About First Chance Foundation
The mission of the First Chance Foundation is to assist children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by financially and physically assisting non-profit organizations with identified projects.
Focus Areas
Child welfareFoster care supportChild abuse prevention and recoveryYouth services and mentorshipChild mental health servicesEmergency assistance (food, clothing, basic needs)
Who They Fund
abused childrenabandoned childrenneglected childrenchildren in foster careyouthnonprofit organizations serving vulnerable children
About First Chance Foundation
First Chance Foundation’s clearest signal is its project-based support for nonprofits serving children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. The foundation’s mission centers on financially and physically assisting nonprofit organizations with identified projects, rather than general operating support. That approach shows up in its recent grant list, where a single award of $93,710 went to Roy Maas Youth Alternative in San Antonio, and another $15,470 supported Trulight 127 Ministries in Seguin. The pattern is consistent with the foundation’s stated emphasis on soundly managed organizations working on child welfare, foster care support, abuse recovery, and youth services. The foundation also funds basic-needs and crisis-oriented work tied to children’s services, including child mental health, emergency assistance, and youth development. Recent awards include $15,000 to St Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City and $10,000 to Boysville in Converse. Those grants fit a profile of discrete project support for organizations helping vulnerable children, rather than open-ended grants. The foundation’s grantmaking is regional, with a strong Texas presence, and its recent awards show a mix of children’s shelters, youth programs, and related nonprofit partners.
What First Chance Foundation Funds
Child welfare is the core of First Chance Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it awarded $93,710 to Roy Maas Youth Alternative for work tied to children and youth services, and $10,000 to Boysville for a child-serving project in Converse. The foundation’s mission language repeatedly centers children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. It also supports foster care and out-of-home care services. A $15,000 grant to St Jude's Ranch for Children aligns with that pattern, as does support for organizations working with children in crisis and recovery settings. In addition, the foundation funds basic-needs assistance and youth-focused projects: it gave $10,000 to Construct a Kid Christmas in San Antonio and $6,000 to Childres Shelter of Sa. These awards reflect a project-specific approach across child welfare, youth services, and emergency support.
How First Chance Foundation Gives
Typical grant size sits at $8,240 at the 25th percentile, a $10,000 median, and $14,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes one much larger award, which suggests the foundation makes a mix of standard project grants and occasional larger commitments. Its grantmaking is project-based rather than unrestricted, and it directs support to identified projects for nonprofit organizations. The foundation also uses event sponsorships and in-kind contributions through Ribs & 'Ritas, held in June in Spring Branch. Unsolicited applications are accepted for that sponsorship program, while the project-grant programs listed do not accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$184K
Total Assets
$613K
Total Revenue
$355K
Total Expenses
$250K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $8K and $14K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$14K
Geographic Reach
Regional4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
HEATHER SWINDALL
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