The Kickapoo Springs Foundation concentrates large, place-based capital gifts in Abilene and the surrounding region, funding civic revitalization, school and university facility construction, and occasionally high-profile medical research. Recipients are primarily local educational institutions and community organizations, with grants targeted to specific building campaigns and one major biomedical research award that is an outlier to the otherwise regional focus.
Kickapoo Springs Foundation’s largest recent grant went to the Community Foundation of Abilene for the Abilene Heritage Square project, a sign of how central place-based capital projects are to its giving. The foundation backs civic revitalization, school renovation, university buildings, and other infrastructure tied to the Abilene area and nearby Texas communities. Its recent grants also include support for the Lincoln Middle School renovation through Abilene Heritage Square Inc., and a campus center renovation and addition project at McMurry University. The foundation’s portfolio shows a strong preference for building projects rather than broad operating support. In higher education, it has funded facility work at Angelo State University Foundation, Abilene Christian University, and Hardin-Simmons University. It also supports community organizations and medical institutions when the request is tied to a defined project, such as capital work at West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation and research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Most of its grantmaking lands in Texas, with Abilene and other West Texas cities appearing repeatedly in the recent awards.
A large share of the foundation’s giving supports higher education infrastructure. Recent examples include $1.1 million to McMurry University for a campus center renovation and addition project, $1 million to Abilene Christian University for Phase III of Moody Coliseum renovation, and $500,000 to Hardin-Simmons University for its School of Nursing. The foundation also funds civic and public-space projects in Abilene. It gave $2.5 million to the Community Foundation of Abilene for the Abilene Heritage Square project and $1.25 million to Abilene Heritage Square Inc. for the Lincoln Middle School renovation. In research and policy, grants have supported the University of Texas at El Paso to establish and fund the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and Texas Tech Foundation for Free Market Institute research and an endowed professorship. Medical research appears as a separate line of giving, including support for NK cell therapy melanoma research at MD Anderson Cancer Center and an osteosarcoma clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Typical grants cluster around a mid-sized project level: p25 is $5,139, median is $15,000, and p75 is $40,300. The recent-grants list also shows much larger capital and research awards, which means the foundation uses a wide grant-size range depending on the project. The recurring pattern is clear in the same recipients appearing across multiple years, including Angelo State University Foundation, Texas Tech Foundation, Hardin-Simmons University, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation. It is classified as a Regular Funder, and it funds individuals as well as institutions.
$12.7M
$111M
$24M
$15.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $40K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$40K
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A small number of very large, one-time capital grants focused on construction and campaign support; highly concentrated geographically in Abilene with occasional repeat funding to the same institutions (e.g., Angelo State) and an occasional out-of-region research grant.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Abilene, Angelo State University Foundation, Abilene Heritage Square Inc, McMurry University, M D Anderson Cancer Center
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Texas, which receives 68% of grants in the foundation’s home state. Abilene appears frequently, along with San Angelo, Houston, Lubbock, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio, and Mason. The recent list is entirely domestic: 272 grants, or 100%, went to U.S. recipients. That pattern matches a regional footprint centered on West Texas, with Abilene as the most common recipient city.
The foundation funds capital projects, renovations, and selected research or program-support awards. Recent grants include a downtown heritage project in Abilene, university facility work, a school renovation, and medical research at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The middle of the distribution is $15,000, with p25 at $5,139 and p75 at $40,300. That sits alongside several much larger awards in the recent grants list, especially for construction and research projects.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple recent years, including Angelo State University Foundation, Texas Tech Foundation, Hardin-Simmons University, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation. That suggests repeated project-based support for some institutions.
Texas receives 68% of grants in the foundation’s home state, and the recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based. Abilene is the most frequent recipient city, with additional awards in San Angelo, Houston, Lubbock, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio, and Mason.
Yes. It is identified as funding individuals as well as institutions, while also operating as a Regular Funder.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $2,500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE PROJECT |
| ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SAN ANGELO, TX | $1,066,667 | 2025 | GOLF PRACTICE FACILITY |
| M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | NK CELL THERAPY MELANOMA RESEARCH |
| WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $833,333 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $833,333 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $600,000 | 2025 | A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE |
| ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SAN ANGELO, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | RODEO PROGRAM |
| HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY | ABILENE, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL OF NURSING |
| HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY | ABILENE, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL OF NURSING |
| WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $265,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP FOR FREE MARKET INSTITUTE |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | FREE MARKET INSTITUTE RESEARCH |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | FREE MARKET INSTITUTE RESEARCH |
| ABILENE RESTORATION MINISTRIES | ABILENE, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | DORMITORY PROJECT |
| ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION | ABILENE, TX | $237,500 | 2025 | DOWNTOWN ABILENE HOTEL PROJECT |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT - FREE MARKET INSTITUTE |
| THE GLOBAL ORPHAN PROJECT | KANSAS CITY, MO | $150,000 | 2025 | CARE PORTAL PROGRAM IN TAYLOR COUNTY |
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE | ABILENE, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | STORYBOOK GARDEN EXPANSION |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT - FREE MARKET INSTITUTE |
| BCFS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | ABILENE, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR OUR HOUSE |
| MCLEAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | MCLEAN, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | BASKETBALL GYM HVAC |
| ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SAN ANGELO, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | CYBERSPACE AND AI CENTER OF EXCELLENCE |
| SAN ANGELO AREA FOUNDATION | SAN ANGELO, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | WWII BRONZE MEMORIAL |
| COMMUNIO FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL STRATEGY TO SAVE THE FAMILY |
| FORT CHADBOURNE FOUNDATION | BRONTE, TX | $95,500 | 2025 | ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | TEXAS MOUNTAIN LION PROGRAM |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE |
| TEXAS AGRICULTURAL LAND TRUST | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION | LIBERTY CORNER, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | US NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| GARY SINISE FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| OPERA SAN ANTONIO | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY | ABILENE, TX | $41,667 | 2025 | CAPITAL NEEDS AND OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| PRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $33,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | REGION 14 PACE COLLABORATIVE |
| HOOVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC | PAMPA, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | VFD OPERATIONS |
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE | ABILENE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | HEARTS FOR THE ARTS |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES INSTITUTE INC | WILMINGTON, DE | $25,000 | 2025 | TEXAS INITIATIVES |
| HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| ACE SCHOLARSHIPS | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEXAS FAMILIES |
| MIAMI-ROBERTS COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | MIAMI, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | VFD OPERATIONS |
| CONCHO VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD BANK | SAN ANGELO, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | SNACKPACK P+H151ROGRAM |
| AMERICAN PRIVATE RADIO | OXFORD, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | OUR AMERICAN STORIES |
| TEXAS BUSINESS HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | MILLER HALL OF FAME HONORARIUM |
| FOUNDATION FOR CULTURAL REVIEW INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | THE NEW CRITERION OPERATIONS |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RELIEF |
| FRIENDS OF THE GAP INC | BUFFALO GAP, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBIT |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | MORGANTOWN, WV | $20,000 | 2025 | KNEE CENTER AT JOHN CHAMBERS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS |
M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$1,000,000NK CELL THERAPY MELANOMA RESEARCH
HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$600,000A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
$500,000SCHOOL OF NURSING
HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
$500,000SCHOOL OF NURSING
TO ESTABLISH ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP FOR FREE MARKET INSTITUTE
ABILENE RESTORATION MINISTRIES
$250,000DORMITORY PROJECT
ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
$237,500DOWNTOWN ABILENE HOTEL PROJECT
BCFS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
$150,000OPERATING SUPPORT FOR OUR HOUSE
MCLEAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$150,000BASKETBALL GYM HVAC
FORT CHADBOURNE FOUNDATION
$95,500ROOF REPLACEMENT
SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
$50,000TEXAS MOUNTAIN LION PROGRAM
OPERA SAN ANTONIO
$50,000OPERATIONS
SALVATION ARMY
$41,667CAPITAL NEEDS AND OPERATIONS
HOOVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC
$25,000VFD OPERATIONS
ACE SCHOLARSHIPS
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEXAS FAMILIES
MIAMI-ROBERTS COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$25,000VFD OPERATIONS
CONCHO VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD BANK
$25,000SNACKPACK P+H151ROGRAM
FRIENDS OF THE GAP INC
$20,000SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBIT
KNEE CENTER AT JOHN CHAMBERS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS