The Kershaw Foundation appears to make focused, large-dollar gifts to sports-related nonprofit arms of professional teams; its only recorded grant is a $200,000 general operating award to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. This suggests an interest in supporting sports-based community and youth programming delivered through high-profile team foundations, potentially with an emphasis on Los Angeles-area impact despite the foundation’s Dallas location.
Concentrated, single large grant strategy — one sizable general operating gift to a high-profile grantee rather than many small or diversified awards; appears one-off rather than a pattern of repeated multi-year grants.
A defining feature of Kershaw Foundation’s grantmaking is its repeated support for Kershaw's Challenge, which received multiple general operating awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a funder comfortable backing an affiliated or closely related organization over time rather than making only isolated gifts. Beyond that recurring relationship, the foundation has also made a $200,000 general operating grant to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and provided six-figure operating support to organizations such as International Justice Mission and Arise Africa. The grant record is concentrated in unrestricted or general operating support, with awards often sized at $100,000 or more and several in the $60,000 to $75,000 range. The overall picture is of a foundation funding organizations that deliver community, youth, and justice-related work through established nonprofits, including sports-linked and faith-based groups. Its recent record also includes support for Dallas-based organizations and other Texas recipients alongside grantees in Tennessee, Virginia, and California.
Sports-linked community programming is one visible theme. The foundation gave $200,000 to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for general operating support, indicating confidence in a major team-based charity. In Dallas, it also awarded $110,000 to Highland Park Presbyterian Church under a concentration program, showing support for a defined program area rather than only broad operations. Justice and anti-trafficking work is another clear lane: International Justice Mission received $150,000 in 2023, $130,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025, all for general operating support. Similar support went to Human Trafficking Institute Inc. at $100,000 in 2023 and 2024. The foundation also backs local service organizations, including $100,000 to The Human Impact and $95,000 to Mercy Street, both in Dallas, for operating support.
Kershaw Foundation’s typical award size clusters at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent grant list shows a meaningful set of larger operating gifts above that range. The pattern leans heavily toward unrestricted support, including general operating fund and general operating expenses. Several recipients appear across multiple years, especially Kershaw's Challenge, International Justice Mission, Mercy Street, Distinctly His Ministries, Airbourne Lifeline Foundation, and Arise Africa, which suggests recurring rather than one-time relationships. The foundation is a private foundation with no program-related investments and does not fund individuals.
$2M
$51.5M
$4.4M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Grantmaking is regional and strongly Texas-centered: 64% of grants go to recipients in Texas, with Dallas appearing frequently among grantee locations. Other Texas recipients include Fort Worth and Dallas-based organizations such as Arise Africa, Mercy Street, and Interfaith Family Services. Outside Texas, the foundation’s recent grants also reached Los Angeles, Nashville, Fairfax, and Paconian Springs. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 145 grants in the United States.
The recent record shows support for sports-linked charities, anti-trafficking organizations, faith-based groups, and local service providers. Examples include a $200,000 general operating grant to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, $150,000 to International Justice Mission, and operating support for Dallas-based groups such as Mercy Street and The Human Impact.
Yes. The listed awards are overwhelmingly general operating support or general operating expenses, with one concentration program grant in the recent record. That pattern shows a preference for funding organizational stability and core activities rather than tightly restricted project-only awards.
Texas receives the most grants, with 64% of awards going to recipients in that state. Dallas appears often among recipient locations, and Fort Worth is also represented in the recent grant list.
Yes. Kershaw's Challenge appears in multiple years, including 2023, 2024, and 2025. Other repeat recipients include International Justice Mission, Mercy Street, Distinctly His Ministries, Airbourne Lifeline Foundation, and Arise Africa.
The typical distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include several six-figure awards, indicating that larger operating gifts are part of the foundation’s pattern.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARISE AFRICA | FORT WORTH, TX | $150,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HEAVEN SOUTH | NASHVILLE, TN | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| KERSHAW'S CHALLENGE | DALLAS, TX | $108,800 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| THE HUMAN IMPACT | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER | DALAS, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CONCENTRATION | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HARDBALL HEROS INC | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DISTINCTLY HIS MINISTRIES | DALLAS, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| MERCY STREET | DALLAS, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| AIRBOURNE LIFELINE FOUNDATION | PACONIAN SPRINGS, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| INTERFAITH FAMILY SERVICES | DALLAS, TX | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| MD ANDERSON | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE UCLA MEDICAL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CASA DEL LAGO | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE | RIDGFIELD, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| INSPIRE SPACES INSPIRE STUDENTS | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| KERSHAW'S CHALLENGE | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ACTION IN AFRICA | ASPEN, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| MEN OF NEHEMIAH | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATNG FUND |
| BABY 2 BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BROTHER BILL'S HELPING HAND | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| KERSHAW'S CHALLENGE | DALLAS, TX | $32,000 | 2025 | GENRAL OPERATING FUND |
| JUST KEEP LIVIN | ENCINO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BEHIND EVERY DOOR MINISTRIES | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NEW FRIENDS NEW LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| THE DAY SCHOO0L AT HPPC | DALLAS, TX | $15,600 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| SHOES THAT FIT | CLAREMONT, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| T BAR M CAMPS | NEW BRAUNFELS, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CANCER FOR COLLEGE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,560 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK | PLANO, TX | $10,325 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WOMEN'S AUXULLARY TO CHILDREN'S MEDICAL | DALLAS, TX | $10,230 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CARE DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $10,020 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ACT FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| JORDAN SPEITH FAMILY FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| LA FOOD BANK | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| TO BE LIKE ME | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| OCEANSIDE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ROC SOLID FOUNDATION | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DALLAS 24 HOUR CLUB | DALLS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CT3 FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BIH LEAGUE IMPACT | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,175 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| THE CHURCH AT JUNIUS HEIGHTS | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ISNER FAMILY FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| JUSTIN TURNER FOUNDATION | STUDIO CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GEMERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CONNECTING POINT PARK CITIES | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HIGHLAND PARK EDUCATION FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| MOUNT VERNON CARES | MT VERNON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
HEAVEN SOUTH
$130,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
CONCENTRATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
HARDBALL HEROS INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
AIRBOURNE LIFELINE FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
MD ANDERSON
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
THE UCLA MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
THE DAY SCHOO0L AT HPPC
$15,600GENERAL OPERATING FUND
T BAR M CAMPS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
WOMEN'S AUXULLARY TO CHILDREN'S MEDICAL
$10,230GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CARE DALLAS
$10,020GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ACT FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
LA FOOD BANK
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
TO BE LIKE ME
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
OCEANSIDE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CT3 FOUNDATION
$5,200GENERAL OPERATING FUND
BIH LEAGUE IMPACT
$5,175GENERAL OPERATING FUND
THE CHURCH AT JUNIUS HEIGHTS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ISNER FAMILY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
JUSTIN TURNER FOUNDATION
$5,000GEMERAL OPERATING FUND
HIGHLAND PARK EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
MOUNT VERNON CARES
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES