Application Process

Impact100 Houston awards grants to nonprofits in our community in the focus areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment. Applicants may apply for grant funding of $100,000 in a focus area that supports their mission, programs, or services.

Applying for a grant starts with the Eligibility Questionnaire. We recommend reading our eligibility criteria before proceeding.

For more information about applying for a grant, view a recording of our 2023 Nonprofit Information Session held on March 3.

2023 Grants Timeline

March 1: Eligibility Questionnaire opens

March 3: Non-profit Training Session

March 31: Pre-Application Form closes

April 30: Eligible organizations receive invitation to complete Grant Application

May 1: Grant Application opens

May 31: Grant Application closes

August: Semi-Finalists alerted of Site Visit request

August 30 – September 12: Site Visits conducted

September 20: Five Finalists alerted

September 27: Meet the Finalists event

November 8: Annual Awards Celebration

Focus Areas

Arts & Culture

Cultural programs, participation in the arts, arts education, museums

Education

Educational opportunities for children and/or adults, especially those that address lingering educational disparities affecting our community

Family

Strengthening and enhancing the lives of children and families, including seniors

Health & Wellness

Improvement of people’s mental and/or physical well-being

Environment

Conservation and preservation of natural resources; environmental justice; parks and recreation; agricultural sustainability; environmental education and climate action

Eligibility Requirements

Impact100 Houston invites nonprofits serving Harris County to apply for general operating, capacity building or program grants in five focus areas: education, family, health & wellness, environment and arts & culture. 

Organizations eligible to apply for an Impact100 Houston grant must be:

  • Tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (local affiliates may apply under the 501(c)(3) of the national organization).
  • Supporting staff located in and serving residents of Harris County.
  • In possession of at least three full years (36 months) of independently prepared financial statements (audited or reviewed).

Priority will be given to organizations that:

  • Target under-served populations.
  • Highlight unmet needs in the community.
  • Have a proven impact on beneficiaries and/or communities.

Types of funding available:

  • Program Support: existing initiatives, expansion of initiatives, or new initiatives that target a specific population, last for a specific duration, and aim to achieve specific, measurable goals.
  • Capacity Building: strengthen or grow a nonprofit organization to improve its future performance, impact, and sustainability in support of its mission and vision, producing measurable results for the organization by the end of the grant period.
  • General Operations: unrestricted funds that support the general operations of a nonprofit organization and help it fulfill its mission and vision, helping lead to measurable results for the organization by the end of the grant period.

Grants will not be provided for:

  • Debt reduction, operating deficits, interim or bridge funding, or endowment funding.
  • Individuals or private foundations.
  • Activities that are religious or political in nature.
  • Fund drives, annual appeals, fundraising events, or general capital campaigns.

As we continue to grow and evolve, Impact100 Houston reserves the right to change its eligibility criteria without notice at any time.

Grant FAQs
  • How should I submit my application?
  • Can our organization submit applications in more than one Focus Area?
  • The funding we need for our proposal is more than the $100,000 grant Impact100 offers. Can we submit a proposal for more than the $100,000?
  • The funding we need for our proposal is less than $100,000. Can we submit a proposal for less than the full amount?
  • Will you consider a proposal from a group of organizations collaborating on a project or program?
  • Do you give grants to proposals that expend the funds over a period of years?
  • Will the grant be paid in a lump sum?
  • If an organization has multiple locations including one in Houston, would you consider a grant award that applies to the organization as a whole, or would the award have to apply to Houston work only?
  • Will there be one grant made per focus area?
  • If the nonprofit was established within the past year, would it still be eligible to apply?
  • What if the nonprofit does not have a physical office for the site visit?
  • Is preference given to new initiatives?
  • What is the timeline for Impact100 Houston’s grants process?