while building individual and social resiliency. 

Established in 1987, the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation has dedicated over $70 million in grants to improve the social fabric of life.  

The Foundation seeks innovative solutions to intractable and persistent problems and strives to cultivate emerging talents and promising models. 

The entire Rapoport family is actively involved in the Foundation’s operations, which has touched many lives in the areas of education, arts and culture, health, community building & social services, and democracy & civic participation.

This commitment is rooted in generations past and continues to mold our future.

Areas of Funding Priorities

The Foundation prefers to concentrate on five primary areas including: Arts & Culture, Community Building & Social Service, Democracy & Civic Participation, Education, and Health.

Arts and Culture

The Foundation supports artistic and cultural programs that encourage the participation of children and disadvantaged members of the community thereby enriching their lives. Education and cultivation of new and young patrons is encouraged.

Education

The Foundation is interested in the broad area of education but with a special concern for early learning up to and through the elementary years. Other areas of interest include adult education and training initiatives, college and career readiness, and programs that enhance the capabilities of teachers and other professionals in public schools.  

Health

The Foundation seeks to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare services to all citizens, especially to women, children, and those who do not have access to conventional medical resources. Community-based outreach initiatives are also of interest to the Foundation.

Community Building and Social Services

The Foundation seeks to build communities that improve the quality of life for all citizens and foster the growth and development of children. The Foundation encourages programs that build grassroots neighborhood networks, provide job training and job opportunities for the unemployed and under-employed, or provide a comprehensive safety net of social services for the least-advantaged citizens.  

Democracy and Civic Participation

The Foundation supports efforts both to make government more responsive and to encourage citizens to take an active interest and role in political life. The Foundation promotes intergovernmental cooperation as well as initiatives that broaden citizen awareness of public policy issues and alternatives, build skills necessary for political leadership, and provide opportunities for community service.  

Where We Fund

By policy, one-third of annual grant funds are required to be distributed for projects/programs located in Waco, Texas. (The bulk of awards in Waco tend to fall within the areas of Education, Health, Community Building & Social Services, and Arts & Culture.)

By policy, one-third of annual grant funds are considered discretionary and may be distributed in support of projects/programs throughout Texas and the United States as desired. In recent years, a significant portion of the Foundation’s discretionary grant budget has been largely focused on ad-hoc special interest areas as determined by our trustees. Once the Foundation’s 2025 ad-hoc working group topic has been announced, you will find the relevant information on this website. (The bulk of awards in TX/US tend to fall largely within Democracy & Civic Participation and to a lesser extent, Community Building.)

It is also worth noting that the Foundation does not typically consider funding direct service programs outside of the Waco/McLennan County area or programs benefitting a small geographic area or a narrow audience (outside of Waco/McLennan County). (For more information, please review our FAQ page before submitting an LOI.)

Finally, the remaining one-third of annual grant funds are obligated to the University of Texas at Austin Rapoport Service Scholarship program, the Jerusalem Foundation, and the Jewish Federations of North America.

Education

Early Childhood Development & Education

The Powell Foundation seeks to ensure that all children benefit from high-quality early environments and services that foster their healthy development, foundational skill-building, school readiness, and lifelong success.

Our Early Childhood investments are focused in the following areas:

• High-quality providers & educators
• Supportive caregivers
• High-capacity sector

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Develop, sustain, and scale the availability of high-quality early childhood programs for infants, toddlers, and young children.
• Train and build the capacity of early childhood educators and providers.
• Strengthen the knowledge and capability of parents and other caregivers to nurture and guide their children’s early development and learning.
• Improve the coordination and reach of the intersecting systems impacting early childhood.

Quality Public K-12 Schools

The Powell Foundation believes that all students should receive a high-quality public K-12 education through access to effective schools, curriculum, programming, and support services that ensure they graduate from high school prepared for post-secondary success.

Our Quality Public K-12 Schools investments are focused in the following areas:

• Excellent educators
• Student supports
• Quality schools & school models

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Strengthen preparation, pathways, training, and development for teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
• Ensure students receive high-quality, evidence-based academic instruction, programming, and supports.
• Promote the positive development of non-cognitive skills, social-emotional learning, and positive school climate and culture.
• Scale and expand access to high-quality district and public charter school models that strengthen educational outcomes for all students.

Post-secondary Pathways to Success

The Powell Foundation seeks to ensure that all students are prepared for, can access, and complete a post-secondary program that leads to meaningful employment opportunities.

Our Post-Secondary Pathways to Success investments are focused in the following areas:

• Post-secondary access and success
• Post-secondary readiness
• Policies and systems

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Increase access to and participation in advanced coursework, career awareness programming, and college and career entrance exams.
• Strengthen post-secondary advising and counseling and provide replicable and scalable tools to improve access.
• Bolster the academic preparedness of students to pursue post-secondary pathways; increase student proficiency in non-cognitive and affective skills critical to post-secondary success.
• Strengthen post-secondary persistence, certificate/degree completion, and career attainment.
• Support policies that increase post-secondary access, persistence, and success.

Aligned Cradle-to-Career Education System

The Powell Foundation supports efforts to coordinate and connect people, programs, systems, and policies and collective efforts to create a seamless and integrated educational pathway for children and youth.

Our Aligned Cradle-to-Career Education System investments are focused in the following area:

• Effective tools, policies, and systems

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Promote continuity across the education system, supporting students at pivotal transition points and accelerating high-impact practices.
• Convene and build a coalition of advocates in support of a sustained and scaled cradle-to-career continuum.
• Invest stakeholders in an aligned vision for strengthening and better connecting early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary.
• Democratize access to user-friendly data and the creation of tools to track and monitor outcomes for students across the full continuum.

Supportive Communities

The Arts

The Powell Foundation works to promote vibrant communities by expanding equitable access to educational experiences in the arts and encouraging public engagement with diverse arts and culture.

Our Arts investments are focused in the following areas:

• Arts education
• Public arts and culture access

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Provide arts education and cultural experiences to K-12 students, particularly those attending schools in “arts deserts”.
• Provide training on teaching and learning techniques that integrate the arts.
• Expand the community’s access to and engagement in the arts.
• Increase diversity and representation in the arts, with a lens towards historically marginalized groups.

Conservation

The Powell Foundation seeks to foster environmental benefits for current and future generations by connecting people to nature, building environmental stewardship, and addressing critical problems in the local environment.

Our Conservation investments are focused in the following areas:

• Conservation & Environmental education
• Connecting people to nature
• Environmental protection

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Create high-quality conservation and environmental science learning experiences for children and youth.
• Foster an appreciation and understanding of nature, the natural environment, and environmental stewardship, particularly among children and youth.
• Increase equitable access to public parks and urban greenspaces to support community wellbeing.
• Address critical environmental issues and efforts focused on protecting, preserving, and improving natural resources impacting our geographies through the support of programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts.

Human Services

The Powell Foundation seeks to foster community wellbeing by empowering children, families, and individuals with the resources and supports they need to flourish.

Our Human Services investments are focused in the following areas:

• Stabilization & empowerment
• Emotional wellbeing

We invest in organizations who champion efforts to:

• Address food security and hunger alleviation at scale for children, youth, families, and other vulnerable populations.
• Provide housing, wrap-around services, and skill-building programs for homeless and housing insecure individuals, including transition-age youth.
• Promote emotional wellbeing of children and youth in crisis by providing mental/behavioral health interventions and supports.
• Coordinate and build the capacity of school systems to use evidence-based practices to promote students’ mental and behavioral health, including prevention, identification, and treatment efforts.

Founded in 1999, the Sundt Foundation was created to give Sundt employee-owners a way to give back to the communities where they live and work. Today, the Sundt Foundation remains true to its original mission, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in our local communities. The Sundt Foundation provides volunteer and grant opportunities to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in its regional areas.

Giving Guidelines

Employee-owner committees are responsible for Foundation grantmaking designated in the areas of youth development, hunger & nutrition, basic needs & social services, and military & veterans.

The Board of Directors of the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation is committed to the highest standards of philanthropy and to honoring the founders’ original intent, while adapting to today’s needs.

Community Grants: North Texas

Aging Population

Helping seniors protect or improve their financial independence, through efforts such as employment services, money management programs, financial literacy education, benefits counseling, debt management assistance, food and nutrition security, mental health counseling and case management, transportation, and home improvement or repair; and protecting seniors from physical or financial abuse.

Arts, Culture, and History

Providing artistic, historical, or cultural experiences that enhance learning in school-age children, or extend the benefit of the arts to children, the elderly, and others who might not otherwise have access; helping the cultural sector build future audiences and generate sustained operational funding.

Children and Youth

Assisting young people who are aging out of the foster care system in preparing for independent adulthood, including case management, education, employment, housing, and mental health services; and supporting youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.    

Economically Disadvantaged

Addressing the wealth gap by improving the financial stability and economic security of individuals and families through an integrated approach of improving financial health, income supports, and employment, offered either by a single agency or a group of agencies working in concert.

Education

Supporting the educational and social-emotional development of children ages birth to five, including pre-K programs, kindergarten readiness efforts, and quality improvement initiatives.

Types of Grants Available

• Program
• Capital

Grant Average and Range

• Range: $15,000 to $75,000
• Average: $30,000

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

We’re collaborating with MIT Solve to kick off our third year of the Inspire Awards. Nonprofits from across the country are invited to pitch their solution to advance workers through career navigation and workforce development.

This year’s Inspire Awards challenge aims to improve resources and wraparound services for workers seeking reskilling, upskilling, and career transitions to uplift themselves—and their families. For workers looking to develop skills to help them adapt to industry changes, career navigation and workforce development solutions can make an impact. These tools can aid smoother career transitions, foster economic mobility, and empower workers to pursue personal growth.

2025 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative solutions for the reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation needs of adults who are in the middle or late stages of their careers?

Challenge Dimensions

We are seeking innovative nonprofit solutions that improve resources and wraparound services for adults who are in the middle or late stages of their careers seeking reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation support, including:

• Wraparound Services – Supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals on their journey to economic mobility through innovative and comprehensive resources including transportation support, childcare, mentorship, mental health services, and more.
• Coalition Building – Generating greater buy-in and support for workforce navigation efforts through coalitions, promoting communication and collaboration across diverse sectors and stakeholders including businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.
• Career Navigation – Enabling workers to navigate their career choices more easily, helping to facilitate informed decisions about which high-quality jobs and career trajectories best suit them.
• Upskilling and Reskilling – Providing accessible, high-quality, skill-building and training opportunities for those transitioning between careers or facing unemployment.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

Who is the Byrne Family Foundation Trust?

Founded in 2009, the Byrne Family Foundation Trust (BFFT) is dedicated to championing children’s educational growth. We are committed to improving educational opportunities for children through support at school and within the home. Additionally, a portion of our giving is dedicated to the animal welfare in our local communities.

Our board of trustees is composed of two generations of family members who are invested in the responsible stewardship of BFFT’s funds.

What kinds of projects and organizations does BFFT fund?

The BFFT is primarily focused on educational funding, with a blend of early childhood, K-12, leadership/teacher development, and post secondary/higher learning opportunities. We support educational programs because we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools in creating equitable access to opportunity. We fund projects and organizations that provide holistic, quality educational experiences, because they have the power to open doors for children and youth in our communities.

As a family, we also understand the powerful bond between people and their pets. The Foundation allocates a portion of our giving to animal welfare initiatives, which include service animal programs, no-kill animal shelters and spay/neuter services.

The BFFT funds organizations in the cities and regions our trustees call home. As a result, we support projects that serve our communities of Dallas, Texas and Park City, Utah. The Foundation is not considering projects outside of these geographic regions at this time. 

 Fast Track Grant 

The Fast Track grant program was created to respond to urgent community needs. The application is brief, there are no reporting requirements, and all funds will be distributed in the same month that organizations apply. This is a new program for the Byrne Family Foundation Trust starting in 2022; as such, we expect it to change and evolve over time.

Since this is a new program, we’ve prepared a list of commonly asked questions. Please review them in full here before reaching out with an additional inquiry! If you do have a question that you don’t see answered here, we’re happy to discuss over email.

Fast Track grants are a new program for BFFT, and launched for the first time in July 2022. Since this is a new program, we expect it to evolve over time, so the application and the process may change!

You are welcome to apply again if you have not yet received Fast Track funding in this calendar year. Once you’re awarded a Fast Track grant, though, you have to wait until the next calendar year to apply again.

Priorities

Education projects should fit into one of the following categories:

• Early childhood education
• K-12 education
• Post-secondary education
• Teacher training or other administrative capacity building
• Public policy
• Afterschool or summer camp
• Basic needs (including food banks, school supply donations, etc.)
• Mentoring or youth empowerment

Animal welfare projects should be in support of domestic animals only — household pets, domestic animals, and service animals are all eligible, but wildlife projects will not be funded at this time. Projects should fit into one of the following categories: 

• Animal rescue
• Spay/neuter services
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Service animal training

Who We Are

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation (“Foundation”) strives to be a catalyst in our communities by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to achieve extraordinary outcomes. That’s why we invest in initiatives that not only improve our stakeholders’ lives today, but also build a strong foundation for tomorrow. Our corporate giving focuses on fostering a high quality of life in the communities we serve.

CenterPoint Energy recognizes that our success – and the success of our neighbors – is inextricably linked to the vibrancy of our communities. We seek to improve the communities we serve by supporting programs encouraging community connections, improving the quality of life and promoting inclusion to help communities thrive. We recognize an educated and engaged community is critical to the future of our business and our communities. We are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunities and tools they need to succeed academically, explore potential careers and be equipped to enter the workforce.

Funding Priorities

Our funding targets innovative, effective and measurable programs enhancing the quality of life within our communities and support the following giving pillars: Community Vitality and Education. Priority consideration is given to programs serving low- to moderate income populations. Key focus areas within the giving pillars include:

Community Vitality

• Affordable Housing:
  • Initiatives leading to increased access to quality, affordable and energy efficient housing
• Environment:
  • Energy Efficiency and conservation efforts as well as environmental education programs
• Thriving Communities:
  • Quality of Place and resident-led initiatives leading to vibrant neighborhoods

Education

• Literacy:
  • Literacy and tutoring programs focused on early childhood through adult learners
• STEM Programs:
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education programs targeted to under resourced areas; Digital device access
• Workforce Development:
  • Programs addressing needs of our communities; credentialing programs providing skills for living wage jobs

Leo Potishman Foundation

For the support of charitable purposes with preference to Fort Worth, Texas.

Program Areas

Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Civic Activities, Community Development, Education, Environment, Health and Medical Research, Human and Social Services, Religious, Scientific

Lola Wright Foundation Grant

Established by Miss Johnie Elizabeth Wright in 1954, the Lola Wright Foundation supports children and youth, public health and human services, education and community development, and arts and culture.

The Foundation’s grant making activities are limited to organizations operating primarily within a 50-mile radius of Austin, Texas.

Fields of Interest:

• Children and Youth
• Public Health and Human Services
• Education and Community Development
• Arts and Culture

Smallwood Foundation

For the support of charitable purposes within a hundred mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas metroplex; a hundred mile radius of Gainesville, Florida and a hundred mile radius of Minden, Nevada.

Program Area(s):

• Arts and Culture,
• Civic Activities,
• Community Development,
• Education,
• Human and Social Services.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation’s mission is to assist children and youth who have been victims of child abuse and neglect, and to prevent others from suffering a similar fate. The Foundation will only consider requests from organizations that closely align with our mission and that serve communities where In-N-Out Burger does business.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation is happy to consider the following types of grants:

Traditional Grants: Grant awards range from $5,000 - $25,000.

Program: Restricted funding to support the development, expansion, or enhancement of programs within an existing organization.

General Operating Support: Unrestricted funding to support the overall operations and sustainability of your nonprofit. Applicants must present a strong case on how this funding will help sustain the organization’s mission and provide benefits to the children in their care. *Please note that all of your organization’s programs must align with our mission to be considered for this type of support.

Capital Grants: Grant awards range from $5,000 - $50,000.

Capital Campaign: Restricted funding for the construction of new facilities, renovations or upgrades to existing buildings, and other special projects that will enhance the organization’s mission.

Capital Purchase: Restricted funding to purchase equipment, furnishings, or any other major material purchases that will enhance the organization’s mission.

Capital grants are awarded on a very limited basis each year. The Foundation will only consider requests from organizations that meet all other funding criteria and who already have an established long-term funding relationship with the Foundation (minimum of 2 years).

Please carefully review the Capital Grant Guidelines above to ensure that your organization meets the requirements to apply. Capital Grants are invitation-only. Please contact us to set a 30-minute meeting to discuss your project and be prepared to send a draft summary of the project for review beforehand. 

Charlotte B. Proehl Foundation

For the support of charitable organizations in the Greater Houston, Texas area.

Program Areas

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Civic Activities
• Community Development
• Education
• Environment
• Human and Social Services
• Religious
• Health and Medical Research
• Scientific

Edith Winter Grace Trust

Funds are to be given to charitable organizations located in Tarrant County, Texas

Program Areas

• Animal Welfare,
• Arts and Culture,
• Civic Activities,
• Community Development,
• Education,
• Environment,
• Human and Social Services,
• Religious,
• Health and Medical Research,
• Scientific

The Laura Jane Musser Fund wants to encourage collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions in a number of civic areas including, but not limited to, economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education.

Priority is placed on projects that: 

• Bring together a broad range of community members and institutions
• Provide the opportunity for diverse community members to work together
• Contain measurable short term outcomes within the first 12 to 18 months
• Include community members actively in all phases of the process 
• Work toward an outcome of positive change within their community

Projects must demonstrate:

• Support from a diverse cross-section of community members and institutions
• Matching financial and/or in-kind support from the local community
• Significant volunteer participation
• Reasonable plans to complete the project within 18 months or less

Funds will be available for: 

• Planning (up to $5,000) - These funds may support costs like: consultant or staff time, meeting costs, mailings, secretarial support, refreshments, local travel, childcare, etc.
• Note - this stage is optional and not a required phase prior to applying for or receiving an implementation grant. If an organization receives a planning grant from the Musser Fund, this in no way implies a commitment on the part of the Musser Fund to provide the organization with any subsequent implementation grant.
• But organizations that receive a planning grant may apply for subsequent implementation support after their planning activities are completed.      
• Implementation (Up to $25,000) - These funds are available to implement community based rural projects that originate in, have been planned by, and involve diverse people from the local community.
• Capital campaigns will not be supported.
• The projects should result in a tangible outcome within at least the first 18 months.
• Projects will be eligible for either planning or implementation funds during any one grant period.

What the Program will Cover:

• New programs or projects within their first three years
• A planning, and/or implementation phase