Early Capacity Building Grant Fund

HOUSTON LAND BANK · THIRD WARD

Early Capacity Building Grant Fund

Funding and hands-on support to help Third Ward nonprofits, small businesses, and grassroots organizations strengthen their operations and grow their impact in the community.

ABOUT THE FUND

The Third Ward Early Capacity Building Grant Fund is a community investment program administered by Houston Land Bank in partnership with Rice Management Company. It provides direct funding to nonprofits, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community-led organizations serving Houston's Historic Third Ward.

The program supports projects that strengthen economic development, food access, community health, workforce growth, civic engagement, and cultural preservation. It is designed in alignment with the Third Ward Complete Communities Action Plan and shaped with input from a Community Advisory Council — accessible, accountable, and community-centered.

AT A GLANCE

$850K

Total grant pool for Third Ward

Third Ward

Businesses & nonprofits served

2027

Funding cycle year

Two Tiers of Funding

Funding designed to meet you where you are

Whether you're planting seeds or scaling proven work, the Fund has a track built for your stage.

Up to $15,000

Community Micro Fund for early-stage and grassroots organizations beginning to grow their impact in Third Ward.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum 2 years of operations
Direct service or impact within Third Ward
Early-stage organizational growth needs
Commitment to community-centered development

Up to $75,000

Growth Fund for established nonprofits and businesses with a proven track record of impact in Third Ward.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum 5 years of operations
Strong track record of community impact in Third Ward
Ability to manage larger-scale funding and reporting
Growth Fund for established nonprofits and businesses with a proven track record of impact in Third Ward.
Established organizational structure and readiness

Who Can Apply

Nonprofit and community-based organizations

Grassroots organizations

Entrepreneurs and small businesses

Faith-based organizations

Program Priorities

Economic development

Food access and community health

Cultural preservation and identity

Workforce growth and job creation

Neighborhood stabilization

HOW THE FUND SUPPORTS YOU

Grant funding for your mission

Direct awards from the $850,000 pool to advance your organization's goals and serve the community.

T I E R 1
Up to $15,000
Community Micro Fund for early-stage and grassroots organizations beginning to grow their impact in Third Ward.

T I E R 2

Up to $75,000

Growth Fund for established nonprofits and businesses with a proven track record of impact in Third Ward.

Information sessions & office hours

Orientation workshops and open office hours to walk you through the program and the application.

Information Session 1 (In Person)

July 16, 2026 at 6:00pm

2310 Elgin St, Houston, Tx 77004

Information Session 2 (Virtual)

August 3, 2026 at 5:00pm

Application Workshop (Virtual)

August 11, 2026 at 5:00pm

Light-touch technical assistance

Friendly coaching on budgeting, basic compliance, and reporting — plus connections to deeper resources as needed.

A partner in telling your story

Support documenting grantee stories and outcomes that respect community voice and elevate your work.

HOW THE GRANT CYCLE WORKS

STEP 1

Apply

Submit a simple application online. We design the process to be clear and accessible.

STEP 2

Review

Applications are reviewed by HLB staff. Community input will help inform funding decisions.