Coastal Bend Community Foundation Grant

Coastal Bend Community Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Coastal Bend Community Foundation
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: March 06, 2026

Summary

The Coastal Bend Community Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend through community endowment. The foundation awards up to $450,000 in grants annually to nonprofits serving its seven-county area. Grants of up to $10,000 support general operations, while those between $10,001 and $25,000 fund specific programs. Priorities include support for vulnerable populations, arts, education, and health services, focusing on impactful solutions for community challenges.

Overview

NOTE: Please contact us to verify eligibility before submitting a grant application, regardless of the location of the organization. Mission and Vision The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships. The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with: Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishesEffective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to studentsEthical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy Through the Annual Grants process, the Foundation expects to award up to $450,000 in 2024 to nonprofits located within or serving individuals and/or families within its seven-county service area. This year grant writers have two grant opportunities to choose from: A grant up to $10,000 to support general operations. Grant requests for general operations cannot be in excess of $10,000. ORA grant from $10,001 up to $25,000 to support expenses associated with a specific program or project serving vulnerable individuals and/or families. Most grant awards are between $5,000-$10,000. Awards are based on the stated need and the footprint/impact of the project. Priorities In addition to its unrestricted funds, CBCF awards annual grants from funds that support the following: intellectually disabledchildren’s programscultural activitieshistorical and ecological preservation projectsthe elderly Focus Areas As a community foundation, CBCF awards grants in many focus areas that benefit all citizens of the Coastal Bend: Arts and Culture- including performing arts/music programs, museum exhibits/classes Education – including library services, GED and adult literacy, youth programs Environment – including animal welfare, park improvements, conservation Families and Children – including family, youth and elderly programs Health – including medical and patient services programs, diabetes programs Human Services – including counseling, drug programs, food pantries, and shelters Public Good – including disaster relief, housing, and community development Factors that increase funding chances: Practical solutions to community problems Leveraging of additional resources Collaborative efforts that decrease duplications of service Strength and sustainability of both the nonprofit and the program

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible. Also, government and school entities applying for projects outside of their basic/core services are eligible. Regardless of the location of the organization, services must be performed in CBCF’s seven county service area of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties. Grants are awarded for new projects and the continuation of existing projects where there is compelling, documented impact and the project is compatible with the nonprofit’s mission. Requests may include existing personnel, equipment, supplies and other expenses essential to the project.Grants to or for the benefit of a tax-supported college or university must be used solely for direct student support including, but not limited to, student Emergency Funds and Student Food Pantries.

Ineligibility

Low funding priorities include: Start-up funding for new organizations; Publications, videos, etc.; or Projects that stray from the nonprofit’s mission. What requests are typically denied and/or are prohibited spending of CBCF grantsSpecific requests for salary for staffIndirect or overhead costsLarge requests that drastically exceed the typical grant sizeLarge requests where the Foundation is the sole funderAnnual fund drivesUnderwriting/sponsorships for special fundraising eventsAcademic or scientific research projectsReligious activities of religious organizations or programs that require participation in religious activitiesPrivate school scholarships or projects that do not impact the community at largeFunding for individuals, specific schools, school groups, or athletic teamsTravel or transportation expensesOffice, playground or other equipment, unless for efficiency or safetyBrick and mortar projects – new construction, renovations, etc.Applications from Food Pantries other than college or university based will not be accepted during the 2024 Annual Grants process due to the awarding of $375,000 through the 2023 Annual Food Pantry Special Grant in March 2023 to the Coastal Bend Food Bank and the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent benefitting 77 food pantries located across the Foundation’s service area.Applications from animal services organizations will also not be accepted during this year’s Annual Grants process due to a special spay/neuter animal program to People Assisting Animal Control launched in Fall 2022.Salary requests for new employees are generally not considered.