The Westerman Foundation is committed to investing in Catholic education and supporting organizations that put faith into action.  Through semiannual grantmaking, we partner with organizations that strengthen Catholic education, support family resiliency, and advance opportunities for women.

 

Invitation-Only Application Process

The Westerman Foundation operates an invitation-only grant application process and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations selected to apply will receive an invitation from the Foundation with instructions for accessing our online grant portal, application requirements, submission deadlines, and other information specific to the applicable funding cycle.

​

​​2026 Funding Priorities

The Westerman Foundation's 2026 grantmaking is centered on three core areas that reflect our mission and funding priorities. 

​

1. Catholic Education​​

Grant applications in this category should advance student achievement both in faith and in reason.  Applications may be considered at all levels from early childhood to undergraduate.  No awards will be made to fund scholarship assistance for individuals or general tuition assistance programs.  Grant applications may include learning programs for faith formation, curriculum development and delivery, instructional design and methodology. Grants may either preserve existing programs or aim to innovate.  Selected grants may be awarded to support after school programs, English as a second language and associated multi-cultural programs as well as meeting the academic needs of diverse learners.  The Foundation also has funded instructional software and hardware, as well as parent engagement programs and those aimed at counseling.  

​

   2. Women's Empowerment

Grant applications in this category should advance the complete range of needs and goals of women as they aim to be safe, healthy, self-realized and resilient in family and in career. Such programs seeking grants should include services to women from various socio-economic backgrounds and diverse cultures. Exemplary programs may include:  services to women and families that endure domestic abuse; employability training; counseling and support services; education and training and emergency assistance.

 

  3. Family Resilience

Grant applications in this category should convincingly advance the needs of families especially those affected by stresses resulting from crises in finances, faith and family wholeness. Such programs will serve family resilience through:  the development of skills that enable self-sufficiency; the needs of those who are food or housing insecure; families who will benefit from counseling and emergency and educational assistance.

​

Across these priorities, the Foundation seeks to support organizations whose work demonstrates meaningful community need, responsible stewardship of resources, and the potential for lasting impact. 

​​

​Funding Eligibility

Organizations invited to apply must demonstrate clear alignment with the mission and funding priorities of The Westerman Foundation.

​

Eligible organizations must:

• Be recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity

• Operate and provide funded services within the United States

• Demonstrate alignment with the Foundation's commitment to Catholic values, education, and service.

 

​​

​​2026 Grant Cycle Dates

​​

Phase 1 - Diocese of Dallas Catholic Education Initiative

The 2026 Diocese of Dallas Catholic Education Initiative opens on April 8, 2026, with applications due April 30, 2026.

​

Phase 2 - General Grant Cycle

The 2026 Westerman Foundation general grant cycle opens on October 5, 2026, with applications due October 30, 2026. 

​​​

Grant Awards & Approval 

All grant awards are subject to review and approval by The Westerman Foundation Board of Directors.

​

The maximum annual grant award to any individual organization is $50,000. Funding decisions are based on alignment with the Foundation's mission and priorities, demonstrated need, anticipated impact, organizational capacity, and the availability of Foundation resources. 

​

An invitation to submit an application does not guarantee funding.

​

Grant Funding Restrictions

The Westerman Foundation does not provide funding for:

​

• Multi-year funding requests or commitments

• Salaries or requests primarily intended to fund personnel compensation

• Annual fundraising campaigns

• Professional conferences and/or symposia

• Competition expenses

• Field Trips

• Political organizations or political activities

• Motor vehicles

• Individual scholarships

• Capital campaigns

• Construction of new buildings

• Proposals that do not align with the Foundation's mission or funding priorities
   

The Westerman Foundation does not make grants to:

• Organizations that are not recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charities

• Private Foundations

• Individuals

​

All applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online grant management portal.  Handwritten or unsolicited applications will not be considered.  

Grant Recipient Expectations

The Westerman Foundation views grantmaking as a partnership and values ongoing communication with the organizations we support. Grant recipients are expected to demonstrate responsible stewardship of Foundation resources and provide information that enables the Foundation to evaluate the outcomes and impact of its grantmaking.

 

Grant recipients may be required to:

• Provide financial records or other documentation demonstrating the appropriate use of grant funds

• Acknowledge support from The Westerman Foundation in appropriate organizational or program communications

• Submit a grant report describing program accomplishments, outcomes, significant milestones, and the use of Foundation funds

• Obtain written approval from the Foundation before making material changes to a Board-approved program, project scope, or grant budget

• Share program outcomes, impact stories, and other information that helps demonstrate the impact of the Foundation's support

​

The Foundation values transparency, accountability, and open communication throughout the grant period and seeks to build strong relationships with the organizations entrusted with Foundation resources.

​

​

​​

​