Eligibility

Our Foundation has established eligibility requirements to ensure that our resources are directed toward organizations that align with our mission and values. These criteria help us prioritize funding for initiatives that have a meaningful and lasting impact on the communities they serve, while also fostering inclusive and equitable practices. By setting clear guidelines, we can ensure that the organizations we support are committed to systemic change and are well-positioned to make a difference. These requirements also help us evaluate potential grantees in a consistent and fair manner, enabling us to focus our efforts on projects that have the greatest potential for positive, transformative outcomes.

Can My Organization Apply?

So that we may maximize the number of organizations that the Foundation can fund, organizations that receive grants from the Foundation in two consecutive years must skip an entire year before reapplying.  For example, if your organization was approved for a grant in the Fall of 2025 and Fall of 2026, you may not reapply for a grant from the Foundation until the Fall of 2028.

In addition, organizations may not submit grant applications in any two consecutive grant cycles.  For example, if your organization applies in the Fall of 2025, it may not reapply for a grant in the Spring/Summer of 2026. Your organization must wait until the Fall of 2026 before it may submit a new grant application to the Foundation.

Please see the FAQs page for further information and restrictions.

The James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation distributes grants to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations serving the youth, young adults or the aging population. The Foundation does not lend or grant money to individuals.

Grants are made in five categories

  • Arts and Culture
  • Civic and Public Affairs
  • Education
  • Health
  • Human Services

The Foundation provides grants throughout the United States, but tries to allocate at least one-third of its grant resources to organizations helping those in the West Texas area.   Applications for specific programs or projects, capital projects, and general operations are considered.  Endowment grants are rare.

The Foundation looks for one or more of the following conditions in an application:

    • Foundation support would be vital or catalytic to a proposed project’s success.
    • The project is well planned and the organization has the capacity to execute the plan.
    • Financial support from other sources exists to ensure that the project will be implemented and continue after the grant period. It will expedite the review process if a material portion of the total funds needed for the project have been secured before applying.

In general, grants are not made for purposes of:

    • Church or seminary construction.
    • Annual fundraising drives, galas and other similar types of fundraising events.
    • Support of single artistic events or performances.
    • Support or establish an endowment.

All applicants are notified in writing of the action taken by the Board.  Grant selection is a highly competitive process and not all project proposals received by the Foundation can be funded.  Please do not interpret the decision to decline a request as a negative evaluation of your project or organization.

The Foundation requests that it receive no commemorative items; all resources should be used for the organization’s philanthropic purposes.