Humanities Texas 

Humanities Texas advances education through programs that improve the quality of classroom teaching, support libraries and museums, and create opportunities for lifelong learning.

We strengthen Texas communities by conducting and supporting programs that cultivate the knowledge and judgment that representative democracy demands of its citizens. These programs also contribute to Texas’s thriving economy, culture, and civic life.  

Founded in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas is one of fifty-six state and jurisdictional humanities councils in the U.S. We are a nonprofit, educational organization supported by federal and state appropriations, as well as by foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our volunteer board is a model of leadership, ensuring we execute our mission while providing careful stewardship of our funding resources.

The Humanities Texas Grants Program

Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and institutions for humanities programs that serve public audiences.

What are the humanities?

The humanities include but are not limited to the study of history, literature, modern and classical languages; linguistics; jurisprudence; philosophy; comparative religion; ethics; and the history, criticism, and theory of the arts. Social sciences that employ qualitative approaches such as cultural anthropology, archaeology, and political science are considered part of the humanities, as are interdisciplinary areas such as women’s studies, American studies, and the study of folklore and folklife. In elementary and secondary education, the humanities are found in social studies and English language-arts courses, as well as in advanced courses in history, literature, foreign languages, art or music history, and related subjects. 

Projects may also apply humanities perspectives to current political, social, or economic concerns and issues.

Mini-grants

Mini-grants support costs associated with public humanities programs. These small grants—which are easy to apply for and administer, and are available on a rolling basis throughout the year—are particularly appropriate for funding a speaker and/or the rental of a traveling exhibition, including those provided by Humanities Texas. Before submitting a mini-grant application for a Humanities Texas exhibition rental, please complete our online rental form, found here. In the current crisis, as Texas communities continue to practice physical distancing, we are eager to support projects that use the humanities to connect people, either through the use of digital technologies or by connecting people without access to digital tools. Contact our grants staff to discuss how Humanities Texas can support projects you’re currently working on.

Humanities Scholar

A humanities scholar is an individual with particular training or experience in one or more of the academic disciplines in the humanities. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study. However, individuals without an advanced degree may qualify as humanities scholars because of their accomplishments and/or methods of research, inquiry, and teaching.

The qualifications of a project’s principal Humanities Advisor and participating scholars significantly determine an application’s competitiveness. For example, it is unlikely that Humanities Texas would fund a lecture series on Texas in the twentieth century that does not include any credentialed historians who specialize in twentieth-century Texas. 

Humanities Texas encourages applicants to involve a broad and diverse group of scholars in their proposed projects. For major grant applications in particular, it is important that organizations include guidance and perspectives from scholars outside the sponsoring organization. For example, a museum or academic institution seeking a Humanities Texas major grant for a year-long lecture series or major exhibit should include outside scholars and advisors. Major grant applications that draw exclusively on in-house humanities expertise are typically not competitive. 

NOTE: Full Proposal Accepted Anytime

Full post-expedition proposals should be submitted during the initial portion of the expedition moratorium period with the expectation that the work can be completed during the moratorium period. Full pre-expedition proposals may submitted at any time prior to the expedition.

SYNOPSIS

International Ocean Discovery Program Operations

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) serves to advance basic research in the marine geosciences and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its international partners. The science plan, Illuminating Earth's Past, Present, and Future: The International Ocean Discovery Program Science Plan for 2013-2023, provides justification for the United States' participation in the IODP and reflects the top priorities of the international science community. A multi-platform approach is required to address the goals outlined in the IODP science plan, including a non-riser vessel to collect widely-distributed high-resolution cores to address climate, environmental, crustal and observatory science objectives; a heavy riser-equipped vessel to reach the deep sedimentary and crustal layers; and mission-specific platforms to support high-latitude and shallow-water projects.

The light drillship, JOIDES Resolution, is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Science operations for the JOIDES Resolution are conducted through a Cooperative Agreement with Texas A&M University with scientific planning conducted by the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan provides the heavy drillship, Chikyu (Earth), to conduct the deep drilling projects in the new program. The Center for Deep Earth Exploration of the Independent Administrative Institution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) operates the vessel for IODP. Scientific planning for Chikyu IODP operations is conducted by the Chikyu IODP Board.

Mission Specific Platforms (MSP) are provided by the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD). The ECORD Facility Board conducts scientific planning for MSP expeditions and the platforms themselves are operated by the European Science Operator (ESO).

A Science Support Office (SSO) is provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation. The SSO’s primary tasks include:

• providing logistical support for the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board and its advisory panels
• overseeing the proposal submission and review process
• managing the Site Survey Data Bank 
• providing a gateway website to IODP scientific planning 

United States Science Support for Drilling-Related Research

Grant support for drilling-related research performed by United States scientists is available from the NSF. Proposals for most pre-expedition (e.g., site characterization) and post-expedition studies should be submitted through the appropriate NSF programs, such as Ocean Sciences Marine Geology and Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Polar Programs, etc.

In addition to these NSF programs, the NSF Ocean Drilling Program (PD 14-5720) will provide support for small projects to be conducted during the expedition moratorium period to increase the scientific value of, and facilitate further research on, the expedition core, data, and associated samples. The expedition moratorium period begins with the co-chief approval of the expedition sampling plan and generally ends one-year following the post-expedition sampling party ( Refer here for specific moratorium dates for each expedition).

Examples of appropriate post-expedition work include, but are not limited to:

• XRF, CT, or other scans of entire or selected critical sections of core
• stratigraphic refinements for identified critical intervals
• refinement of shipboard measurements/analyses/descriptions as deemed necessary by the shipboard scientific party

These Ocean Drilling Program (PD 14-5720) post-expedition proposals should be submitted during the initial portion of the expedition moratorium period with the expectation that the work can be completed during the moratorium period.

Limited support will also be provided through the Ocean Drilling Program (PD 14-5720) for critical, expedition-specific shipboard or downhole instrumentation (not meant for large instrumentation projects like CORKS) and for data synthesis/reprocessing critical for expedition implementation. Proposals of this type may be submitted at any time prior to the expedition.

Investigators are encouraged to contact the program directors identified in this program description prior to submission of a proposal to the Ocean Drilling Program (PD 14-5720) to discuss the appropriateness of the proposal for this particular program.

It is expected that results generated from Ocean Drilling Program (PD 14-5720) awards will be made available to other shipboard participants upon completion and, once the moratorium is over, to the broader scientific community as required by the NSF-OCE Data and Sample Policy.

Additional support for United States scientists may be obtained via the U.S. Science Support Program. Funding opportunities from this NSF-sponsored program include, but are not limited to:

• planning activities, such as workshops on specific ocean-drilling scientific themes, regional areas, or topics
• support for United States scientists participating on drilling expeditions and JOIDES Resolution advisory panels
• educational programs

History of the Mathers Family

G. Harold (1901 – 1976) and Leila Young Mathers (1905 – 1980) lived the final years of their lives in Santa Barbara, CA. The couple was known for their generosity and philanthropy, contributing to local causes such as St. Francis Hospital, to selected medical students to help complete their studies, and to numerous local community service programs. Having no immediate family, the Mathers wished that, after their deaths, their wealth be devoted to sustainable charitable causes. They decided to create the Foundation to further this philanthropic vision.

History of the Mathers Foundation

The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation was organized as a Texas non-profit corporation and obtained a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service granting it tax-exempt status as a section 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation commenced its grant-making activities in Fall, 1982. Since its inception, The Mathers Foundation has granted in excess of $350M.

For many years the Foundation has enjoyed special recognition in the research community in supporting “basic” scientific research, realizing that true transformative breakthroughs usually occur after a thorough understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying natural phenomena. More recently, and with the advent of newer investigative methodologies, technology, and tools, the Foundation now embraces innovative translational research proposals.

Mission Statement

The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. Basic scientific research, with potential translational application, is central to this goal, and fundamental to our operating principles.

As technology continues to advance, it is apparent that investigations in the area of basic science and translational research may become more and more reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. It is important to note that any interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise. 

Purpose Statement

Knowing that we have been abundantly blessed by God's Grace, the Greehey family is honored to share our blessings and help do His work in the San Antonio community through the The Greehey Family Foundation. In doing so, we will provide funding to improve health and human welfare conditions, to brighten the lives of sick and disadvantaged children, to educate, and to help transform the lives of the homeless.

Funding Overview

The Greehey Family Foundation's emphasis is on supporting health and human welfare issues, children's causes, education, and the homeless. And because the needs of the community are wide, the Foundation is set up and positioned to meet an almost unlimited range of needs within these areas. In its brief history, the Foundation has already granted nearly one billion dollars to hundreds of causes, ranging from a new stove so that a struggling grandmother raising her 10 grandchildren could provide warm meals for them, to a $25 million grant to the University of Texas Health Science Center to fund children's cancer research and treatment.

Funding is provided to non-profit organizations throughout San Antonio and Bexar County at the discretion of the Foundation's Board of Directors, which is composed of Bill Greehey and family members. The Board meets biannually to review grant requests, but funds can be granted any time during the year as special needs arise.

The Foundation will operate in perpetuity and will continue to be funded by the Greehey family to improve the lives of individuals and families for generations to come.

Note: Funding is highly competitive and priority is given to organizations with whom the Foundation has a previous relationship. Thus, it is difficult to receive funding if the organization has never been funded before. 

The Foundation awards grants to qualifying institutions and agencies that further the vision of Bob and Helen Kleberg.

Since inception, the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation awarded $290.9 million in grants with annual distributions of approximately $12 million. In 2016, 48 grants totaling over $12 million were disbursed.

The Foundation Directors strive to select projects and programs where funding will have the greatest impact.

Wildlife, Conservation and Animal Science

The Foundation is committed to wildlife conservation efforts that fill critical knowledge gaps through applied research or habitat restoration that support native wildlife, primarily in South Texas. The Foundation is particularly interested in research focusing on maintaining the integrity of ecosystems, including native plant establishment, understanding important stopover habitats of Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds, and investigations of endangered/sensitive species endemic to the South Texas region. Other projects relevant to understanding potential threats to wildlife or their habitats in South Texas are also of interest, as are habitat restoration and protection, and the preservation of culturally significant natural heritage in South Texas. Use the General Application for these types of requests.

The Foundation also supports studies in animal science that expand the body of knowledge related to diagnosis, effective treatment and prevention of animal diseases, primarily in cattle and horses, animal genome and genetic mechanisms, and contribute to improved animal or human health.

Guidelines for Consideration of Capital Requests

The Foundation rarely supports capital projects such as the purchase or renovation of facilities, repairs and maintenance of physical infrastructure, or the purchase of major equipment.

Capital requests should be preceded by a formal conversation with Foundation staff to determine the project’s fit with the Foundation’s priorities. A pre-request, similar to a Letter of Inquiry, may be required to determine Trustee interest before submitting a full application.

As a general rule, the Foundation will not consider capital requests before at least 50 percent of the total project costs have already been committed from other sources.

Recognition and Mementoes

The Foundation is open to considering potential naming opportunities associated with a grant, as applicable. However, naming opportunities have no bearing at all on the Trustees’ decision to fund a project.

With regard to mementoes, the Foundation desires that all resources of any grantee be dedicated to accomplishing its philanthropic purposes. We ask that grantees not recognize the Foundation, its board members, or staff with any commemorative gifts or tokens.

Note: The Foundation asks organizations with which it does not have a standing relationship to submit an LOI as the first step in the grant application process. Current grantees may skip the LOI process and proceed directly to a grant application. For 2023, this applies to organization that received grants in 2020, 2021, or 2022.

The Leland Fikes Foundation is a private, grantmaking foundation in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1954, the Foundation is named for Leland Fikes, a prominent oil and gas executive, real estate investor, and philanthropist. During its early decades, the Leland Fikes Foundation funded a broad array of causes. More recently, the Foundation has intentionally narrowed its focus and now primarily supports organizations concentrated in four major fields.

The Leland Fikes Foundation funds general operations, programs and direct services, advocacy, capital, and capacity building.

Funding Priorities

During its early decades, the Leland Fikes Foundation funded a broad array of causes. More recently, the Foundation has intentionally narrowed its focus and now primarily supports organizations concentrated in four major fields.

The Leland Fikes Foundation funds general operations, programs and direct services, advocacy, and capacity building in alignment with our four strategic priorities:

Reproductive Health, Rights, and JusticeWe support a range of strategies to improve access to reproductive healthcare.

Civic EngagementWe seek to strengthen a free, inclusive, and transparent democracy. This work includes support for public policy, advocacy, litigation, civic engagement, and expanding voting access.

Dallas-Area Human ServicesWe support our local community though a variety of social service organizations addressing community needs such as housing, food, employment, and physical and mental health.

Medical Research (by invitation only)We invest in innovative and promising medical research projects to advance science and healthcare.

Just as systemic racism and other structural inequities permeate all areas of society, we seek to further equity through all areas of our grantmaking. Applicants should be prepared to share how racial equity informs their program development and implementation. We are committed to listening, learning, collaborating, and deepening our work to combat racism and injustice in each of our stated priority areas.

Timing

LOI may be submitted at any time and are reviewed weekly. Organizations may submit once per calendar year. If you wish to be considered for a specific grant application deadline, please submit your LOI at least 6 weeks beforehand. LOI received near or after a grant deadline will be considered for funding in the following quarter. Accordingly, LOI submitted in September or after will be considered for the following calendar year.

Foundation Purpose

The purpose of the Foundation is to operate exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and to transact such other business as may be permitted corporations exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Code and incorporated under the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act. Within such purposes, but without other limitation, such charitable purposes shall include to aid, provide, further, assist and make contributions, gifts, grants, or other forms of financial assistance exclusively to charitable corporations, organizations or associations organized and operating within the United States in the categories of civic, cultural and religion; education, literature, and science; hospitals; medical, medical research and mental health; rehabilitation and welfare; youth activities; and community funds.

Grantmaking Program

The Foundation awards contributions, gifts and grants in the following categories:

• Civic, Cultural and Religion
• Education, Literature and Science
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation and Welfare
• Youth Activities
• Community Funds

Awards for scholarships are made to a few selected colleges and universities. Selections of those to receive scholarship awards are made by the colleges and universities. 

The majority of our funding is made to local charitable organizations or through local affiliates of national or statewide organizations. 

The total amount of money awarded to all charitable organizations for any given year is governed by, but not necessarily limited to, that minimum required by the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Humanities Texas 

Humanities Texas is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational organization incorporated by the State of Texas in  1972. The state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas receives its primary funding through federal appropriations to the NEH and additional support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Since 2009, Humanities Texas has received an appropriation from the State of Texas exclusively for the administration of our professional development programs for Texas teachers. 

The Humanities Texas Grants Program

Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas provides  financial support to nonprofit organizations and institutions for humanities programs that serve public  audiences.

What are the humanities?

The humanities include but are not limited to the study of history, literature, modern and classical languages; linguistics; jurisprudence; philosophy; comparative religion; ethics; and the history, criticism, and theory of the arts. Social sciences that employ qualitative approaches such as cultural anthropology, archaeology, and political science are considered part of the humanities, as are interdisciplinary areas such as women’s studies, American studies, and the study of folklore and folklife. In elementary and secondary education, the humanities are found in social studies and English language-arts courses, as well as in advanced courses in history, literature, foreign languages, art or music history, and  related subjects. 

Projects may also apply humanities perspectives to current political, social, or economic concerns and issues.

Major Grants for Community Projects

Major grants for community projects fund comprehensive public programs such as lectures, seminars, and conferences; book and film discussions; interpretive exhibitions and materials; town forums and civic discussions; and teacher workshops. Programs should reflect substantial participation by both humanities scholars and members of the target audience(s).

Major Grants for Media Projects

Major grants for media projects fund film, radio, television, or interactive programming related to the humanities. Applicants may request funds for any phase of the project, including scripting, development, production, post-production, and in some cases, distribution and free public screenings. Humanities scholars should play an integral role in determining the content and approach of the project.

Humanities Scholar

A humanities scholar is an individual with particular training or experience in one or more of the academic disciplines in the humanities. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study. However, individuals without an advanced degree may qualify as humanities scholars because of their accomplishments and/or methods of research, inquiry, and teaching.

The qualifications of a project’s principal Humanities Advisor and participating scholars significantly determine an application’s competitiveness. For example, it is unlikely that Humanities Texas would fund a lecture series on Texas in the twentieth century that does not include any credentialed historians who specialize in twentieth-century Texas. 

Humanities Texas encourages applicants to involve a broad and diverse group of scholars in their proposed projects. For major grant applications in particular, it is important that organizations include guidance and perspectives from scholars outside the sponsoring organization. For example, a museum or academic institution seeking a Humanities Texas major grant for a year-long lecture series or major exhibit should include outside scholars and advisors. Major grant applications that draw exclusively on in-house humanities expertise are typically not competitive. 

Humanities Texas strongly recommends that you speak with our grants program staff early in your planning process, to ensure the strength and credibility of your project’s humanities personnel.

ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Program

Overview

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation program proposals to advance bird species and habitat conservation. The purpose of this program is to help address the loss of 3 billion birds since 1970 by supporting projects that conserve, restore, or enhance grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats for birds, or gather lacking bird population data with innovative methods, with an emphasis in focal geographies.

Geographic Focus

Projects must occur in a major migratory route ranging from the northern slope of Alaska to the north-south axis of the central United States, including the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Priority states include Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Program Priorities

Bird populations typically require a series of different seasonal or local habitats for their breeding, stopover, and wintering periods. Degradation, fragmentation, and loss of habitat can negatively impact bird populations, highlighting the need to implement science-driven and strategic conservation.

With geographic focal areas that span major migratory routes in Alaska and along the north–south axis of the central United States, including the Gulf Coast, the program focuses on improving habitat quality and quantity for both migratory and non-migratory bird populations. 

Within landscapes heavily dominated by working grasslands, wetlands, and sagebrush habitats, the program places a high priority on partnering with ranchers, farmers, and other private, tribal, and public land managers to help improve landscape connectivity and habitat quality for birds dependent on these habitats. 

Examples of species to benefit from projects include, but are not limited to, shorebirds, waterbirds, and waterfowl along the coasts, sagebrush-dependent birds in the Interior West, and grassland-dependent birds such as Baird’s sparrow, Sprague’s pipit, chestnut-collared longspur, and thick-billed longspur found across the Great Plains. 

The program will primarily support projects that address the following strategies.

• Restore and/or improve grassland, sagebrush, wetland, or coastal habitats for birds
• Conserve key habitats for birds
• Conduct research or monitoring on priority bird population(s)

Funding Availability and Match

Approximately $1.1 million is expected to be available for grant awards for this cycle. Grant awards will typically range from $50,000 to $275,000. Funded projects should be completed within three years following finalization of a grant agreement.