Best Public Policy Grants in Texas

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in Texas running civic education, public policy, or democracy-focused programs can apply for the Sumners Foundation Grant to support direct programming costs. Hatton W Sumners Foundation funds initiatives like civic engagement activities, teacher training on founding documents, and youth or leadership programs on American democratic self-government.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities and public entities serving Texans can apply for Meadows Foundation grants to support programs and projects in areas like civic and public affairs, civic leadership, and public systems. Organizations working on public policy-related initiatives in Texas, including capacity-building and community infrastructure, may be competitive, with proposals accepted once every 12 months.

With a mission to help build stronger communities, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation provides Texas public charities and government units with funding for education, STEM learning, and environmental stewardship. Organizations in Texas communities where Vulcan operates, especially those partnering with public schools or advancing science, engineering, or environmental understanding, may be competitive applicants, including programs touching public policy on sustainability and development.

Nonprofit public charities serving adults with workforce development or small business support programs in Texas can seek more than US $15,000 to advance economic mobility and entrepreneurship. With a mission to strengthen adult career pathways and diverse small businesses, Truist Foundation provides U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with project-focused funding rather than general operating support.

The Robert C. Seamans, Jr. Fellowship in Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School supports students excelling in research and management at the intersection of technology and public policy. This fellowship fosters future leadership in these critical areas, ensuring a commitment to addressing pressing public challenges. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, as the program is designed to promote inclusivity and recognizes the importance of varied perspectives in policy-making.

The Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarship at Harvard Kennedy School is designed for alumni of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute. This scholarship aims to support both U.S. and international students by considering merit and financial need. Harvard Kennedy School is committed to fostering leadership and public policy expertise, making a significant impact on global societal issues. Recipients must have participated in the PPIA program to be eligible for this limited funding.

The Margaret Traub and Phyllis Dicker LGBT+ Graduate Fellowship, offered by the Harvard Kennedy School, supports students committed to issues affecting the LGBT+ community. This fellowship emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in public policy and leadership, aligning with Harvard's mission to foster a just and prosperous society. It is accessible to both U.S. and international students, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and merit-based funding.

Focused on public policy education, Harvard Kennedy School invites Texas and other U.S. students to apply for Kennedy Fellowships and Presidential Scholarships supporting graduate study in public policy and related fields. Awards are based on both merit and financial need, with some funding tied to area of study or region.

Prospective or current MPP students focused on public policy and international affairs can apply for Harvard Kennedy School’s John Berger Fellowship, supporting graduates of Harvard College. Eligible students intending careers in U.S. or international institutions may benefit, including those from Texas planning to work on public policy and international issues.

Texas graduate students pursuing public policy, science, or technology studies can access funding through Harvard Kennedy School’s Charles Edison Fund Fellowship to support advanced education and research. This fellowship helps extend the scope and impact of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program for both U.S. and international students focused on public problem-solving.

Nonprofits and educational institutions working on food system public policy, farmed animal protection, or food systems transformation in Texas and beyond can apply for grants of US $2,500 - US $10,000. Grants from Stray Dog Institute help 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups advance sustainable agriculture, justice, and supply-side, systems-focused advocacy and research.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in film, television, acting, or theater who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 for their studies. Focused on media and public policy impact, Islamic Scholarship Fund invites Texas students and others nationwide to apply for support that advances positive American Muslim representation.

Texas law students in the Muslim community interning with state or federal judges can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s Judicial Internship Scholarship. This U.S.-wide program provides a US $3,000 stipend for 1L and 2L students in unpaid, 8-week judicial internships, helping build skills for public interest and public policy law careers.

Texas law and public policy students committed to improving access to justice for Muslims in America can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients enrolled full-time (or working full-time in an ISF-supported field and studying part-time) as seniors or 1L–3L students may receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 scholarships.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities and research institutions working on pollinator health, sustainable agriculture, and related public policy in Texas can seek funding for research, advocacy, and education projects. One Hive Foundation provides up to US $75,000 for initiatives linking science, policy, and community engagement, including work replicated across the U.S. and Canada.

Nonprofit and academic institutions working on U.S.-Japan public policy and related exchanges in Texas can apply for support to run research, education, public affairs, and exchange programs. The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission funds institutional projects in arts and culture, education and public affairs, exchanges and scholarship, and global challenges that deepen U.S.-Japan understanding.

Nonprofit organizations working on early childhood development, preschool education, literacy, or policy advocacy can apply for funding up to US $20,000 to support children ages 0–5. Grants from Ohio Children’s Foundation help Texas public policy and early learning initiatives that serve at-risk children and families, including innovative pilots and established programs focused on school readiness.

Public policy PhD scientists across the U.S., including Texas, can apply for a one-year Congressional science fellowship to work on Capitol Hill using expertise in agronomy, crop, soil, or related fields. Grants from Crop Science Society of America help fellows engage directly with federal policy through congressional staff placements and structured policy orientations.

Researchers and research institutions conducting quasi-experimental evaluations of social programs and policies in Texas can seek support for rigorous causal studies from Arnold Ventures. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based policy, Arnold Ventures provides funding for work in areas like public policy, higher education, workforce training, infrastructure, and reproductive health across the U.S.

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, supports future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy, and health care fields. With 55 scholarships of $7,000 each expected in 2025, this highly competitive program requires students to participate in their schools' internal competitions. Scholars benefit from networking opportunities and access to the Udall Alumni Network, fostering collaboration and growth in their respective fields.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking funding opportunity aims to support comprehensive research and evaluation projects. It focuses on preventing human trafficking, assessing the impact of federal policies, and enhancing services for victims. This initiative, led by the National Institute of Justice in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime, seeks to generate insights that can inform better responses to human trafficking in the U.S.

The SMART FY26 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program aims to enhance sex offender registration and notification practices across jurisdictions in the U.S. By supporting the implementation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), this grant facilitates the establishment of comprehensive sex offender registries, ensuring that states, territories, and federally recognized tribes comply with federal standards. This initiative also promotes interjurisdictional information exchange and helps maintain public safety.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Justice System Responses to Illegal Immigration invites proposals for impactful research on the adult criminal justice system's response to illegal immigration. This initiative aims to explore innovative solutions and evaluate their effectiveness across various jurisdictions, focusing on challenges like location, apprehension, and crime prevention. By fostering collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, the program seeks to enhance strategies that address illegal immigration effectively.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.

Grant Guidelines

To advance its mission to build a responsible and equitable technology ecosystem, the Kapor Foundation makes strategic grants across three focus areas: (1) Computing Education, (2) Innovation, and (3) Governance.

Within each focus area, we fund research on critical topics at the intersection of racial equity and tech, capacity-building that strengthens coalitions and movement-building infrastructure, and policy advocacy that drives systemic change.

Funding Priorities

We fund organizations and initiatives aligned with our core focus areas:

Given advances in Al, a new vision of education is urgently needed — one that ensures students are equipped with the technical skills to build emerging technologies and the critical skills to navigate their socio-technical implications. We fund computing education initiatives across K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways that expand computing participation at scale, shift policy to ensure equitable access, and expand the pipeline of educators prepared to teach computing.

2. 

Al is being designed, developed, and deployed rapidly, yet the communities most affected by its impacts are largely excluded from its creation and subsequent economic benefits. We support organizations and individuals that build responsible Al technologies, leverage technology to close gaps in access and opportunity, and invest in initiatives and coalitions that advance responsible Al in the entrepreneurship and venture capital ecosystems.

3.

As Al adoption accelerates, bolder approaches to regulation are necessary to protect marginalized communities from technological harm, expand economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of technology reach everyone. We support efforts that build awareness of key policy issues, develop policy agendas, and mobilize coalitions.

For 2026, our priority advocacy areas are: 1) computing education, 2) algorithmic bias, 3) Al safeguards for children, 4) data center development, and 5) surveillance and civil rights.