Waco Foundation: Program/Operating Support Grants

Waco Foundation: Program/Operating Support Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Waco Foundation
Last Updated: November 17, 2025

Summary

The Waco Foundation offers Program/Operating Support Grants aimed at 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving McLennan County, Texas. These grants support initiatives that address root causes of community challenges, focusing on equitable outcomes and enhancing local nonprofits' impact. Established in 1958, the foundation manages over $100 million in charitable assets and prioritizes projects that foster collaboration, improve quality of life, and support vulnerable populations. Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry to initiate the application process.

Overview

NOTE: The first step in applying for a program/operating support grant, is to submit an electronic Letter of Inquiry (LOI) the questions offered within. The LOI provides the Foundation with an overview of your funding request. If the Board determines that your project falls within our funding guidelines and priorities, you will be invited to submit a full grant proposal. A copy of those questions will be provided to you at that time. Mission & History The mission of Waco Foundation is to promote solutions to community challenges, strengthen local nonprofits, engage philanthropists and manage charitable assets in order to improve quality of life in McLennan County. As the community foundation for McLennan County, we focus on the four areas of our mission: Promote solutions to community challenges: We lead, follow and collaborate as needed to provide solutions to community challenges, often partnering with other foundations, nonprofits, individual donors, government, educational and healthcare institutions and the private sector.Strengthen our local nonprofits:We support nonprofits through grants, guidance and fund management, strengthening their ability to make an impact on critical issues in our community both today and in the future. Engage philanthropists:We provide personalized philanthropic advice and services to those interested in making a long-term impact with their giving, with an emphasis on safeguarding charitable intentions. Manage charitable assets:We accept, prudently manage and preserve the value of long-term charitable resources entrusted to our care. Waco Foundation was established in 1958 with a $30,000 gift from R.B. and Edith Heinze Parrot to ensure the vitality and longevity of the Waco community. Today the Foundation manages more $100 million in charitable assets in the form of agency endowments, scholarships and community and donor advised funds, all for the benefit of the community. Waco Foundation Grant-Making Waco Foundation engages in both proactive and responsive grantmaking activities. The proactive grantmaking is largely implemented through staff-led initiatives and the work of select community partners. All grantmaking decisions are based on community-wide impact of improving local quality of life. The competitive grants process was designed to help ensure the Foundation remains inclusive with regard to the causes, concerns and perspectives of area nonprofits, and responsive to the financial challenges they face. Funding Priorities Fostering more racially equitable experiences and outcomes for area residents Helping people leave poverty permanently. As an example, priority will be given to supporting the most focused, cost-effective methods of:Significantly reducing teen pregnancy Significantly increasing graduation rates from high school, technical school, community college and collegeSupporting valuable projects that are:Interesting, unique, and energizing; and which seek to make Waco a vibrant, inclusive and attractive community Considered to be critical components and high priorities of the entire communityIncreasing the capacity of McLennan County’s nonprofit sector and the ability of the community-at-large, to address challenges:Strengthening nonprofit sustainability Helping local organizations collaborate Increasing leadership capacity and pathwaysFunding organizations that provide support and service to our most vulnerable residents – people in poverty, people with disabilities, the elderly, children and youth. Program/Operating Support Grants These grants are intended for agencies whose programs or services give attention to identifying and addressing the root causes of area challenges, including the social drivers or determinants that foster, create or reinforce inequitable outcomes and experiences.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Waco Foundation only grants awards to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that are physically located in and provide services to McLennan County, Texas.

Ineligibility

The Foundation considers the following to be low giving priorities: Annual operating expenses of established agencies including debt reduction or retirement, deficit financing, reducing operating deficits or replenishing resources used to pay for such purposes.Historic preservation.Individuals, except through our educational scholarships.Local, state or national fundraising or awareness activities (including annual fund drives, benefit tickets, event sponsoring and telephone solicitations); Maintenance expenses or maintenance issues created due to deferred maintenance.Medical or scholarly research.Membership fees.Organizations located outside the Waco/McLennan County area even though their project may benefit local residents and communities.Political lobbying or legislative activities.Publications, videos, etc.Religious activities or programs that serve, or appear to serve specific religious groups or denominations. Projects that will serve a broad segment of the general population will be considered on the same basis as proposals from other agencies.Retroactive funding for current projects, programs or equipment.Start-up funding for new organizations.Tax supported entities (e.g. cities, schools).The use of and payment for services of a fiscal agent.