Coastal Bend Community Foundation Grant

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.

NOTE: Please contact us to verify eligibility before submitting a grant application, regardless of the location of the organization.
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.
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

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.