SHALOM AUSTIN IMPACT GRANTS

Apply for Shalom Austin Impact Grants 2026

Help us to continue to build a strong and vibrant Jewish community! Shalom Austin is excited to support our community with our impact grants.

2026 SHALOM AUSTIN IMPACT GRANTS APPLICATION

Applications are open!

Two Grant Categories

Grants less than and up to $2,500 – APPLY HERE
Grants of $2,501 and above (this application requires budget documentation) – APPLY HERE

Grant Application Process

Submit Grant Application
Sign up for Mandatory Office Hours
Attend Grant Presentations Meeting

Shalom Austin is looking to support programs in the following areas of focus:

1. Greater Austin and Central Texas Area Community Engagement – Shalom Austin is especially interested in focusing on populations that are underserved geographically in our community, in particular: Circle C, Westlake, Cedar Park (can include Pflugerville and Round Rock), Mueller, and Lakeway. Programming in these communities should serve young families and newcomers.

2. Israel and Jewish Peoplehood – Israel and peoplehood education and dialogue, engaging the Israeli community in Austin, and curating and communicating Israel-related experiences for Greater Austin.

3. Human Services – teen mental health and disability and inclusion, ensuring all programs offered to our community are accessible.

4. Combatting Antisemitism – building coalitions of education, support, and action in our community.

Please note:

We are committed to funding programs that have continuing engagement strategies.
Requests to fund a single event must demonstrate how the event connects to a larger ongoing engagement plan.
We will not fund requests for general support.
Not all applications will receive funding.
As requested last year, we are requiring a “publication blurb.” This is a one sentence description of your program and who it serves that we can use in publications like The Jewish Outlook and Jewish Foundation materials to promote your work should you receive funding.

OFFICE HOURS AND QUESTIONS

We will be hosting mandatory “office hours” to answer any questions you have about the grants process and/or your application. These are 10-minute Zoom calls with Rachel Stern, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Shalom Austin, and Carly Sansom and Matt Smith, Grants Committee Co-Chairs, as well as lay leaders from the committees based on your area of focus.

Please note that these office hours are mandatory. You can sign up for these office hours prior to submitting your application.

Sign up for one of these time slots here.

Thursday, December 4 | 10AM – 1PM
- Greater Austin & Central Texas area Community Engagement & Combatting Antisemitism
Thursday, December 11 | 12PM – 3PM
- Human Services & Israel & Jewish Peoplehood
Friday, December 12 | 11AM – 2PM
- Help Me Decide, not sure which pillar my program applies to

PRESENTATIONS

Presentations this grants cycle will be held in person. A goal for the grants process is to build a community of grantees. We will hold a networking event prior to presentations and all applicants are welcome to stay to hear all presentations.

Your presentation will be limited to a 2-minute summary pitch, followed by a Q&A from the committee.
Please include all information in your submitted proposal and be prepared to answer clarification questions.

Please hold both of the following times on your calendar. You will be notified in advance which day you have been scheduled.

Presentations Night 1: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Presentations Night 2: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Your representative(s) will be required to attend if your application passes an initial screening to be sure it meets our grant guidelines.

Helpful Reminders

Sign up for MANDATORY office hours.
Application deadline is January 30, 2026.
Four Areas of Focus (select 1):
- Greater Austin and Central Texas Area Community Engagement
- Israel and Jewish Peoplehood
- Human Services
- Combating Antisemitism