Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

BOK Charitable Contributions aims to enhance community life and economic wellbeing across several states, focusing on four key pillars: United Way, economic development, education, and basic needs. The foundation supports organizations that address poverty, education, and community health. Their strategic approach ensures impactful contributions, and they welcome grant applications year-round. BOK Financial's commitment is evident in its partnerships with local nonprofits, fostering sustainable growth and development in the regions they serve.

The Harold Simmons Foundation, established in 1988 in Dallas, Texas, aims to enhance community quality of life through strategic investments. The Foundation focuses on education, healthcare, civic improvement, and arts, offering grants between $5,000 to $20,000 for first-time applicants. Proposals addressing current community needs are welcomed year-round, with a preference for collaborative efforts among nonprofits. In 2024, the Foundation distributed approximately $7.3 million to support impactful projects.

The H-E-B Community Investment Program supports nonprofit organizations within its service area by providing monetary funding, volunteers, or in-kind donations. It prioritizes projects in arts, education, health, and social services. Eligible organizations must have valid 501c3 status and reapply annually for funding. Requests over $200 must be submitted online, while those under can be made at local stores. For further guidelines, visit their FAQs page.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Moody Foundation Grant supports charitable projects in Texas, focusing on innovative ideas that foster long-term community improvements. Eligible recipients include registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental entities, and certain supporting organizations. The Foundation prioritizes grants for education, health, arts, and social services, particularly in underserved areas like Galveston, Austin, and Dallas. Applicants should anticipate a twelve-month process from inquiry to funding decision, as the Foundation carefully reviews each proposal.

The Rees-Jones Foundation, established in 2006, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in North Texas through thoughtful philanthropy. With a mission grounded in the love of Christ, the foundation supports non-profits in various sectors including animal welfare, child welfare, and community benefit. It particularly focuses on initiatives that foster community transformation and is open to grant applications year-round, encouraging early submissions to ensure timely funding.

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.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within specific states. They prioritize initiatives that enhance community welfare, especially in agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status to apply, and preference is given to those involving Perdue associates. Ineligible requests include those from religious, political, or individual-focused groups. This program emphasizes broad community benefits over organizational affiliations.

The Joe M and Doris R Dealey Family Foundation Grant supports charities and nonprofit organizations operating in Texas. Note that the Foundation is not accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for the 2025 grant season; interested parties should check back next year. For grant requests of $25,000 or more, a meeting with the Executive Director is required before submission. This ensures alignment with the Foundation's philanthropic mission.

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

This year’s Inspire Awards seeks nonprofits supporting the career navigation and workforce development needs of workers across the United States. The challenge seeks applications that help individuals gain the skills, guidance, and support needed to access quality jobs, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability in an evolving world of work.

2026 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative direct services, training programs, and career navigation supports for adult workers in the age of AI?

Challenge Dimensions

Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:

• Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
• AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
• Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
• Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.

Here are the grants for this challenge

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

The Kerr Foundation Inc. offers grants to 501(c)3 organizations, focusing on education, arts, health, and human services. Priority is given to Oklahoma entities, but applications from neighboring states and Washington D.C. are also accepted. The foundation supports various project types, including capital, program, and operating expenses. Note that back-to-back grants are not allowed, enforcing a three-year gap for reapplication after funding. This ensures a broad and impactful reach for community development.

The Mavs Foundation, affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks, provides grants to empower youth, women, and families in North Texas. Since 1996, it has awarded over $11 million to nonprofits, focusing on safe spaces for play and learning. The Foundation's initiatives include $50,000 grants for operational support, refurbishing basketball courts, and establishing Reading and Learning Centers to enhance education and job training. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including 501(c)(3) status and a minimum annual budget.

The Helen S. Boylan Foundation, established in 1982, aims to enhance community life in Carthage, Missouri, the Greater Kansas City Area, and Lindale, Texas. It provides quarterly grants to non-profit organizations focused on arts, education, health, and wellness. The foundation prioritizes innovative projects and multi-year funding for initiatives benefiting local citizens. Eligible recipients include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while grants for individuals or sectarian activities are excluded. Proposals should focus on new initiatives or capital improvements.

The Penn National Gaming Foundation Grants support various community initiatives across North America, emphasizing education, health services, and cultural affairs. Launched post-Hurricane Katrina, the foundation aids local nonprofits, enhancing community development, public safety, and veteran support. The grants cater to organizations that address the needs of children, senior citizens, and disadvantaged populations, ensuring a broad impact in areas where Penn National Gaming operates. This commitment reflects the foundation's dedication to uplifting communities and fostering resilience.

The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant, in collaboration with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, invites applications from eligible nonprofits starting October 7, 2025. This grant aims to enhance capacity building and sustainability for organizations focused on food insecurity, workforce development, and youth programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving low to moderate-income communities within Hancock Whitney's service areas, fostering impactful changes with AmeriCorps support.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.

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 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 Powell Foundation Grant Program aims to support 501(c)(3) organizations in Texas, focusing on education, arts, conservation, and human services. They emphasize high-quality early childhood programs, K-12 education, post-secondary success, and community welfare. Eligible applicants must submit an online pre-application, with funding decisions announced in January and July. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster developmental support and educational access for children and families, enhancing community well-being through strategic investments.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company empowers employees to make a significant impact through collective fundraising, supporting nonprofit organizations in their communities for over 60 years. The Houston Chapter focuses on delivering essential health and human services to diverse groups, ensuring equitable support regardless of gender, race, or background. With employee-led grantmaking initiatives, the ECF fosters community engagement and enhances local welfare, reflecting its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The Blue Impact Grants, offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, aim to enhance community health by supporting nonprofit organizations in Texas. With a focus on social determinants of health, these grants prioritize initiatives addressing economic stability, nutrition, and local health solutions. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and demonstrate financial capacity to manage projects effectively. The goal is to foster health equity and improve access to essential services for underserved populations across the state.

The Elevance Health Foundation's Behavioral Health Grant aims to address significant challenges in mental health and substance use disorders. With a commitment of up to $90 million over three years, the Foundation seeks partnerships with nonprofits to enhance treatment access, promote prevention strategies, and alleviate loneliness among affected individuals. This initiative emphasizes innovative solutions and measurable outcomes, targeting both national and local programs, particularly in states with pressing health disparities.

The Holloway Family Foundation, established in North Central Texas, aims to enhance community quality of life regardless of race, gender, or religion. Their mission focuses on financial security, creative expression for under-resourced youth, and mentorship for personal development. The foundation supports organizations that provide workforce training, artistic opportunities for children, and guidance for youth in need. By fostering individual growth and economic stability, they empower families and strengthen communities, staying true to the founders' core values and personal experiences.

Impact Austin Grant supports nonprofits in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties, focusing on community, education, equity, and health initiatives. Eligible applicants must be public charities with 501(c)(3) status, or operate under one. Grants are awarded for projects that demonstrate measurable goals and outcomes within 24 months. Ineligible activities include funding for existing expenses, political efforts, and general fundraising events. This funding aims to strengthen nonprofits and enhance their impact on the community.

Impact San Antonio Grants empower nonprofit organizations in the region by providing funding for initiatives that focus on Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Preservation, Family, and Health & Wellness. Since 2004, over $2.6 million has been awarded to impactful projects. Eligible applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) organizations operating within designated Texas counties, ensuring a significant positive contribution to their communities.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation supports organizations that aid children and youth affected by abuse and neglect, offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) registered, operational for at least two years, and demonstrate a commitment to the foundation's mission. Applications are considered for traditional, capital, and program support, focusing on sustainable solutions and clear objectives. Organizations must operate in areas with In-N-Out Burger locations to qualify.

The Toy Foundation Program offers a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations to apply for toy donations to support children in need. The application period runs from January to June, with approved applicants receiving toys by the end of the year. This initiative, part of the Toy Chest program, has positively impacted over 35 million children since 2003, promoting play as essential for emotional and educational development.