Best Grants for Teachers in Texas in Texas

The Dunkin' Joyful Spaces Grant supports children's hospitals and community health centers in creating joyful environments for pediatric patients. Launched in 2022, this initiative helps fund play areas, healing gardens, and other kid-friendly spaces, enhancing the hospital experience. Grants typically range from $25,000 to $65,000 annually, with a maximum of $150,000 over three years. This opportunity encourages creativity in designing spaces that provide comfort and joy to children and their families during hospital stays.

The Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation supports qualified non-profit organizations in 50 counties of south and central Texas. Grants are focused on arts, culture, education, literacy, and medical/scientific purposes. Non-profits are encouraged to apply and share this opportunity with others. The Foundation does not fund capital campaigns, scholarships, or Type II/III Supporting Organizations. For detailed guidelines, visit the Foundation's FAQ page.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The TLA Disaster Relief Fund Grant, established by the Texas Library Association, provides financial assistance ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for libraries affected by natural disasters. Eligible libraries include academic, public, school, and special libraries. Funds can be utilized for technology, repairs, and other recovery needs. The grant application will be evaluated based on damage extent, service impact, fund usage, and funding availability, with a preference for TLA institutional members.

The F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026 aims to combat aquatic nuisance species through pre-proposals followed by full applications. Managed by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, this initiative requires a 25% cost-share and limits administrative costs to 5%. Applications are due by October 14, 2026, though the funding opportunity closes on December 16, 2026. The plan is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a coordinated national approach to invasive species management.

The Forrest Shreve Student Research Fund, awarded by the Ecological Society of America, supports research in North America's hot deserts, including the Sonoran and Mojave. This fund aims to enhance our understanding of desert ecology through innovative projects. Eligible applicants include graduate and undergraduate students who are ESA members. Proposals are evaluated based on their significance, feasibility, and design, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, granted annually.

The Fred Woodward Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and current college students in Texas who are children of Texas Seed Trade Association members. Recipients can attend any accredited institution and pursue any field of study, provided they meet eligibility criteria including full-time enrollment and maintaining a minimum GPA. This scholarship is part of the Foundation's commitment to improving the quality of life in the Texas Panhandle.

The NRP Young Investigator Award is designed to support research on optimizing newborn care during delivery using Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) techniques. This grant encourages innovative projects addressing gaps in transitional physiology and resuscitation practices. Eligible applicants include researchers from Canadian and US institutions, particularly those in training or within four years of completing medical training. Awardees may receive up to $15,000 to enhance their skills and knowledge, ultimately improving neonatal outcomes.

The Bonnycastle Fellowship for Wetland and Waterfowl Research supports graduate students in advancing conservation efforts. Offered by Ducks Unlimited, this fellowship provides up to $17,000 annually for research and personal support. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of research originality, ecological contributions, and feasibility. It is open to all North American graduate students, with a preference for doctoral candidates. The award is renewable for PhD students up to two years, and once for Master's students, contingent on satisfactory progress.

The 2025-2026 Kickstart Kids Grant Program, provided by the Texas Education Agency, aims to support martial arts initiatives that foster character and life skills in middle and high school students. This program includes specific guidelines for funding, such as limiting direct administrative costs to 15% of the award and requiring detailed expenditure reporting. Eligible applicants are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines to ensure effective use of funds.

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

The Donald W. and Glennis A. Kaufman Research Award supports ecological research in the Great Plains and Canada Prairie Provinces, focusing on native mammals, especially rodents and shrews. Offered by the American Society of Mammalogists, this annual $2,500 award is available to graduate students (master's or Ph.D.) from any nationality. Applications are open to those enrolled in relevant programs, promoting vital research in these unique ecosystems.

The Tocker Foundation, established in 1964, focuses on enhancing the educational opportunities for rural librarians in Texas. Through the Texas Library Association (TLA) Travel Stipend, the foundation supports library staff from communities with populations of 12,000 or less to attend the TLA's annual conference. This initiative allows librarians to gain valuable insights, network with peers, and enrich their professional development, ultimately benefiting their local communities.

The ASHRAE Houston Chapter RO Hunton Scholarship supports full-time undergraduate mechanical engineering students at post-secondary institutions in Houston. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or be in the top 30% of their class. The scholarship prioritizes those from institutions with recognized ASHRAE student branches or accredited programs. Re-applications are welcome from former applicants who meet current criteria, ensuring continued support for future engineers in the HVAC&R profession.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant for schools to implement the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2029 academic years. Eligible schools can receive up to $14,000 to cover participation fees and training costs. This grant encourages public, private, and charter schools across the U.S. to enhance their science curriculum, supporting students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Schools must commit to offering specific courses during the grant period to qualify for funding.

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 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.

Humanities Texas

Program Description

The 89th Texas Legislature funds the Humanities Texas Teacher Institute Program to provide training and support to teachers in their first or second year of service in geographic areas with low student achievement on state assessments.

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Inc supports independent medical education to enhance healthcare professional competence and improve patient health outcomes. Their mission is to be a global leader in innovative medical education, focusing on evidence-based activities that address critical gaps in knowledge. By fostering excellence in healthcare, they aim to ensure measurable improvements in performance and patient outcomes across various disease areas.

The Tocker Foundation offers General Library Grants aimed at enhancing library services and programs in rural Texas communities with populations of 12,000 or less. Grants support various initiatives including technology upgrades, collection development, and community outreach. Applications are reviewed biannually by a committee from the Texas Library Association, ensuring that funds are allocated to projects that significantly benefit local patrons. Libraries are encouraged to discuss their proposals in advance to align with funding priorities.

The CHS Foundation supports initiatives that benefit the agriculture industry, focusing on 501c3 organizations within specific states. Their funding is aimed at empowering cooperative growth and sustainable practices. Local projects may also be eligible through the CHS Seeds for Stewardship program. However, funding is not available for individuals, sports teams, or religious groups, ensuring that the support remains directed towards community and cooperative development.

The William & Catherine Bryce Memorial Fund Grant supports charitable, benevolent, religious, or educational institutions, preferably located in Fort Worth, Texas. This grant aims to enhance the community through various initiatives that align with its mission. Interested applicants should refer to the foundation finder for detailed information about the application process and eligibility requirements. This funding opportunity encourages local organizations to apply and contribute positively to their community.

Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (Federal)

IDEA-B Formula provides supplemental resources to help school systems ensure that eligible students (ages 3 through 21) with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education as required by federal statute. 

IDEA-B Preschool: provides supplemental resources to help school systems ensure that eligible students (ages 3 through 5) with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education as required by federal statute.

IDEA-B Discretionary Deaf helps ensure that eligible students (ages 3 through 21) with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education as required by federal statute.

• The grants in the Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (Federal) provide financial assistance to school systems to help them ensure that:
• They identify and provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities who are eligible for special education and related services.
• They protect the rights of students with disabilities and the rights of their parents3
• They design individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the needs of students with disabilities and prepare those students for further education, employment, and independent living.

The Center for Effective Districts, overseen by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance public education by providing technical assistance to district leaders and education service centers. This initiative supports the implementation of the Texas Strategic Leadership program, embedding the Effective District Framework in district planning and performance management. The goal is to improve educational outcomes for all students in Texas by fostering effective district-level strategies and collaboration.

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

2026-2027 Digital Learning Ecosystem RFA

The purpose of the 2026–2027 Digital Learning Ecosystem (DLE) Grant is to support the creation, development, adaptation, management, and maintenance of high-quality online instructional resources for educators and school leaders. The grant also supports the continued enhancement, operation, and optimization of the Digital Learning Ecosystem platform, ensuring a modern, accessible, and user-centered experience that improves content discovery, navigation, and usability.

The DLE Grant provides content strategy and project support throughout the resource development lifecycle, including content planning, instructional resource development, platform integration, public release, and ongoing maintenance. Supported activities may also include the migration of existing resources from TEA-supported platforms, project planning, resource design, media production,marketing, and platform enhancements designed to improve functionality, accessibility, performance, and the overall user experience.

These online resources are intended to enhance instructional practices and support educators across Texas by increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based materials.

Funding

Total funds available for this project $1,500,000.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The T-TESS Appraisal Hub Support project, overseen by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) from 2025 to 2027. This initiative will align the evaluation framework with current educational priorities and address the evolving needs of educators throughout Texas, ensuring that the appraisal process is relevant and effective in improving teaching outcomes.

The Day-End Dough-Nation® Program by Panera Bread exemplifies community generosity through the donation of unsold bakery products to local charities. This impactful initiative supports various organizations that distribute food to those in need, including shelters, health centers, and youth programs. By partnering with thousands of non-profits nationwide, Panera Bread not only reduces food waste but also plays a crucial role in addressing hunger and promoting equality within communities.