Texas Rural Grant Program

Texas Rural Communities, Inc. (TRC) makes grants to fund community programs in rural areas that advance community development, including but not limited to environmental, economic or educational programs for the benefit of rural communities.

Mission: TRC makes a long-term commitment to assisting rural communities, individuals, groups and support organizations in creating, sustaining and enabling self-sufficient, viable rural development enterprises that improve or maintain the quality of rural life.

Funding Details

• Total Available: Up to $88,278 total in grants (may award up to $81,000 at discretion of TRC Grant Committee)
• Average Award: $3,000
• Maximum Award: $10,000 per organization
• Total Pool: Numerous awards not to exceed $88,278

Geographic Scope

• Service Area: Rural communities in Texas
• Rural Definition: All territory that is not within the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of any city having a population of one hundred thousand or more

Focus Areas

• Community development programs
• Environmental programs
• Economic development programs
• Educational programs
• Sustainable programs serving rural communities
• New or existing programs that benefit local community or economy

Eligibility Requirements

• Organization Type: 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Community Based Organizations
• Affiliation: Not affiliated with governmental or quasi-governmental organizations
• Alternative: Organizations without 501(c)(3) status must have a non-governmental sponsor organization that maintains appropriate tax status and provide letter of support from President/Chair of sponsoring organization
• Organizational History: Organization must have been in existence for at least one year
• Governance: Must have established Board of Directors
• Financial Documentation: Must have current budget, balance sheet, and income/expense statement

What Will NOT Be Funded

• Building construction
• Personnel/staff costs
• New building construction

Application Deadline

• Postmark Deadline: November 7, 2025
• Notification Date: Finalists notified by approximately March 31, 2026

Application Process

Submission Method: Applications must be mailed (unstapled) to the organization. Applications submitted by fax or email will not be accepted.

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked no later than November 7, 2025.

Application Format Requirements

• Maximum of 5 pages, single-spaced in size 12 font
• Must be submitted in specified format by section number
• DO NOT STAPLE application or place in a binder
• All applications must include:
- Cover letter on organization letterhead (signed by CEO or board president) - One-page summary of proposal (including amount requested and contact information) - 5-page application following the sections below

Required Application Sections

Program Summary (1 page maximum)

Overview of grant request including amount requested

Brief program description

Community and/or constituency served

Expected outcomes

Section I: Contact Information

Name, mailing address, telephone number, and email of contact person

Organization name and street address (if different from mailing address)

Tax ID Number

Copy of IRS Determination Letter

Section II: Organizational Description

Brief overview of organization

Mission and purpose

Short history

Major accomplishments

Section III: Program Description

Community and/or constituency needs addressed by program

How need was identified

Brief program description

Primary goals

How goals will be accomplished

Description of program participants or beneficiaries

Target age group, ethnic background, or income level (if applicable)

Number of people to be served

Unique or innovative aspects

Whether program is a model for other communities

How program success will be communicated to other communities

Detailed budget for proposed project

- Specific use of grant funds requested
- One-page profit/loss statement
- Prior fiscal year budget for organization

Flexibility statement: Will you accept a smaller grant if full amount cannot be funded?

Expected outcomes and accomplishments

How outcomes will be measured

Timeline for project and expenditure of grant funds

If organization received TRC grant in preceding two years: report timeline, outcomes, and financial expenditures

Required Attachments

1. Cover letter on organization letterhead, signed by CEO or board president
- If sponsor organization required: include letter from sponsoring President/Chair
2. Program summary (1 page maximum, including amount requested)
3. Grant application (5 pages maximum, 12-point font, unstapled)
4. List of organization's Board of Directors with contact information and occupation
5. IRS Determination Letter
6. Current fiscal year budget, balance sheet, 1-page profit/loss statement
7. Two letters of recommendation

Submission Address

Texas Rural Communities, Inc.
168 Cimarron Park Loop
Buda, Texas 78610
www.texasrural.org

Important Notes

• TRC reserves the right to publish applications and/or project descriptions on its website, even if the project is not selected
• TRC reserves the right to defer funding to the following year if applications do not meet criteria
• Applicants will be notified if they are finalists by approximately March 31, 2026