How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in Texas
You're Not Alone in This
If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a dozen things right now—program delivery, donor outreach, volunteer coordination—and now you're trying to figure out how to find grants that actually fit your nonprofit. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you don't have a dedicated grant writer on staff.
Here's the good news: Texas has a lot of grant opportunities. The challenge isn't that funding doesn't exist—it's knowing where to look, what you're eligible for, and how to avoid wasting time on grants that aren't a good match. This guide breaks it all down, step by step, so you can move forward with confidence.
Start with What's Available in Texas
Texas offers grant funding through state agencies, federal programs, and a strong network of private foundations. Here's where to begin:
State Government Grants
Texas eGrants (egrants.gov.texas.gov) is your central hub for state-funded opportunities. It's updated regularly and includes grants across criminal justice, health services, education, arts, and community safety.
Some of the recurring programs you'll see include:
- General Victim Assistance Grant Program
- Specialty Courts Grant Program
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
- Music Educational and Community Programs
- State Crisis Intervention Grant Program
Pro tip: Many state grants align with Texas's fiscal year, so you'll see opportunities listed for FY2025, FY2026, and FY2027. Bookmark the portal and check it monthly—new opportunities pop up throughout the year.
Federal Grants
Don't skip Grants.gov. Federal agencies offer funding for everything from rural health to environmental conservation to youth programs. Use filters to narrow by your cause area and location. Yes, the site can feel clunky, but it's worth the effort—especially for larger awards.
Top Foundations to Know in Texas
Texas is home to some of the most active philanthropic organizations in the country. Here are a few you should know about:
Statewide Funders
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
Focuses on improving outcomes for children living in urban poverty, with an emphasis on education and family economic stability. They fund both locally in Texas and globally.
Moody Foundation
Supports education, health and human services, arts and culture, and environmental projects across Texas. They've been around since 1942 and have deep roots in the state.
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Provides grants to educational institutions, health organizations, human services, and cultural programs—primarily serving Texans. They focus on long-term impact and capacity building.
H-E-B Community Investment Program
If your nonprofit operates in an area served by H-E-B stores, this is a strong match. They fund education, food access, literacy, health, arts, and civic programs in their communities.
Ed Rachal Foundation
Offers support for higher education scholarships, the arts, scientific research, religious organizations, hospitals, and aid for people in need. They're particularly active in South Texas.
Your Grant Search Toolkit
You don't need expensive software to find grants—but having the right tools helps. Here's what's available in Texas:
Free Resources
- Texas eGrants – State funding portal (egrants.gov.texas.gov)
- Grants.gov – Federal grant database
- Candid (formerly Foundation Center) – Offers free profiles and some grant data (southwest.candid.org/dashboard/state/texas/)
- Rural Health Information Hub – Texas-specific funding for rural health programs (ruralhealthinfo.org/states/texas/funding)
- Texas Secretary of State – Guidance on forming and maintaining your nonprofit (sos.state.tx.us)
Paid Tools (Consider If You Need More)
- GrantWatch (texas.grantwatch.com) – Comprehensive listings updated frequently; subscription-based
- Instrumentl (instrumentl.com/browse-grants/texas) – Grant prospecting platform with match scoring and deadline tracking
- The Grantsmanship Center (tgci.com/funding-sources/texas) – Training and funder lists
If you're just getting started, stick with the free tools. You can always upgrade later if your grant volume increases.
Eligibility and What Funders Look For
Most grants in Texas require that your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Beyond that, here's what you need to know:
Texas-Specific Requirements
Texas doesn't require all nonprofits to register with the state, but there are exceptions:
- If you solicit donations by phone (especially for law enforcement, public safety, or veterans causes), you may need to register with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
- Private foundations must file IRS Form 990-PF with the OAG.
- Your nonprofit's certificate of formation is filed with the Texas Secretary of State.
What Funders Typically Ask For
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status
- Mission alignment with the grant's focus area
- Geographic eligibility (some grants are city- or county-specific)
- Organizational budget or revenue size
- Board structure and governance policies
- Financial statements or IRS Form 990
- Program outcomes or impact data
Important: Some grants require that your nonprofit has a physical office location in Texas. If you operate remotely or virtually, read eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
When to Apply
Grant cycles in Texas follow a few patterns:
Seasonal Trends
According to grant data, Q1 (January–March) is the busiest time for deadlines—about 30% of all grant deadlines fall in this window. Plan ahead so you're not scrambling in February.
Fiscal Year Alignment
Many state and foundation grants align with fiscal years. You'll see opportunities open in the fall for funding that starts the following summer or fall. Some grants have rolling deadlines, but most follow an annual cycle.
Pro tip: Set up a simple calendar or spreadsheet to track deadlines. Missing a deadline by even one day usually means waiting a full year to reapply.
Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks
If you're new to grant seeking, here's a realistic plan to get moving:
Week 1: Set Up Your Systems
- Bookmark Texas eGrants, Grants.gov, and Candid
- Create a simple spreadsheet to track grants (columns: funder name, deadline, amount, eligibility, status)
- Gather your core documents: 501(c)(3) letter, mission statement, budget, board list, and most recent Form 990
Week 2: Research and Build Your List
- Search for grants using keywords related to your cause and location (see the list below)
- Read eligibility requirements carefully—don't waste time on grants you don't qualify for
- Identify 5–10 grants that seem like a strong fit
- Note their deadlines and what documents they require
Week 3: Prepare and Prioritize
- Choose 2–3 grants to focus on first (prioritize those with upcoming deadlines or smaller application requirements)
- Draft answers to common questions (e.g. "Describe your mission," "What problem does your program solve?")
- Save these answers in a document you can reuse and adapt for future applications
- Set reminders for deadlines
You don't have to do everything at once. Start small, build momentum, and refine your process as you go.
Search Keywords That Work
When you're searching for grants—whether on Google, Texas eGrants, or a grant database—use specific, targeted keywords. Here are some that work well in Texas:
- "Texas nonprofit grants"
- "grants for [your cause] in Texas" (e.g. "grants for animal rescue in Texas")
- "Dallas nonprofit grants" or "Houston community grants" (use your city)
- "Texas education grants"
- "Texas health and human services funding"
- "grants for small nonprofits in Texas"
- "Texas foundation grants"
- "Texas government grants for nonprofits"
- "grants for Black-led nonprofits in Texas"
- "rural Texas nonprofit funding"
The more specific you are, the better your results will be. Don't just search "grants"—add your location, cause, and population served.
Getting Help When You Need It
You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are some places to turn for support:
- Texas Secretary of State (sos.state.tx.us) – Guidance on nonprofit formation and compliance
- Office of the Attorney General (texasattorneygeneral.gov) – Information on charitable registration and reporting
- Local nonprofit support centers – Many cities have resource hubs that offer free workshops, grant writing help, and peer networks
- The Grantsmanship Center – Offers training programs and resources specifically for grant seekers
If you're feeling stuck, reach out. There are people and organizations in Texas whose job is to help nonprofits like yours succeed.
Final Encouragement
Grant seeking is a skill—and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. You won't win every grant you apply for (no one does), but every application teaches you something. You learn what funders are looking for, how to tell your story more clearly, and which opportunities are worth your time.
Start small. Be strategic. And remember: you're not just filling out forms—you're making a case for the work that matters. Texas has funding available, and your nonprofit deserves a shot at it.
You've got this.
