Foundations that fund environmental groups in Texas
These 25 foundations made grants to environmental groups in Texas in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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John P Mcgovern Foundation
- $1,000,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Program Support
- $500,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Dr Jack Train Engine
- $160,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Japanese Garden; Evening in the Park;Hats in the Park Luncheon; Ongoing Reforestation...
How to apply: Applicants should submit requests which include a letter describing the need or grant request, verification of 501(c)3 status, a list of the Board of Directors and the annual budget.
Deadlines: No submission deadline
Restrictions: The Foundation is focused on supporting nonprofit organizations that promote health, the arts and the enhancement to and preservation of the environment.
The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation
- $300,000 to Texas Agricultural Land Trust, San Antonio: To Secure and Share Land Legacies and Advocate for Private Lands Through the Texas Land...
- $210,000 to Hill Country Alliance, Austin: To build tools and networks for a more resilient Hill Country
- $157,000 to Hill Country Alliance, Austin: To launch the Conservation Accelerator Project for the Hill Country
How to apply: Grant inquiries and grant funding requests are made through the Foundation's website, www.cgmf.org.
Restrictions: The Foundation accepts grant requests that focus on the following initiatives: water, clean energy, sustainability science, shale sustainability, and land conservation.
The Susan Vaughan Foundation Inc
- $50,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: For general operating support and hurricane beryl relief
- $25,000 to Great Springs Project Inc, Austin: For general operating support
- $25,000 to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Houston: For general operating support
How to apply: Applications are in Letter Form
Union Pacific Foundation
- $20,000 to Keep Texas Beautiful Inc, Austin: Develop environmental stewards
- $15,000 to Keep Victoria Beautiful, Victoria: Waste reduction
- $10,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: Arts and culture
How to apply: Grant application available online during specific periods.
Deadlines: May 31, 2025 for 2025 applications.
Restrictions: The foundation administers the philanthropic program of union pacific corporation and union pacific railroad company. Grants are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in union pacific communities that best align with the...
Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
- $25,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Towards support of the forestry program.
- $20,000 to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Houston: Towards support of general operations.
- $10,000 to Galveston Bay Foundation, Kemah: Towards support of environmental stem education program.
How to apply: Amt requested, charitable purpose & tax exempt status of requesting organization.
Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundat A0479800
- $20,000 to Terra Advocati Inc, San Antonio: Unrestricted grant
- $15,000 to Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas, Dallas: Unrestricted grant
- $7,500 to Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance Inc, San Antonio: Unrestricted grant
How to apply: 1) the request for the grant should be received on the organizations letterhead and signed by a member of their board of directors or an officer of the organization.
Deadlines: September 15th of each year.
Restrictions: Grants are restricted to organizations whose charitable purposes shall be limited to and shall include only medical, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational
The Tapeats Fund
- $5,000 to Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas Inc, Dallas: General & Unrestricted
- $5,000 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston: General & Unrestricted
- $5,000 to Houston Wilderness Inc, Houston: General & Unrestricted
How to apply: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Deadlines: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Restrictions: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Vivian L Smith Foundation
- $25,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: Funds to be used for program support
- $25,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Support annual activities, programs and services
- $10,000 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston: Support the fall 2024 / winter 2025 programming
How to apply: No specific form required. Applicants must specify purpose and include proof that they are qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) organizations.
Deadlines: Grants must be submitted by feb 15,may 15,aug 15,and oct 25 preceding the quarterly meetings.
Restrictions: The foundation does not make grants to individuals. All recipients must be qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2), or (3) organizations. There are no restrictions to geographical areas or charitable fields.
The John M O'quinn Foundation
- $200,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: To support play your park campaign
- $200,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: To support play your park campaign
- $75,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: To support operations
How to apply: The filing names a contact. Use the filings link above.
Deadlines: Please visit www.oquinnfoundation.org for detailed submission deadlines
Restrictions: Grant requests will be considered only from (1) tax exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code (the "code") and further classified as a public charity, that is, an organization which is not a "private...
The Bill M and Cecile Autrey Ham Charitable Foundation
- $25,000 to Hill Country Alliance, Austin: General operations
- $25,000 to Coastal Conservation Association, Houston: General operations
- $20,000 to Hill Country Conservancy, Austin: General operations
How to apply: By written solicitation
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) organization
Strake Foundation
- $10,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: The Houston Botanic Garden, a living museum and outdoor classroom in the kcitys...
- $7,500 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston: Revitalizing and Activating Buffalo Bayou
- $5,000 to Galveston Bay Foundation, Kemah: Galveston Bay Foundations Annual Guardian of the Bay Awards Celebration
How to apply: Grant applications are processed online. To receive the link to the portal send email to foundationstrake.org.
Deadlines: No deadlines
Restrictions: Maximum of 1 grant application / calendar year, emphasis is local to houston, 501c3 organizations. Primary giving categories are catholic institutions, youth education high school and above, womens health pro life, free markets and...
The Elkins Foundation
- $500,000 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston: In support of the buffalo bayou east project
- $100,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: In support of the play your park campaign
- $50,000 to Urban Harvest, Houston: In support of the urban harvest mobile farmers markets
How to apply: Submitted online stating purpose of request
Deadlines: June 30
Restrictions: Generally limited to houston area for charitable, religious, scientific & educational purposes
Fidelity Foundation
- $300,000 to Armand Bayou Nature Center, Pasadena: Land / building acquisition
- $250,000 to Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Houston: Construction
- $5,000 to Great Hearts America-Texas, San Antonio: Fidelity matching gifts to education
How to apply: Https://www.fidelityfoundation.org/applying-and-reporting/letter-of-inquiry/
Restrictions: Http://www.fidelityfoundation.org/grantmaking-guidelines/
James A Buddy Davidson Charitable Foundation
- $50,000 to Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, Round Mountain: Supplies, equip repair, atv main
- $50,000 to Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, Round Mountain: Payment to endowment establishment
- $30,000 to Hill Country Conservancy, Austin: Nature education program stewardship
How to apply: Complete internal grant application with description of their organization detailing what they do and who they support.
Restrictions: Prefer texas organizations
Sterling-Turner Foundation
- $50,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: General support
- $30,000 to Memorial Park Conservancy, Houston: General support
- $30,000 to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Houston: General support
How to apply: Application forms and instructions on the Sterling-Turner Foundation website.
Deadlines: Requests are accepted typically from August of the prior year until February 15th by 5pm.
Restrictions: Awards are limited to Texas public charities which are exempt under 501(c)(3). The charities must be within certain geographic boundaries.
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $35,000 to Metropolitan Partnership for Energy, San Antonio: Build san antonio green
- $25,000 to Greenspace Dallas, Dallas: Trinity river crew
- $25,000 to Gardopia Gardens, San Antonio: Triple bottom line sustainability community awareness
How to apply: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Deadlines: Applications are accepted from february 1 through october 1.
Restrictions: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Alvin & Lucy Owsley Foundation
- $10,000 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston: Contribution to the general operating fund to enable them to fulfill their charitable...
- $10,000 to Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston: Contribution to the general operating fund to enable them to fulfill their charitable...
- $5,000 to Galveston Bay Foundation, Kemah: Contribution to the general operating fund to enable them to fulfill their charitable...
How to apply: Letter - no more than two pages and no enclosures
Restrictions: Texas only
Ed Rachal Foundation
- $65,000 to Matagorda Bay Foundation, Brazoria: General operations
- $15,000 to Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation, Houston: Program support
- $10,000 to Devils River Conservancy, Austin: General operations
How to apply: See foundation website: www.edrachal.org for guidelines and application. Available upon request.
Deadlines: No submission deadlines
Restrictions: Grants limited geographically to the state of texas.
Dr Leon Bromberg Charitable Trust
- $15,000 to Artist Boat, Galveston: Grant for third kayak fleet
- $5,000 to Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, Galveston: Grant for support of featherfest
- $5,000 to Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, Galveston: Grant for straightening and restaking of trees on broadway
How to apply: Grants guidelines are available on the trusts website, brombergtrust.org. All required information to complete a grant application are in the guideleines. Applications may be submitted by mail or through the website.
Deadlines: Grant applications accepted throughout the year
Restrictions: Grant awards are made to non-profit organizations who must present evidence of their exempt classifications in order to be eligible for a grant award.
Harry S & Isabel C Cameron Foundation Sentinel Trust Company
- $10,000 to Armand Bayou Nature Center, Houston: General Support
- $5,000 to Houston Wilderness Inc, Houston: Houston Ship Channel Trees
- $1,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: General Support
How to apply: https://thecameronfoundation.com/grant-application/guidelines/ - See Statement 14
Jfa Foundation
- $11,000 to Memorial Park Conservancy Inc, Houston: Supporting the public park, memorial park
- $3,000 to Texas Land Conservancy, Austin: Promotes preservation of native texas lands
- $1,000 to Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Houston: Promotes preservation of native texas coastal lands
How to apply: No particular form. Application should include the name, address, telephone number, and website, if any, of the organization seeking a grant and the officer or officers who will be active on the grant application; detailed description of the purpose of the grant; description of...
Deadlines: October 1 of any calendar year in which a grant is requested.
Restrictions: None at this time.
The Cullen Foundation
- $1,500,000 to Armand Bayou Nature Center, Houston: Upper Armand Bayou Protection Project
- $40,000 to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Houston: Annual Giving Grant
How to apply: See www.cullenfdn.org for online application and information.
Restrictions: Restricted to Texas-based charitable organizations for programs in Texas, primarily in the Houston area.
Melbern G & Susanne M Glasscock Foundation
- $300,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: Unrestricted
- $100,000 to Houston Botanic Garden, Houston: General opearating
How to apply: Contact foundation for general policy and guidelines for applicants
Deadlines: Applications are accepted anytime
Restrictions: Contact foundation for general policy and guidelines for applicants
The William Stamps Farish Fund
- $100,000 to Memorial Park Conservancy Inc, Houston: General operations
- $75,000 to Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation, Houston: Research fund
How to apply: All organizations are required to submit proof of exempt status.
Charles Jago Elder Foundation
- $50,000 to Memorial Park Conservancy Inc, Houston: To fund charitable activities
- $27,303 to The Houston Audubon Society Inc, Houston: To fund charitable activities
How to apply: Each application should include the amount and purpose of the grant as well as general information regarding the applying organization.
Deadlines: Applications are accepted at any time. Notice of approval, rejection or request for additional infor
Restrictions: No restrictions apply.
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