Best Grants for BIPOC in Texas

The Differentiated Text Sets Development Grant Program, administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), provides crucial funding to local educational agencies and other eligible organizations. This program aims to enhance educational resources by supporting the development of text sets that cater to diverse learning needs. Eligible applicants must follow the specified guidelines and submit both parts of the Standard Application System to secure funding. The program is designed to promote effective teaching and learning across various educational settings.

The Jay L. Smith Family Foundation provides grants to tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States, primarily focusing on healthcare, family values, and supporting the disadvantaged. With a strong commitment to Alzheimer's research, the foundation has funded various initiatives including elderly care, domestic violence prevention, and cancer research. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities through meaningful contributions, aiming to address critical social issues and promote well-being.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) offers the SSI Community Partnerships C5 Technical Assistance grant, aimed at supporting local educational agencies (LEAs) in improving student performance. This initiative focuses on schools in high-need areas, providing coaching and coordinated support to enhance educational engagement. By fostering partnerships with families and community organizations, the program seeks to build strong, effective schools and ensure access to quality educational and social services for all students.

The Rusty Gibson Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the American Society of Civil Engineers Northeast Texas Branch, recognizes outstanding students from the University of Texas at Tyler or LeTourneau University. This scholarship is based on merit, personal achievements, and financial need. The number and value of the awards will be determined upon application review, with recipients expected to report on scholarship usage at a future meeting. This initiative fosters the development of future civil engineering leaders.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

The Division of Governance Interventions supports TEA’s mission and vision by providing exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to school system leadership teams and governing boards. The division collaborates with external field support agents appointed by the TEA Commissioner of Education to build sustainable systems aligned to core TEA initiatives, so that the school system thrives after the release of agency intervention. 

Effective Advising Framework Planning Grant

Program Description

The purpose of this grant program is to develop, maintain, and deliver core services to school systems as identified under TEC §8.051 and in accordance with the purposes of Regional Education Service Centers as established in TEC §8.002.

The 2025-2027 Educator Preparation Innovation and Improvement Center (EPIIC) Continuation, funded by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance educator preparation programs across Texas. This initiative supports local educational agencies in their continuous improvement efforts, ensuring that Texas teachers and students receive the necessary resources and tools for effective education. By fostering collaboration among educational institutions, the project seeks to strengthen the quality of education throughout the state.

The 2025-2026 Title IV, Part A ESC Capacity Building State Initiative, funded by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance educational outcomes across Texas. This grant focuses on providing training and resources to 20 Education Service Centers (ESCs) to improve well-rounded education, promote safe and healthy students, and leverage technology effectively. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of school systems statewide, ensuring all students receive quality educational support.

The Cullen Foundation, established in 1947, supports cultural arts, education, healthcare, and public service primarily in the Greater Houston area. With over $500 million in grants distributed, the Foundation emphasizes initiatives that enhance community quality of life. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities. The Foundation does not fund businesses, individuals, or operational support, ensuring that its contributions directly impact the community. For more information on eligibility and grant history, please visit their website.

The Dollar General School Library Relief Grant Program, managed by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, provides crucial support to K-12 public school libraries that face significant damage due to disasters such as fires or federally recognized acts of terrorism. This grant aims to restore essential library resources, ensuring that affected communities can continue to access vital educational materials and support. Libraries must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. TEA helps deliver education to more than 5 million students under the leadership of the commissioner of education. The TEA operational costs are supported by both state and federal funds.

The Texas Education Agency 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.

Reading Academies Enrollment Canvas Seats

Program Description

This project will support the implementation of Texas Reading Academies by awarding a grant for the maintenance of a learning management system, including content and design support for various reading academies options, continued support for seat provision, registration, deployment, and technical assistance of online academies participants, monthly data reporting, and ongoing support for the data portal.

The Honda USA Foundation provides funding to support mobility initiatives that empower individuals, particularly those facing disabilities, by removing barriers and expanding opportunities. Focused on sustainable change in underserved communities, the Foundation encourages applications for programs in education, infrastructure, and technology that align with its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Eligible organizations must be based in the U.S. with appropriate tax-exempt status and can apply for multiple funding opportunities while adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

The Statewide ESSA Title I, Part A Capacity Building Initiative Grant Program, administered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance educational opportunities through technical assistance and resources for local educational agencies (LEAs) and education service centers (ESCs). The initiative focuses on compliance with federal regulations and improving student performance in Title I programs. Funding is designated for ESCs to support training, payroll, and necessary supplies, ultimately fostering a collaborative effort to meet educational standards across Texas.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), as the pass-through entity, is the grantee from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and TEA awards subgrants to non-federal entities such as local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and education service centers, and to a lesser degree institutions of higher education (IHEs), and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) who are the agency’s subgrantees.

State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG)

The purpose of this program is to accelerate the impact of state facilities funding by providing supplemental federal facilities funding to high-performing charter schools, increasing their capacity to serve Texas communities with the greatest need for educational choice.

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has been serving the people of Texas for more than a century. Since 1909, when the state founded the agency, we have been supporting the reading, learning, and historical preservation needs of Texas and its people. 

Going back to the days of the Republic, there has always been an official library and archives of Texas. While fulfilling our unique and longstanding place serving Texas government, the State Library and Archives Commission mission is also to ensure that citizens have information they need to lead informed, productive, and fulfilled lives.

TSLAC Special Projects Grant

Goals and Purposes

This grant program provides funds for efforts that will significantly expand library services to include all members of the library’s community, particularly community members who experience barriers when accessing the library and its resources. It enables libraries to develop programs for populations with special needs or those having difficulty using the library. Programs that focus on community engagement or that involve collaboration with other community organizations are strongly encouraged. Programs must emphasize improved services by the library to its patrons.

The proposed program must meet the following LSTA goals as identified in the 2023-2027 LSTA 5- Year Plan (https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/pubs/lstaplan/5yearplan):

Goals

• Through Texas libraries, Texans will have access to digital resources and services needed to help them navigate the digital information landscape successfully.
• Texans will have access to library materials and services that support literacy and educational attainment, especially early childhood and family literacy, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning.
• Texans will receive library services from trained library staff that effectively respond to community needs.

The purpose of this grant program is not for collection development or other activities primarily focused on the acquisition of library materials or resources, or digitization projects.

The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan. The foundation emphasizes animal welfare, parks preservation, veteran support, and youth empowerment. Their mission is to enhance lives through community-focused initiatives that foster resilience, education, and well-being. They prioritize charities that promote responsible pet ownership, outdoor recreation, and provide resources for veterans and youth, ensuring a positive impact across multiple sectors.

The Edith Lois Wilson 4-H Scholarship is designed for graduating high school seniors from District One of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service who plan to attend college in fields such as Human Science, Home Economics, or Family and Consumer Science. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be in the top 25% of their class, and be active 4-H members. This scholarship supports students in achieving their educational goals while contributing to their communities.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

The Division of Governance Interventions supports TEA’s mission and vision by providing exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to school system leadership teams and governing boards. The division collaborates with external field support agents appointed by the TEA Commissioner of Education to build sustainable systems aligned to core TEA initiatives, so that the school system thrives after the release of agency intervention. 

Discipline and Behavior Supports

Program Description

The purpose of this program is to support the creation, dissemination, and implementation of state-level technical assistance, professional development training, tools, and resources. These include, but are not limited to, the following topics: intensive behavioral interventions, alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices, and addressing the individualization of disciplinary practices for students with disabilities. This grant will support the development of a series of courses and training, enabling us to scale their usage across the state. The initial audience for the technical assistance and professional development provided through this grant is school district and Education Service Center (ESC) staff. These individuals work directly to support children with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors, aiming to improve special educator practices and outcomes for students with disabilities.

Examples of the types of activities supported by this grant include, but are not limited to, developing a variety of courses, webinars, and resources on topics outlined in the grant program’s purpose, with the goal of future implementation and statewide scaling.

The ASCE Houston Branch Student Chapter Scholarship Fund aims to support outstanding civil engineering students from local universities, including Prairie View A&M and Rice University. Scholarships are awarded based on overall merit, personal achievements, and involvement in the ASCE Student Chapter, with a minimum award of $500. This initiative reflects ASCE's commitment to fostering future leaders in civil engineering while recognizing excellence in academic and professional pursuits.

AAF: Arts & Culture Fund

The boards of the Amarillo Area Foundation and the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation decided to allocate a portion of the Discretionary Grant funds from the Economic Opportunity cycle to fund visual and performing arts organizations within the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The funding priorities are operational, programmatic, marketing, and capital expenses. ​

​This application process is new, and an external arts committee will select organizations to recommend to the Amarillo Area Foundation board of directors for funding. The requests must fall within the range of $5,000-$50,000.

Rob-See-Co is an independent seed company with regional expertise, providing customers access to leading genetics and traits through the Rob-See-Co and Innotech® seed brands. Rob-See-Co also sells Masters Choice specialty silage and forage products, as well as Streamline Ag seed-driven crop inputs. Rob-See-Co works alongside its customers, building strong relationships and helping them plant the right seed for their long-term success, while keeping the process friendly, straightforward, and simple. 

Rob-See-Co Library Grant

In recognition of National Library Day, Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, Neb. is proud to announce the continuation of its Rural Library Grant program.

Originally launched in 2023 to commemorate the company’s 10th anniversary and honor Agnes Robinson’s dedication to the rural library in Waterloo, NE, the program continues to hold special meaning. Agnes, great-grandmother of Jim Robinson, CEO of Rob-See-Co, was a passionate advocate for rural libraries. Today, the program extends support to libraries across rural communities within the company’s footprint. 

The focus areas for grant distributions from the Rob-See-Co Rural Library Grant program will assist local libraries with expanding book collections, core educational programs for adults or children, and computer or software upgrades. Examples of this would be new books, expansion of school visits or field trips, digitizing research materials, support for funding traveling exhibits and speakers.

Rob-See-Co will award ten grants to selected rural libraries across CO, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX and WI. Funds may be used for core educational, preservation and interpretive purposes, including collection development, facility improvements, traveling exhibits, guest speakers, staff training, programming, and publications. 

The Waco Foundation's Capital Expenses Support Grants aim to assist 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits in McLennan County, Texas, with essential funding for small capital projects. These grants prioritize organizations focused on human services, youth programs, and arts/culture that require support for office equipment, renovations, and construction. By fostering community engagement and addressing critical needs, the Foundation enhances the quality of life for local residents.

The Teacher Time Analysis and Supports Pilot Year 1 Grant, administered by the Texas Education Agency, focuses on alleviating teacher workload constraints. This initiative aims to provide technical assistance to school systems, helping them analyze teacher time use and develop actionable plans. By fostering an understanding of operational policies and practices, the grant seeks to enhance student learning and improve working conditions for teachers, ultimately sustaining effective teaching in Texas schools.

The 2025-2026 Migrant Capacity Building and Curriculum Initiative aims to enhance educational outcomes for migratory children by providing tailored resources and support. This program addresses the unique challenges faced by these students, ensuring they receive equitable educational opportunities across state lines. Key goals include developing resources on the Texas Migratory Education Portal and facilitating parent engagement to support academic success. By focusing on comprehensive educational strategies, the initiative seeks to overcome barriers and promote the effective participation of migratory students in the educational system.

The AWARE Texas Expansion Program Evaluation and Support, administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), provides federal and state grant awards to various educational entities, including school districts and nonprofit organizations. This program aims to enhance educational opportunities through structured guidelines and procedures. Eligible applicants must submit comprehensive applications, ensuring compliance with fiscal and programmatic requirements to secure funding for educational initiatives.

The James W. Griffin Scholarship, established in memory of Jim Griffin, aims to support civil engineering students from the ASCE Dallas and Fort Worth branch areas. This scholarship is available to college students in good standing with an ABET accredited Civil Engineering program, who will be pursuing their degree in the Fall 2025 semester. By honoring Jim's legacy, this scholarship fosters the growth of future civil engineers in the community he cherished.

The B. J. Runnels Dean Scholarship Fund, established by Myrte Veach and friends of B.J. Dean, honors her legacy in advancing women in ministry. Administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, this fund provides scholarships to female residents of Tennessee or Texas pursuing a career in ministry. With a mission to foster a thriving and inclusive community, the fund embodies B.J. Dean's commitment to service and empowerment, ensuring that future generations of women can follow their calling.

The Alleghany Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) organization in Virginia, focuses on enhancing the quality of life in the Alleghany Highlands through strategic funding initiatives. It seeks grant applications that address key areas such as economic transformation, educational excellence, health and wellness, community capacity, and civic leadership. By prioritizing innovative projects and supporting local organizations, the Foundation aims to foster sustainable growth and community engagement, ensuring a vibrant future for the region.