Capacity Building Grants for Texas Nonprofits (2025)

Capacity building grants are designed to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their internal infrastructure, leadership, systems, and sustainability. Unlike program-specific grants, these focus on long-term improvements like upgrading technology, developing staff and board leadership, strategic planning, or improving evaluation practices. The goal is to equip nonprofits with the tools and capacity they need to amplify their impact over time.

Here’s an updated and comprehensive list of capacity-building grant opportunities for Texas nonprofits in 2025. Each entry includes deadlines, focus areas, eligibility criteria, typical grant amounts, and direct links to more information or applications.

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health – Reliable Flexible Funding

• Deadline: Next cycle anticipated summer 2025.
• Focus Areas: Mental health and well-being; capacity-building for smaller mental health orgs.
• Eligibility: Texas nonprofits focused on mental health.
• Grant Amount: Varies.
• Link: Hogg Foundation – Reliable Flexible Funding

OneStar Foundation – AmeriCorps Planning Grants

• Deadline: July 24, 2025.
• Focus Areas: Planning grants to help orgs design or scale service programs involving AmeriCorps members (covers staff time, admin systems, training).
• Eligibility: Texas-based 501(c)(3)s or public entities.
• Grant Amount: Up to $240,000.
• Link: OneStar Foundation – AmeriCorps Resources

Communities Foundation of Texas – Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grants

• Deadline: Expected July 2025.
• Focus Areas: Financial management, data systems, governance, planning.
• Eligibility: Nonprofits serving North Texas.
• Grant Amount: $5,000 – $50,000.
• Link: CFT – Apply for Grants

The Dallas Foundation – Community Impact Fund

• Deadline: Spring and fall cycles.
• Focus Areas: Sustainability, back-office support, resilience.
• Eligibility: Dallas County nonprofits.
• Grant Amount: $10,000 – $40,000.
• Link: Dallas Foundation – Grants & Opportunities

Scharbauer Foundation

• Deadline: Pre-application: Aug 5–28, 2025.
• Focus Areas: Facilities, software, staff training.
• Eligibility: Nonprofits in Midland and Odessa
• Grant Amount: Varies.
• Link: Scharbauer Foundation – Apply

United Way of Greater Houston – Nonprofit Connection

• Deadline: Next cycle 2027.
• Focus Areas: Governance, evaluation, quality improvement.
• Eligibility: Houston-area nonprofits.
• Grant Amount: Varies.
• Link: United Way Houston

Spurs Give & Frost Bank – Operation Renovation

• Deadline: Opens Nov 2025.
• Focus Areas: Facilities for youth nonprofits.
• Eligibility: San Antonio/South Central Texas.
• Grant Amount: Up to $100,000.
• Link: Spurs Give

San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAFDN) – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Varies; by invitation or cohort-based.
• Focus Areas: Efficiency, sustainability, leadership development, internal systems.
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Bexar and surrounding counties.
• Grant Amount: $10,000–$25,000; may include general operating support.
• Link: SAAFDN Capacity Building

Webber Family Foundation – OYA Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Rolling.
• Focus Areas: Capacity-building for nonprofits serving low-income or high-achieving youth.
• Eligibility: Education-focused nonprofits in Austin, TX.
• Grant Amount: Up to $25,000.
• Link: Webber Foundation Guidelines

Austin Community Foundation – Forever Austin Fund

• Deadline: March 11 – April 25, 2025.
• Focus Areas: Economic mobility, health & humanities.
• Eligibility: Central Texas nonprofits.
• Grant Amount: $5,000–$50,000.
• Link: Forever Austin Fund

Austin Community Foundation – Hispanic Impact Fund

• Deadline: June 2 – July 31, 2025.
• Focus Areas: Education, wellness, entrepreneurship, leadership.
• Eligibility: Latino-serving nonprofits in Central Texas.
• Grant Amount: $22,000–$55,500.
• Link: Hispanic Impact Fund

Waco Foundation – Capacity Building Mini-Grants

• Deadline: Rolling.
• Focus Areas: Assessments, governance, strategic planning.
• Eligibility: Nonprofits in McLennan County.
• Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 (90% of costs).
• Link: Waco Foundation – Capacity Resources

Harris County Public Health – Capacity Strengthening Program (CSP)

• Deadline: June 2 - July 2, 2025; 16-month cohort model.
• Focus Areas: Capacity for orgs addressing social determinants of health.
• Eligibility: Small CBOs in Harris County.
• Grant Amount: Up to $100,000.
• Link: Harris County CSP

North Texas Community Foundation – ToolBox Grants

• Deadline: No 2025 cycle; next in 2026.
• Focus Areas: Capacity-building.
• Eligibility: North Texas nonprofits.
• Grant Amount: Varies.
• Link: ToolBox Grants

Kauffman Foundation – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Biannual (next window Fall 2025).
• Focus Areas: Leadership development, board effectiveness, staff development, technology, evaluation, strategic planning, and sustainability. Aligned with college access/completion, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and pilot programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and World Cup readiness.
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits nationwide; alignment with Kauffman’s strategic priorities is required.
• Grant Amount: $100,000–$250,000.
• Link: Kauffman Foundation – Capacity Building

Tips for a Successful Capacity Building Grant Application

Securing a capacity building grant isn’t just about showing need—it’s about demonstrating readiness, clarity, and alignment with a funder’s goals. Here are a few practical tips:

• Tie Capacity to Impact: Show how improved infrastructure (e.g., new CRM, staff training) will directly increase your service impact, reach, or efficiency.
• Lead with Data: Use your organizational assessments or evaluations to identify gaps—and position the grant as the solution.
• Align with Funder Language: Mirror the language and outcomes funders emphasize (e.g., if they mention “resilience” or “equity,” reflect that in your narrative).
• Include a Sustainability Plan: Demonstrate how you’ll maintain improvements after the grant period ends.
• Budget with Purpose: Be detailed and realistic. Explain how each cost ties to your capacity goals.
• Tell a Story: Pair data with a human narrative. Help funders understand why your mission—and your team—are worth investing in.
• Reach Out Early: Many funders welcome or require pre-application conversations. Use this to confirm fit and build rapport.