Eligibility

Grant Eligibility Guidelines

Scharbauer Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that align with the Foundation’s mission to make Midland a better place in which to live and operate a business. The Foundation prioritizes projects that create meaningful, measurable, and lasting community impact across its four primary focus areas: Education, Healthcare, Human Services, and Quality of Place.

Organizations considering applying for a grant from Scharbauer Foundation are encouraged to carefully review the eligibility requirements and funding priorities outlined below prior to submitting a request. All applicants, especially any applicant with projects that fall outside of the Foundation’s guidelines, should visit with the Foundation team before submitting a pre-application.

Important Dates

Spring 2027 Grant Cycle

Opens January 7, pre-applications are due to the Foundation at 5 PM on January 21.

Fall 2027 Grant Cycle

Opens July 29, pre-applications are due to the Foundation at 5 PM on August 12.

Eligible Organizations

To qualify for a grant from Scharbauer Foundation, a nonprofit must:

  • Be tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)
  • Be further classified as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 509(a)
  • Provide a copy of the IRS Letter of Determination Ruling
  • Have operated as a 501c3 for at least one year prior to applying.
  • Applicants claiming exemption as a Government Entity must also provide evidence of their tax-exempt status.

Pre-applications from colleges or universities MUST be submitted by the development office on behalf of the institution.

Past grant recipients may only be considered for new funding if all progress/final reports for previously awarded grants have been received.

Organizations must demonstrate strong leadership, financial responsibility, and the ability to effectively manage and sustain the proposed project or program.

No grants will be made to:

  • Individuals
  • Churches
  • Lobbying organizations
  • Individual public or private schools that provide primary and/or secondary education (PK-12) to the general population

Geographic Scope

Scharbauer Foundation supports organizations and projects within its geographic scope, listed in order of priority:

  • The City of Midland
  • Midland County
  • Midland and Odessa
  • The City of Odessa

Any applicant with projects that fall outside of the Foundation’s guidelines and/or geographical preference must visit with the Foundation team before submitting a pre-application.

Please contact Megan Lea at mlea@sfmidland.org or MK Marshall at mmarshall@sfmidland.org.

Requests Not Funded

Scharbauer Foundation does not provide funding for:

  • Individuals
  • Political organizations or campaigns
  • For-profit entities
  • Annual fundraising events or sponsorship-only requests
  • Requests without clear community impact or sustainability
  • Projects that fall outside the Foundation’s focus areas and geographic scope

The Foundation does not consider consecutive-year requests for general operating or project support.

Before You Apply

Before submitting a request, organizations are encouraged to ensure they can clearly demonstrate:

  • Alignment with the Foundation’s mission, focus areas, and geographic scope.
  • Defined project goals and community impact
  • Organizational financial and operational stability
  • A realistic project timeline and implementation plan
  • Long-term sustainability beyond grant funding
  • Appropriate supporting documentation and financial materials

Applications that provide clear, thorough, and well-organized information help support the review process.

Ready to Apply?

Organizations whose work aligns with Scharbauer Foundation’s mission and funding priorities are encouraged to review the application process and submit a pre-application through the Foundation’s online grant portal.

Apply for a Grant
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