The Bess L. Rayford Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Henderson/Rusk County, prioritizing direct support to community-serving organizations. Its largest and repeat investments are in youth development through the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County, alongside funding for a local church, civic beautification/park infrastructure, and neighborhood social services. Grants are targeted and practical—general operating or facility-related support that sustains frontline community programs.
A clear pattern defines the Bess L Rayford Foundation: repeated, multi-year support for youth development in Henderson through the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County. The largest recent grants in the record go to that organization, including $45,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2023, which places youth services at the center of the foundation’s giving. The same local focus extends beyond one grantee. The foundation also funds community institutions and services that anchor daily life in Henderson and Rusk County, such as Henderson Interchurch Ministry, One Step at a Time Inc, and the Henderson Civic Center Inc. Its support is practical rather than expansive, with grants used for general funds, educational scholarships, a park pavilion, and prescription assistance. Across the recent grant list, every recipient is in Texas, and the named grantees are concentrated in Henderson, showing a tightly local approach to philanthropy. The foundation’s giving reads as neighborhood-level support for organizations that serve children, families, congregations, and civic spaces.
Youth development is the clearest theme in the foundation’s recent grants. It gave $25,000 in 2025 and another $25,000 in 2024 to the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County for general funds, along with $45,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2023 for the same organization. Community support also reaches faith-based and social-service organizations. First United Methodist Church received $20,000 in 2023 for general funds, while Henderson Interchurch Ministry received $17,000 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2024. The foundation also supports local health access and family aid. Rusk County Friends Helping Friends received $5,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2025 for its prescription assistance program, and Rusk County Child Welfare Board received $5,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for general funds. Civic and cultural grants appear as well, including support for Henderson Civic Theatre and a park pavilion project.
Typical awards are modest and clustered: p25 is $5,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent record shows both repeat support and some larger, one-off project or operating grants, with annual giving spread across multiple years. Grants are made by the foundation itself rather than to individuals, and the record shows no program-related investments. The grant list also suggests an organization that relies on unrestricted or general operating support for many recipients, alongside occasional purpose-specific awards such as educational scholarships, prescription assistance, and park infrastructure.
$125K
$1.7M
$419K
$151K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, local-focused giving with a few moderate-sized grants; shows repeat funding to a primary beneficiary (Boys & Girls Club) plus one-off/annual support for civic, faith-based, and social service organizations.
Notable grantees: Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County, First United Methodist Church (Henderson), Keep Henderson Beautiful, One Step At A Time, Inc.
The foundation’s giving is entirely in the United States, and every recent grant in the record goes to Texas recipients. Henderson is the dominant city in the grant list, appearing alongside Rusk County organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County, Henderson Interchurch Ministry, and the Henderson Civic Center Inc. Tyler appears as a recipient location for the SPCA of East Texas. The geographic pattern is local rather than regional, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Texas.
The recent grant record shows support for youth development, congregational and community ministry, civic and park projects, social services, education, and cultural organizations. Examples include the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County, Henderson Interchurch Ministry, Henderson Civic Center Inc, and Henderson Civic Theatre.
Typical awards are small and consistent: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Many grants in the recent record fall in that range, with a few larger awards reaching $45,000.
No. The recent grants list shows 58 grants, and all 58 went to recipients in the United States, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Texas.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Boys & Girls Club of Rusk County, Henderson Interchurch Ministry, One Step at a Time Inc, Rusk County Historical Commission, Rusk County Friends Helping Friends, Rusk County United Way, and the SPCA of East Texas.
The record includes general funds, educational scholarships, a park pavilion project, and a prescription assistance program. That mix suggests a combination of unrestricted operating support and targeted project or direct-assistance grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF RUSK COUNTY | HENDERSON, TX | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY | HENDERSON, TX | $17,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON CIVIC THEATRE | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION | HENDERSON, TX | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON FOOD BANK | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| SPCA OF EAST TEXAS | TYLER, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | KILGORE, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT |
| ONE STEP AT A TIME INC | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| MOSAIC COUNSELING CENTERS | TYLER, TX | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF RUSK COUNTY | HENDERSON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| KEEP HENDERSON BEAUTIFUL | HENDERSON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | PARK PAVILION |
| HENDERSON CIVIC CENTER INC | HENDERSON, TX | $13,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| ONE STEP AT A TIME INC | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | KILGORE, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON FOOD BANK | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| SPCA OF EAST TEXAS | TYLER, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| MOSAIC COUNSELING CENTERS | TYLER, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF RUSK COUNTY | HENDERSON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| ONE STEP AT A TIME INC | HENDERSON, TX | $16,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HENDERSON FOOD BANK | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| HENDERSON CIVIC CENTER INC | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | KILGORE, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT |
| SPCA OF EAST TEXAS | TYLER, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD | HENDERSON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF RUSK COUNTY MEMORIAL LIB | HENDERSON, TX | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| MOSAIC COUNSELING CENTERS | TYLER, TX | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF RUSK COUNTY | HENDERSON, TX | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HENDERSON, TX | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION | HENDERSON, TX | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| ONE STEP AT A TIME INC | HENDERSON, TX | $11,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION | HENDERSON, TX | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS |
| TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | KILGORE, TX | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT |
HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY
$17,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON CIVIC THEATRE
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
$6,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON FOOD BANK
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
SPCA OF EAST TEXAS
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT
ONE STEP AT A TIME INC
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS
$5,000PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
KEEP HENDERSON BEAUTIFUL
$20,000PARK PAVILION
HENDERSON CIVIC CENTER INC
$13,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME INC
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT
RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON FOOD BANK
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS
$5,000PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
SPCA OF EAST TEXAS
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME INC
$16,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON INTERCHURCH MINISTRY
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY UNITED WAY
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$10,000EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
HENDERSON FOOD BANK
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
HENDERSON CIVIC CENTER INC
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS
$5,000PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RUSK COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CEN
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT
SPCA OF EAST TEXAS
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS
FRIENDS OF RUSK COUNTY MEMORIAL LIB
$3,000GENERAL FUNDS
MOSAIC COUNSELING CENTERS
$2,000GENERAL FUNDS
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
$15,000GENERAL FUNDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME INC
$11,000GENERAL FUNDS
RUSK COUNTY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL FUNDS
TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$5,000GENERAL FUNDS,& BLACK BOX THEATER PROJECT