Rural West-Central Texas
The Community Foundation of Abilene typically has multiple grant cycles each year with opportunities based on geographic location and program focus, including rural grantmaking and opportunities established by regional funds.
DID YOU KNOW
Rural grantmaking impact
Through the Windham Fund, the Foundation is honored to provide grant opportunities to eligible organizations in counties within a 150-mile radius of Oplin, Texas (shown in light blue).
Those counties include: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor (noted with a red star) and Throckmorton.
Rural West-Central Texas
Dr. Paula Andree Windham
Dr. Paula Andree Windham was a pillar of the Oplin, Texas community. She was known to be a trailblazer, a ranch woman, scholar, woman of faith, and defender of love. This generous fund set up in her name creates opportunities to address issues and improve quality of life in rural communities throughout West-Central Texas.
ABOUT
The Windham Fund allows the Foundation to move rural grantmaking forward, specifically for outlying communities in the greater West-Central Texas region. The Windham Fund was established to support special projects, capacity building, and capital projects to build on and ensure a higher quality of life.
ELIGIBILITY
Nonprofits serving the following counties may apply: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton.
Any applicants outside of these counties that are within a 150-mile radius of Oplin, Texas will also be accepted and reviewed.
Areas of Focus
- Arts and Culture
- Community Development and Leadership
- Education related to Agricultural Education and Ranch Management
- Health and Human Services
- Quality of Life
DEADLINES
- Required preliminary interview opens April 1
- Online application opens May 15
- Application deadline July 1
HOW TO APPLY
An organization wishing to apply to the Windham Fund grant cycle must first interview with Foundation staff. To schedule an interview, organizations must contact Meagan Harris, rural grants manager, to schedule.
After interviews, applicants may then apply using an online grants management system called, “Foundant GLM.” Application information must be submitted through this online system.
EVALUATION
To receive funding in the future, all award recipients must submit an evaluation before applying for new grant funding. Evaluations are completed through Foundant GLM.
FORM PREVIEWs
We have provided previews of various documents in the grant application process. The forms below are for reference only. All application information must be submitted online.
ABOUT
Community Foundation of Abilene has a special grant cycle for volunteer fire departments (VFDs) in the West-Central Texas region. The Foundation and our donors recognize VFDs' important role in our rural communities, especially in devastating wildfire seasons.
This funding opportunity provides added support for VFDs to purchase safety and equipment needed to serve and protect our neighbors in these rural communities. Most grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Any grant request more than $25,000 must first interview with Meagan Harris, rural grants manager, before submitting an application.
ELIGIBILITY
VFDs from the following counties may apply: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton.
DEADLINES
- Online application opens January 1
- Application deadline February 15
- Award notifications March 31
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, applicants use an online grants management system called, “Foundant GLM.” Application information must be submitted through this online system.
EVALUATION
To receive funding in the future, all award recipients must submit an evaluation before applying for new grant funding. Evaluations are completed through Foundant GLM.
FORM PREVIEWs
We have provided previews of various documents in the grant application process. The forms below are for reference only. All application information must be submitted online.
CONTACT US
We're here to help.
For questions regarding rural and West-Central Texas grant opportunities, contact Meagan Harris, rural grants manager, at mharris@cfabilene.org or Michelle Parrish, grants director, at mparrish@cfabilene.org.
Meagan Harris
Rural Grants Manager
mharris@cfabilene.org
