Library Funding Sources
This list is designed to provide an overview of private funding sources that have supported Texas school, public and/or academic libraries in the recent past.
This list is not intended to be comprehensive, but offers a starting point for librarians seeking to diversify their funding base and to support special programming. Librarians wishing to continue their research are encouraged to visit one of the Foundation Center's Funding Information Network locations in Texas (http://foundationcenter.org/find-us). Network locations have staff and resources, including searchable databases and published resources, to help you along your funding search.
Many foundations and corporate funders support libraries as part of broader initiatives that support literacy, education, cultural heritage, or other related topics. Most require proof of 501(c)(3) status at time of proposal submission. Questions about funding priorities, application calendars and proposal deadlines should be directed to the Foundation. You should always contact the funder directly before submitting an application.
This list is compiled from information directly from organization websites, databases, and other published sources, including the Online Directory from the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas, The Directory of Corporate Philanthropy in Texas (NRCT, 2008) and Corporate Giving Directory (Information Today, 29th ed.). If your library has successfully obtained a grant from a source that is not on this list, please share this with us so we can share this opportunity with other libraries. Similarly, if you find that a link is not functioning, please contact the Library Development and Networking Division.
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Key:
Foundation Name (with link to website if available)
Location of headquarters. (Full address provided if no website available.) Brief overview of giving restrictions and/or interests.
Midland, TX. Primarily gives in Midland and West Texas.
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
Houston, TX. Supports libraries in Houston, San Marcos, and Bandera.
Amarillo Area Foundation, Inc.
Amarillo, TX. Limits giving to 26 northernmost counties in the Texas Panhandle.
San Antonio, TX. Contact 800-591-9663 for referral to local external affairs contact.
Austin, TX. Contact 512.472.4483.
The Big Read (National Endowment for the Arts)
Awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book.
Fort Worth, TX. Funds a variety of civic programs located in communities served by BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway.
Brinker International Foundation
Dallas, TX. Brinker International contributes to communities where there is a corporate presence. The company's restaurants include: Chili's Grill & Bar, Chili's Too, Romano's Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Cozymel's Coastal Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Café, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen, and Rockfish Seafood Grill.
Houston, TX. Priority is given to applicants in the city of Houston
Brownstone Book Fund
C/o Lucien and Ethel Brownstone Foundation, 784 Park Ave., New York, NY 10021. Tel. (212) 684-5113. Each year, one hundred libraries are awarded 100 children's books for their collections. Libraries are preselected; applications are NOT accepted.
Amarillo, TX. Focuses giving to assist the needy and low-income individuals in the Texas Panhandle.
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Washington, DC. Funds development or expansion of family literacy projects throughout the nation.
Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries
Washington, DC. Grants are made to school libraries across the country to purchase books.
Kerrville, TX. Only grant proposals originating in Kerr and the surrounding communities (Gillespie, Bandera, Edwards, Real, and Kimble Counties) will be considered.
Robert S. and Joyce Pate Capper Charitable Foundation
48 Valley Ridge Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76107. 817-738-8600. Funding primarily given to Ft. Worth and Dallas.
Ft. Worth, TX. Grants are basically directed to the Fort Worth/Tarrant County area.
Central Texas Foundation, Inc.
109 North Fisk Ave., Brownwood, TX 76801. 325-646-4443. Funding restricted to Brown County and its adjacent counties.
Coastal Bend Community Foundation
Corpus Christi, TX. Funding restricted to the counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio.
James M. Collins Foundation
8115 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75225. 214-691-2032. No geographic restrictions.
Communities Foundation of Texas, Inc.
Dallas, TX. Has a history of providing funds for building/reconstruction in Greater Dallas Metropolitan area.
Community Foundation of Abilene
Abilene, TX. Seeks to enrich the quality of life in Abilene and the surrounding areas.
Community Foundation of North Texas
Ft. Worth, TX. Seeks to build up and sustain the quality of life in Fort Worth, Arlington, and all the communities of North Texas.
Cooper Industries Foundation
Houston, TX. Programs must benefit a community where Cooper Industries is a significant employer.
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Library Grants
Sacramento, CA. Awards grants to purchase books for rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children.
Faye L. and William L. Cowden Charitable Foundation
P.O. Box 17001, Trust Dept., San Antonio, TX 78217. 210-283-6500. Awards made to organizations in Texas which direct activities toward children's health, children's education, prevention of cruelty to children or animals, or wildlife preservation.
Cox Smith Matthews Foundation
112 E. Pecan, San Antonio, TX 78205. 210-554-5500. Primarily gives in San Antonio.
Bill & Helen Crowder Foundation
P.O. Box 1421, La Porte, TX 77572. 281-470-1001.
Cullen Foundation
600 Jefferson St., Houston, TX, 77002. 713-651-8796. Gives primarily in the Houston area.
The Currie Fund
520 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77027. 713-552-0033.
Dallas, TX. Funds programs that support the City and County of Dallas.
Round Rock, TX. This is the corporate foundation of the Dell Corporation. (The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is the foundation of the Dell family.) Giving limited to Travis and Williamson Counties.
Dexion Foundation
P.O. Box 20099, Houston, TX 77225-0099. 713-664-5664. Primarily gives in Houston.
Dickson-Allen Foundation
P.O. Box 406. Hallettsville, TX, 77964-0406. 361-798-2531. Supports educational programs, medical research, and medical facilities.
Clifton C. & Henryetta C. Doak Charitable Trust.
Wells Fargo Bank, Drawer 913, Bryan, TX 77805. Restricted to Brazos County.
J. Frank Dobie Library Trust
Mr. James B. Stewart, Chair, J. Frank Dobie Library Trust, 5008 Evergreen, Victoria, Texas 77904. Provides public libraries with cash grants to purchase books.
Dollar General Literacy Grants
Provides a wide range of grants to libraries for literacy programming.
M.S. Doss Foundation
Ms. Sharla Jeter, Exec. Director, PO Box 1677, Seminole, TX 79360-1677, 432-758-2770. They are primarily interested in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico but have given to other areas.
James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation
Mr. Daren Wilder, PO Box 640, Beeville, TX 78104-0640, 361-358-3560. Gives largely in Austin, Beeville, Corpus Christi, Houston, and San Antonio.
Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust
Mr. Julien L. Lapiedes, Esq. 600 Wyndhurst Ave., Suite 246, Baltimore, MD 21210. 410-464-0100. Provides grants to librarians who promote reading among young adults.
Entergy Corporation
New Orleans, LA. Giving focused on counties where Entergy has a presence: Burleson, Chambers, Grimes, Hardin, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker.
I.D. & Marguerite Fairchild Foundation
803 Jefferson, Lufkin, TX 75904. 936-675-3245. Primarily gives to Angelina County area.
Fentress Brown Foundation
2121 S. Lamar, Austin TX 78704. 512-442-1223. Has provided funds to support library building and reconstruction.
Ben and Maytee Fisch Foundation
Tyler, TX. Primarily funds programs in E. Texas.
Houston, TX. Grants are made within the State of Texas, primarily organizations and programs
that serve residents in the Houston metropolitan area.
Fondren Foundation
P.O. Box 2558, Houston, TX 77252. Grants are made primarily in the Houston area.
Ershel Franklin Charitable Trust
P.O. Box 790, Post, TX 79356. Grants are made primarily in the Lubbock and Post area.
P.O. Box 9600, Ft. Worth, TX 76147-2600. 817-335-5881. Preference given to applicants from immediate geographic area.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA. Significant programming for U.S. libraries. Granting tends to be highly focused on large initiatives and by invitation only.
George Foundation
PMB 310 Morton, Suite C, Richmond, TX 77469. 281-342-6109.
The W.K. Gordon, Jr., Family Foundation
201 Main St., Ft. Worth, TX 76102. 817-339-1156.
Gray-Pampa Foundation
P.O. Box 2436, Pampa, TX 79066. 806-669-6801. Must benefit residents of Gray County.
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX. The Greater Houston Community Foundation administers the Port Arthur Communities Fund for the Port Arthur community.
Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Attn: Trust Dept., P.O. Box 1959, Midland, TX 79702. 432-685-5300. Funds almost exclusively in the Midland-Odessa area.
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation
Wharton, TX. Grants are awarded in the following areas: medical/health, human services, education, civic and arts & culture, for Wharton, Fort Bend and Matagorda Counties.
711 Navarro, Suite, 737, San Antonio, TX 78205. Gives exclusively in San Antonio and select parts of West Texas.
Martin W. & Bettie J. Halsell Foundation
4341 Potomac, Dallas, TX 75205. 903-893-7461.
Ladd and Katherine Hancher Library Foundation
Supports accredited Texas public libraries serving communities having a population of fewer than 50,000 people. Projects are reviewed for the level of educational contribution to the community.
Bryant & Nancy Hanley Foundation
5455 Northbrook, Dallas, TX 75220.
Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
Houston, TX. Prefers to give to non-profits that receive little to no public assistance.
Hillcrest Foundation
Daniel Kelly, Bank of America, Trust Division, P.O. Box 831041, Dallas, TX, 75283, 214-209-1965. Has provided funds to support building and reconstruction of public libraries.
Hobby Family Foundation
2131 San Felipe St., Houston, TX 77019-5620, 713-521-3377.
Houston, TX. Funds primarily, but not exclusively, in the greater Houston area.
Austin, TX. Humanities Texas provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and institutions for programs that bring humanities scholars and scholarship to general public audiences.
Buda, TX. Has provided funds for library building and renovation.
Helen Jones Foundation, Inc.
Lubbock, TX. Funds are normally restricted to the Lubbock area.
c/o JPMorgan Chase, 600 Bailey Ave., TX1-3434, Ft. Worth, TX 76107. 817-884-4448.
Battle Creek, MI. Provides family literacy funding through the "Educated Kids" initiative.
Anne Lamkin Kinder Foundation
2121 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77019. 713-523-7994.
Allan Carlisle and Gloria Goldst King Foundation
800 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057. 713-266-5301.
Alvin A. & Jodie E. Klein Trust Fund
7715 Hertfordshire, Spring, TX 77379. 281-376-7959.
Robert W. Knox Sr. & Pearl Willis Knox Charitable Foundation
c/o Bank of America, P.O. Box 2518, Houston, TX 77252. 713-247-7432. Funding limited to Houston and Galveston area.
Troy, MI. Has a history of providing challenge grants for building/renovation projects; they are currently revising and expanding their funding priorities.
Kronkosky Charitable Foundation
San Antonio, TX. Gives in Bandera, Bexar, Comal, and Kendall counties. Has a history of providing building/reconstruction funds to public libraries.
Ernest L. Kurth, Jr. Charitable Foundation
P.O. Box 1506, Lufkin, TX 75902-1506. 936-632-6450. Giving largely limited to Angelina County.
Carol Tyrrell Kyle Foundation
P. O Box 15068, San Antonio, TX 77706. 210-824-7743. Only small, local contributions are made.
Robert H. & Anita Q. Lawe Foundation
12777 Jones Road, Houston, TX 77070-4957. 281-894-8100.
Libri Foundation
Eugene, OR. Donates children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the U.S.
Ben & Margaret Love Foundation
600 Travis St., 8th Floor, Houston, TX 77002. 713-216-4010. Primarily gives in Houston.
Lubbock Area Foundation
Lubbock, TX. Restricts support to organizations in Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains area.
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc.
Tulsa, OK. Texas is part of their geographical funding area.
Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation
c/o Bank of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1620, Tulsa, OK, 74101. 918-588-6407. Limits giving in Texas to Grayson County.
McCombs Foundation
755 E. Mulberry, Suite 600, San Antonio, TX 78212.
Eugene McDermott Foundation
3808 Euclid, Dallas, TX 75205. 214-521-2924.
Leo A. & Inez Dunkin McDonald Charitable Trust
P.O. Box 831041, Dallas, TX 75283-1041. 214-508-2025.
John P. McGovern Foundation
2211 Norfork, Suite 900, Houston, TX 77098. 713-524-5255.
Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust
153 Treeline Park, San Antonio, TX 78209-1880. 210-829-1800. Funds largely in San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
V.H. McNutt Memorial Foundation
153 Treeline Park, San Antonio, TX 78209-1880. 210-829-1800. Funds San Antonio metropolitan area only.
Dallas, TX. Long history of supporting Texas libraries, including funds for renovation and building projects.
Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation
PO Box 8937, The Woodlands, TX, 77387. Has provided funds for library renovation and building projects.
Galveston and Dallas, TX. A majority of giving to Galveston organizations with priority given to Foundation-initiated projects.
The National Book Scholarship Fund
Syracuse, NY. Primary consideration is given to supporting family literacy initiatives.
National Center for Family Literacy Library Awards
Louisville, KY. Expands literacy-building practices of families in library settings.
Supports programs that make a difference in children’s lives and that build communities.
Otter Island Foundation Fund
700 Louisiana, Suite 1900, Houston, TX 77002. 713-622-0016.
Alvin & Lucy Owsley Foundation
1600 Post Oak Blvd., Apt. 802, Houston, TX 77056. 713-626-5626.
A.M. Pate, Jr. Charitable Trust
Bank of America, P.O. Box 831041, Dallas, TX 75283. Funds largely in Ft. Worth.
Midland, TX. Funds programs serving individuals in the Permian Basin.
Hal & Charlie Peterson Foundation
Kerrvile, TX. Funds in the following counties: Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, and Real.
Lufkin, TX. Funds almost exclusively in the following counties: Angelina, Polk, Nacogdoches, San Jacinto, Tyler, Jasper, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Cherokee, Newton and Trinity.
Hahl Powell Foundation
c/o Bank of America, P.O. Box 270, Midland, TX 79702. Download application from Permian Basin Area Foundation.
Houston, TX..Primarily funds organizations and programs that serve residents in Harris, Travis and Walker counties.
Provincial Foundation
4016 McFarlin Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205. 214-522-5252.
1900 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027. 713-961-4600.
Corpus Christi, TX. Broad support for programming in Texas.
Bernard & Andre Rapoport Foundation
Waco, TX. The primary focus of the Foundation is on programs that benefit children and youth in Waco and McLennan County, Texas.
Amherst, MA. Distributes books to school and public libraries in need.
Alice Kleberg Meyer Reynolds Foundation
Austin, TX. Funds specific counties in South and Central Texas only.
RGK Foundation
Austin, TX. Interested in literacy initiatives.
Fort Worth, TX. Broad support for programming in the state of Texas.
Houston, TX. Special emphasis on rural libraries. Preference given to Houston area.
Arch & Stella Rowan Foundation
3011 Nacogdoches Road, Building 2, San Antonio, TX 78217. 210-824-4541.
RR Donnelley Foundation
Chicago, IL. Funds reading and literacy programs.
Joseph & Martye Rubin Foundation
1000 Canterbury Hill, San Antonio, TX 78209. 210-826-7373.
San Antonio Area Foundation
San Antonio, TX. For organizations serving Bexar and surrounding counties.
Seawell Elam Foundation
Mr. Robert Elam Roth, P.O. Box 5335, Austin, TX 78763. 512-476-0715. Has funded literacy projects and library building renovation projects. Largely Central Texas-based.
Sear Family Foundation
4301 CR707, Cleburne, TX 76031.
Shelton Family Foundation
P.O. Box 2791, Abilene, TX 79604. 325-676-7724. Primarily funds in Abilene and West Central Texas.
Harold Simmons Foundation
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75240-2697. 972-233-2134.
Snapdragon Book Foundation
Puts books in kids' hands at public, private, and special school libraries.
Staples Foundation for Learning
Framingham, MA. Supports job skills training for disadvantaged youth. Not accepting unsolicited applications at this time.
Stemmons Foundation
P.O. Box 143127, Irving, TX 75014. 972-650-9162.
Houston, TX. Funds only in the following counties: Fort Bend, Harris, Kerr, Tom Green, and Travis.
Strake Foundation
712 Main St., Houston, TX 77002-3215. 713-216-2400.
Mr. Millard F. Zeagler, Asst. Executive Director, 204 Champions Drive, Lufkin, TX, 75901. 936-634-3900. Primarily makes grants in the area constituting the East Texas Pine Timber Belt. Has provided funds for library building/reconstruction.
Target Early Childhood Reading Grants
Supports programs that help foster a love of reading and encourage children to read with their families.
Temple-Inland Foundation
Austin, TX. Generally provides matching contributions to organizations to which employees and retirees of Temple-Inland Inc. give financial support.
Austin, TX. The Texas Book Festival offers grants to initiate or continue innovative literacy programs, install new technology and to complete book collections.
Texas Instruments Foundation
Dallas, TX. Preference to organizations and projects in communities where TI has major facilities. Supports civic, educational, research, charitable, health, welfare and cultural organizations -- including libraries and literacy.
Austin, TX. Funds collection development, furnishings, shelving, automation, travel stipends and more for public libraries serving populations of 12,000 or less. Long-term supporter of Texas public libraries.
Palacios, TX. Supports programming for children and families, those affected by substance abuse, the Palacios Texas area, and the coastal Texas environment.
Omaha, NE. Funds a variety of civic programs located in communities served by Union Pacific Railroad.
San Antonio, TX. Supports programs in or near the communities where Valero has major operations.
J.M. Vaughan Foundation
c/o JPMorgan, P.O. Box 6089, Newark, DE 19714-6089. 302-634-2931. Giving primarily in Houston.
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ. Supports programs that help people to increase their literacy and educational achievement.
Waco, TX. Supports programs in Waco and McLennan County.
E. Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation
P.O. Box 2130, Vernon, TX 76385. 940-552-2521.
Gil and Dody Weaver Foundation
1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy Ste 1275, Dallas, TX 75201. 214-999-9497.
Westcott Foundation
100 Crescent Ct., Ste 1620, Dallas, TX 75201. 214-777-5000. Primarily gives in Dallas.
G.R. White Trust
600 Bailey Ave Tx1 3434, Fort Worth, TX 76107. 817-884-4448.
Watson W. Wise Foundation
110 N College Ave Ste 1002, Tyler, TX, 75702. 903-531-9615. Giving largely in Tyler.
Wish You Well Foundation
Reston, VA. Supports family literacy by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs.
Wolff-Toomim Foundation
PO Box 219169, Houston, TX, 77218. 713-785-1700. Giving largely in Houston.
Wood Family Memorial Trust
P.O. Box 1338, Victoria, TX, 77902. 361-573-6321. Giving largely in Victoria.
Wortham Foundation
2727 Allen Pkwy., Ste 1570, Houston, TX, 77019. 713-526-8849. Giving largely in Houston and Harris County.
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