The Tapestry Foundation, established by Mary Carmel and Thomas P. Borders in 1992, is a small private family foundation that provides financial support primarily in the area of education, particularly literacy based projects in the greater Austin area. The Foundation has historically focused on early childhood initiatives, particularly those that support the underserved members of the community. For a better understanding of the Foundation’s interests and priorities, potential applicants are encouraged to review the “Past Grants” section of the website.

Tapestry prefers to support program projects but will consider capital and operational expenses. (Proposals for endowments or annual fundraising special events are seldom considered.) Tapestry only supports organizations that have been certified as tax exempt under sections 501 (c) (3) and 509 (a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public entities. The Board will consider a grant request from an organization only once during a twelve month period. Tapestry Foundation Board of Directors will review qualified applications annually and decisions will be finalized in early December.

 

The Tapestry Application procedure is a two-stage process. A Letter of Inquiry is the first step, and instructions for preparation of that document are found in the “Application Process” section of the website. Letters must be received by August 15th of the calendar year. Applicants whose plans appear to hold promise for meeting the Foundation’s interests and priorities will be invited to submit a full proposal using the Central Texas Education Funders common application form. Completed applications must be received by September 20th of the calendar year. All steps of the application process are to be completed electronically. Once the proposal is in the review process, the Foundation may contact the applicant for further information or clarification and may, on occasion, request a site visit.

The Tapestry Foundation Board of Directors meets in the late fall to review all qualified applications, then finalizes and announces decisions in early December. Thus, applicants need to prepare their requests with a start-up date of no earlier than January 1 of the next calendar year.