Grant Process
Eligibility
Rockwell Fund makes grants for general operations, programs or projects, capacity building, planning and evaluation in support of Community Development activities primarily within Super Neighborhood 52.
Some grant opportunities are by invitation only (see the Grant Review Schedule). Otherwise, we have an open application process. Neither an invitation to submit a grant application, nor submission of a grant application assure funding.
Click WHAT WE FUND to learn more.
We do not give grants directly to individuals. Generally, grants are made to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations.
As a matter of policy, we do not fund the following:
- Annual fund drives
- Capital campaigns
- Direct mail or other mass solicitations
- Endowments
- Grants that impose the exercise of “expenditure responsibility” upon Rockwell Fund; for example, private operating foundations or certain support organizations
- Houses of worship
- Individuals
- Medical or scientific research projects or organizations that target a specific disease
- Parochial or private primary and secondary schools
- Underwriting for benefits, dinners, galas, golf tournaments or other fundraising or special events
Grant Application
To apply for a grant, we ask that you submit an application during the appropriate grant review period. Please review our grant review schedule before applying.
Learn how to request and submit an application.
We only accept submissions of completed applications through our online grants management system. We do not accept any documents sent by email, fax, mail, or hand delivery. All grant applicants will be prompted to create an online profile before completing the application request form.
The Application Request Form for our Health and Wellness issue area will open June 16, 2025. The application submission period will close on July 18, 2025.
We advise completing the application request form early during the submission period. This is to ensure your organization has ample time to review and complete the application materials before the application deadline.
To submit your application in the online grants management system, the following documents are required:
- Certification of Tax-Exempt Status
- Form 990
- Current Fiscal Year’s Financial Statements
- Previous Fiscal Year’s Financial Statements
- Organization’s Current Budget for the Current Fiscal Year
- Program/Project’s Budget for the Requested Funding Period (If Applicable)
- Organization’s Revenue Sources
- List of Board of Directors
- Reports or Analyses of Efficacy of Organization’s Work (If Available)
Grant Application Review
Once your grant application has been received, it will be reviewed by program staff. During the review process, program staff may request a virtual meeting or site visit with your organization.
An invitation to meet virtually or in-person does not guarantee an application will be approved for funding.
Grant Decisions
After each quarterly Board meeting, each applicant will be notified regarding the disposition of its request.
Organizations selected for funding will receive a grant agreement letter through our online grants management system, which must be electronically signed. Selected organizations will then be asked to submit ACH banking information for the direct transfer of grant funds. Funds are typically disbursed within 30 days of Rockwell Fund’s receipt of an executed grant agreement letter.
Organizations not selected for funding typically receive an email informing them of the Board’s decision within 7 business days.
2025 Grant Review Schedule
1st quarter
Issue area
Capacity Building (Invite Only)
Community Leadership (Invite Only)
Grant Application Submissions Period
Opens: January 24, 2025
Closes: February 14, 2025
Board Meeting
March 20, 2025
2nd quarter
Issue area
Flood Resilience (Invite Only)
Housing
Grant Application Submissions Period
Opens: March 14, 2025
Closes: April 18, 2025
Board Meeting
June 5, 2025
3rd quarter
Issue area
Food Access (Invite Only)
Health & Wellness
Grant Application Submissions Period
Opens: June 16, 2025
Closes: July 18, 2025
Board Meeting
September 4, 2025
4th quarter
Issue Area
Mobility, Parks & Infrastructure (Invite Only)
Education
Grant Application Submissions Period
Opens: September 15, 2025
Closes: October 17, 2025
Board Meeting
December 4, 2025
Does Rockwell Fund favor funding projects over general operating support?
All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Between 2022-2024, 66% of grants were for project/program support; 34% of grants were for general operating support.
Do you fund specific target population groups such as the elderly, children, persons who are homeless, persons with AIDS, victims of domestic abuse, etc.?
Grants are based on our stated issue areas, but we take into consideration the demographics served by grantees and may therefore benefit particular groups.
My arts organization wishes to apply for a program that will benefit school-aged children. Would our application then be considered in the education category?
Each of our issue areas has stated strategic priorities for funding. Please apply to the issue area where your organization is best poised to meet one or multiple of the strategic priorities for the target community.
My organization is not in the Houston area. Is it eligible for a grant?
Generally, no. Please see our Community Development strategy on the What We Fund page.
Are there projects and program areas for which Rockwell Fund will not make grants?
As a matter of policy, we do not fund the following:
- Annual fund drives
- Capital campaigns
- Direct mail or other mass solicitations
- Endowments
- Grants that impose the exercise of “expenditure responsibility” upon Rockwell Fund; for example, private operating foundations or certain support organizations
- Houses of worship
- Individuals
- Medical or scientific research projects or organizations that target a specific disease
- Parochial or private primary and secondary schools
- Underwriting for benefits, dinners, galas, golf tournaments or other fundraising or special events
Can I get a college scholarship from Rockwell Fund?
We do not award scholarships directly to individuals. We have endowed scholarship funds at universities. Some of those funds bear the names of our foundation or one of the members of its founding family. Those institutions select the individual scholarship recipients.
I have started the online application process and I am in need of technical assistance, who should I reach out to?
During the application process, if you need technical assistance or need to ask a clarifying question, please send an email to grantsinfo@rockfund.org.
When should a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) be submitted?
Rockwell Fund no longer requires LOIs. To apply for a grant, please submit a grant application during the appropriate grant submission period.
How do I request and submit a grant application?
For detailed instructions, visit www.rockfund.org/how-to.
How many grant applications may be submitted?
For any organization, only one grant application may be submitted per grant submission period.
How will I know if you received my application?
You will receive an automated email after successful submission of a grant application. Please check your spam folder if you do not see this email in your regular inbox. If you do not receive this automated email within 24 hours, please email grantsinfo@rockfund.org to confirm receipt.
What information, documents and forms do I need to send?
To submit your application in the online grants management system, the following documents are required:
- Certification of Tax-Exempt Status
- Form 990
- Current Fiscal Year’s Financial Statements
- Previous Fiscal Year’s Financial Statements
- Organization’s Current Budget for the Current Fiscal Year
- Program/Project’s Budget for the Requested Funding Period (If Applicable)
- Organization’s Revenue Sources
- List of Board of Directors
- Reports or Analyses of Efficacy of Organization’s Work (If Available)
How long does your grant application review process take?
The grant review process typically takes two months to complete, although it may take longer if the staff or board believes it warrants further study. You can learn more in the Review section of our Grant Process page.
When will grant applications be acted upon?
Grant applications will typically be considered within the quarter designated to the issue area the proposal is targeting.
If our application was declined, will we be told the reason?
In general, the rationale for trustee decisions will not be provided to applicants. Information believed to be useful to an unsuccessful applicant may be conveyed through program staff, at the discretion of Rockwell Fund.
What size grants does Rockwell Fund make?
Grant size depends on the project. Please see our list of Past Grantees for examples.
Rockwell Fund seems like the best fit for our request. Should we apply to other funding sources?
Yes, we prefer to award grants to organizations that have multiple sources of support.
To what organizations have grants been made in the past?
Please see our list of Past Grantees.
Does Rockwell Fund publish an annual report?
We do not publish an annual report; however, much of the information usually found in an annual report is located on or linked to in our website. Grant information for the previous year is available on our website.
Who are your trustees? What are their addresses?
See our Leadership page for a list of our trustees. Mail for all trustees should be sent to them in care of Rockwell Fund, Inc., 3555 Timmons Ln., Suite 950, Houston, Texas 77027.
Is your foundation related to Rockwell International, Rockwell Space or the Norman Rockwell Estate?
Despite the similarity of our names, there has never been a family or business connection between our foundation and these three entities.
3555 Timmons lane, SUITE 950, HOUSTON, TX 77027