Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

The Community Forestry Grants Program by Texas A&M Forest Service aims to enhance human health and access through urban forestry. It encourages projects that support climate resiliency and health equity, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Grants of $50,000 are available for initiatives that integrate urban forestry into planning and promote public health benefits. Eligible entities include public and non-profit organizations, emphasizing community engagement and sustainable forestry practices.

The Giving Branch Foundation, fully funded by Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc. employees, aims to support local communities through donations. By distributing funds to individuals facing hardships such as unexpected medical bills or disaster recovery, the foundation strives to uplift those in need. Grants are available for various eligible hardships, ensuring financial assistance reaches those who require immediate support. The mission is to give back to communities that have long supported the foundation's efforts.

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) offers Housing for Texas Heroes (H4TXH) Grants to support eligible organizations in modifying homes for veterans. This program focuses on enhancing accessibility, critical repairs, and weatherization efforts. Local governments, nonprofits, and veteran service organizations are encouraged to apply, with priority given to low-income beneficiaries. The FVA does not provide funding directly to individuals or families, ensuring support is directed to established organizations with a commitment to serving veterans.

The Southwestern Branch John Henry Comstock Graduate Student Award promotes graduate-level interest in entomology. It recognizes one graduate student from the Southwestern Branch, who will be honored at the Southwestern Branch Meeting. The recipient receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the ESA Annual Meeting, a $200 cash prize, and a certificate. Covered expenses include airfare, hotel arrangements, meeting registration, and per diem allowances, fostering attendance at the fall/winter ESA Annual Meeting.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund, managed by Refed Inc., supports innovative solutions to minimize food waste and reduce methane emissions, a cost-effective strategy for climate action. This fund prioritizes initiatives that enhance food recycling and improve supply chain efficiency in the beef and dairy sectors. By focusing on proven methods, the grant aims to accelerate impactful changes in the food system, ultimately fostering sustainable practices and collaborative efforts to combat food waste.

The Essential Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in communities served by Aqua and Peoples, supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental initiatives, education, and emergency services. With a strong commitment to corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on funding projects that promote community growth while ensuring compliance with nondiscrimination laws. This initiative reflects Essential Utilities' dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of over 5 million people across nine states.

The NRP Research Grant Program offers up to $50,000 for healthcare professionals to explore optimal neonatal resuscitation methods. It encourages innovative research addressing gaps in transitional physiology and effective teaching of resuscitation skills. Applications must focus on evidence-based practices and demonstrate potential for meaningful impact in delivery room care. Researchers from Canadian and US institutions are eligible, though applications primarily focused on quality improvement without a research emphasis will not be considered.

The Growing Tribal Economies Through Forest Market Innovations grant program, initiated by First Nations Development Institute, aims to empower Tribes and Alaska Native Villages to engage in emerging markets that enhance forest health and resilience. With funding of $200,000 to $500,000 per grant, this initiative supports projects focusing on sustainability, innovation, and traditional knowledge. Eligible applicants are encouraged to develop forest products, certifications, and practices that contribute positively to biodiversity and ecosystem management.

The 2025-2026 TX GEAR UP (GU) Partner Districts program aims to enhance the academic readiness of low-income students for post-secondary education. Through targeted strategies, it focuses on increasing high school graduation rates and fostering greater educational expectations among students and their families. Funded by the Texas Education Agency, this initiative seeks sustainable impact by ensuring comprehensive support and innovative approaches to education across Texas.

The 80/20 Foundation Grant aims to bolster San Antonio's workforce by funding nonprofits that attract, grow, and retain local talent. Established by Graham Weston, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that showcase the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhance educational offerings, and improve quality of life. By focusing on impactful projects, the foundation seeks to create a vibrant community where young professionals can thrive, ensuring a sustainable future for the city.

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 PFE Council Statewide Training Grant, offered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance parent and family engagement across educational systems in Texas. This initiative focuses on building capacity for effective collaboration among educational service centers and school systems, ensuring meaningful engagement of families in alignment with ESSA requirements. Through statewide training and strategic guidance, the grant supports the development of evidence-based practices that empower parents and community stakeholders to actively participate in the educational process.

The School Improvement PLC Supports grant, funded by the Texas Education Agency, aims to bolster instructional practices at Title I campuses identified for improvement. By providing resources such as enhanced PLC facilitation, increased observations, and individualized coaching, the initiative seeks to strengthen the use of high-quality instructional materials. Ultimately, the goal is to improve student outcomes by ensuring effective implementation of educational strategies within these schools.

The Arnold and Ruth W. Pian Scholarship Fund, managed by the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, awards $5,390 to undergraduate seniors and medical students at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Established by Sally L. Pian and Ira W. Silverman, this scholarship aims to increase the number of practicing physicians by providing financial support to deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to enhancing the Jewish community and fostering educational opportunities.

The Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) Grant aims to enhance educational opportunities for all Texans by supporting initiatives that increase postsecondary completion rates. The foundation focuses on data-driven strategies to help high school and college learners obtain credentials and reengage disconnected students. GTF prioritizes funding for projects that streamline educational pathways, expand student support systems, and foster rural collaborations. With grants typically ranging from $150,000 to $300,000, GTF encourages innovative approaches to drive systemic change in Texas education.

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

The ASP Conservation Small Grants program is dedicated to supporting primate conservation efforts. It invites proposals for conservation research or related projects, including education, with awards up to $3500. This initiative encourages ASP members, especially those in habitat countries, to submit impactful projects that contribute to broader conservation goals. The program emphasizes funding for local salaries, research supplies, and educational materials, ensuring the sustainability of primate conservation efforts.

The Gene Lake Technician Scholarship, established by the TSHP Research & Education Foundation in 2015, supports students enrolled in technician training programs across Texas. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 are awarded based on financial need, academic ability, and career interest. The foundation, dedicated to advancing healthcare through pharmacy education and research, aims to improve health outcomes for Texans and foster the growth of the pharmacy profession.

The Waste Management Charitable Contributions Program supports initiatives that enhance environmental stewardship, sustainability education, and community vitality. With a commitment to civic pride and economic development, the program prioritizes organizations that address local needs and promote sustainable practices. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on public purposes, while ineligible requests include funding for operating costs and individual fundraising events. This initiative fosters a collaborative approach to community betterment.

The Regional Touring Grant Program, funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, supports organizations in the M-AAA region to showcase touring artists from outside their state. Grants up to $5,000 are available, with organizations eligible for matching funds and the capacity to submit multiple applications. Projects are designed to enhance arts programming and engage underserved audiences through public-facing events, including performances and outreach activities. This initiative aims to foster cultural exchange and deepen community connections through the arts.

The Creative Space Assistance Program, overseen by the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division, supports creative commercial spaces facing displacement or high lease costs. With a minimum operating budget of $60,000, eligible applicants include live music venues, performance theaters, and art galleries. Funds can be utilized for rent payments, insurance, and space improvements. This initiative seeks to enhance Austin's cultural identity while promoting economic growth and a vibrant creative community.

The Asian Cultural Council's Individual Fellowship provides artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the United States with opportunities for self-directed cultural exchange and research in unfamiliar regions. This program supports activities such as interviews, workshops, and archival research, fostering cultural immersion and collaboration. With a funding limit of $35,000, the fellowship encourages innovative proposals that enhance creative perspectives and relationships among peers, while also ensuring strong eligibility criteria for applicants.

The Asian Cultural Council's New York Fellowship offers a transformative six-month program for artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia. Participants engage deeply with New York City's vibrant cultural landscape, attending performances, exhibitions, and workshops while building networks with local communities. This unique opportunity fosters peer-learning and individual artistic development, encouraging fellows to incorporate their experiences into their practices and contribute to their home cultures. The fellowship emphasizes exploration, exchange, and support, culminating in a rich cultural immersion.

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students pursuing studies in natural resources, including fisheries and wildlife. This scholarship is available for applicants attending any public or private college or university. The fund was established to honor community contributions towards environmental preservation and is awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Apply once for all scholarships you may qualify for to streamline your application process.

The Albert G. and Olive H. Schlink Foundation, established in 1966, has significantly impacted Ohio's nonprofit sector by increasing its annual grant distribution from an initial $500 to over $1.4 million in 2023. The Foundation prioritizes organizations with ties to Erie and Huron Counties and emphasizes thoughtful evaluation of all grant applications. With a focus on community needs, it continues to honor the founders' legacy while adapting to the evolving demands of local nonprofits.

The AHRF: Bernard and Lottie Drazin Memorial Grants provide up to five $1,000 awards to otolaryngology residents conducting research projects during their residency. Eligible applicants must be from selected Chicago programs or institutions represented by AHRF Board members. Proposals are evaluated on criteria such as novelty, significance, and feasibility. Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports and notify AHRF of any publications resulting from their funded research.