Why Are We Shifting?

At the Kempner Fund, we know that Galveston and the world have changed since our earliest days as the Galveston Fund. In addition to enduring challenges, the Island faces new, urgent needs. Our nonprofit partners - our change leaders -find themselves under different kinds of pressure. This means the Kempner Fund must continue to find ways to be a helpful, relevant ally in this complicated world.

An inherited sense of responsibility to leave the world better than we found it shapes the Kempner legacy. To orient ourselves towards making the greatest impact possible, we need a shared compass informed by many voices and rooted in our core values.

With our new strategy, we seek to address urgent, time-sensitive issues like housing, climate resiliency, and equitable access to bright futures while supporting the creatives and nonprofits who shape and serve Galveston.

How We Got Here

In recent years, the Kempner Fund board and staff have embarked on a strategic journey to assess our operations in the context of Galveston’s evolving needs. This exploration has equipped us with a deeper understanding of the Island’s challenges and opportunities, our partners' strengths and strategies, and our own assets and limitations.

Based on this insight, we seek to build a foundation that is trust-based in its approach, willing to take more risks, and committed to actively understanding our impact. Our new grantmaking strategy seeks to be longer-term and more focused.

For 2024, the Kempner Fund will not be accepting applications and the grant portal is closed. The Kempner Fund is issuing pre-approved transition grants to long-standing grantee partners.

In 2025, we’ll officially launch the new strategy that is based on a few key principles:

• Aligning with Kempner Fund’s values and community needs.

• Utilizing a trust-based approach in all we do.

• Maximizing our funding to support Galveston.

• Focusing on specific program areas with clear priorities and goals.

• Expanding funding options for nonprofits.

• Partnering to tackle root causes and big challenges.

• Leveraging all of our philanthropic tools – not just giving away money.