Expanding educational horizons for Texas students
Big state.
Big challenges.
Let’s create
big opportunity.
We partner with educational institutions, organizations, and state leaders to help more students earn a postsecondary credential that puts them on a path to success.
Sharing our resources and expertise, we work with other changemakers to improve access to postsecondary education and enhance completion for all kinds of students.
Partner with Us
Together we can help students see beyond the horizon and into a brighter future for themselves. We make grants, convene leaders, form partnerships, fund research, and share knowledge.
Apply For a Grant
We fund programs with broad reach and meaningful impact. Learn about our approach to grantmaking.
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Get regular updates about opportunities and events. Read about changemakers
across the state.
Our Strategy for Brighter Futures
Our investments and partnerships are guided by our Strategic Plan. In 2025, we’ve refined our strategic grantmaking approach while holding fast to our spirit of collaboration and our support for innovative solutions with wide-ranging impact.
Learn about Strategic Plan 2025-29 and how we are working to widen the horizons of opportunity for all Texas learners.
The Challenge
By 2036, 70% of jobs will require a postsecondary credential. Today, only 22% of Texas students are on track to earn a degree or credential after high school.
Investing in Change
$150
million
in grants funded
since inception
Our 2020-24
grantmaking
benefited
1.2 million
Texas
learners
Recent News
Scaling and Launching Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships across Texas
Rural learners in Texas graduate high school at higher rates than their urban peers, but are less likely to enroll in a postsecondary institution. To increase college and career opportunities for rural students, Empower Schools is supporting the expansion of the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership
CEN continues to expand their P-20 model in rural Texas
Texas data shows that 29% of people ages 18-24 are enrolled in a college or university in rural communities and 42% of adults in these regions hold a degree or credential. A $1,118,985 grant from Greater Texas Foundation to Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) will help support
Universities redesign the first two years
Over half of all student attrition in postsecondary takes place in the first two years of college. A $1,144,898 grant from Greater Texas Foundation to the Gardner Institute will help up to six Texas universities redesign their first two years of college to improve retention
Greater Texas Foundation courageously provides leadership and resources to the era-defining issue of postsecondary success for all students.”
-Hector Bojorquez, Intercultural Development Research Association
