Free funder guide · Texas · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Texas environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Texas have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 14 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Texas that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Most of the large Texas private foundations that fund conservation also give to churches or faith-based charities, so this list leans on state programs and community foundations. Only two private foundations with real Texas conservation giving passed that screen.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Texas, 2,519 of the 3,568 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets that I could check tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 71%.
That leaves 1,049 larger Texas foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Maryland (76%, 559 of 739), and the same share as in Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Texas address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2021 to 2026, almost all 2024 or 2025). There are 3,574; 6 had no e-filed return I could find, so they are left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Virginia and Maryland. Counting them too gives 73% (2,969 of 4,095).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
14 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Texas.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm first
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP)
Austin · statewide
Programming that brings under-served people into outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education. Nonprofits are eligible, and the money can pay for staff, travel, entrance fees, outdoor equipment and environmental education supplies.
Typical grant
$5,000 to $100,000 (its site). It is a reimbursement grant: you spend first and claim the money back with receipts.
Next deadline
October 1 each year; the current round closes October 1, 2026 Verified.
How to apply
TPWD's online recreation grants system (Apply / Manage on the program page).
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Recreational Trails Program
Austin · statewide
Federal trail money run by TPWD for building and improving recreational trails, trailheads and trailside facilities, and buying trail corridors. Nonprofit corporations can apply, which suits trail, greenway and land conservancy groups.
Typical grant
Up to 80% of project cost, with a maximum of $300,000 for non-motorized trails; you supply at least a 20% match (its site and program guidance).
Next deadline
February 2 is its standing annual deadline Verified. The 2026 round closed February 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT, so the next is about February 2, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Recreation Grants Online (TPWD's portal); nonprofits also submit an authorizing resolution.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Nonpoint Source Grant (Clean Water Act 319(h))
Austin · statewide
Projects that reduce polluted runoff, with priority for developing and carrying out watershed protection plans. Education and outreach, riparian and shoreline restoration and low impact development are eligible, and nonprofits can apply directly.
Typical grant
Not published. It reimburses 60% of project cost; you provide 40% as match, which can include volunteer time and partners' in-kind work (its site).
Next deadline
The federal FY2027 round has closed. TCEQ says its next request for grant applications opens in summer 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Apply to the request for grant applications when it opens, one application per project; selected applicants revise their proposal in the fall and contracts start the following September 1.
A TCEQ program that each year funds projects under the Galveston Bay Plan: habitat acquisition and restoration, native fish and wildlife, water quality, and public education and stewardship. A nonprofit can be the lead implementer.
Typical grant
Not published. Nonprofit proposals for fiscal 2028 asked for $150,000 (Artist Boat) and $445,438 (American Bird Conservancy) (its posted proposals).
Next deadline
The fiscal 2028 round ran June 22 to July 24, 2026. Next request for proposals about June 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Proposal on its form in response to the annual request for proposals; its subcommittees and the Galveston Bay Council choose projects in the fall.
State money toward agricultural conservation easements on working farms and ranches. For land trusts: the easement holder applies with the landowner, and the scoring favors accredited, stable holders.
Typical grant
Not published as a range. Its approved-projects list shows easement purchase prices such as $37,500 (5H Ranch, Green Spaces Alliance) and $230,000 (Oyster Bayou, Galveston Bay Foundation) (its site).
Next deadline
Closed. The next funding cycle opens in July 2027 (its site) Verified. The last window ran June to July 2025, and funding depends on legislative appropriation.
How to apply
Application in the funding window; TPWD's program coordinator takes questions at [email protected].
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star Program
Washington, DC · Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, plus seven rural counties
Community-based restoration of wetlands, streams and urban green space, with outreach and education. The 2026 Texas priority areas were Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and Concho, Crosby, Donley, Floyd, Gray, Haskell and Pecos counties.
Typical grant
$30,000 to $150,000, with at least a 1:0.75 non-federal match (2026 request for proposals). Texas grants in its latest filing, which does not name the program: Houston Wilderness $277,438 (native trees and bioswales), Coastal Prairie Conservancy $142,950, Trinity Park Conservancy $44,923 (Trinity River wetlands).
Next deadline
About June 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed June 4, 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
Austin · LCRA electric, water and transmission service areas (Central Texas and the lower Colorado River)
Capital grants from the Lower Colorado River Authority for building, renovating or equipping something that benefits a whole community. Nonprofits are eligible, so a nature center, park or trail group with a capital project in the service area can apply.
Typical grant
Up to $100,000; requests over $5,000 need a match of at least 20% of project cost (its site). Recent awards on its news page include $25,000 for bird watching stations at two Kenedy parks.
Next deadline
Next cycle January 1 to 31, 2027 Verified. It opens twice a year, in January and July.
How to apply
Online application during the window, with plans, a detailed budget, financials, vendor quotes and your IRS determination letter.
North Texas Community Foundation: Conservation and Environment Fund
Fort Worth · Bosque, Denton, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise and Young counties
An annual competitive cycle for conservation of native species and habitats (urban green space, parks, prairie restoration), education about land and natural resources, and preservation of farm, ranch and wildlife land. Applicants need at least three years of operation and a $75,000 budget.
Typical grant
Up to $35,000 for conservation projects and up to $10,000 for education programs (2026 request for proposals). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include River Legacy Foundation $25,000 (environmental education partnership), Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge $20,000, Native Prairies Association of Texas $12,500 (a North Texas conservation easement) and Texas Land Conservancy $10,000 (the filing does not say which fund paid them).
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran August 18 to September 24, 2026 and is closed. Next cycle about August to September 2027 Expected; one of its virtual orientations is mandatory.
How to apply
Attend a nonprofit orientation, then apply through its online grant portal.
Austin · City of Austin (full-purpose jurisdiction)
City of Austin money, applied for through the foundation's portal, for tree planting, tree care, education and disease control on civic property such as parks and school grounds. Neighborhoods with a Tree Equity Score under 100 get priority.
Typical grant
Range "Varies" (its site). Environmental grants in the foundation's 2024 filing include The Trail Conservancy $363,358, TreeFolks $126,000, Native Prairies Association of Texas $120,813 and Austin Youth River Watch $50,000 (mostly donor funds; the filing does not name the Urban Forest Grant).
Next deadline
Pre-submittal meeting booked before October 1, 2026; applications due November 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Verified. Awards in January 2027.
How to apply
Submit the city's pre-submittal form and hold the 30-minute scoping meeting, then apply in the Austin Community Foundation portal.
Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country: Community Impact Fund
Kerrville · Bandera, Blanco, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Real and Uvalde counties
The foundation's one open, competitive cycle a year. Environment is one of its four focus areas: nature education, water and energy conservation, land stewardship, wildlife protection, recycling and dark skies. General operating requests are allowed.
Typical grant
Up to $15,000 (its 2026 guidelines). Environmental grants in its 2025 filing include Riverside Nature Center $316,650 (flood recovery) and Cibolo Center for Conservation $7,500; its 2024 filing shows Upper Guadalupe River Center $80,250.
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran May 26 to June 23, 2026. Next cycle about late May to June 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Take its eligibility quiz, then apply online through the foundation's grant portal.
San Antonio Area Foundation: Livable and Resilient Communities
San Antonio · Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties
General operating grants in the impact area built on the belief that "every person deserves a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment"; its priorities include projects that strengthen public parks.
Typical grant
Set by budget: $25,000 for organizations with budgets of $250,000 to $999,999, and $50,000 at $1 million or more (2026 guidance). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Gardopia Gardens $225,000, Brackenridge Park Conservancy $65,000 and San Antonio River Foundation $27,848 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
The 2026 round ran April 27 to May 29, 2026. Next round about spring 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application in its grant portal; one Responsive Grant application a year across all impact areas.
East Texas Communities Foundation: Miller Charitable Fund
Tyler · Henderson County
The Edwin A. "Blue" and Janice Owen Miller Charitable Fund makes annual grants for new or expanded projects that benefit Henderson County, and names the environment among the areas it welcomes. General operating requests are discouraged.
Typical grant
Requests up to $15,000 are encouraged, with no minimum (its site). Environmental grants in the foundation's 2024 filing include The Park of East Texas $100,000, Texas Garden Clubs $38,095 and Longview Arboretum & Nature Center $12,500 (the filing does not say which fund paid them).
Next deadline
Applications open May 1, 2027 and are due May 31, 2027, 5 p.m. Verified. Recipients are announced in July.
How to apply
Online application through the foundation's grants page; one application per organization.
Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation
Kingsville · no geographic limit; grants mostly in Texas
No website; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. Its governing instrument requires that grants "support wildlife conservation and studies". Most of its money goes to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, but it also funds statewide conservation groups.
Typical grant
Six grants in 2024. Examples outside the university: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation $250,000, Texas Foundation for Conservation $25,000, Texas Wildlife Association Foundation $10,000.
Next deadline
"No formal submission deadlines", per the filing Filing only.
How to apply
A letter on your letterhead with a nontechnical description of the project, a budget for the amount requested and your IRS exemption letter, to Stephen J. Kleberg, Trustee, PO Box 1555, Kingsville, TX 78363 (361-592-8501).
No website on its filing; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. Grants go "primarily for cultural arts and civic beautification projects" that benefit Houston and Harris County, which is where parks and nature groups fit.
Typical grant
Median $40,000 across its 19 grants in 2024. Environmental examples: Memorial Park Conservancy $50,000, Armand Bayou $25,000.
Next deadline
By the second week of January, April, July and October, for its quarterly trustee meetings Filing only.
How to apply
The filing names no required form. Contact Angela Hinnant, 2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1570, Houston, TX 77019 (713-526-8849).
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
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Email me your organization's name, rough budget and what you'd like funded. You'll get a written reply within two business days.
You fill in a short intake questionnaire, then answer one round of written follow-up questions.
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