Kempner Fund: Micro-Grants

Kempner Fund: Micro-Grants is sponsored by Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund. Supports new and smaller nonprofit organizations in Galveston with seed funding.

Micro-Grants Program — Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund | Galveston, Texas The Kempner Fund's Micro-Grants Program is a pilot designed to foster the growth of community-based solutions and innovative ideas by providing accessible seed funding of up to $5,000 to new and smaller non-profit organizations - specifically those less than five (5) years old or with annual budgets under $500,000.

This funding supports organizations as they build capacity and develop and deliver programs aimed at creating meaningful impact in the Galveston community. Organizations are eligible for 1 Micro-Grant a year; for up to 2 consecutive years.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: Be an organization five years old or younger or have an annual budget under $500,000 Hold a current 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor (fiscal sponsors will be considered on a case-by-case basis) Ensure that the funding primarily supports or benefits the Galveston, TX community Must align with one or more of the Kempner Fund’s program areas Priority given to applicants demonstrating strong values alignment with the Fund The requested funding must be $5,000 or less Complete the Eligibility Screen Here Starting in January 2025, if your organization passes the eligibility screening, you will be invited to complete the short application.

Micro-Grants applications are accepted year-round but are considered for funding three (3) times per year: Application Opens: January 1* Application Due: January 19 Approve & Fund By January 29 Application Open: Rolling Approve & Fund By June 26 Application Open: Rolling Application Due: October 1 Approve & Fund By October 16 To apply, potential applicants must: Complete the Eligibility Screen View the draft eligibility screen If eligible, your organization will be granted access to the brief Micro-Grants application View the draft application What you’ll need to complete the eligibility and application if eligible: Your organization’s EIN number or the EIN of your fiscal agent* The size of your organization’s budget and year started Your organization’s nondiscrimination statement Mission statement and contact information Brief description of how your organization will use the funding How much can my organization request?

For the Micro-Grants program, requests for up to $5,000 per organization per year will be considered. How often can my organization apply for a Micro-Grant? Qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for this grant once per year for up to 2 years total for this program.

Can my organization apply for a Micro-Grant and a Kempner Fund Core Grant in the same year? My organization does not have a nondiscrimination statement. Does that mean I can’t apply or my organization will not be funded?

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.

How often does the Kempner Fund consider requests for Micro-Grants? Applications are open year round. Requests will be considered three (3) times per year on the following dates listed on the Micro-Grants page for the current year.

How quickly will my organization receive funding, if approved? For Micro-Grants, the timeline for funding is twelve (12) days from application deadline to funding disbursement. Did you know that the deadlines are the same for Micro-Grants and the Navigation Fund?

Yes, we did know that. This is intentional. Thanks for noticing.