Create Healthy supports Hill Country organizations aligned with our mission to improve health and wellness in our communities.
Create Healthy will evaluate applications for alignment with our goals and eligibility criteria to award Fuel to the Fire funding. If accepted into the program, Create Healthy will match donations received by your organization, up to $25,000, through the end of 2026.
How it Works
Step 1: Apply for Fuel to the Fire
Click the link below to fill out your organization’s application by September 18, 2026. Click here for instructions on how to fill out the application.
- 501(c)3 status in good standing.
- Applications are open for non-profit organizations supporting mental health, early childhood development, healthy living, food security, or health education. Organizations in Gillespie, Blanco, Llano, or Mason Counties, or in Comfort are eligible.
- When crafting solicitation materials, please mention a matching gift of up to $25,000 from Create Healthy. Please reference Create Healthy in any advertisements or acknowledgements.
- Applications are submitted through a yourcausegrants.com account. If you don’t have an account already, you’ll be prompted to create one. For additional assistance, view our application process help guide here.
- Create Healthy will match qualifying gifts dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
- Gifts to the organization dated October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, made for projects, programs, or operations are eligible for the match.
- Capital Campaign gifts and gifts that are made in the form of a matching gift do not qualify for this match.
- All questions are required to be completed on the application.
- A current (draft) end-of-year campaign solicitation letter must be attached with the application.
- Completed applications must be submitted through the application portal by September 18, 2026.
- Notification to Fuel to the Fire recipients will be made by September 25, 2026.
Step 2: Get Notified by Create Healthy’s Team
Create Healthy will reach out on September 25 and let your know whether your organization has qualified to be a Fuel to The Fire 2026 partner.
Step 3: Fundraise!
From October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, rally your community to support your organization and maximize the impact of every dollar raised. In addition to your own fundraising and marketing efforts, Create Healthy will spotlight each participating organization on its social media channels, sharing your mission, impact and work in the community to help expand your reach and inspire donations.
Apply for Fuel to the Fire 2026
Click the link to fill out the application below.
Applications close September 18.
Fuel to the Fire 2026 FAQs
Fuel to the Fire is Create Healthy’s annual year-end matching initiative to support Hill Country nonprofits and encourage community giving. Selected organizations raise donations from their communities and Create Healthy matches eligible donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000 per organization.
Hill Country nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with Create Healthy’s funding priorities are encouraged to apply. Organizations should serve communities within Create Healthy’s geographic service area and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the application.
For 2026, Create Healthy is considering organizations whose work aligns with one or more of the following focus areas:
- Mental Health – Expanding access to compassionate, accessible mental health resources.
- Food Security – Expanding access to healthy foods, strengthening local food systems, and providing nutrition education.
- Early Childhood Development – Supporting learning, care, and healthy development for young children.
- Health Education – Giving individuals and families the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.
- Healthy Living – Supporting access to healthcare, nutritious food, physical activity, and safe living for children, families, and seniors.
Create Healthy will match eligible donations raised by each selected organization dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000.
For example, if your organization raises $15,000 in eligible donations during the designated fundraising period, Create Healthy will provide a $15,000 match. If your organization raises $25,000 or more, Create Healthy will provide the maximum $25,000 match.
No. Selected organizations are not required to raise the full $25,000. Create Healthy will match the eligible amount your organization raises during the designated fundraising period, up to the $25,000 maximum.
Selected organizations conduct their own fundraising and invite their supporters to give during the Fuel to the Fire campaign period. At the conclusion of the campaign, participating organizations will provide documentation by January 15, 2027, of eligible donations received. Create Healthy will then determine and distribute the corresponding match, up to $25,000.
Yes. Your organization will lead its own fundraising efforts but Create Healthy will also help spread the word. During the campaign, Create Healthy will highlight participating organizations through its communications and social media channels, sharing information about their missions and community impact to help increase awareness and encourage giving.
Participating organizations will be responsible for conducting their own year-end fundraising campaign, promoting the matching opportunity to their supporters, tracking eligible donations, and providing Create Healthy with the documentation needed to verify the final amount raised.
Create Healthy will provide additional campaign details and guidance to selected organizations before fundraising begins.
Applications for the 2026 Fuel to the Fire program must be submitted by September 18, 2026.
Applicants will be notified of their status on September 25, 2026. Selected organizations will receive additional information about the fundraising period, matching requirements, and next steps.
Applications for the 2026 Fuel to the Fire program can be submitted online at this link.
For additional help, click here for instructions on how to fill out the application.
Questions about Fuel to the Fire or the application process can be directed to John Phelps, Director of Community Engagement at John.Phelps@createhealthy.org.
