Open Grant Cycle: Small Grant Track

Open Grant Cycle: Small Grant Track

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Amount: US $25,000 - US $100,000
Last Updated: September 24, 2025

Summary

The Open Grant Cycle: Small Grant Track invites proposals from organizations serving communities within a 74-county area. The initiative prioritizes collaboration, community perspectives, and systemic change to support underserved populations. Eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized nonprofits with a commitment to local service. This streamlined application process aims to enhance access to funding, fostering nonprofit capacity and impactful projects in focus areas like housing, education, and health equity.

Overview

Open Grant Cycle Proposals were welcomed from organizations serving communities within our 74-county service area. Applications selected for funding will align to priorities within each focus area as outlined by the Community Investment’s Theories of Change. The Theories of Change will provide clarity and offer potential measures for each focus area with the intent to inform the scope of applications, clearly communicate MHM priorities, and ultimately result in a more efficient and transparent process for grant. What We Look For: In alignment with MHM’s Funding Philosophy, Community Investments strives to be transparent and accessible, providing prospective partners with a clear understanding of how our grants can support their goals. We recognize and appreciate the time and effort required to prepare an application. While not an exhaustive list, we give priority to proposals that demonstrate: Collaboration:We believe that best work is done together, and impact is greater with collaboration. We seek partners who are active participants in local collective efforts and deeply engaged in their communities.Community Perspectives: We value the insights and deep personal knowledge that residents with lived experience bring to programs and organizations. We look for partners and programs that intentionally incorporate the voices of those closest to the communities we serve in their organizational decision-making processes.Serving the Least Served: Our priority is to support MHM’s mission to serve economically disadvantaged, geographically under-served, and historically disenfranchised populations.Systemic Change: We recognize that disrupting the complex cycle of intergenerational poverty requires a combination of solutions and an integrated approach. We seek programs that address the root causes of health inequities. Focus Areas Access to CareAccess to Care - Behavior and Mental HealthDigital EquityEducation and Workforce DevelopmentFood SecurityHousing Open Cycle Application Tracks New for 2026, for our rural counties and applicants in the J, K, and L Areas of Strategic Opportunity, MHM Community Investments is pleased to introduce a small grant track with streamlined application and reporting requirements in addition to our standard track from previous grant cycles. Organizations eligible for both a Small and Standard grant may submit only one application under either the Small grants or Standard grants application track. We hope this opportunity will increase access to MHM grant funding for smaller and developing organizations and build nonprofit capacity in our 74-county region.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To apply, an applicant must:  Be recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)3 organization or other tax-exempt entity.  Have a 501(c)3 or tax-exempt status for at least one year or have a fiscal sponsor that has.  Provide services within at least one of MHM’s 74 service counties. Previous grantees must be in good standing, which means: No significant unspent grant funds at the end of the grant period Strong overall organizational financial and programmatic standingTo be eligible for funding, organizations must comply with all applicable local, state and federal anti-discrimination laws in hiring, employment practices and service provision.  Geographic Priorities:MHM will award approximately $5M through the 2026 Open Grant Cycle.In reviewing applications, MHM has a strong preference for requests that:Align with our six Focus Areas Serve at least one of MHM’s priority zip codes in Bexar County   Bexar County MHM has identified 13 priority zip codes within Bexar County.For the 2026 Open Grant Cycle, MHM will only consider requests addressing the Housing or Education & Workforce Development focus areas and serving one or more of the 13 priority zip codes.MHM’s priority Bexar County zip codes include:78201782047820778211782147821778221782227822478225782267822878237 Grant Types:MHM will fund three grant types:  Project/ProgramSupport for establishing, sustaining new or existing programs or projects. To include capacity building or capital line item, add it to the project budget template. May include: Capacity building costs (up to 20% of the total grant request) Capital/renovation line item (up to 50% of the total grant request) CapitalSupport for facilities or infrastructure that enable organizations to acquire, construct, or renovate physical assets that contribute to long-term sustainability. Capacity BuildingSupport for strengthening organizational competencies, strategies, systems, and structures that improve effectiveness and contribute to long-term sustainability.  General operating (unrestricted)  For the 2026 Open Grant Cycle, two application tracks will be offered. Applicants may request funding through either track to support any of the grant types listed above. Organization Budget Size Under $1M (annual request not to exceed 20% of org budget​) Grant Period:Single year funding only

Ineligibility

MHM will not consider requests that serve county-wide or requests within other focus areas. MHM does not award grants to organizations that willfully discriminate against any particular class of individuals. Organizations with an existing multi-year or renewal Community Investments grant for 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2026 grant cycleCapacity-building grant type do not cover capital costs or project/program expenses, such as program staff roles.Capital grants do not include program/project or capacity building expenses. MHM will not fund:Endowments Financial deficits or debt reduction Fundraising events Requests from individuals for scholarshipsInsurance (unless for a capacity building or capital grant) Land Legal fees(litigation related) Lobbying on behalf of a political candidate