Best Johnson County Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

The Boating Access Grant Program provides 75% matching fund grant assistance to plan and construct new, or renovate existing, public boat ramps that provide public access to public waters for recreational boating. The State Boating Access Program receives funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. Funds for the federal program are derived from the federal gasoline tax generated by sales of gasoline for recreational motorboats and a federal excise tax on the sales of fishing tackle and trolling motors. Program assistance will be in the form of a Phase I – Planning grant and subsequently a Phase II – Construction Grant. The local sponsor must be willing to assume all maintenance responsibilities, including grass mowing and weed control, litter/refuse pick-up and removal, signage maintenance, security surveillance, plus necessary repairs and renovations, as needed, to insure public use and safety.Funding: 

• Phase I – Planning Grant application up to $250,000 in matching funds
• Phase II - Construction grants will be reimbursed up to a 95% of the grant amount until a final inspection and audit are completed.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

About

Originally conceived by Dr Bruce Mesara in 1990 as a means to carry on his philanthropic efforts beyond his lifetime, the Mesara Family Foundation was re-envisioned by his two children Amy and Douglas in 2014, and received their 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in 2015. Amy and Douglas sought out the assistance of their cousins to build upon the charitable principals on their parents, aunts and uncles.

The foundation is headquartered in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Mission

The mission of the Mesara Family Foundation is to honor the philanthropic principles of the Mesara and Pauch families by supporting carefully selected organizations that share similar values. Our focus is to provide support toward education, conservation and other causes of special family interest where our funding will make a genuine difference.

Texas Historical Commission

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. We save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas. The Texas State Legislature established the agency in 1953 as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee with the task to identify important historic sites across the state. The Texas Legislature changed the agency's name to the Texas Historical Commission in 1973. Along with the name change came more protective powers, an expanded leadership role, and broader educational responsibilities.

The mission of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) is to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the active use and economic benefit of Texans and visitors while bridging the past with the future.

Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program

The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) offers funding to counties through its nationally renowned, award-winning grant program. The THCPP may award up to $10 million to eligible counties through a biannual, competitive application process. To participate in the THCPP and be eligible to receive grant funding, a project must meet the following criteria:

• A building that serves or has served as a county courthouse
• A building that is over 50 years old or is certified as worthy of preservation
• A building that has a current master plan approved by the THC. 

Courthouses with an approved Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) master plan may apply for emergency funding at any time, and construction grant recipients may apply for supplemental funding to address changes to their project.