WHEN We Fund
Community Grant Funding Cycles
The King Foundation awards Community Grants twice each year through spring and fall funding cycles. These application periods allow our team and Board of Directors to thoughtfully review requests, conduct due diligence, and ensure funding decisions align with the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
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By concentrating grantmaking into two annual cycles, we are able to provide a thorough and equitable review process while supporting organizations that are creating meaningful impact across the communities we serve.
Fall Cycle
2026
Portal Opens
July 7, 2026
Application Deadline
August 1, 2026
WHAT We Fund
Community Grants
​​​​support programmatic work that addresses community needs and expands opportunity across five core categories: Aging Population; Arts, Culture, and History; Children and Youth; Economic Mobility; and Education. The categories have general guidelines and specific guidelines for each region.
Aging Population
Supporting older adults in preserving and improving their independence, health, and quality of life, including efforts that improve access to care, strengthen financial stability, and protect against abuse or exploitation.
In North Texas, this category focuses on programs addressing older adults’ economic well-being, including services related to benefits, food, and housing access, employment, personal debt and asset management.
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In West Texas and the Arkansas Delta, the category focuses onaccess to and the quality of basic services that address older adults’ physical and mental well-being.
Arts, Culture, and History
Expanding access to artistic, cultural, and historical experiences that enrich learning and community life, particularly for children, seniors, and those who might not otherwise have access.
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In North Texas, this category primarily supports programs for school-aged children, including those with science, technology, engineering, arts, and music (STEAM) content and outcomes.
In West Texas and the Arkansas Delta, the category centers on expanding access in rural and underserved communities.
Addressing the physical, emotional, and developmental well-beingof young people, including efforts that prevent or respond to abuse, neglect, and instability to promote strong outcomes into adulthood.
In North Texas, this category only supports holistic youth-to-independent-adulthood transition programs for unaccompanied youth with experience in foster care, homelessness, and risks associated with homelessness.
 
In West Texas and the Arkansas Delta, the category emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and mitigation of abuse, neglect, andinstability through holistic supports, including programs that promote and develop sound character and values in young people.
Children and Youth
Helping adult individuals and families improve their household financial stability through access to services.
In North Texas, the category emphasizes proven methods, strong outcomes, and lasting impact. It centers on coordinated approaches that address households’ holistic needs and promote financial well-being. Programs have a primary service area, such as employment, job training, certified financial coaching, microlending, or asset building, and holistic supportive services beyond basic needs.
In West Texas and the Arkansas Delta, it focuses on access to housing, employment, and essential services that address both immediate needs and long-term economic well-being.
Economic Mobility
Strengthening access to educational pathways that support long-term academic and life success.
In North Texas, this category only addresses programs serving young children from birth to five-years-old, including early childhood and pre-K programs that demonstrate positive developmental, learning, and life outcomes for children.
In West Texas and the Arkansas Delta, the category focuses on expanding access to education, literacy, and English language learning, from early childhood through adulthood, as well as educational supports, like parent engagement, credentialing pathways, and teacher training.
Education
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Community Grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 and are most often awarded for a one-year period.
Funding is primarily directed toward programmatic efforts, with limited capital support considered in North Texas. Across all regions, the King Foundation supports organizations working to strengthen communities and expand opportunity. While our focus areas remain consistent, how this work shows up reflects the unique needs of each community.
Funding Details
Across all regions, the King Foundation supports organizations working to strengthen communities and expand opportunity. While our focus areas remain consistent, how this work shows up reflects the unique needs of each community.
Initiative Grants
support efforts that create system-level impact and strengthen the broader nonprofit ecosystem. This includes strategies that shift structures, build organizational capacity, and foster collaboration across communities.
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Current funding priorities include:
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Issue-based capacity building 
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Nonprofit capacity building through cohort-based approaches 
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Localized research and narrative development 
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Funder collaboratives and coordinated investment strategies 
Funding Details
Initiative Grants typically range from $50,000 to $250,000 and may extend across multiple years. Funding may support programmatic work, capital needs, nonprofit capacity, or other strategic investments aligned with the Foundation’s priorities. Applications are by invitation only.
WHERE We Fund
The King Foundation’s geographic focus reflects both its origins and its commitment to place-based philanthropy. From the Kings’ early work in the Permian Basin to their connection to Arkansas and their long-standing presence in Dallas, the Foundation’s work is grounded in North Texas, West Texas, and Arkansas.
North Texas
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant
West Texas
Andrews, Brewster, Crane, Ector, Glasscock, Jeff Davis, Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Ward, Winkler
Arkansas
Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, St. Francis
GRANT EXCLUSIONS
The Foundation does not award grants:
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To individuals
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To organizations or programs that do not serve residents of our geographic focus areas in Arkansas or Texas.
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To organizations that are not tax exempt or have not received their 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service. (The Foundation will consider grants to organizations in a fiscal sponsorship arrangement in some circumstances.)
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For general operating support, annual fund drives, or funds to offset operating losses.
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For debt retirement, including short-term loans taken as part of a capital campaign.
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To create or add to endowments.
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To organizations that will “pass through” the King Foundation grant by re-award to other charitable organizations.
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For galas, balls, luncheons, or similar events benefiting charitable organizations.
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For efforts to treat or cure a single disease or condition.
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To support medical research.
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For church or seminary construction or religious programs. (The Foundation will consider grants to faith-based groups offering social service programs in some circumstances. The programs must be available to the general public and cannot require religious instruction or participation as a condition of receiving or continuing services.)
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For professional conferences, symposia, academic or sports competitions, K-12 extracurricular competitions, or similar activities.
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For private schools and for-profit charter schools. (The Foundation will consider grants for charter schools that are nonprofit entities or in-district charters.)