Kempner Fund Core Grants

The Kempner Fund’s Core Grants Program supports initiatives that align with our mission to enhance Galveston’s long-term success, sustainability, and well-being. Guided by our values and insights from local nonprofits and the community, the program areas focus on a select number of key impact areas. Only proposals that meet these specific priorities are eligible for funding, ensuring our support is both targeted and impactful.

More information on our program areas and priorities will be available soon. For a current overview of our program areas, please visit here.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a USA-based 501(c)(3) organization 

  • Request funding to primarily support or benefit the Galveston, TX community 

  • Align with one or more of the Kempner Fund’s program areas in mission or work 

  • Priority given to applicants demonstrating strong values alignment with the Fund

  • Have and follow term limits for board members and officers 

  • Successfully complete the Eligibility Screen and Letter of Interest form

Complete the Eligibility Screen Here

If your organization passes the eligibility screening, you will be invited to complete the Letter of Interest per the cycle opening date below.

Grant Size Guidelines

As a modest-sized foundation, most of our grants fall within the $20,000 to $50,000 range. Larger or multi-year grants are awarded selectively, based on alignment and available resources.

These are guidelines—not strict limits—but if your organization is considering a large or multi-year request and/or is new to the foundation or not currently receiving funding at that level, we encourage you to contact our office for guidance.

One-Year Grants: $20,000–$75,000

Multi-Year Grants:

    • Empowered Youth, Vibrant Culture, and Resilient Island: $20,000–$75,000 per year

    • Stable Housing: invitation only

    • Strong Nonprofits: invitation only

    • For applicants seeking support for their organization’s capacity building or other organizational development needs, please see our Navigation Fund grant program.

Note: Grant size ranges are provided as a guideline. Final award amounts will be determined based on the scope of the project, alignment with our program priorities, and available funding.

Core Grants Deadlines

  • LOI Open Year-Round

    LOI Due: Feb. 16

    Invite to Apply by Feb. 23

    Applications Due: March 23

    Board Decision: Mid- May

  • LOI Open Year-Round

    LOI Due : June 15 

    Invite to Apply by June 23 

    Applications Due: Aug.5  

    Board Decision: Mid – October 

  • LOI Open Year-Round

    LOI Due: Sept. 15  

    Invite to Apply by Sept. 22 

    Applications Due: Oct. 23 

    Board Decision: Mid-December 

**Invited applicants for grants under the Strong Nonprofits or Stable Housing program areas will be assigned one of the three grant deadlines to submit their application.

Application Process

  1. Eligibility Screening: Begin by completing the Eligibility Screen to determine your organization’s eligibility. 

  2. Grant Deadlines: Each program area has one annual deadline. Organizations selected for our invitation-only programs will be notified of their cycle. Review detailed information below for each program area.

  3. Letter of Interest (LOI): If eligible, you will gain access to submit a brief Letter of Interest (LOI).  Please refer to the LOI deadlines below for the program area you intend to apply for. View draft LOI preview.

  4. Invitation to Apply: Select applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application and will receive a link to the Kempner Fund’s application portal. 

  5. Application Submission: Grant applications must be submitted by the deadlines for each program area.  View draft application preview. 

  6. Notifications and Awards: Notifications and award decisions will be communicated at the conclusion of each grant cycle. Please refer to the deadlines below for specific dates. 

 FAQs

  • The eligibility quiz for grant programs opens on January 1. If your organization qualifies, you will gain access to the Letter of Interest (LOI). Please refer to the LOI deadlines for each program area.

  • Yes, please see here for draft eligibility screens, and LOI and application questions. 

  • For the Kempner Fund’s core grant program, please review our grant guidelines.

  • Yes, those grants are by invitation only.  

  • Currently, qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for one grant per year under the Kempner Fund’s Core Grants Program. 

  • Yes, please contact the Kempner Fund office if you intend to do so. 

  • No.

  • We prefer applicants to have a nondiscrimination statement, but if your organization does not yet have one, we encourage you to apply with a plan or commitment to establish one in the near future.

    The HEKF 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. 

  • The program area specific grant cycles span about 3 months from the LOI opening to the board decision.  Please see the grant cycles deadlines for details.  

  • For the Kempner Fund Core Grant Program, the timeline for funding is an estimated 6-8 weeks from application deadline to decision.  Funding is issued as soon as the grant agreement is executed; typically, within a week.  

  • The Letter of Interest (LOI) process is a preliminary step in applying for a grant. It allows organizations to submit a brief summary of their project or request without completing a full application. The Kempner Fund reviews the LOIs to determine if the request aligns with our funding priorities. If the LOI is accepted, the organization will be invited to submit a full grant application and given access to the online application. 

  • Yes, the HEKF strives to be accessible. Please send an email to information@kempnerfund.org or you may call the office at 409-762-1603.

  • If your organization is not selected, it may be due to alignment with current priorities. We encourage you to review our criteria before reapplying in the future. In some cases, organizations may receive feedback or be invited to apply again.