The Community Foundation of Abilene empowers people to make a lasting charitable impact on our community. We connect donors to causes they care about, manage strategic investments to preserve our endowments, make grants that align with donor intent, respond to community needs and provide philanthropic leadership to enhance Abilene’s future, today.
A defining feature of Community Foundation of Abilene’s grantmaking is the scale of support it directs to local institutions, with recurring seven-figure awards to Southern Methodist University Office of Development and Hardin-Simmons University alongside major operating support for Abilene-based nonprofits. The foundation’s recent record shows a mix of education, health, culture, youth services, and community support, all tied to its local giving scope. In 2025, Hospice of the Big Country received $1,324,047 for program support, while Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation received $1,060,897. Other large awards supported organizations such as Abilene Heritage Square, United Rescue Alliance Inc, The Grace Museum, and United Way Foundation of Abilene. The pattern is not limited to one institution type: grants also go to churches, schools, youth-serving groups, and animal welfare groups. That range suggests a funder working through both donor intent and community priorities, using program support grants to sustain organizations that shape daily life in Abilene and nearby communities. The overall picture is of a foundation that funds established local organizations at substantial levels while also backing regional education and civic projects.
Education is a major part of the foundation’s grantmaking. Recent awards include $3,000,250 to Southern Methodist University Office of Development for program support and $2,591,745 to Hardin-Simmons University for program support. Youth-serving organizations also appear prominently: Abilene Youth Sports Authority received $696,982, and St John’s Episcopal School received $345,515, $321,123, and $302,753 across different years. Community support extends to health and human services, including $593,111 to United Rescue Alliance Inc and $290,408 to Betty Hardwick Center, both for program support. Cultural and civic institutions are part of the mix too, with $589,103 to The Grace Museum and $324,751 to Frontier Texas.
Typical grant sizes center on mid-five-figure support, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $18,000, and a p75 of $46,260. The recent grants list also shows repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, including The Grace Museum, United Rescue Alliance Inc, St John’s Episcopal School, Abilene Heritage Square, and First Baptist Church of Abilene. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grantmaking is program-specific and project-based, with restricted program support appearing in the recent grants data.
$27.4M
$219.8M
$36.1M
$31.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $46K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$46K
KATIE ALFORD
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Texas-centered: 92% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and the top state by grant count is also TX. The strongest concentration is in Abilene, with multiple recipients there across education, health, culture, and community services. Other Texas locations appear as well, including Dallas, Buffalo Gap, Albany, and Coleman County through the Coleman County Foundation grants program. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 748 grants in the United States.
Recent grants show support for universities, schools, museums, health and human service organizations, youth programs, churches, and community institutions. Examples in the data include Southern Methodist University Office of Development, Hardin-Simmons University, The Grace Museum, United Rescue Alliance Inc, and Abilene Youth Sports Authority.
The grant-size distribution centers on mid-five-figure awards. The p25 is $10,000, the median is $18,000, and the p75 is $46,260, showing that many grants are relatively modest even though some awards are much larger.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Grace Museum, United Rescue Alliance Inc, St John’s Episcopal School, Abilene Heritage Square, and First Baptist Church of Abilene. That indicates ongoing support for some organizations rather than only one-time gifts.
Its giving is concentrated in Texas. The top state by grant count is TX, and 92% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Abilene is the most visible city in the recent grants list, with additional Texas recipients in Dallas, Buffalo Gap, Albany, and Coleman County.
Yes. The Coleman County Foundation (CCF) Grants program supports charitable organizations and projects in Coleman County, Texas. The program description says it accepts unsolicited requests and funds local charitable needs and community support through the Coleman County Foundation and Friends of CCF.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Abilene that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Available for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving Coleman County.
Deadline: Online application opens August 15; application deadline October 1.
Who can apply: Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support Abilene and Taylor County children and youth.
Deadline: Online application opens September 15 and application deadline is November 1.
Who can apply: Available for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving Abilene and Taylor County; applicants must submit evaluations before applying for new funding.
Deadline: Fall: opens June 15, deadline August 1. Spring: opens December 1, deadline January 15.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE | ABILENE, TX | $8,166,390 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | DALLAS, TX | $3,000,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION | ABILENE, TX | $1,067,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE GRACE MUSEUM | ABILENE, TX | $1,016,543 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PARAMOUNT THEATRE | ABILENE, TX | $790,369 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST JOHN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | ABILENE, TX | $778,581 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ALL KIND ANIMAL INITIATIVE | ABILENE, TX | $618,185 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $486,857 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ALBANY ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ALBANY, TX | $436,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | STILLWATER, OK | $400,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KENLEY SCHOOL | ABILENE, TX | $281,943 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF THE BIG COUNTRY | ABILENE, TX | $247,858 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY | ABILENE, TX | $235,550 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BELTWAY MINISTRY CENTER | ABILENE, TX | $224,720 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BCFS ABILENE TRANSITION CENTER | ABILENE, TX | $216,750 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE | ABILENE, TX | $209,375 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $202,253 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST | ABILENE, TX | $190,241 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS | ABILENE, TX | $184,823 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $178,452 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE | ABILENE, TX | $176,106 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| REGION XIV EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER | ABILENE, TX | $175,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAMP ABLE | BUFFALO GAP, TX | $165,430 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RESCUE THE ANIMALS | ABILENE, TX | $162,878 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TAYLOR COUNTY HISTORY CENTER | BUFFALO GAP, TX | $162,737 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $161,263 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HILLCREST CHURCH OF CHRIST | ABILENE, TX | $159,710 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL BSA | ABILENE, TX | $151,013 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORE COMMUNITY ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $140,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOUTH SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH | ABILENE, TX | $139,400 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BEN RICHEY BOYS RANCH | ABILENE, TX | $127,798 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LOVE & CARE MINISTRIES | ABILENE, TX | $127,042 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BELTWAY PARK CHURCH | ABILENE, TX | $117,750 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $114,041 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS | ABILENE, TX | $111,527 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES INC | ABILENE, TX | $108,395 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ABILENE, TX | $108,035 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG COUNTRY COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES INC | ABILENE, TX | $104,265 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA | ASHEVILLE, NC | $102,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| STAMFORD CARNEGIE LIBRARY | STAMFORD, TX | $100,020 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CITY OF ROSCOE | ROSCOE, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR | ABILENE, TX | $97,168 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS INC | ABILENE, TX | $85,391 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEHEMIAH ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $82,625 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YOU CAN MENTOR | WACO, TX | $78,800 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $77,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER OF ABILENE INC | ABILENE, TX | $77,150 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABILENE HOPE HAVEN | ABILENE, TX | $76,714 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TIMOTHY INTERNATIONAL | ABILENE, TX | $76,650 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE PARC | AMARILLO, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
$1,067,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
$790,369PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST JOHN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
PROGRAM SUPPORT
ALL KIND ANIMAL INITIATIVE
$618,185PROGRAM SUPPORT
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ABILENE
$486,857PROGRAM SUPPORT
ALBANY ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$436,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KENLEY SCHOOL
$281,943PROGRAM SUPPORT
BELTWAY MINISTRY CENTER
$224,720PROGRAM SUPPORT
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST
$190,241PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNITED WAY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE
$178,452PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE
$176,106PROGRAM SUPPORT
REGION XIV EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER
$175,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TAYLOR COUNTY HISTORY CENTER
$162,737PROGRAM SUPPORT
HILLCREST CHURCH OF CHRIST
$159,710PROGRAM SUPPORT
TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL BSA
$151,013PROGRAM SUPPORT
SOUTH SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
$139,400PROGRAM SUPPORT
BEN RICHEY BOYS RANCH
$127,798PROGRAM SUPPORT
BELTWAY PARK CHURCH
$117,750PROGRAM SUPPORT
ABILENE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$114,041PROGRAM SUPPORT
GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES INC
$108,395PROGRAM SUPPORT
ABILENE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$108,035PROGRAM SUPPORT
BIG COUNTRY COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES INC
$104,265PROGRAM SUPPORT
STAMFORD CARNEGIE LIBRARY
$100,020PROGRAM SUPPORT
CITY OF ROSCOE
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS INC
$85,391PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEHEMIAH ABILENE
$82,625PROGRAM SUPPORT
YOU CAN MENTOR
$78,800PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER OF ABILENE INC
$77,150PROGRAM SUPPORT
ABILENE HOPE HAVEN
$76,714PROGRAM SUPPORT
TIMOTHY INTERNATIONAL
$76,650PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE PARC
$75,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
