Grant Finder: Texas K-12 Schools

School funding is the leading concern for district leaders, according to a recent survey conducted by EdWeek. [1] Schools are funded by a patchwork of sources, ranging from state and local funding to federal grants and programs.

With funding for K-12 schools at high levels of uncertainty, it’s essential to schools to understand potential funding streams from grants. As part of our Grant Finder blog series, here's a look at funding sources available for K-12 schools in Texas. 

The Basics

In Texas, K-12 schools spend $14,257 per pupil on average, for a total of $78.7 billion annually. [2]

• Federal funding totals $13.4 billion, or $2,425 per pupil.
• State funding totals $23.0 billion or $4,175 per pupil.
• Local funding totals $37.8 billion or $6,853 per pupil.

Most funding for Texas schools comes from the state and local levels. State and local governments provide over 80% of funding for public K-12 education, based on the most recent data available (2022). [3]

There is high variance in the amount of federal funding a K-12 school receives. Some districts receive zero federal dollars, while some pay for as much as 75% of their expenses using federal funding. Federal funding depends on factors like poverty level, student demographics, population density, and availability of state and local funding. [4]

Grant Finder

Funding can be uncertain, and many administrators say that they don't have the resources available to accomplish everything they want to do. 

Grants are a funding source that can drive transformative impact for administrators, educators, and students. At the same time, grants can be difficult to identify and time-consuming to complete.

Here is a list of grants that Texas K-12 schools can use to fund district needs. 

DOJ STOP Grant

• Due Date: October 27, 2025 (Initial SF-424 submission)
• Eligibility: Public, private, and charter K-12 schools
• Grant Website: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2025-172466
• Description: Provides funding to prevent and reduce school violence by implementing training, developing school threat assessment teams and/or intervention teams to identify violence risks, introducing technologies like anonymous reporting tools, or applying other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence. The goal is to equip K–12 students, teachers, and staff with tools to recognize, respond to, and prevent acts of violence.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

• Due Date: Contact the Texas Office of the Governor, Homeland Security Grants Division
• Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (subrecipients)
• Grant Website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security
• Description: Allowable expenses include identification, assessment, and reporting of threats of violence; improving cybersecurity of access control, identity verification systems, and security technologies; security training for employees; and more. 

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

• Due Date: Contact the Texas Office of the Governor, Homeland Security Grants Division
• Eligibility: State, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofits (subrecipients)
• Grant Website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/homeland-security
• Description: Allowable expenses include materials to conduct planning, engagement, and volunteer management activities; interoperable communications equipment; measures to increase physical security; training conferences; and more.

Education Grants, The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation

• Due Date: January 2026
• Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Waco and McLennan Counties
• Grant Website: www.rapoportfdn.org/process
• Description: The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation makes grants in the areas of arts and culture, education, health, community building and social services, and democracy and civic participation. Preference is given to proposals that address early learning and through the elementary years, adult education and training initiatives, college and career readiness, and programs that enhance the capabilities of teachers and other professionals in public schools. 

Education Grants, CenterPoint Energy Foundation

• Due Date: January 2026
• Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas
• Grant Website: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/corporate/community/centerpoint-energy-foundation
• Description: Our support of Education focuses on improving literacy rates, expanding access to STEM programs, and workforce development. Within these focus areas, we look for programs that serve under-resourced populations, seek to advance equity and promote inclusion to help communities thrive.​

Educational Grants, Helen S. Boylan Foundation

• Due Date: December 2025
• Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public prekindergarten through grade 12 schools in Smith County, Texas
• Grant Website: https://boylanfoundation.org/
• Description: The Helen S. Boylan Foundation offers grants in the areas of arts, education, health and wellness, and women and children. The foundation prefers to support proposals for new initiatives, special projects, expansion of current programs, capital improvements, or building renovations.

Applying for Grants 

After identifying a potential funding source, preparing a strong application is important. Kokomo24/7® can work with your school district to assist and strengthen your application. 

As a leader in school safety, our team is deeply experienced at mapping funding options to the solutions you need. We are happy to provide advice and support whenever you need it from our experts.

Request time with Kokomo24/7® to assist and strengthen your grant application!

About Kokomo24/7®

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Kokomo24/7® utilizes a unique flexible architecture, Kokomo GPA, that differentiates itself from all other point-solutions offered by its competitors. Kokomo24/7® offers organizations the ability to quickly create niche solutions and utilize its current bundle of highly configurable modules. Kokomo24/7® easily pairs with external services, data sources, and hardware devices to create a seamless interaction with clients’ existing systems.    

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