Kempner Fund: Micro-Grants
Funding Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round
- Tracked since
- April 2026
From the program guidelines: “Micro-Grants applications are accepted year-round but are considered for funding three (3) times per year.”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Size & budget
- Annual budgets below $500,000
- An annual budget under $500,000
Required status
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: Be an organization five years old or younger or have an annual budget under $500,000Hold a current 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor fiscal sponsors will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Other requirements
- Ensure that the funding primarily supports or benefits the Galveston, TX community.
- Align with one or more of the Kempner Fund’s program areas Share values alignment with the Fund The requested funding must be $5,000 or less.
- Organizations are eligible for 1 Micro Grant a year; for up to 2 consecutive years.
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: 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,…
- Not eligible: Activities or organizations that discriminate based on race
- Not eligible: Ethnicity
- Not eligible: Color
- Not eligible: Religion
- Not eligible: Sex
- Not eligible: Natural origin
- Not eligible: Immigration status
- Not eligible: Age
- Not eligible: Disability
- Not eligible: Sexual orientation
- Not eligible: Gender identity
Overview
The Kempner Fund's Micro-Grants Program aims to empower new and smaller non-profit organizations in Galveston by providing seed funding of up to $5,000. This program is designed for organizations that are five years old or younger or have annual budgets below $500,000. It focuses on community-based solutions and innovative ideas to create a meaningful impact in the local area, ensuring that funding primarily supports the Galveston community.
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 passes the eligibility screening, you will be invited to complete the short application. Micro-Grants applications are accepted year-round but are considered for funding three (3) times per year. See Deadlines above.
Micro-Grants Program
This funding supports organizations as they build capacity and develop and deliver programs aimed at creating meaningful impact in the Galveston community.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: Be an organization five years old or younger or have an annual budget under $500,000Hold a current 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor fiscal sponsors will be considered on a case-by-case basisEnsure that the funding primarily supports or benefits the Galveston, TX communityAlign with one or more of the Kempner Fund’s program areas Share values alignment with the Fund The requested funding must be $5,000 or lessOrganizations are eligible for 1 Micro Grant a year; for up to 2 consecutive years.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.What Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 167
- Total given
- $2.77M
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Range
- $156–$352K
- By dollars: Texas 93%, New York 2%, California 1%. Top recipient cities: Galveston, TX; Houston, TX; New York, NY.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 31% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
The University of Texas Medical Branch · Galveston, TX
Assist 501(c)(3) organization
$352K
Vision Galveston · Galveston, TX
Assist 501(c)(3) organization
$147K
Teen Health Center Inc · Galveston, TX
Assist 501(c)(3) organization
$143K
Family Service Center of Galveston County · Galveston, TX
Assist 501(c)(3) organization
$142K
St Vincent's House · Galveston, TX
Assist 501(c)(3) organization
$115K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Seed grants
- Small grants
Categories
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