TMF Grants Fuel Hope and Action Across Texas and New Mexico

AUSTIN, TX – January 07, 2026 – The Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF) has announced the distribution of $920,000 in grant funding to 68 churches and nonprofit ministries across Texas and New Mexico, continuing its long-standing mission to combat poverty and cultivate ecosystems of generosity. The awards, part of TMF’s Fall 2025 grant cycle, bring the foundation's total 2025 giving to over $1.8 million distributed among 99 different organizations.

These grants are designed to empower ministries that provide essential services, foster belonging, and create tangible pathways to stability for the region's most vulnerable residents. The foundation believes that by investing in faithful leaders and communities, hope can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.

“Our grantees are serving their communities in ways that usher in the spirit of truly loving one’s neighbor,” said Wendolyn Abel, TMF’s vice president of Grants Ministry. “Whether it’s a hot meal, a pathway to stability, a safe place for children to grow, or a vibrant worshiping community for deaf students, these ministries remind us that hope is abundant.”

A Tapestry of Service: From Hot Meals to Healing Hoofbeats

The impact of the TMF grants is best seen through the diverse and dedicated work of its recipients. The funded ministries represent a broad spectrum of social services, each tailored to the unique needs of their local communities.

In Corpus Christi, Texas, Corpus Christi Metro Ministries (CCMM) stands as a pillar of support for those in crisis. The organization helps over 4,000 individuals annually move toward stability by providing a comprehensive continuum of care. This includes serving more than 8,000 hot meals each month at its “Loaves & Fishes” cafeteria, offering no-cost medical services at its Gabbard Medical Clinic, and providing transitional housing for women, children, and men. The TMF grant helps sustain these life-giving programs that meet urgent needs while building long-term pathways to dignity and health.

Hundreds of miles north in Texarkana, healing takes a different form at Runnin’ WJ Ranch. Here, children and youth with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges discover new confidence and skills through therapeutic horseback riding. As a Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, the ranch partners with local schools and agencies to foster resilience and growth. The therapy has been shown to improve core strength, balance, concentration, and motor control, but more importantly, it builds a positive self-image and offers a profound sense of freedom and accomplishment for its riders.

In Dallas, the TMF grant supports a ministry dedicated to breaking down barriers of silence and isolation. SEEDS/Deaf Mission Church UMC works to strengthen the Deaf community through worship services conducted in American Sign Language, leadership development programs, and educational support. In collaboration with the Horizon Texas Conference, the ministry serves about 80 individuals, fostering a deep sense of belonging and spiritual formation. By providing scholarships and creating space for emerging leaders, SEEDS is ensuring the Deaf community has a vibrant spiritual home and a voice in its future.

Beyond Charity: A Strategy of Empowerment

While the individual stories are powerful, they are also part of a larger, deliberate philanthropic strategy. TMF’s grantmaking process is not simply about charity; it is a calculated investment in sustainable, community-driven solutions. The foundation’s Grants Ministry prioritizes organizations that demonstrate stable leadership, sound financial management, and a deep, collaborative engagement with the populations they serve.

This strategic approach ensures that the funds are amplifying work that is already making a measurable difference. “These ministries show us what faith looks like when it’s lived out every day,” said Justin Gould, TMF’s chief philanthropy officer. “They are responding to real needs with compassion, commitment, and care, and we’re honored to come alongside them as partners in this work.”

The effectiveness of this partnership model is evident across the two states. In Port Lavaca, Texas, First United Methodist Church launched its Harvest Kitchen 12 years ago with a simple goal: ensure no neighbor goes hungry. What began as a single weekly meal has blossomed into a collaborative ecumenical ministry, with multiple congregations working together to provide consistent nourishment and strengthen community connections. This evolution from a single-church project to a town-wide effort exemplifies the kind of community-building TMF aims to foster.

Similarly, in Gallup, New Mexico, Howard Chapel AME Church provides steady care and respect for people experiencing homelessness, with a particular focus on the area's indigenous neighbors. Through shared meals, worship, and practical support, the congregation creates a vital space for belonging and healing, addressing a critical need in the region with dignity.

A Legacy of Generosity and a Vision for the Future

Founded in 1938, the Texas Methodist Foundation has long been a key partner to faith-based organizations in the Southwest. Its enduring impact stems from a sophisticated and sustainable hybrid operational model that combines financial services—such as Impact Certificate investments and loans—with robust philanthropic giving. This structure creates what the foundation calls a “cycle of generosity,” where funds from investors and donors are strategically deployed to fuel the grants that support community ministries.

This integrated approach allows TMF to do more than just distribute funds. The organization has become a nationally recognized convener and thought leader, hosting critical conversations about the future of the church, courageous leadership, and innovation across the spiritual landscape. By offering a full suite of services, from endowment management to leadership training, TMF acts as a comprehensive partner dedicated to strengthening the entire ecosystem of faith-based social impact.

The Fall 2025 grants are a continuation of this legacy. They are not merely financial transactions but are affirmations of a shared mission to build a more loving and just world. By empowering local leaders and resourcing their on-the-ground expertise, the Texas Methodist Foundation is helping plant seeds of hope that will grow for years to come. Through this strategic infusion of resources and partnership, dozens of communities across Texas and New Mexico are being equipped not just to face their challenges, but to build a more resilient and hopeful future.