Best Grants for BIPOC in Texas

The Chef Willy O. Rossel Culinary Scholarship Fund, established in 2024 by the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, honors Chef Willy O. Rossel's legacy. This scholarship provides financial support to Texas residents pursuing degrees in culinary arts, foodservice, or hospitality. It aims to empower aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals by facilitating access to education and training, fostering a new generation of talent in the food industry, and contributing to the vibrant culinary community in Texas.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees Texas public education, aiding over 5 million students. It administers grants to local educational agencies, including school districts and nonprofits, to enhance educational outcomes. The 2025-2026 School Readiness Models program promotes a research-based pre-reading model for preschoolers, aiming to improve early literacy and kindergarten readiness. This initiative fosters community collaborations and provides vital resources, including training and educational materials, to support Texas Rising Star Provider Certification.

The grant funds will support enhancements to module preparation, expansion of accessibility supports, and the design and development of American Sign Language instruction and professional networking opportunities. Funding also will be used to strengthen recruitment efforts for the next cohort with a target enrollment of up to 15 students.

The Carole Rolnick Shlipak Academic and Community Service Achievement Scholarship Fund, established by the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, offers a $2,445 award to local undergraduate and graduate students who excel academically and demonstrate a commitment to community service. Preference is given to Jewish students or those from Irving, honoring Carole Shlipak's legacy of helping others. This scholarship aims to empower future leaders dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.

The East Texas Geological Society Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports students majoring in Geology. Established to foster educational pursuits, this scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are at least sophomores at the time of application. The foundation, created in 1989, has a rich history of providing financial assistance to enhance educational opportunities in East Texas, reflecting a strong commitment to community development.

The Texas Education Agency is committed to relentlessly focusing on students in low-performing schools. To this end, the Division of System Support provides competitive grant opportunities and technical assistance with the intent to empower and support school systems with the planning and implementation of comprehensive and bold school actions.

This project partners matched technical assistance providers with campuses (school systems) awarded school action fund grants to provide grantees with targeted technical assistance. The technical assistance is intended to support effective implementation of grant proposals.

The Additional Days School Year Planning and Execution Program (ADSY PEP) is a voluntary, three-year grant initiative that provides comprehensive support to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in the design and sustainability of high-quality, evidence-based ADSY programs. Through targeted professional development and technical assistance, ADSY PEP supports implementation of either the ADSY Full Year or ADSY Summer model. ADSY PEP is intended to help LEAs strategically plan, launch, and refine extended learning opportunities that are responsive to student needs and aligned with local priorities.

State of Texas Office of the Governor

The governor of Texas is the head of state and head of government of the U.S. state of Texas. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the government of Texas and is the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces. Unlike governors in many other states, the Texas governor operates within a plural executive system, which distributes executive authority among several independently elected officials and limits centralized executive power.

Established in the Constitution of Texas, the governor's responsibilities include ensuring the enforcement of state laws, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, overseeing state agencies, issuing executive orders, proposing and overseeing the state budget, and making key appointments to state offices.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

Purpose

The Public Safety Office (PSO) is soliciting applications for projects that support physical security enhancements and other security activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack based on the nonprofit organization's ideology, beliefs or mission.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. The NSGP also serves to promote emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration activities between public and private entities.

The Texas Panhandle General Scholarship Fund, managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports college students from the 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle. Applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and enroll in a college within the region, pursuing any degree from Associate to Doctorate. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster community development through accessible higher education.

The Mabee Foundation provides challenge grants for projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, primarily focusing on construction, renovation, and major medical equipment purchases. Organizations must raise 40% of project costs from other donors before applying. Grants can reach up to 20% of total costs, with a maximum of $2 million. Applications are considered quarterly, requiring submissions by specific deadlines for review at upcoming board meetings.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) administers federal and state grant awards to its subgrantees to carry out a program. Such entities include primarily school systems (referred to as local educational agencies [LEAs] in statutes), including independent school districts and charter schools; education service centers (ESCs); and, to a lesser degree, institutions of higher education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), and other statutorily allowable organizations. 

TSBVI ECC Evaluation

The purpose of this project is to support the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) in developing a set of guidelines for each of the areas of the expanded core curriculum (ECC), as well as developing a valid and reliable assessment tool, based on those guidelines, that professionals in the field can use to make determinations about a student’s skills in each area. After guidelines and the assessment tool are established, TSBVI will develop high-quality aligned instructional materials to support instruction of ECC skills for all students who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, including those with complex access needs, across grade levels.

The Talbert Family Memorial Scholarship, established by Dr. William L. Talbert, honors his parents and grandparents while encouraging students to pursue higher education. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors or current college students from the CBCF seven-county service area who demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to accounting majors, ensuring a focus on the field that Dr. Talbert dedicated his career to.

The Jim Springer Memorial Scholarship, established by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Jim Springer, a beloved master of ceremonies and community leader in Corpus Christi. This scholarship supports college students majoring in Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, or Communications, who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and are residents of the CBCF service area. It aims to empower future leaders in these fields while commemorating Springer's contributions to the community.

The Roberts - Douglas Roberts Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, aims to support wheelchair-bound students with special needs in their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors and current college students who are permanent residents of Nueces County and attend any Texas college, university, or trade school. The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend through community support and philanthropy.

The Rufus J. Cleghorn Scholarship aims to support the higher education of facilities management professionals in Texas. It offers two grants: $2500 for full-time healthcare facility managers pursuing relevant degrees, and $1000 for full-time students in healthcare facilities management programs. Eligible applicants must meet specific GPA requirements and provide necessary documentation, including a letter of recommendation and a narrative on their interest in the field. The TAHFM Scholarship Committee oversees the selection process.

The George G. and Alva Hudson Smith Foundation aims to enhance the lives of Hill County, Texas residents by funding programs that support health, education, and welfare, particularly for the underprivileged. The Foundation prioritizes local organizations and projects, while it does not accept applications from entities outside Texas or those seeking ongoing operational support. Funding opportunities include special projects and capital campaigns that address basic human needs in a compassionate and effective manner.

The Charlotte and Jule S. Theobald Scholarship Trust, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports graduate students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M College Station. Eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. This renewable scholarship covers costs related to attendance, including fees, books, and living expenses, ensuring a lasting impact on the education of future veterinary professionals.

About CPRIT

The State of Texas has established the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), which may issue up to $6 billion in general obligation bonds to fund grants for cancer research and prevention.

CPRIT is charged by the Texas Legislature to do the following:

• Create and expedite innovation in the area of cancer research and in enhancing the potential for a medical or scientific breakthrough in the prevention of, or cures for, cancer;
• Attract, create, or expand research capabilities of public or private institutions of higher education and other public or private entities that will promote a substantial increase in cancer research and in the creation of high-quality new jobs in the State of Texas; and 
• Develop and implement the Texas Cancer Plan

Rationale

The aim of this award mechanism is to bolster cancer research in Texas by providing financial support to attract very promising investigators who are pursuing their first faculty appointment at the level of assistant professor (first-time, tenure-track faculty members). These individuals must have demonstrated academic excellence, innovation during predoctoral and/or postdoctoral research training, commitment to pursuing cancer research, and exceptional potential for achieving future impact in basic, translational, population-based, or clinical research. Awards are intended to provide institutions with a competitive edge in recruiting the world’s best talent in cancer research, thereby advancing cancer research and prevention efforts, and promoting economic development in the State of Texas.

The recruitment of outstanding scientists will greatly enhance programs of scientific excellence in cancer research and will position Texas as a leader in the fight against cancer. Applications may address any research topic related to cancer biology, causation, prevention, detection or screening, treatment, or survivorship. Principal Investigators (PIs) with research programs addressing CPRIT’s priority areas for research are encouraged. These include implementation research to accelerate the adoption and deployment of evidence-based prevention and screening interventions, computational oncology and analytic methods, research including population-based research addressing cancer disparities, childhood and adolescent cancers, hepatocellular cancer, and expansion of access to innovative clinical trials.

Gilead North America Grants support community-informed programs that enhance healthcare for vulnerable populations. Grants are available for innovative projects addressing HIV, liver diseases, oncology, and inflammatory diseases. Applications are invited from tax-exempt nonprofits based in the U.S. who focus on health equity and community engagement. Gilead prioritizes funding for projects that demonstrate a strong capability to deliver impactful outcomes, helping to eliminate barriers to healthcare and improve access to essential services.

Simmons First Foundation: Mini Grant

Amount:

• $1,000 up to $2,500 
•  Projects must pertain to youth (K-12) in the fields of education or health care. Mini Grants are for immediate (long-term) needs for programs and entities must be a 501c3 organization.

Simmons First Foundation: Make a Difference Grant

Amount:

• $2,500 up to $50,000

For the upcoming grant cycle, funding will be limited to programs focused on:Special Education:  K-12 Youth with disabilities, including physical disabilities, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and sensory impairments.   (examples including):

• Inclusive theater and performing arts programs
• Adapted, hands-on STEM learning
• Accessible coding, robotics, and maker-space activities
• Science-based learning adapted for diverse abilities
• Assistive technology and adaptive learning tools
• Adaptive physical education and recreation programs

Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention:  K-12 Youth (examples including):

• Evidence-based prevention programs targeting alcohol, opioids, vaping, and other substance use
• Skill-building programs that focus on refusal skills, decision making, coping strategies, and peer pressure resistanc
• Early intervention programs for at-risk youth
• Recovery support services for youth in early recovery (including peer support groups, mentoring, and relapse prevention planning)
• Youth-focused programs that teach emotional regulation, anger management, and non-violent communication
• Intervention programs for youth exposed to or at risk of violence
• Peer mediation and restorative justice programs that reduce disciplinary incidents and promote accountability

The 2025-2027 Fatherhood and Parental Involvement in Literacy Grant aims to enhance early childhood literacy in Texas by expanding the All Pro Dad chapter program. This initiative encourages fathers to engage in their children's reading activities through a multimedia literacy campaign. Key activities include developing a chapter support team, launching a media awareness campaign, and organizing events like the Chapter Father Time Reading Challenge and Daddy Read to Me Turf Events, ultimately fostering parental engagement in education.

The Scanlan Scholars Tuition Assistance Program, established by the Scanlan Foundation, provides financial support for Roman Catholic high school students in Texas, specifically in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Since 1947, the program has aimed to promote educational access while furthering the Roman Catholic mission. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with the specified diocese, while other Texas dioceses receive automatic consideration without application. The next application period opens on October 1, 2025, with a deadline of November 15, 2025.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Adult Literacy Grants to support organizations providing essential literacy services to adults. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for programs in Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and English language acquisition. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. The foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster personal growth through literacy.

Simmons First Foundation: Environmental Grant

Amount:

• $2,500 up to $25,000

These funds are to be used for conservation and/or environmental purposes. We prefer the projects support the overall theme of youth (K-12) in the fields of education or health care, however, we do have flexibility on projects that will have an indirect impact on youth. Categories for this grant include, but not limited to: water, air, hunting/fishing, forestry, outdoor education, energy, etc.

The Abilene Geological Society Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, aims to support students from the Big Country pursuing degrees in geology, earth science, hydrology, or environmental science. Established to foster scientific education in West Central Texas, this scholarship is designed for high school graduates ranked in the top 50% of their class. With over 150 scholarship funds, the Community Foundation of Abilene empowers local students to achieve their college education dreams.

The Bonnie and Bill Kiker, and Virginia Kiker Hughes Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Abilene, honors Virginia Kiker Hughes. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from various Texas counties planning to attend accredited vocational or technical colleges. Virginia's legacy of family, joy, and business acumen in the oil industry inspires this fund, which aims to empower students to achieve their educational dreams and make a lasting impact in their communities.