Search Through Grants for Youth Programs in Austin, Texas in the U.S.

Background

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

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

Capacity

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

Capital

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

Community

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

What We Fund

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

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

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

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

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

Community Grants

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

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

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

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

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

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

Community Development

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

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

Education

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

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

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Grants

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation only accepts unsolicited proposals for specific areas within the education, family economic stability and childhood health sectors in select countries where we work, namely the United States, India and South Africa.

As a guideline, the foundation does not fund more than 25% of a project’s budget or more than 10% of an organization’s total annual operating expenses.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has always recognized the power of providing grants to partner organizations that we knew were already working hard to improve the lives of urban children living in poverty. By aligning with organizations that are already making a difference, we continue to make an immediate impact on the lives of thousands of children.

Foundation priorities:

We fund social enterprises that directly serve or impact children or youth from urban low-income communities in the areas of education, health, and family economic stability (including livelihoods and financial inclusion). These social enterprises may be structured as for-profit or nonprofit entities.

Partnerships

We collaborate with a range of organizations focused on creating opportunities for children and families living in urban poverty, with a deep emphasis on measuring impact. Our funding advances projects already making an impact in education, health, and family economic stability. Through these enduring and long-standing partnerships, we create lasting change together.

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

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.

Guidelines for Capacity Building Grants

The Webber Family Foundation funds capacity building projects that:

• Are aligned with the Foundation’s mission and one of the four focus areas.
• Build the organization’s capacity to provide expanded, higher quality, and/or more sustainable services.
• Benefit predominantly low-income youth. This means at least 50% of the population served by the organization comes from families earning less than the median US family income, adjusted for family size.
• Benefit predominantly high-achieving youth. This means the focus of the organization or program is to help students who already exceed grade-level expectations develop their full potential. Accordingly, at least 2/3 of the population served exceeds grade-level expectations and/or exhibits superior aptitude.
• Operate in Austin TX.

Currently the Webber Family Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant proposals from organizations located in and around Washington DC.

Grant Info

The Webber Family Foundation offers grants to organizations that are aligned with its mission of helping lower-income youth perform at the highest levels of achievement in academics and the arts. Currently there are three areas of focus:

• School readiness/early literacy
• Out-of-school time programs for grades 6-12
• Charter schools
• College readiness, access & persistence

Each is discussed below in more detail. The report: Achievement Trap: How America is Failing Millions of High-Achieving Students from Lower-Income Families published by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in September 2007 may be useful in better understanding the Foundation’s areas of focus.

School readiness/early literacy for age 3 - grade 3

The objective of this initiative is to increase the number of lower-income students who enter Kindergarten as high-achievers (at or above grade-level norms) and achieve reading proficiency by third grade.

Grants will fund quality preschool programs that provide structured, school- or center-based education for children ages 3-5, with a focus on early literacy and parent engagement. Grants will also fund early literacy programs – for students in Kinder to 3rd grades – working to decrease the post-PreK fadeout that can occur once children enter the public school system.

Out-of-school time enrichment for grades 4-12

The objectives of this initiative are to increase the number of lower-income students who:

• Develop academic and artistic skill during out-of-school time enrichment.
  • We define enrichment as activities that extend learning beyond the content/expectations of the school curriculum.
• Enrichment could be academic (robotics clubs, book clubs, summer space camp, etc.) or in the arts (music lessons, screenwriting workshop, dance program, etc.).
  • Not included are remedial programs to help struggling students achieve grade-level expectations.

Grants will fund long-term, intensive programs that serve lower-income students in grades 4-12 who are exceeding grade-level norms. Specific interests include:

• Enrichment programs that help students fulfill their potential through academics and/or the arts. This initiative does not include development of leadership and/or social skills, mentoring (except in the context of academics or the arts), nor remedial programs to help struggling students achieve grade-level expectations. In the arts, grants will fund programs that allow students to study music, dance, visual arts, and/or theater in depth. Artistic skill development – not exposure – is the goal.

The objective of this initiative is to expand the capacity of outstanding charter schools that serve predominantly lower-income students. Grants will fund schools serving grades 4-12 that produce exceptionally well-prepared graduates.

Charter Schools for grades PreK - 12

The objective of this initiative is to expand the capacity of high performing charter schools that serve predominantly lower-income students.

Grants will fund schools serving grades PreK-12 that produce well-prepared graduates.

College Readiness, Access & Persistence for grades 6-12+

The objective of this initiative is to increase the number of exceptionally well-prepared graduates who enroll in and succeed in college.

Grants will fund college preparation and access programs serving middle and high school students. Grants will also support college persistence initiatives for organizations working in the 6-12 space.

Grant Sizes

Capacity Building Grants are one-year grants that allow an organization to improve its systems and/or operations in order to work better and more efficiently. Capacity building grants can benefit both direct-service organizations as well as backbone organizations leading systemic work in one or more of the Foundation’s current focus areas. Grant request amounts range up to $25,000 per year.

Who We Are

Impact Austin is an Austin-based women’s collective giving organization, funding Central Texas nonprofits that provide services in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Girls Giving Grants

Girls Giving Grants, the youth enterprise of Impact Austin, is changing the face of giving. We are a grantmaking cooperative, funded and operated by young women in grades 8 - 12. Our mission is to know and to serve our community. We want our funds to make a visible difference in our community. We award grants to charitable programs or projects that benefit youth within Travis, Hays, Bastrop and/or Williamson counties. Through their programs, the organizations must strengthen, improve, enhance, and positively impact the lives of children and youth in the greater Austin area. All grants are unrestricted which means they may be used for programs or for general operations of the grant winner. The members of Girls Giving Grants choose the recipient of the grant.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Established in 1958, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation sets aside resources to improve life in the communities where we operate. We’ve worked with thousands of outstanding community-based programs, service projects and disaster relief efforts, focusing our investment in four areas we believe make the most impact:

• education
• entrepreneurship
• enrichment of community
• environment

Investment Priorities

• Aligns with GP’s mission and values
• Aligns with GP’s Four Focus Areas of giving: Education, Environment, Enrichment of Community and Entrepreneurship
• Serves communities where GP has manufacturing facilities
• Creates value by contributing to and positively impacting long term well-being and sustainability of GP communities

Long Foundation Grant

In 2002, The Long Foundation made a commitment to benefit Texas Hispanic youths by furthering the Five Promises of America’s Promise. The Foundation’s goal is to reduce the high school dropout rate among Texas Hispanic students and to provide additional opportunities for these youths to improve their economic and social potential and that of their communities. We seek to benefit Texas Hispanic youths by making annual grants to non-profit organizations, schools and universities, and governmental and quazi-governmental programs that are addressing these goals. Selected programs and/or organizations must be located in areas, or targeted at groups, with large Hispanic populations and must support the youths, or groups, of those areas by fulfilling at least one of the Five Promises, which include:

• Promoting ongoing relationships with caring adults – parents, mentors, teachers, tutors and coaches.
• Providing safe places with structured activities during non-school hours.
• Promoting healthy start and future.
• Providing marketable skills through effective education.
• Providing opportunities to give back through community service.

Please note that while the program must be directed at Texas youth, "youth" is not limited to minors (those under 18 years of age). The Long Foundation recognizes that the achievement of obtaining marketable skills does not necessarily end when a person reaches the age of 18. Youths may include people seeking to advance their education while in their 20’s. Additionally, children may benefit from programs that benefit others, such as parents, and/or guardians.

It is also important to note that this program is not necessarily limited to benefiting only Hispanic youths. While the primary purpose of this program is to help Hispanic youths, grants made to such qualifying programs can be used to benefit everyone participating in those programs. However, at least, 75% of the youth "population" targeted by the initiative must be Hispanic. The youths targeted or involved in a particular program define the "population" of that program. Consequently, the population depends upon the program itself and its specific goal. Specific areas of a program (such as a specific school, branch, zip code, etc.) may be used to qualify for funding for that particular component or portion of the program.

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

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

Grant Amount and Types

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

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

PLTW Computer Science

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030. 

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Computer Science programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

PLTW Program Status - New Program

School Type: Public, Private, Charter

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Computer Science course in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional course each academic year of the grant period (three different courses in three years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Computer Science courses of their choosing.

PLTW Computer Science

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030.As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Computer Science programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

PLTW Program Status:

Program Expansion

PLTW Engineering

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030. 

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Engineering programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Engineering program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Engineering course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Engineering courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Engineering courses for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

PLTW Program Status - New Program

School Type: Public, Private, Charter

PLTW Engineering

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030. 

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Engineering programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional course each academic year of the grant period (three different courses in three years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing.

PLTW Program Status - Program Expansion

School Type: Public, Private, Charter

PLTW Gateway

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030. 

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Gateway programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional unit each academic year of the grant period (two different units in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Gateway units of their choosing, except for Medical Detectives. 

PLTW Program Status - New Program

School Type: Public, Private, Charter

About PLTW Grants

We work with companies and foundations across the U.S. to provide school grant opportunities to implement or expand PLTW programs. Over the last 10 years, PLTW with the support from these generous partners, has distributed over $75 million in school grants to more than 6,600 PreK-12 schools. Is your school considering adding a PLTW program or expanding an existing program but need support with initial expenses? You may be eligible for a PLTW school grant! 

PLTW Gateway

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030. 

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Gateway programs beginning in the next academic year.

PLTW Program Status:

Program Expansion

PLTW Launch

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030.

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Launch programs beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year.

PLTW Program Status: New Program

PLTW Launch

John Deere Foundation has partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM. This partnership is part of the John Deere Foundation's Bold Commitments to support 1 million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030.

As part of their 10-year commitment, the John Deere Foundation is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable student access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. 

PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through this partnership, John Deere Foundation has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Launch programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

PLTW Program Status:

Program Expansion

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

Our Mission

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

The Founder

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

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

Ameriprise Financial Grantmaking

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

Focus Areas

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

Volunteer engagement is a priority across all focus areas:

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

Meeting Basic Needs

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

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

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

Supporting Community Vitality

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

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

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

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

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

About the Foundation

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

Annual Grant Focus

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

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

Community Ties Giving Program

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

Funding Priorities & Objectives

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

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

Safety

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

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

Workforce Development

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

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

Community Vitality

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

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

Environmental Sustainability

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

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

Hispanic Impact Fund

Austin Community Foundation believes that when we support the economic mobility and advancement of Hispanic Central Texans, everyone benefits. The Hispanic Impact Fund – a signature program at Austin Community Foundation – works to bridge the racial wealth divide and advance economic opportunity for Latino families in Central Texas.

impact Areas

This grants cycle, the Hispanic Impact Fund will be awarding funding to organizations and programs that fit into one of the following strategy areas:

Early Childhood Education

• The Fund will invest in organizations that provide access to affordable, high-quality Pre-K and early childhood education starting at age 3, building the pipeline from cradle to career for Latino families.

Health & Wellness

• The Fund will invest in organizations that provide preventative, culturally competent health education and access to quality mental and physical health services.​

Job Skills & Entrepreneurship

• The Fund will invest in organizations that assist Latino entrepreneurs in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to expand their businesses.

Leadership Development

• The Fund will invest in organizations advancing Latino leadership and creating pipelines of youth, emerging, and established Latino talent, which are critical to building a thriving Central Texas.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.