About the Micro-Grants Program

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.

Eligibility

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

  • Must be values-aligned

  • The requested funding must be $5,000 or less

Starting in January 2025, if your organization passes the eligibility screening, you will be invited to complete the short application.

Micro-Grants Deadlines

Micro-Grants applications are accepted year-round but are considered for funding three (3) times per year:

  • Application Opens: January 3*

    Application Due: January 15

    Review: January 16 - 22

    Approve & Fund By January 29

  • Application Open: Rolling

    Application Due: June 15

    Review: June 16 -22

    Approve & Fund By June 29

  • Application Open: Rolling 

    Application Due: October 1

    Review: October 2 - 9 

    Approve & Fund By October 16 

Micro-Grants Application

To apply, potential applicants must:

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

 FAQs

  • For the Micro-Grants program, requests for up to $5,000 per organization per year will be considered. 

  • Qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for this grant once per year for up to 2 years total for this program. 

  • 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. 

  • Applications are open year round. 

    Requests will be considered three (3) times per year on the following dates for 2025: 

    • January 15, 2025 

    • June 15, 2025 

    • October 1, 2025 

  • For Micro-Grants, the timeline for funding is twelve (12) days from application deadline to funding disbursement. 

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