The Garlyn & LaJuan Shelton Christian Foundation concentrates its giving on Christian higher education, demonstrated by a single seven-figure gift to Dallas Baptist University. The foundation appears to prioritize supporting faith-based university operations or unrestricted institutional needs rather than a broad set of causes. Its local Texas base and choice of a Texas Christian university suggest a regional and religious focus.
Highly concentrated: a single large ($1,000,000) grant to one beneficiary, indicating preference for major, possibly one-off institutional investments rather than many small or diversified grants.
A single seven-figure grant anchors the Garlyn & Lajuan Shelton Christian Foundation’s recent giving: $1,000,000 to Dallas Baptist University for its general fund in 2025. That award fits a broader pattern of support for Christian institutions and faith-based nonprofits, including repeat funding for churches, Christian higher-education groups, and Christian service organizations. The foundation’s grant history shows a mix of general operating support and event-linked gifts, with several recipients appearing across multiple years. The foundation has also backed Christian advocacy and engagement organizations, such as the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and Fellowship of Christians & Jews, alongside local Texas ministries and community groups. Recent awards range from four- and five-figure grants to a concentrated seven-figure institutional gift, suggesting a portfolio that includes both large strategic commitments and smaller recurring support. Its recent recipients are all in the United States, with many awards going to Texas organizations and a smaller set reaching national faith-based groups.
Christian higher education is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s recent grants. In 2025, it gave $1,000,000 to Dallas Baptist University for the general fund, a large institutional award that sits alongside other general-support gifts to faith-based organizations. Church support is another visible area. First Baptist Church of Salado received $90,000 in 2025, after $65,000 in both 2024 and 2025 and $60,000 in 2023. Stamford First Baptist Church also received repeat support, with $20,500 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also funds Christian service and advocacy work. Samaritan’s Purse received multiple general-fund grants, including $58,000 in 2023, $41,000 in 2024, and $56,000 in 2025. The 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative received $110,000 in 2023, $100,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025.
Typical grants cluster at relatively modest levels, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,500, and a p75 of $12,000. The distribution is wide, however, because the foundation also makes much larger awards, including a seven-figure grant in 2025. Recipients appear across multiple years, which points to repeat funding rather than one-off gifts. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its recent grants are mostly coded as general fund, general support, or general operating support, with some event-linked and designated donations such as CaringBall support.
$2.3M
$9.8M
$2.2M
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $1K and $12K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$12K
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Notable grantees: Dallas Baptist University
Grantmaking is regional and heavily Texas-centered. Recipients in Texas account for 70% of grants, and the recent list includes Temple, Salado, Belton, Stamford, Dallas, and Avoca. Outside Texas, the foundation has given to organizations in Virginia, Illinois, Washington, DC, North Carolina, and Tennessee. All recent grants in the provided data go to US recipients.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on Christian higher education, churches, and faith-based service organizations. Examples include Dallas Baptist University, First Baptist Church of Salado, Samaritan’s Purse, and the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative. General fund and general support language appears repeatedly in the grant descriptions.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. First Baptist Church of Salado received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Samaritan’s Purse received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grant-size distribution is centered on smaller awards: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $2,500, and p75 is $12,000. Recent records also include much larger institutional gifts, including a $1,000,000 grant in 2025.
Texas receives 70% of grants in the provided data, and the recent recipients include Temple, Salado, Belton, Stamford, Dallas, and Avoca. The grant record also includes organizations in Virginia, Illinois, Washington, DC, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, based on the provided profile data. The recent grant list is entirely made up of organizations, including universities, churches, and nonprofits.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| 21 CENTURY WILBERFORCE INITIATIVE | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| INSTITURE FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SALADO | SALADO, TX | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SALADO | SALADO, TX | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $56,000 | 2025 | GERNERAL FUND |
| STAMFORD HOSPITAL DISTRICT | STAMFORD, TX | $52,275 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| RESTORATION FELLOWSHIP | CLEVELAND, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $41,000 | 2025 | GERNERAL FUND |
| FAMILY PROMISE | TEMPLE, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RESTORATION FELLOWSHIP | CLEVELAND, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| TEMPLE COMMUNITY CLINIC | TEMPLE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | CARINGBALL DONATION |
| BODY OF CHRIST COMMUNITY CLINIC | BELTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAMFORD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | STAMFORD, TX | $20,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FREEDOM BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | BELTON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AVOCA METHODIST CHURCH | AVOCA, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT | BELTON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF FUND |
| STAMFORD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | STAMFORD, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AVOCA METHODIST CHURCH | AVOCA, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREEDOM BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | BELTON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AVOCA BAPTIST CHURCH | AVOCA, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILDWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH | TEMPLE, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| WILDWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH | TEMPLE, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AVOCA BAPTIST CHURCH | AVOCA, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | TEMPLE, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AMERICAN CENTER OF LAW & JUSTICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST | TEMPLE, TX | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HELPING HANDS MINISTRY OF BELTON | BELTON, TX | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE PREGNANCY CENTERS INC | KILLEEN, TX | $11,000 | 2025 | BANQUET SPONSORSHIP |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS | TEMPLE, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FAMILY PROMISE | TEMPLE, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAMFORD VIP | STAMFORD, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| STAMFORD VIP | STAMFORD, TX | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE PREGNANCY CENTERS INC | KILLEEN, TX | $5,500 | 2025 | BANQUET SPONSORSHIP |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY | BELTON, TX | $4,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FREEDOM ROAD BIKER CHURCH | BELTON, TX | $3,857 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PRISON FELLOWSHIP | MERRIFIELD, VA | $3,600 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HEARTS & HANDS MINISTRY - SALADO | SALADO, TX | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FREEDOM ROAD BIKER CHURCH | BELTON, TX | $3,040 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HENDRICK HOSPICE CARE | ABILENE, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER | ABILENE, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | WILLIAD JORDON MEMORIAL FUND |
| IN TOUCH MINISTRIES | ATLANTA, GA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY | BELTON, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK | AUSTIN, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS
$100,000GENERAL FUND
21 CENTURY WILBERFORCE INITIATIVE
$100,000GENERAL FUND
INSTITURE FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
$100,000GENERAL FUND
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SALADO
$90,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SALADO
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAMFORD HOSPITAL DISTRICT
$52,275GENERAL FUND
RESTORATION FELLOWSHIP
$50,000GENERAL FUND
RESTORATION FELLOWSHIP
$30,000GENERAL FUND
BODY OF CHRIST COMMUNITY CLINIC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAMFORD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,500GENERAL FUND
FREEDOM BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AVOCA METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
$20,000DISASTER RELIEF FUND
STAMFORD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL FUND
AVOCA METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FREEDOM BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AVOCA BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WILDWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL FUND
WILDWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL FUND
AVOCA BAPTIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000GENERAL FUND
CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST
$12,000GENERAL FUND
HELPING HANDS MINISTRY OF BELTON
$12,000GENERAL FUND
HOPE PREGNANCY CENTERS INC
$11,000BANQUET SPONSORSHIP
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAMFORD VIP
$10,000GENERAL FUND
STAMFORD VIP
$7,500GENERAL FUND
HOPE PREGNANCY CENTERS INC
$5,500BANQUET SPONSORSHIP
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$5,000GENERAL FUND
MEALS ON WHEELS
$5,000GENERAL FUND
HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY
$4,500GENERAL FUND
FREEDOM ROAD BIKER CHURCH
$3,857GENERAL FUND
HEARTS & HANDS MINISTRY - SALADO
$3,500GENERAL FUND
FREEDOM ROAD BIKER CHURCH
$3,040GENERAL FUND
HENDRICK HOSPICE CARE
$3,000GENERAL FUND
IN TOUCH MINISTRIES
$3,000GENERAL FUND
HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY
$3,000GENERAL FUND