Open Call Funding Opportunity

Central Texans are stronger when they are connected — to each other, to vital resources, and to opportunities that shape and improve their communities. A strong local news ecosystem can play a vital role by informing residents, amplifying community voices, and shining light on the issues that shape health and well-being across our region. However, the news sector is facing a dramatic decline, with more than 211 Texas newspapers closing since 2005. Public radio and broadcasting have experienced recent cuts to federal funding. The changing media landscape and related closures are leaving many counties without a local trusted source of news, creating “news deserts” with limited access to credible, accessible information on decisions that shape their daily lives, local stories on important issues facing their families and communities, and events.  

Journalism, particularly at the local level, is often the connective thread in a community and serves as a cornerstone for healthy civic dialogue and activities. Without local news, people are less likely to vote, be aware of regional events, issues, and public health and safety concerns. Local journalism is a community anchor that keeps residents connected to news and civic life. 

Through this funding opportunity, the Foundation seeks to support local media organizations and community-centered journalism that strengthens local coverage of health and social issues impacting Central Texans, particularly those facing the greatest health disparities. 

This initiative aims to: 

• Strengthen equity-focused, community-informed local reporting on the factors that influence health and well-being. 

• Strengthen the capacity and durability of local news organizations serving diverse and underrepresented communities. 

• Foster collaboration and connection among journalists, storytellers, and community partners. 
• Elevate the voices and lived experiences of Central Texans most affected by health inequities.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Serve one or more Central Texas county (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and/or Williamson) through local coverage of health and social issues impacting Central Texans, particularly those facing the greatest health disparities. 
• Provide original local news to communities in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and/or Williamson counties.  
• Produce or support journalism that has a strong history of serving local news outlets and reflects communities on which they report.  
• Demonstrate a commitment to journalistic integrity.  

Note: Organizations with an existing St. David’s Foundation grant are eligible to apply. 

The Foundation would consider proposals from for-profit organizations, however, such proposals must clearly articulate how the proposed project would align with the Foundation’s mission of advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of those in the most underserved communities in Central Texas. Any Foundation funding to for-profit entities must be used for charitable purposes and thus cannot be used for general operating support.  

The Foundation expects to award up to $5M in grants for this funding opportunity. Each awardee will receive a one-time award over the 24-month grant period.

How to Apply 

The Strengthening Local Media to Advance Community Health funding opportunity will open on January 7, 2026, using a rolling Letter of Intent (LOI) process. The LOI will be a short eligibility screening on the criteria above and high-level summary of the applicant’s proposed project, which will be reviewed by Foundation staff on a rolling basis. LOIs will not be accepted after January 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time. LOI proposals that strongly align with the intent of the funding opportunity will be invited to submit a full application. The invited applications will be due by February 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time.    

Organizations are encouraged to submit their LOI as early as possible to allow more time to complete their proposal if invited to submit a full application. Applicants can submit multiple LOIs, however each LOI must represent a unique program/project. If applying as part of a collaborative, the group must identify one organization to serve as the lead organization of the collaborative. We define a collaborative as more than one organization formally partnering with another or several organizations to deliver coordinated services. The lead organization should be the only organization to submit an application for the scope of work. If a grant is awarded to the collaborative, the grant agreement would be issued to the lead organization, which would be responsible for reporting and administering funds to the rest of the collaborative as agreed to by the participating organizations.   

All letters of intent must be submitted through the Foundation’s online Grants Portal. Paper copies and emailed submissions will not be accepted.  

Contact Information 

For programmatic questions, please email [email protected].

For technical questions, please email [email protected].

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