Our Funding

How we fund, what we fund, and who we support

The Bayou Collective funds Black-led organizations through pooled giving, operational support, and trust-based philanthropy in Houston.

How We Fund.

The Bayou Collective uses a trust-based, member-led funding process that emphasizes transparency, shared decision-making, and care for the organizations we support.

Organizations apply through a short written or video submission that tells the story of their work, the communities they serve, and how funding would support their sustainability. Applications are reviewed by a member-led funding committee using shared criteria, with finalists invited into conversation with the full membership before a final vote.

Funding decisions are made collectively by voting Full Members.

A portion of the funds raised each year is used to support the operating costs of the giving circle.

What We Fund.

We fund operations, capacity building, and organizational well-being for Black-led nonprofits.

This means awarded funds may be used for things like:

  • Salaries and staff support

  • Rent or facilities costs

  • Professional development

  • Retreats, sabbaticals, or rest and recovery

  • Other needs that strengthen long-term sustainability

We believe organizations are best positioned to determine how resources should be used, and we do not restrict funding to specific programs.

We trust organizations to determine how funds are best used to support their mission and people.

We do not fund:

  • Program-only requests

  • Capital campaigns

  • Events or fundraisers (such as galas)

Who We Fund.

Organizational Eligibility

The Bayou Collective currently focuses on supporting small to mid-sized, Black-led organizations based in Houston.

We intentionally keep our eligibility criteria broad during our early grant cycles. Specific parameters may be refined over time based on our learning and grantmaking experience.

Organizations considered for funding must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored

  • Not be directly affiliated with a voting member of the giving circle (to avoid conflicts of interest)

  • Work in at least one of our focus areas:

    • Women’s health

    • Workforce development

    • Mental health

    • Cultural arts

    • Financial literacy

    • Youth development

  • Be a direct service provider, systems change organization, or advocacy group

  • Be based in Harris County or one of its seven contiguous counties: Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, or Galveston

Conflict of Interest & Eligibility

Organizations are not eligible to apply for funding if a voting Full Member of the Bayou Collective is employed by, serves on the board of, or has a contractual relationship with the organization during the funding cycle.

This restriction applies regardless of whether the Full Member recuses themselves from discussion or voting.

These guidelines support a fair, transparent, and community-centered funding process.

Funding Process & Timeline

Application period:
Applications are accepted annually between June 19 and July 15.

Application process:
Applicants will be invited to submit a short video or form that tells the story of their work. More details to come.

Review process:

  • Members of the funding committee review and score all eligible applications

  • A summary of the top applicants is shared with the full membership by the first Friday in August

  • Finalists are then invited to the voting meeting and given time to respond to questions from members

Award announcement:
Funding is awarded during the last week of August, in recognition of Black August and Black Philanthropy Month, at a gathering hosted in a Black-owned space.

Organizations that are finalists but not selected for funding will receive a complimentary membership to Black Impact Houston, provided by the Circle.

How Grant Funds May Be Used

Grants from The Bayou Collective are intended to support the overall health and sustainability of Black-led organizations in Houston.

This funding is not program-restricted. Grant funds may be used for capacity building, professional development, rest, and other organizational needs identified by the organization.

We recognize that flexible resources are often the hardest to access, and we believe organizations are best positioned to decide how our funding can support their work.