Priorities
The Foundation prefers to concentrate on five primary areas including: Arts & Culture, Community Building & Social Service, Democracy & Civic Participation, Education, and Health.
WHERE WE FUND
By policy, one-third of annual grant funds are required to be distributed for projects/programs located in Waco, Texas.
By policy, one-third of annual grant funds are considered discretionary and may be distributed in support of projects/programs throughout the United States as desired. In recent years, a significant portion of the Foundation’s discretionary grant budget has been largely focused on ad-hoc special interest areas as determined by our trustees. Once the Foundation’s 2024 ad-hoc working group topic has been announced, you will find the relevant information on this website.
It is also worth noting that the Foundation does not typically consider funding direct service programs outside of the Waco/McLennan County area. (For more information, please review our FAQ page before submitting an LOI.)
Finally, the remaining one-third of annual grant funds are obligated to the University of Texas at Austin Rapoport Service Scholarship program, the Jerusalem Foundation, and the Jewish Federations of North America.
Arts & Culture
The Foundation supports artistic and cultural programs that encourage the participation of children and disadvantaged members of the community thereby enriching their lives. Education and cultivation of new and young patrons is encouraged.
education
The Foundation is interested in the broad area of education but with a special concern for early learning up to and through the elementary years. Other areas of interest include adult education and training initiatives, college and career readiness, and programs that enhance the capabilities of teachers and other professionals in public schools.
COMMUNITY BUILDING & SOCIAL SERVICES
The Foundation seeks to build communities that improve the quality of life for all citizens and foster the growth and development of children. The Foundation encourages programs that build grassroots neighborhood networks, provide job training and job opportunities for the unemployed and under-employed, or provide a comprehensive safety net of social services for the least-advantaged citizens.
HEALTH
The Foundation seeks to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare services to all citizens, especially to women, children, and those who do not have access to conventional medical resources. Community-based outreach initiatives are also of interest to the Foundation.
democracy & Civic Participation
The Foundation supports efforts both to make government more responsive and to encourage citizens to take an active interest and role in political life. The Foundation promotes intergovernmental cooperation as well as initiatives that broaden citizen awareness of public policy issues and alternatives, build skills necessary for political leadership, and provide opportunities for community service.
University of Texas at Austin RAPOPORT SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Foundation encourages innovation as demonstrated by The University of Texas Rapoport Service Scholarship program. This concept bundles academic scholarship with a required community services component. More than just spending hours at a nonprofit agency, students use their community work to compliment their curriculum. Time for reflection and cohort study encourages students to consider their nonprofit work as a possible career. Freshmen enrolled in UT’s College of Liberal Arts are eligible to apply during the fall semester. The scholarship awards $10,000 per year for the scholar’s sophomore, junior, and senior year along with an option to receive a laptop. Selection is based on financial need and academic merit with preference given to Waco-McLennan County area students. For more information or to apply, please visit the University of Texas Rapoport Service Scholarship website.
Jerusalem Foundation & Jewish federations of North america
Together, these organizations receive yearly grants for activities that reflect the Foundation founders’ interest in Jewish community organizations. Both the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jewish Federation of North America strive to improve the quality of life for people by continuing the goal of social justice both domestically and abroad. The Foundation does not currently accept grant requests for Israeli or Jewish causes except through these two organizations. All international grant requests to the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation must be directed to either the Jerusalem Foundation and/or the Jewish Federations of North America.