Houston Saengerbund
What We Do | Grants

Enhancing the arts and culture that Houstonians have come to enjoy.

About The Grant Program

The Houston Saengerbund, founded in 1883, is the oldest musical association in the city and whose purpose is to promote and celebrate the contributions of German music, language, and culture by cultivating German singing and music, fostering the use of the German language, honoring German heritage, customs, and culture, encouraging fellowship among its members, and engaging in community outreach in support of this objective.

To further these ends, the Houston Saengerbund’s Charitable Giving Initiative provides grant funding to eligible organizations that share our ideals so that together we may enhance the arts and culture that Houstonians have come to enjoy.

To help streamline the numerous requests we receive and to ensure adequate funding for the many worthy organizations that Houston Saengerbund has supported over the years, the Board has implemented this grant funding process.

Past Grant Recipients

Program Information

The Houston Saengerbund provides resources for select partners to share and expand our love of the German language and the art, music, and culture of the German-speaking world. The Society’s grant funding is used for a variety of projects and programs, all designed to expand our community’s awareness of the impact that Germany and German-speaking immigrants have had on Texas and throughout the United States.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Only not-for-profit organizations may apply and receive funding.
  • Individuals are not eligible to participate.

Organizations must meet all eligibility requirements, including supporting the goals and intent of the Society, and must agree to the contract terms prior to disbursement of funds.

Funding is based upon the calendar year to match the Society’s fiscal year of January through December.

The Houston Saengerbund utilizes its membership to select its grant recipients and the Board of Directors makes the final determination on which grant requests to fund. The selection committee uses the same process, rubric, and scoring for all grant funding requests. Applications failing to meet the Society’s eligibility criteria or those considered incomplete will not be sent to the Board for consideration. Grants are awarded based upon merit and available funding. Consequently, the number of grants and the amounts awarded may vary from year to year.

The selection committee will make its recommendations to the Board and the Board will make its decision at its October Board meeting. Applicants will be notified of the selection committee results by November 1, 2019. Funding will occur no earlier than January 1, 2020.

The Houston Saengerbund reserves the right to review the terms and conditions of this grant program and to make changes at any time, including termination.

Eligibility & Grantee Selection

 

Who is eligible?

Requests will be accepted and considered by the Societyfrom organizations that are designated by the IRS as charitable or not-for-profit (typically a 501(c) organization). Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for grant funding through this program.

What criteria are used?

Funding of requests will be prioritized for those organizations and events that help further the Society’s goals by:

  • promoting the musical arts, with particular emphasis on German-language composers and lyricists or musicians with a German language background, training, or heritage;
  • promoting the German language, both written and spoken; and/or promoting the history and culture of the German speaking world.

Application

 

Agreement

By making application for funding, you agree to the following, if and when funding is approved:

  1. an authorized representative of your organization must sign a contract letter prior to disbursement of funds;
  2. funds must be used only for the purposes described herein and according to the terms of the contract;
  3. an accurate record shall be maintained of all expenditures made under this grant;
  4. a written narrative and financial report regarding the use of the funds shall be provided; and
  5. your organization shall provide reciprocal marketing and advertising of Houston Saengerbund events, as applicable.

2025 Grant Applications are closed. 

For 2026 funding, applicants must apply using the downloadable PDF. We will begin accepting applications September 1, 2025.

For general inquiries or to submit a completed, signed application, please email grants@houstonsaengerbund.org.