Annual Grants Process Guidelines
Please thoroughly review the information and guidelines prior to completing your application due to changes with the process.
BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR AN ANNUAL GRANT, YOU AFFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE GUIDELINES.
Printing instructions are provided under the Frequently Asked Questions section.
OVERVIEW: Each year, Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF) awards grants through our Annual Grants process, utilizing unrestricted and other eligible funds. We welcome applications from eligible organizations/coalitions for projects that will be completed by August 31 of the following year.
SERVICE AREA ELIGIBILITY: All grant requests must be for services that are performed in CBCF’s seven-county service area: Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio counties.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
Ineligible Applicants:
- Organizations participating in the Coastal Bend Day of Giving and Arnim Brothers Fund applicants are not eligible.
Excluded Focus Areas:
- Applications from food pantries (except college/university based) will not be accepted this year due to the Annual Food Pantry Special Grant awarded to Coastal Bend Food Bank and Food Bank of the Golden Crescent benefiting 97 food pantries.
- Animal services organizations are also not eligible this year due to the PAAC Special Spay/Neuter Grant launched in Fall 2022.
Grant Report Requirement:
- Organizations that received an Annual Grant last year must submit a Grant Report before applying again. Instructions were emailed upon grant acceptance.
ANNUAL GRANT DETAILS:
- Application Period: Opens August 1 and closes September 15 at 11:59 p.m. CST. There are no exceptions to the deadline.
- Application Format: Online only. Paper applications are not accepted.
- Grant Pool: Up to $375,000
- Grant Amount: Up to $25,000
- Purpose: To support expenses associated with a specific program or project serving vulnerable individuals and/or families.
- Note: No grants are available for general operating expenses.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in existence for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Government and school entities may apply only for projects outside their basic/core services.
- Note: Grants to or for the benefit of a tax-supported college or university must be used solely for direct student support including, but not limited to, student Emergency Funds and Student Food Pantries.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
High Funding Priorities (Within the Funded Areas):
- Programs that measurably raise the quality of life in the Coastal Bend
- Disadvantaged youth, elderly, and families
- Education and job creation projects that bring people out of poverty
- Projects that are not easily accomplished without Foundation funding
- Projects that result in increased funding from additional sources
Low Funding Priorities:
- Start-up funding for new organizations
- Marketing efforts, publications, videos, etc.
- Projects that stray from the nonprofit’s mission
Factors that Strengthen Proposals:
- Practical solutions to community problems
- Leveraging of additional resources
- Collaborative efforts that decrease duplications of service
- Strength and sustainability of both the nonprofit and the program
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Does a nonprofit need to apply separately to different funds at CBCF?
No. There is only one Annual Grants application process. In addition to its unrestricted funds, CBCF awards annual grants from funds that support the following during this annual grant process:
- intellectually disabled,
- children’s programs,
- cultural activities,
- historical and ecological preservation projects, and
- the elderly
May we submit more than one application?
No. Organizations may submit only one application unless they are serving as a fiscal agent for a partnership or collaboration, in which case they may also submit an application for themselves. Colleges and universities, including their foundations, may submit only one application.
What is the average grant size?
The average grant size is $12,000. Awards are based on the stated need and the footprint/impact of the project. As requests for funding always exceed funds available, there is no guarantee of funding, and grant awards frequently provide partial (as opposed to full) funding of requests.
What does CBCF fund?
CBCF awards grants to support specific programs or projects that enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend. Projects may be new or ongoing, but must:
- Show a compelling, documented impact,
- Align with the organization’s mission, and
- Justify requests for necessary equipment, supplies, or other project-related expenses.
Note: CBCF is not likely to approve applications where it is the sole funder for projects significantly exceeding our average grant size.
What requests are typically denied and/or are prohibited spending of CBCF grants?*
- Specific requests for salary for staff
- Indirect or overhead costs
- Large requests that drastically exceed the typical grant size
- Large requests where the Foundation is the sole funder
- Annual fund drives
- Underwriting/sponsorships for special fundraising events
- Academic or scientific research projects
- Religious activities of religious organizations or programs that require participation in religious activities
- Private school scholarships or projects that do not impact the community at large
- Funding for individuals, specific schools, school groups, or athletic teams
- Travel or transportation expenses
- Office, playground or other equipment, unless for efficiency or safety
- Brick and mortar projects – new construction, renovations, etc.
- Capital campaigns
*Note: These are generalities and are true in most grant-making situations. However, CBCF will make exceptions when appropriate and after discussion with the applicant agency.
What are the focus areas?
As a community foundation, CBCF awards grants in many focus areas that benefit all citizens of the Coastal Bend.
How do I print my application for my own records?
Applications can only be printed once they have been submitted.
1. Access the application by logging into the submission portal and clicking the application tile in the lower left corner of the page.
2. Complete the application and press the GREEN SUBMIT BUTTON in the upper right corner of the page.
3. The button should change to indicate “This has been submitted”. Click VIEW BUTTON in the lower right corner of the page.
4. AFTER clicking VIEW BUTTON the user should be redirected to another
page to view the application.
5. Click the DROPDOWN ARROW next to 2026 ANNUAL GRANT APP in Upper Left Corner of page and select PRINT FORM.
6. AFTER clicking PRINT FORM the user should be redirected to a webpage that can be printed. You can print the application by selecting the appropriate option to print the webpage based on the internet browser that you are using.
For more information, please email info@cbcfoundation.org or call 361-882-9745.
BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THE ANNUAL GRANTS, YOU AFFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE GUIDELINES.
The Annual Grants online application opens August 1 at which time grant writers can apply by clicking on the 2026 Annual Grant Application link. The deadline to apply online is September 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (CST).