— Dripping Springs, Texas
For Nonprofits
The Foundation applauds all of the nonprofit organizations who are working to improve and enrich the safety, healthy, happiness and opportunities of their neighbors. Working together we can all be proud to call Dripping Springs “home.”
For the past 26 years, the Foundation has presented financial assistance, via a grants process, to qualified nonprofits. To date more than 50 organizations and 120 projects have received Foundation support. Information on the application process and deadlines can be found below.
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Greater Dripping Springs area
A Resource for
Nonprofit Organizations
Education and Training
The Foundation is also a resource for continued learning and convening among nonprofits.
Past workshops topics include: fundraising, finance, applying to the Foundation, grant-seeking, ethics for attorneys, and a day-long event focused on numerous topics pertinent to nonprofit operations, growth and sustainability.
Future events will be announced through mailings and newsletters.
Financial Grants
The Foundation considers programs and projects on a semiannual basis. Deadline for receipt of all requested materials is January 31 and July 31 each year.
The Foundation board will consider one application from an organization with a 12-month period. A timely report of accomplished project outcomes and expenditures is required within the contract time period. Grant commitments are made for 6 months and one year. Requesting organizations must have a current IRS 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination; individuals are ineligible to apply for funds. See Application Below.
Fiscal Sponsorship
Additionally, the Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for new and emerging projects that do not seek establishment of a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit on their own but rather will provide a community benefit in the short term.
The Foundation ensures that all financial transactions meet IRS standards, handles all financial activities, and provides progress reports. The newest projects that received fiscal sponsorship status include the Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark at Founder’s Park and DSTX Together, a Community Heart and Soul project.
Agency Funds
Nonprofit organizations also have the option to establish an Agency fund at the Foundation.
This fund can provide assets in perpetuity or help maintain agency assets for 3-5 years.
Funds are invested and can be accessed by the nonprofit on a basis they establish while growing to help meet future needs.
Applicants are encouraged to read Frequently Asked Questions, found here, prior to application.
Grants are scored according to:
Proven viability, performance and leadership of the organization
Measurable and logical program/project outcomes
Practical and effective use of funds
All projects must benefit the residents of the Dripping Springs community
Dripping Springs Community Foundation
Grant FAQs
Answers to the questions we hear most often from area nonprofits preparing a grant proposal.
What type of grants does the Dripping Springs Community Foundation support?
The Foundation considers projects that fall into one or more of the following categories: Education & Training, Historical Preservation, Health & Human Services, Community Development/Community Service, Arts & Culture, Environment, Animal Welfare, Recreation & Leisure. The Foundation will consider all projects that comply with its guidelines. Receiving a grant in the past does not disqualify an organization for current consideration, if the organization has complied with all previous contractual requirements.
What are the deadlines for submitting grant proposals?
Deadlines for grant proposal submissions are January 31 and July 31. The trustees will consider only one application from an organization within a 12 month period. No proposal from an organization previously funded by the Foundation will be considered until a full and timely report of impact and expenditure of the previous grant has been submitted.
May an individual apply for a scholarship or grant?
The Foundation does not support grants to individuals in the form of scholarships or any other assistance. Grant requests can be considered only from tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and who have received an IRS Letter of Determination.
What type of grants does the Foundation decline to support?
The Foundation does not support grants for:
- Fundraising events or marketing efforts;
- Stand-alone sponsorships, competitions, walks, athletic events, and tournaments etc.;
- Religious organizations for religious purposes;
- Direct or in-direct political activities, causes, candidates, organizations, legislative influence, or campaigns including direct or grass roots lobbying;
- Grants to organizations who will re-grant monies to other organizations;
- Grants to individuals in any form including, but not limited to, sponsorship of an individual or team, scholarships, tuition, medical costs, etc.;
- Ongoing operating costs including direct administrative costs or existing organizational overhead;
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation;
- Past operating deficits or debt retirement, or expenditures that have already been made prior to proposal submittal.
Does the Foundation fund multi-year requests?
At the time, the Foundation reviews proposals for a one-year time period, and does not make multi-year commitments.
What is an appropriate amount to request when submitting a proposal?
The Foundation provides grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $3,000.
May an organization request interim updates?
The Foundation acknowledges receipt of proposals and provides notice immediately upon final funding decisions, but does not provide status reports during the review process.
Must the original Proposal Summary Form be completed?
The Foundation will accept reproduced copies of the Grant Proposal form if the information is complete and submitted in the exact order of the original form. The proposal should be no longer than 5-6 pages, and most sections have word limits.
May videos, CDs, or cassettes be sent as additional information?
Please do not send as materials of this type are not reviewed.
May an organization meet with Foundation representatives prior to submitting a request?
The Foundation prefers to receive and review proposals, then schedule meetings or visits at the discretion of the Grant Committee.
Must our organization have an annual audit by an independent auditor/firm?
The Foundation has a positive bias toward funding those organizations who secure an annual audit from an independent auditing firm.
How does our nonprofit organization apply to the Dripping Springs Community Foundation?
The Foundation prefers to receive proposal packages via email to [email protected].
Dripping Springs Community Foundation
PO Box 1684
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Mailed packages must be received by the published deadline.
No matching questions
Try a different word, or email [email protected].
Contact us at:
737-283-4422
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1864, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.
The Dripping Springs Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations to DSCF are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID #74-2913771.