Community-based organizations – Feb 14

Posted by Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation on January 28, 2025

Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation invites applications from organizations serving communities

Established in 1987, the Waco, Texas-based Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation aims to meet basic human needs while building individual and social resiliency. The foundation seeks innovative solutions to intractable and persistent problems and strives to cultivate emerging talents and promising models.

The foundation invites applications for its 2025 spring grant cycle. The foundation prefers to concentrate within the primary areas of arts and culture, community building and social service, democracy and civic participation, education, and health.

Arts and Culture: Artistic and cultural programs that encourage the participation of children and disadvantaged members of the community thereby enriching their lives. Education and cultivation of new and young patrons is encouraged.

Community Building and Social Services: The foundation seeks to build communities that improve the quality of life for all citizens and foster the growth and development of children. In addition, the foundation encourages programs that build grassroots neighborhood networks, provide job training and job opportunities for the unemployed and under-employed, or provide a comprehensive safety net of social services for the least-advantaged citizens.

Democracy and Civic Participation: Efforts both to make government more responsive and to encourage citizens to take an active interest and role in political life. The foundation promotes intergovernmental cooperation as well as initiatives that broaden citizen awareness of public policy issues and alternatives, build skills necessary for political leadership, and provide opportunities for community service.

Education: The foundation is interested in the broad area of education, but with a special concern for early learning up to and through the elementary years. Other areas of interest include adult education and training initiatives, college and career readiness, and programs that enhance the capabilities of teachers and other professionals in public schools.

Health: Efforts to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare services to all citizens, especially to women, children, and those who do not have access to conventional medical resources. Community-based outreach initiatives are also of interest to the Foundation.

By policy, one-third of the annual grantmaking budget is designated to qualified nonprofit organizations in the Waco area. Additionally, one-third of the foundation’s annual grantmaking budget is allocated to qualified organizations operating elsewhere in the state of Texas and/or within the United States. The foundation does not typically consider funding direct service programs outside of the Waco/McLennan County area.

Letters of intent are due February 14, 2025. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, due April 4, 2025.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation website.

Deadline: February 14, 2025 (Letters of Intent)