Cooper Foundation

Home
United States
Waco, TX
Cooper Foundation

Madison Cooper, Jr. founded this public foundation in 1943 in Waco, Texas with the mission of making Waco a better or more desirable place in which to live.

We fulfill that mission by making grants to qualified nonprofits in Waco, Texas. www.cooperfdn.org

08/28/2026

Missed last week’s Candid Search training? You can still put this powerful funding tool to work for your organization.

Candid Search helps nonprofits move beyond simply searching for open grants—it allows you to research funders, identify organizations whose priorities align with your work, and build a more strategic list of potential funding partners.

Candid Search is available **FREE** at any Waco-McLennan County Library location or at the Cooper House. Use the link in our bio to access Candid Search and start exploring!

08/21/2026

Searching for funding can feel overwhelming—but Dale Barron made navigating Candid Search a whole lot more fun! His wit and humor at today's training kept us laughing while he shared practical tips for filtering through the extensive Candid platform and zeroing in on potential funding sources for our Waco community. We had a fantastic turnout, lots of laptops open and searching, plenty of good questions, and a delicious lunch from Revival Eastside Eatery to round out the afternoon.

Want to learn more about accessing this valuable—and **FREE**—resource at a local Waco library? Join the Cooper Foundation Nonprofit Newsletter to stay in the loop on Candid Search access, trainings, and other resources for local nonprofits. Signup link in our bio.

07/31/2026

This fall, we're bringing together nonprofit board members, staff, volunteers, and community leaders for a series of free learning opportunities designed to strengthen organizations across the greater Waco area.

Join us for two Board Governance Trainings, monthly Nonprofit Network sessions, and to kick it all off, a deep dive into navigating the Candid Search platform—all with practical tools, local connections, and actionable takeaways.

Registration for every event is available through our Eventbrite page. We still have seats available for our August 7 Board Governance Training—bring a fellow board member and learn together!

07/27/2026

Join us Friday, August 21st, to learn how to find funding using Candid Search. This interactive workshop will be led by Waco expert Dale Barron. Bring your laptop to follow along. Lunch is provided.

Ready to keep the momentum going? Apply for the new Candid Cohort to receive ongoing coaching, accountability, and dedicated time to find funding this fall.

Friday, August 21st | 11:45am - 1pm
Waco-McLennan County Library - Central Branch
1717 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701

Register using the Nonprofit Network meeting link in our bio - and apply for the Candid Cohort while you're there!

07/23/2026

Need to cool down these last few weeks of summer? Head over to the Doris Miller Community Pool for Free Summer Swims. Thank you to Waco Parks and Recreation for bringing this opportunity to Wacoans!

----

Starting this Friday, grab your towels and make plans for a weekend swim. Every Friday and Saturday through August 29, the first 50 guests each day will receive free pool entry as part of our Free Summer Swims program, made possible through a grant from the Cooper Foundation.

Free admission will be available beginning at 8 a.m. each Friday and Saturday while spots last or until the pool closes at 3 p.m. Please note, the pool will close at noon this Friday (7/24) for an event.

📍 1020 Elm Ave., Ste. 800L

07/20/2026

Before you begin researching grant opportunities, make sure your organization's Candid profile tells your story. Many foundations and funders use Candid to learn about nonprofits, making an up-to-date profile an important part of your fundraising strategy.

By claiming and updating your profile now, you'll be ready to make the most of our Candid Search Training on August 21, where we'll help you identify funding opportunities that align with your mission. Register using the Nonprofit Network meeting link in our bio.

Friday, August 21st | 11:45am - 1pm
Waco-McLennan County Library - Central Branch
1717 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701

07/10/2026

Interested in serving on a board - or already serving on a board and need a refresher on your responsibilities?

The Cooper Foundation’s Board Governance training on August 7th helps nonprofit leaders and board members strengthen board roles, accountability, and overall effectiveness. This free session is ideal for organizations looking to build or improve high-performing boards and establish a strong governance foundation. Light refreshments and coffee will be provided, starting at 9am. Program will begin at 9:30am.

Friday, August 7th | 9am - 11:30am
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
Register via the link in our bio.

07/06/2026

Candid's July live webinars offer practical guidance for nonprofit professionals at every stage—from deciding whether to start a nonprofit to measuring impact, building a fundraising plan, identifying prospective funders with Candid Search, and navigating the grantseeking process.

Join one webinar or the entire series to sharpen your fundraising skills and build a stronger foundation for your organization's success. Stay tuned for our next newsletter exploring how to optimize your Candid profile so funders can find you more easily.

Register for upcoming webinars using the Candid Learning link in our bio.

07/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Cooper House for the Jubne Nonprofit Social Hour! We loved seeing local nonprofit leaders connect, unwind, and enjoy time together.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

06/15/2026

This month, we're highlighting Candid's Introduction to Proposal Writing, a self-paced course that combines short videos, readings, and downloadable worksheets. Strengthen your grant-writing skills by developing a framework you can revisit and update as your organization and our community evolve.

Read our latest Candid Newsletter by clicking the Candid Community link in our bio - and while you're there, signing up for future Nonprofit Newsletters. Stay tuned for our July newsletter highlighting upcoming live webinars and exploring how to optimize your Candid profile so funders can find you more easily.

Address

1801 Austin Avenue
Waco, TX
76701

Telephone

+12547540315

Website

http://www.cooperfdn.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cooper Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Cooper Foundation:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Waco?