Rural Grants

The Community Foundation of Abilene is committed to making a charitable impact beyond Abilene's city limits. Our rural grantmaking initiative is specifically for outlying communities in the greater west-central Texas region.

Paula Windham Fund for Education and Community Development

About 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.

Service Area

Nonprofits serving the counties below may apply. Any applicants outside of these counties that are within a 150-mile radius of Oplin, Texas will also be accepted and reviewed.

• Counties served: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, Throckmorton

Application Process

Grants from this fund support a broad range of rural initiatives throughout the year. Nonprofits serving the counties below may apply. Any applicants outside of these counties that are within a 150-mile radius of Oplin, Texas will also be accepted and reviewed.

Please see grant guidelines for funding priorities, grant restrictions, timeline, and details for the online application process.

• Grant Guidelines
• Interviews: can be scheduled beginning April 1, 2023 through the open application period.
  • Contact Rural Grants Manager Meagan Harris at mharris@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883 to arrange an interview.
  • Any organization interested in applying must first be interviewed so our team can learn more about your organization and programs.
• Application: after completion of an interview, candidates may apply beginning May 15, 2023.
  • Create a login, then follow the instructions.
  • You can preview the application here.
• Deadline: interviews and applications must be completed by July 1, 2023.
• A committee will review applications and present grant awards in mid-August.

Questions

Nonprofits: If you have any questions about the rural grantmaking process, contact Meagan Harris at mharris@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883.

Donors: If you are passionate about rural causes and would like to learn more about ways you can support the communities and causes you care about, contact President/CEO Katie Alford at kalford@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883.