Launchpad Fund
Fund Overview
Fund Purpose: Supports Texas nonprofit organizations with programs that prepare low-income students for careers in high-demand technical occupations, such as welding, computer support, engineering technology, nursing and allied health professions.
Budget Allocation: $10 million
Who Qualifies: Texas nonprofit organizations must be governed by boards including community and business leaders and must assist low-income students to prepare for, apply and enroll in public community colleges or technical schools in high-demand occupation training programs (see application instructions for further details).
The need for the Launchpad Fund arises as students increasingly look for ways to pay for costs associated with college. Tuition costs as a share of median household income continue to rise. According to the Texas Comptroller’s 2008 Texas Works report, tuition at four-year universities accounted for 6.4 percent of median household income in 2007, up from 4.1 percent in 2002. The share of community college average tuition rates for in-district students increased from 1.1 to 1.5 percent during this period.
Eligibility Requirements
Nonprofits must meet these criteria:
- Be a 501(c)(3) organization;
- Be community-based and led;
- Has achieved or will achieve certain measures of success in assisting participants as applicable; and
- Provide matching funds.
Fund Awards
Round 1
On Oct. 20, 2009, the Comptroller awarded $3.2 million in the first round of Launchpad funds to the following nonprofit organizations:
| Award Amount | Round 1 Nonprofit Program Recipient and Region |
|---|---|
| $500,000 | Project QUEST, Inc., San Antonio (Alamo Workforce Development Board District) |
| $500,000 | Project ARRIBA, El Paso (Upper Rio Grande) |
| $500,000 | Capital IDEA, Austin (Capital Area) |
| $500,000 | H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, Dallas (Dallas) |
| $400,000 | Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, Weslaco (Lower Rio Grande Valley) |
| $300,000 | Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, Weslaco (Cameron County) |
| $250,000 | Capital IDEA, Austin (Gulf Coast) |
| $250,000 | East Texas Literacy Council, Longview (East Texas) |
Round 2
On Mar 29, 2010, the Comptroller awarded $2.86 million in the second round of Launchpad funds to the following nonprofit organizations:
| Award Amount | Round 2 Nonprofit Program Recipient and Region |
|---|---|
| $61,754 | Alamo CC District Foundation (San Antonio) |
| $170,950 | Brazosport College Foundation (Gulf Coast) |
| $225,000 | Capital Idea (Rural Capital) |
| $255,000 | NE Texas CC Foundation (NE Texas) |
| $180,000 | Project Quest (San Antonio) |
| $396,000 | Project Quest (Dallas) |
| $404,000 | Project Quest (South Plains) |
| $500,000 | South Texas College (McAllen) |
| $441,660 | Tarrant CC Foundation (Fort Worth) |
| $227,500 | W. Texas College Foundation (Snyder) |