Nonprofit Gives $300,000 for Domestic Violence Shelters’ Urgent Needs

Texas Border Business

AUSTIN, Texas – This summer, The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) is giving $334,958 to 13 domestic violence agencies across Texas. The funds are part of TCFV’s annual Swalm Grants initiative, which is designed to meet immediate needs of domestic violence survivors. The grants fund operations that are not traditionally covered by government funds, allowing the agencies to address a variety of needs.

More than 145 domestic violence agencies in Texas serve tens of thousands of survivors every day in urban and rural areas alike, supplying practical escape from violent abusers, safety for victims and their children, counseling, legal representation and more.

“The Texas Council on Family Violence is in constant conversation with domestic violence agencies to ensure we understand the needs of advocates and survivors in our state. We are grateful to fund the Swalm Grants initiative to help alleviate some immediate pressures that our communities are facing, such as funding prevention programming for our youth and repairing critical infrastructure for emergency shelters. These grants are a small part of the larger solution to the epidemic of relationship violence that Texas is facing,” said Gloria Aguilera Terry, CEO of TCFV.

While many people associate summer with an increase in domestic violence, TCFV says the season often coincides with a greater willingness among survivors to seek help. With fewer school-related and scheduling disruptions, summer can provide a more practical opportunity for individuals and families to leave abusive situations, leading to increased calls to hotlines and requests for shelter and support services.

Of the 13 Swalm Grants awarded, six are intended for infrastructure projects including physical renovations, technology upgrades and added safety precautions. Five are dedicated to prevention programming. Two are reserved for flexible funding, which covers childcare costs, legal services, survivors’ forced debt, evictions, urgent rent needs and more.

A list of the 2026 Swalm Grant recipients reads:

Swalm grantees are selected annually in a competitive application process by at-large TCFV board members. To track the direct impact of Swalm Grants, TCFV requires every recipient to submit a report at the end of the grant cycle detailing its use and efficiency of the funds and its effect on the survivors they serve.

Information source: Texas Council on Family Violence