Best Grants for Community Centers in Texas

The School Action Fund (SAF) aims to enhance access to quality education by supporting districts in implementing whole-school strategies. This initiative focuses on addressing community needs and tackling chronic underperformance, ultimately striving to ensure that more students can attend A/B-rated campuses. The upcoming 2026-2027 SAF grant will specifically assist Restart Action grantees in achieving Resource Campus designation, paving the way for improved educational opportunities within their communities.

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 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 Luella Kemper Trust Grant, administered by Bank of America, supports quality education and human services for underserved populations, particularly in Grayson County, Texas. Established in 1986, it aims to address community needs through targeted grants that typically last one year. Nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing education and human services in Texas are encouraged to apply, especially those focused on Grayson County's underserved communities.

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 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 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.

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 Exhibitions Abroad Support Grant Program, initiated by the Japan Foundation in New York, offers financial aid to U.S. museums and art institutions organizing exhibitions that showcase Japanese art and culture internationally. This program supports a range of events, including biennials and triennials featuring Japanese artists. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations from designated states, with a focus on promoting cultural exchange and understanding through art.

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 Workplace Violence Against Nurses Prevention Program, initiated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, aims to combat verbal and physical violence against nurses in various healthcare settings. This grant supports the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies in developing innovative solutions to enhance nurse safety and well-being. By fostering effective strategies, the program seeks to ensure a safer working environment for healthcare professionals across Texas.

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 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 Owens Marmion Barke Clinical Mental Health Counseling Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, aims to support UT Tyler students pursuing careers in mental health counseling. This scholarship prioritizes graduate students from underrepresented populations, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to enhancing diversity in the field. With a history dating back to 1989, the Foundation has a strong legacy of empowering students through educational opportunities, fostering a brighter future for communities in East 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 South Plains Great 25 Nurses scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of West Texas, supports students accepted into accredited nursing schools in Region 1B and nearby New Mexico counties. Established to foster educational opportunities, it aims to create a lasting impact on the lives of nursing students, helping them achieve their dreams while strengthening healthcare in the South Plains area. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to philanthropic giving and community support.

The Advantage Medical Staffing Scholarship, established by Advantage Medical Staffing, supports students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Administered by the Community Foundation of West Texas, this scholarship is available to students aged 25 and older, and those currently enrolled or applying to a Lubbock area college. Financial need is a key eligibility requirement, ensuring that the scholarship aids those who are committed to advancing their education and future careers in nursing.

The Tabbotha McGee Memorial Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Tyler Legacy, Tyler High School, and Early College in Smith County, pursuing a nursing degree at Tyler Junior College. This scholarship is aimed particularly at African American students, student athletes, and those involved in HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America). Financial need is considered, with a one-year support period contingent on FASFA requirements.

The Dalton & Betty Jones Scholarship for Vo-Tech Study, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Rusk County, Texas, pursuing vocational or technical certificates or associate degrees in medical-related fields. Financial need is considered, with FASFA required. This renewable scholarship reflects a commitment to empowering local students in their educational journeys, ensuring they have the resources needed to achieve their career aspirations.

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 U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) invites proposals for regional fire science exchanges across nine designated regions in the U.S. This initiative aims to promote the sharing of fire science knowledge and practices over a two-year period. Eligible applicants can focus on regions including Alaska, Appalachians, Great Basin, North Atlantic, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Oak Woodlands, Pacific Islands, and Southwest. Proposals must be specific to one region.

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.

2026-2027 T-TESS Pilot Districts Support Grant

The T-TESS Pilot Districts Support Grant was created to support school districts piloting the updated Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) by providing support for training and resources for effective implementation. This effort ensures alignment with district and state priorities, strengthens support for teacher growth, and helps the system provide fair and trusted recognition of effective teaching.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

2026-2027 Effective Advising Framework Planning Grant

The Effective Advising Framework (EAF) supports school systems in developing and implementing an individual student planning system as part of a comprehensive school counseling program. The EAF also promotes innovation in career and technical education, including the adoption and expansion of promising programs, particularly those aligned to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers and industries.

The goal of this grant project is to provide interested school systems in each region with EAF coaching support and high-quality resources and tools to strengthen their advising systems and student outcomes. The project aims to identify, train, and designate EAF Coaches at the ESCs who will guide school systems through the EAF planning and implementation process. Finally, the project seeks to ensure that students graduate fully prepared for college, career, or military success, which in turn supports improved CCMR accountability ratings and increased outcome bonuses.

The Mazamas is committed to exploring and preserving mountain environments in the Pacific Northwest through research grants. These grants support nonprofit research that aligns with the Mazamas’ mission, encouraging proposals from graduate and undergraduate students. Successful applicants often conduct field studies that enhance understanding of the region's natural features. Notably, the Mazamas also welcome innovative research ideas that may fall outside traditional grant guidelines, promoting a diverse range of scientific inquiry.

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.

Texas Strategic Staffing ESC Direct Grant

The Texas Strategic Staffing ESC Direct Grant is a direct grant to fund services for school systems awarded with the 2026-2028 Texas Strategic Staffing Grant for Residencies Grant (via LASO IV). ESCs will supply a Strategic Staffing fellow (TSS Fellow) who will provide technical assistance and other support to school systems and educator preparation program (EPP) partnerships to design and implement paid and sustainable yearlong teacher residencies across SY 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. 

Strategic Staffing technical assistance (TA) will be provided by Education Service Centers (ESCs) through the Texas Strategic Staffing (TSS) technical assistance service. With Education Service Centers providing technical assistance, school systems and EPPs will make informed decisions to develop paid teacher residencies that leverage reallocation and reinvestment of local funds to support teacher residents’ wages while they engage in other instructional responsibilities including substitute teaching, paraprofessional roles, tutoring, and more.

TA providers in this role also serve as critical thought partners for school systems as they establish strong residency systems for the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships Program (PREP) Residency Allotment, recruitment mechanisms through PREP Grow Your Own Allotment, and supportive training for host teachers through the PREP Mentorship Allotment.

In addition to TSS fellows, this grant funds Strategic Staffing State Leads. These are full-time Strategic Staffing ESC staff who will play a pivotal role in providing technical assistance throughout the State of Texas by training and coaching TSS Fellows on their respective technical assistance. State Leads are also leading technical assistance for a selection of school systems in Cohort 3 of Pipeline to Leadership (P2L) Strategic Staffing.

The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant aims to enhance the well-being of military service members, veterans, and their families through non-clinical arts engagement programs. Funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, grants of $10,000 to $25,000 support diverse artistic activities in various settings. Projects should foster creative expression, social connectedness, resilience, and independence, ultimately empowering military-connected individuals to thrive through art and community involvement.