Best Arts Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

The Texas Arts Create 3 Grant, offered by the Texas Commission on the Arts, aims to bolster Texas's creative economy by supporting established arts organizations with budgets between $1 million and $5 million. This program provides multi-year operational support, allowing organizations to request funding of up to 25% of their last completed year's cash operating budget. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits or government entities incorporated in Texas.

Established minority arts organizations in Texas with budgets over $50,000 can apply for the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Arts Create 2 program, offering more than US $3,000 in multi-year operating support. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government entities incorporated in Texas receive up to 25% of their prior year’s cash operating budget for core arts and culture work.

Texas arts nonprofits and college arts institutions can receive multi-year operating support to strengthen their creative work in Texas. Texas Commission on the Arts offers Arts Create 1 grants of more than US $3,000, covering up to 25% of the prior year’s cash operating budget for eligible, Texas-incorporated organizations.

Texas arts and culture nonprofits hosting community events or fundraising activities can seek community sponsorship funding that supports general operations and arts access. First National Bank of Omaha backs organizations and events in its service communities, including Texas, across focus areas such as arts and culture, community cohesion, and community health and wellbeing.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities working in arts and culture, education, health care, human and social services, or children’s services can seek program support from the Ryan Foundation, with emphasis on Fort Worth and Tarrant County. With a mission to aid Texas charities, Ryan Foundation provides arts-focused nonprofits with quarterly-reviewed grant opportunities for local work.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Catholic institutions seeking support for arts, culture, education, or human services projects can apply for Kenedy Memorial Foundation grants up to US $50,000. Focused on breaking cycles of poverty and advancing Catholic faith and learning, it favors projects in Texas, especially South Texas, with strong community ripple effects.

Texas nonprofits working on public welfare, including arts and cultural programming, can access funding through Moor Foundation to support religious, charitable, and educational initiatives. Organizations, especially those in the El Paso area, that assist vulnerable individuals with food, shelter, and social services may be strong candidates for this support.

Nonprofit organizations in Texas seeking support for arts and cultural programming, education, health, human services, or other charitable work can apply for grants from the Robert D and Alma Moreton Foundation. With a mission to fund religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, this foundation may benefit arts and culture nonprofits among other community-focused groups.

Texas arts and culture nonprofits can seek funding for programs and operations, along with other charitable work, through the Rawley Foundation. The foundation supports 501(c)(3)-type organizations across arts and culture, education, animal welfare, health, human and social services, community development, environment, religion, science, and civic activities, but only considers requests from within Texas.

Nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Texas, especially those in Hays County and Central Texas, can apply for US $5,000 - US $30,000 in project or program support. Burdine Johnson Foundation also funds education, health and human services, environment, and historic preservation, with a strong preference for groups serving Hays County communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Greater Houston area can seek funding for cultural arts, education, healthcare, and public service programs in Texas. With a mission to improve quality of life, Cullen Foundation provides sustained investments that may benefit arts and culture nonprofits alongside other high-performing community organizations.

With a mission to strengthen communities, the Moody Foundation provides Texas arts and culture nonprofits and public entities with funding for projects in arts, humanities, education, health, science, and social services. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, and certain foundations can seek program, capital, or general operating support for work conducted within Texas.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts and culture, higher education, medical, scientific, religious, or basic human needs can apply for grants from the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Funding may support arts programming alongside scholarships, college and university needs, aid for the needy, and hospitals or medical research institutions in Texas.

Nonprofit organizations in Texas working in arts, culture, education, health, or human services can seek one-year program support, especially for underserved communities. Grants from the Thelma Braun & Bocklett Family Foundation help smaller-budget nonprofits (under $20 million) address vital community needs, with special consideration for organizations serving Grayson County and focusing on arts and education.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits with annual program budgets between $1M and $4M can seek support for arts, education, or humanitarian projects that foster individual growth. Grants from Andrew Family Foundation help U.S.-based organizations, including those in Texas, that can offer meaningful board engagement and are led by experienced nonprofit or program leaders.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations providing health or essential human services, especially to residents least able to help themselves, can apply for the Mervin and Annette Peters Family Foundation’s year-round funding. Brazos County nonprofits serving local communities in health, human services, arts, culture, education, religion, or humanities may benefit, with applications reviewed annually each August.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in arts and culture can seek funding for programs from the Alice E. and Joseph C. Blewett Foundation. Focused on broad charitable purposes, it primarily supports organizations in and around Dallas, with typical awards of approximately US $10,000 that may also benefit related educational or community initiatives.

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) believes art can be a catalyst for expression, connection, collaboration, and community. This philosophy is reflected in our mission and values.

M-AAA is a nonprofit, regional arts organization representing Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. We focus on strengthening communities and improving lives by supporting artists, elevating arts organizations, and connecting people to extraordinary cultural experiences.

Artistic Innovations Grants for Individual Artists

Program Objectives

The Artistic Innovations program supports the development of new or original works of art across all disciplines, created exclusively by in-region individual artists and art-based organizations in M-AAA’s six-state region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Native Nations in this geography). Eligible applicants include individual artists and nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations in the region.

Individual Artist Grant Considerations

The Artistic Innovations grant program supports direct project expenses incurred in the art-making process and production of public-facing engagements to individuals through private funds. These grants are funded through private support and, unlike Artistic Innovations grants to organizations, are not supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities supporting visual or performing arts can receive US $5,000 - US $50,000 for operational, programmatic, marketing, or capital expenses. Amarillo Area Foundation, with the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, funds projects benefiting residents in the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle through this arts and culture initiative.

Texas arts and culture nonprofits needing capital funding for permanent building improvements in Dallas County can apply for support from the Eugene Straus Charitable Trust. Grants are typically one year, occasionally multi-year, and are limited to organizations with annual operating budgets under $20 million across arts, education, environment, health, human services, and religion-related programs.

Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofits within 50 miles of a James Avery retail location can receive more than US $10,000 to support arts, culture, community programs, and wellness initiatives. Grants from James Avery Charitable Foundation help fund arts programming, cultural opportunities, and community improvement projects that provide direct services and enrich quality of life.

James Avery Corporate Grants support 501(c)(3) organizations located within 50 miles of a James Avery retail or corporate location. The foundation prioritizes projects that enrich community life, focusing on arts, veteran services, and wellness. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $25,000, with applications accepted once per year. Organizations must demonstrate community impact, effective management, and provide necessary documentation for eligibility. Note that certain types of funding, such as for individuals or for-profit organizations, are excluded.

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The Perry Dean and Alice Graham Charitable Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Texas, with a special focus on Navarro County. Established in 1987, the foundation aims to enhance community welfare through grants in Arts, Culture, Education, and Human Services. Organizations must have operating budgets under $20 million to qualify for funding, ensuring that support reaches smaller, impactful entities dedicated to charitable purposes.

FNBO: Capital or Major Donations aims to support nonprofit organizations through significant financial contributions for capital projects. This initiative focuses on enhancing community well-being by addressing key areas such as affordable housing, environmental stability, and education. FNBO prioritizes partnerships with nonprofits dedicated to long-term impacts, especially for historically underrepresented populations. By fostering community engagement and providing essential resources, FNBO strives to create a positive influence in the regions it serves.

The Wayne And Jo Ann Moore Charitable Foundation Grant aims to enhance lives and communities through philanthropic efforts, focusing on diverse programs in arts, health, and education. Established in 2008, the foundation honors the philanthropic legacy of Wayne and JoAnn Moore, who believed in giving back to the community. Organizations must be Texas-based and tax-exempt under IRS guidelines to be eligible for funding, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to local impact.

The Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust supports charitable organizations in the arts and social services, with a focus on those operating in Tarrant County. Established by Crystelle Waggoner, the trust provides grants ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. Eligible organizations must have been in existence since before January 24, 1982, and must wait one grant cycle before reapplying for funding. The trust aims to continue Waggoner's legacy of supporting the community.