Best Grants for the Arts in Texas

The American Electric Power Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on educational improvement, particularly in STEM fields, and basic human services such as hunger and housing. Organizations must operate within AEP's service territory or have a broader beneficial purpose. The Foundation also supports social justice initiatives and environmental protection efforts. Eligible applicants must affirm compliance with anti-discrimination policies and demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities, governmental entities, and eligible supporting organizations can seek funding for cultural arts programs, along with education, healthcare, and public service initiatives. Cullen Foundation focuses on initiatives that impact the Greater Houston area and supports charitable activities that enhance quality of life through sustained investments in high-performing organizations.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations working in the arts, higher education, scientific research, medical care, religion, or basic human needs can seek funding for programs and capital needs. The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation provides support to qualified nonprofits across Texas, which may include arts and culture initiatives within eligible institutions.

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 H-E-B Tournament of Champions Grant, established in 1986, supports organizations benefiting Special Olympics Texas and educational initiatives. Over 37 years, it has raised over $145 million, promoting health, arts, and social services in Texas. Eligible applicants must be valid 501(c)3 non-profits, focusing on specific areas like disaster relief and education, and located near H-E-B regions. This grant fosters community engagement and enhances the quality of life for many Texans.

L'Aiglon Foundation, established in 1982, focuses on supporting projects in education, environment, and the creative arts. The foundation aims to maximize its charitable impact by providing grants to public charities without geographical restrictions. Grant recipients should demonstrate clear objectives and measurable results. However, funding is not available for individuals, start-up costs, debt reduction, or organizations outside the foundation's areas of focus. This approach ensures that support is directed towards impactful initiatives.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities and public entities can access funding for arts and culture programs that benefit residents statewide through Meadows Foundation. The foundation supports projects that expand access to the arts alongside broader initiatives in education, environment, health, and human services, with a strong emphasis on well-planned, high-impact programs.

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 First Horizon Foundation, a private funder, actively supports organizations in Texas by investing in critical areas such as arts, education, environment, financial literacy, and health. Their grants aim to enhance community well-being, promote future financial stability, and nurture the next generation of leaders. The Foundation focuses on projects that bring sustainable benefits, particularly in Houston and Dallas, ensuring they do not support certain ineligible groups or initiatives.

The T.L.L. Temple Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in East Texas by addressing poverty through targeted grants in education, health, economic development, and community revitalization. With a focus on marginalized communities, the foundation aims to break the cycle of poverty by improving access to essential resources and opportunities. By investing in health care, educational programs, and economic initiatives, they strive to foster thriving communities and promote sustainable growth in the region.

The James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation offers Large Grants for requests exceeding $10,000. Focused on fostering positive change, the foundation supports initiatives in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement, Education, Health, and Human Services. Eligibility includes 501(c)(3) organizations, while restrictions apply to consecutive grant cycles and non-qualifying purposes such as endowments and fundraising events. Organizations are encouraged to apply for various projects to enhance community well-being.

The James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation offers Smaller Grants of $10,000 or less to support initiatives in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement, Education, Health, and Human Services. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and comply with eligibility criteria, including a one-year waiting period for reapplications. The foundation aims to have a significant impact on communities, especially in West Texas, while avoiding funding for specific exclusions such as endowments and fundraising events.

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.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking capital support for arts and culture facilities, equipment, or technology may be eligible; funding focuses primarily on the Dallas area. With a mission to support charitable, scientific, literary, educational, and cultural purposes, Hoblitzelle Foundation also considers capital projects in civic, environmental, medical, and social service fields across Texas.

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 Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, established in 1987, has invested over $70 million in grants to enhance community life through education, arts, health, and social services. The Foundation focuses on innovative solutions to persistent challenges, supporting projects primarily in Waco, Texas, while also engaging in discretionary funding for broader initiatives. Its mission emphasizes building resilience and fostering civic participation, ensuring that programs enrich lives, particularly for underserved populations.

The Adeline & George McQueen Foundation Grant supports charitable, educational, religious, and hospital organizations in Texas. It primarily funds nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code. The foundation emphasizes its commitment to enhancing community welfare through various program areas including education, religious initiatives, scientific research, and the arts. Note that individuals are not eligible to apply for this grant.

Texas arts and culture nonprofits can seek funding for capital projects, endowments, medical research, start-up programs, and limited operations through the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, with a strong preference for Dallas-area organizations. Grants also support education, health, and human services, and may benefit multidisciplinary cultural institutions.

The Smallwood Foundation Grant supports charitable purposes within a hundred-mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth, Gainesville, and Minden. It focuses on areas such as Arts and Culture, Civic Activities, Community Development, Education, and Human and Social Services. However, individuals are not eligible to submit applications. This grant offers an opportunity for organizations within the specified regions to seek funding for meaningful projects that positively impact their communities.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for arts and culture projects can apply for grants that also cover education, health, human services, environment, religion, and public benefit work. The Gene Conley Foundation primarily favors organizations in north central Texas and funds a wide range of charitable, literary, scientific, and cruelty-prevention initiatives.

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 Charlotte B. Proehl Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations primarily in the Greater Houston area. Focused on diverse program areas such as Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Education, and Health Services, this foundation prioritizes nonprofits recognized under IRS section 501(c)(3). Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations, as individuals are not permitted to apply directly. For more details, prospective applicants should explore the foundation's resources online.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

ConocoPhillips Charitable Investments focuses on local community giving, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving to address unique community needs. Eligible organizations include 501(c) charities, political subdivisions, and accredited schools. Ineligible entities include those promoting religious worship or political advocacy. Recent funding has supported education and social services, particularly in the Permian region, reflecting ConocoPhillips' commitment to responsible citizenship and community enhancement through targeted charitable investments.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for arts, culture, and humanities projects can apply for US $5,000 - US $10,000 from the Nina Heard Astin Charitable Trust. The trust primarily supports Texas nonprofits and also considers work in education, environment, health, human services, animal welfare, and religion.

Texas arts and culture nonprofits can seek funding for programs and operations through the Rawley Foundation, which supports charitable organizations across the state. Focused on broad community impact, the foundation also backs civic activities, education, community development, and related initiatives that may intersect with arts programming in Texas.

The Edith Winter Grace Trust Grant provides funding exclusively to charitable organizations in Tarrant County, Texas. Key program areas include animal welfare, arts and culture, civic activities, community development, education, environment, human and social services, religious initiatives, and health and medical research. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply, while individuals are not permitted to submit grant applications. For more information, visit the foundation finder.