Kempner Fund: Core Grants: Vibrant Culture

The Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund's Core Grants Program aims to foster Galveston's long-term success, sustainability, and well-being through initiatives that promote vibrant culture. The program supports arts, humanities, and historic preservation, while prioritizing organizations that enhance community identity and economic growth. Eligible applicants include USA-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on benefiting Galveston residents. The Fund values equity and collaboration, making it essential for applicants to align with its mission and values.

NOTE:
Must complete an eligibility screening. Our intention with this Eligibility Screen is to help potential applicants determine if they meet the Kempner Fund's criteria and to assess partnership fit. If your organization is a good candidate for a Kempner Fund grant, you will be guided to our Letter of Interest (LOI) next steps. After submitting the LOI, select applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application and will receive a link to the Kempner Fund’s application portal.
Core Grants Program
The Kempner Fund’s Core Grants Program supports initiatives that align with our mission to enhance Galveston’s long-term success, sustainability, and well-being. Guided by our values and insights from local nonprofits and the community, the program focuses on a select number of key impact areas. Only proposals that meet these specific priorities are eligible for funding, ensuring our support is both targeted and impactful.
Program Area: Vibrant Culture
The Kempner Fund recognizes the transformative power of arts, humanities, historic preservation, and cultural heritage in shaping Galveston's sense of place and fostering commnunity. Through our funding priorities, the Kempner Fund supports and celebrates the city's unique heritage and identity, stimulates economic growth through tourism and creative industries, and promotes understanding and dialogue.
The Kempner Fund prioritizes funding organizations and initiatives focused on the following two key areas:
Sense of Place by preserving Galveston’s cultural and historic identity by funding:Initiatives or organizations that preserve and promote historic preservation, arts, and humanities.Projects that protect and/or amplify untold or under-told stories, ensuring a more complete and inclusive narrative of Galveston’s history and cultural heritage.Supporting Creatives by strengthening Galveston’s creative ecosystem by investing in:Organizations that provide essential services for creatives, including business operations, marketing, legal guidance, technology, and funding support.Initiatives or organizations that cultivate local talent, foster innovation, and enhance economic resilience for both individual creatives and the broader creative sector.Initiatives or organizations that support diverse and underrepresented creatives by providing opportunities and resources to support and promote their work.Initiatives or organizations to promote collaboration among creatives and cultural organizations, building a network of support to sustain Galveston’s vibrant culture.While the Kempner Fund does not provide direct funding to individuals, we encourage creatives to connect with nonprofit partners for opportunities and resources.
Funding
One-Year Grants: $20,000–$75,000Multi-Year Grants: $30,000–$75,000 per year
Grant size ranges are provided as a guideline. Final award amounts will be determined based on the scope of the project, alignment with our program priorities, and available funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: Be a USA-based 501(c)(3) organization Request funding to primarily support or benefit the Galveston, TX community Align with one or more of the Kempner Fund’s program areas in mission or work Share values alignment with the Fund Have and follow term limits for board members and officers Successfully complete the Eligibility Screen and Letter of Interest formCurrently, qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for one grant per year under the Kempner Fund’s Core Grants Program.

Ineligibility

The Kempner Fund does not fund: fundraising events or benefits direct mail solicitations galas or individual memorials grants to individuals grants to non-USA based organizations lobbying efforts, as defined by the IRSgrants for projects or activities aimed at promoting religious beliefs, worship, or doctrinal teachingsThe Kempner Fund will NOT fund activities or organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, natural origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.Organizations cannot apply for a Micro-Grant and funding through the Core Grant Program.Organizations intending to apply for the Navigation Fund Grant and the Core Grant Program must contact the Kempner Fund office.