Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

The H-E-B Tournament of Champions Grant, established in 1986, supports organizations benefiting Special Olympics Texas and educational initiatives. Over 37 years, it has raised over $145 million, promoting health, arts, and social services in Texas. Eligible applicants must be valid 501(c)3 non-profits, focusing on specific areas like disaster relief and education, and located near H-E-B regions. This grant fosters community engagement and enhances the quality of life for many Texans.

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation provides grants aimed at enhancing educational and health initiatives for nonprofit organizations in Texas. Established in 1947, the foundation supports programs that align with its mission to serve the people of Texas. Eligibility is restricted to tax-exempt organizations, and applicants must submit a preliminary inquiry before applying. Notably, the foundation does not fund individual projects or events such as school trips and fundraisers.

The EDA Austin FY 2016–FY 2019 Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program aims to bolster regional economic development by providing grants that assist eligible organizations in creating and implementing Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). This initiative seeks to enhance the economic prosperity and resiliency of distressed areas, ultimately fostering job creation for the unemployed and underemployed. It emphasizes partnership planning and supports organizations, including Indian Tribes, in driving effective economic development.

The Summerfield G. Roberts Foundation Trust Grant, established in 1990, supports Texas history education, medical research, and scholarships for graduate studies in business and finance. Managed by Bank of America, the foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that align with its mission to address vital community needs. With an initial corpus of $6 million, it seeks to empower individuals and promote knowledge through various educational initiatives.

The NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program aims to enhance health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. With mining fatalities significantly higher than the national average, this initiative seeks to address critical training needs by developing effective programs, increasing qualified instructors, and ensuring compliance with existing safety guidelines. By focusing on culturally appropriate training methods and collaborative efforts with other agencies, the program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the mining sector.

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.

The Pratt Family Foundation Grant, established in 1999, supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and community welfare. It prioritizes organizations that aid housing assistance, support for women in crisis, and disadvantaged youth programs, particularly in North Carolina. The Foundation favors established religious and charitable organizations that are tax-exempt and have a local presence. Preference is given to areas connected to the Pratt family, such as Texas and Florida, ensuring impactful contributions to community development.

2026-2027 ESC Special Education Liaison Grant

Program Description

The main goal of the Special Education Liaison Grant is to improve outcomes of students receiving special education services through the provision of timely, targeted program support for school systems. This grant provides positions that integrate and align Texas Education Agency (TEA) initiatives and expectations for school systems.

Staff funded through this grant are expected to travel both within their assigned Education Service Center (ESC) region and across ESC regions as needed to effectively support program implementation and the broader statewide initiative. This includes on-site support, regional convenings, and cross-region collaboration during TEA-designated Professional Learning Community (PLC) weeks to ensure alignment and consistency of services.

Grant-funded staff must actively collaborate with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to meet all program requirements and performance measures. In addition, there is an expectation to engage in and contribute to statewide collaboration efforts among Education Service Center Special Education (SPED) Liaisons, Strategic Integration Liaisons (SILs), and SIL Coaches. This collaboration is essential to ensuring shared learning, coordinated implementation, and continuous improvement across the state.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding above $25,000 to support health equity initiatives across North America. Founded in 1943, its mission focuses on removing barriers to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with strategic pillars: reducing cancer burdens, preparing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing crisis response. Eligible organizations include national and local nonprofits. Funding is limited to specific regions and assessed based on demonstrated need and expected impact.

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 Tree Campus Higher Education Program, initiated by the National Arbor Day Foundation, encourages colleges to foster green environments by recognizing their commitment to tree care and community forestry. By adhering to five standards, campuses can enhance energy efficiency, combat climate change, and promote mental health among students. Participation not only beautifies campuses but also instills pride in students and staff, making the college experience more enriching and sustainable.

Special Education Leadership Impact Series

The Special Education Leadership Impact Series will empower Texas school and district leaders, beginning with Special Education Directors, to implement special education requirements with fidelity and to build sustainable systems that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Anchored in the Special Education Performance Diagnostic (SPD) framework, the series provides flexible, scalable content (self-paced asynchronous courses, facilitation decks, and real-world application activities) developed through iterative, stakeholder engaged cycles. 

Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

The program will engage internal TEA teams, Education Service Center (ESC) Liaisons, and district/campus leaders to gather feedback during content development. This collaborative approach ensures relevance and alignment with TEA initiatives. The project prioritizes alignment with TEA resources, leverage existing content, and mitigate risk through staggered rollouts outlined by landscape analysis. Participating districts will demonstrate measurable improvements in compliance practices, data literacy, program quality, and leadership capacity.

Across Texas, district leaders face increasing expectations to ensure compliance with IDEA and state requirements while simultaneously improving academic and behavioral outcomes for students with disabilities.

• Total Funding Available $425,000.00 

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Texas provide essential funding to qualified organizations for local self-help housing projects. This initiative supports very-low- and low-income families in constructing their own homes, fostering community collaboration. Eligible organizations include government non-profits and federally recognized tribes, while funds cannot be used for direct construction labor or purchasing property. This program plays a vital role in enhancing housing options in rural areas.

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.

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.

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 Women’s Fund Grant, initiated by the Austin Community Foundation in 2004, has become a significant driver of change for women and children in Central Texas. With over $4 million granted to more than 100 nonprofits, it aims to address critical issues such as housing, child care, education, unintended pregnancy prevention, and women's health. In 2024, the Fund will celebrate its 20th anniversary and continue its mission of empowering communities through strategic funding and collaboration.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

Quality Improvement Grant Request for Proposals

Optimizing Maternal RSV Immunization Delivery: A Systems-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Uptake, Equity, and Newborn Outcomes

Pfizer, in collaboration with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support independent Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives focused on advancing maternal immunization, with a specific emphasis on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy.

This initiative builds upon insights generated from the Maternal Immunization Needs Assessment (MINA) project, a multi-stakeholder collaboration that identified persistent clinical, behavioral, and system-level gaps in the delivery and uptake of maternal vaccines.

We seek to fund projects that implement measurable, evidence-based interventions to improve real-world delivery of maternal RSV immunization across healthcare systems and care settings. Proposed initiatives should aim to optimize access, strengthen provider–patient communication training and tools, enhance care coordination, and address structural and behavioral barriers impacting vaccine uptake and equity.

Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies. Pfizer’s GMG competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a specific area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an expert review panel (ERP) to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the specific gaps in clinical practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP.

For all QI grants, the applicant (and ultimately the grantee) will be solely responsible for the design, implementation, and conduct of the proposed initiative. Pfizer will have no involvement in project development, execution, or outcomes.

The Luling Foundation offers a one-time $1,000 Trade/Vocational Scholarship Grant to support students in Caldwell, Gonzales, and Guadalupe Counties pursuing vocational training. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a high school diploma, and maintain good academic and conduct records. This scholarship aims to promote education in trade skills, providing financial assistance for students beginning their vocational studies in the fall semester.

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.

2026-2027 ESC Texas Instructional Leadership (TIL) Mentorship Grant

Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

The purpose of this grant is to provide for ESC-to-ESC mentorship with regards to ESCs’ efforts to implement Texas Instructional Leadership (TIL) training in their regions for the benefit of campuses and school systems participating in school improvement activities. The participating ESC will provide yearlong guidance, training, and coaching to other ESCs to support building, developing, and deploying their TIL teams. One ESC will receive grant funds to provide mentorship support to nineteen other ESCs.

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 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.

ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant 

Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

Title I, Part A, provides supplemental resources to school systems to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families provide high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the challenging state academic standards. Title I, Part A, supports campuses in implementing either a schoolwide program (SWP) or a targeted assistance program (TAP).

Campuses operating a SWP must conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and develop a Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) with the involvement of parents, other members of the community and individuals including teachers, principals, other school leaders, paraprofessionals, administrators, the school system, and to the extent feasible, tribes and tribal organizations present in the community, and, if appropriate, specialized instructional support personnel, technical assistance providers, school staff, and if the plan relates to a secondary school, students, and other individuals determined by the school, who will carry out such plan. The plan must ensure all students are provided opportunities to meet the challenging State academic standards and be regularly evaluated and revised as necessary based on student needs as described in Section 1114, Schoolwide Programs.

Campuses operating a TAP will determine which students will be served on the basis of multiple, educationally related, objective criteria established by the school system and serve participating students as described in Section 1115, Targeted Assistance Schools.

The Corning Nonprofit Grants program supports community-based initiatives in education, human services, and culture. Eligible nonprofits that align with our criteria may apply for funding on a rolling basis. The application window for invited organizations runs from February 10 to September 15. We emphasize local impact within a 20-mile radius of Corning, NY, ensuring that our contributions foster collective growth and engagement in the community.