
The Burdine Johnson Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education in Central Texas, specifically supporting university-based literary programming. All known grants went to Texas State University to fund a visiting writers series and related house operations, indicating a preference for sustaining campus cultural and arts initiatives. The foundation appears to operate as a focused, place-based supporter rather than a broad grantmaker.
The Burdine Johnson Foundation’s most distinctive pattern is its repeated backing of Texas State University for the KAP Visiting Writers Series and KAP House operations, including $150,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024 and a $50,000 grant in 2025. That long-running support points to a foundation that funds literary programming as sustained campus infrastructure, not as one-off event sponsorship. Beyond the university, its recent grants show a broader but still tightly held mix of education, health, preservation, housing, and environmental work in Central Texas. The foundation has also supported organizations such as The James Dick Foundation, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, Seton Hays Foundation, and Preservation Texas Inc, suggesting interest in both cultural programming and place-based civic needs. Grantmaking is local in scope and overwhelmingly tied to Texas, with recent awards landing in San Marcos, Austin, Round Top, San Antonio, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley. The scale of individual awards ranges from smaller operating and program grants to six-figure commitments, including pledged payments over multiple years. The pattern is consistent with a foundation that concentrates its resources on a defined region and a limited set of recurring partners.
Literary and humanities programming is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s giving. Texas State University received support for the KAP Visiting Writers Series and KAP House operations, while The Texas Tribune was funded for programmatic coverage. In education, Communities in Schools of Central Texas received pledged support for Hays County school programming and CIS programs in Hays City schools, and Learning Bridge was funded to sustain tutoring services for youth in foster care. Health-related grants include Seton Hays Foundation for cardiology program expansion and Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas for healthcare services, education, and ongoing core programs. The foundation has also supported community-based arts and cultural institutions such as Centro Cultural Hispano De San Marc and La Sociedad Mutualista De Cuauhtemo for operational needs and renovations.
Typical awards cluster in the middle range, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $20,000, and p75 of $30,000. The recent record also shows larger pledged commitments and installment payments, including multiple $50,000 and $100,000 awards. Recipients appear across multiple years, with several organizations receiving follow-on payments or new grants after prior support, which suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an annual funding round and can consider program, capital, and general operating support. It also funds individuals, but the recent grants list here reflects charitable organizations.
$1.7M
$31.7M
$4.5M
$2.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated: few, relatively large grants directed to a single regional university with repeat funding for program operations and cultural/arts initiatives.
Notable grantees: Texas State University
Grantmaking is concentrated in Texas, with 99% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. San Marcos appears repeatedly, including Texas State University, Preservation Texas Inc, Community Action Inc of Central Texas, Centro Cultural Hispano De San Marc, and La Sociedad Mutualista De Cuauhtemo. Austin is another frequent recipient city, with awards to Seton Hays Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, The Texas Tribune, The University of Texas at Austin, and Austin Habitat for Humanity. Other Texas recipients include Round Top, San Antonio, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley.
Its recent grants support university-based literary programming, education, health, housing, preservation, and environmental work. Examples in the record include Texas State University for the KAP Visiting Writers Series, Communities in Schools of Central Texas for Hays County school programming, Seton Hays Foundation for cardiology program expansion, and The Nature Conservancy of Texas for Hill Country conservation work.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers around $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger awards, including $50,000, $75,000, $100,000, and $150,000 commitments.
Yes. The active grant program states that the foundation runs an annual open funding round and accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants submit a Funding Request Overview, with a preferred length of 1–2 pages.
The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Hays County, Texas, and Central Texas. Its recent grants also show a very strong in-state pattern: 99% of grants go to recipients in Texas.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years or as installment payments within pledged support. Texas State University, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, Seton Hays Foundation, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and The Texas Tribune all appear more than once in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | CONSERVATION WORK-PROJECTS IN TX HILL COUNTRY |
| THE JAMES DICK FOUNDATION | ROUND TOP, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | YEAR 2024 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - PMT #1 OF 2&YEAR 2024 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - PMT #2 OF 2 |
| PRESERVATION TEXAS INC | SAN MARCOS, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM OFFICER SALARY, OFFICE EXP, SPONSORSHIP |
| COMMUNITY ACTION INC OF CENTRAL TEX | SAN MARCOS, TX | $65,000 | 2026 | PMT #2 FOR SALARIES/CONSULTANT BREAST SCREENING PROJECT&PMT #1 of 2 - BREAST CANCER SCREENING OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| LA SOCIEDAD MUTUALISTA DE CUAUHTEMO | SAN MARCOS, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | CUAUHTEMOC HALL RENOVATIONS, UPGRADES |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY | DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | 3 YR PLEDGE PMT #1 - LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| AUSTIN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | COST OF 2 INFILL HOMES & LAND PURCHASE - SAN MARCOS, TX |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ONGOING CORE PROGRAMS/OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | FULL TIME HAYS CITY BASED KUT REPORTER |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL T | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | PMT #2 OF 2 YR PLEDGE-CIS PROGRAMS IN HAYS CITY SCHOOLS |
| TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY | SAN MARCOS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | KAP VISITING WRITERS SERIES & KAP HOUSE EXPENSES |
| TORCH LIBRARY ARTS | AUSTIN, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS, STRATEGIC PLANS, STAFF |
| AMERICAN SHORT FICITON | AUSTIN, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | 7th Annual Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize |
| GREATER SAN MARCOS AREA SENIOR ASSO | SAN MARCOS, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HOME CENTER | SAN MARCOS, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH PROGRAMS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN HAYS CITY |
| LEARNING BRIDGE | AUSTIN, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | 2 STAFF SALARIES 9ED & PgM) |
| CENTRO CULTURAL HISPANOL DE SAN MAR | SAN MARCOS, TX | $34,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM AND OPERATIONS NEEDS |
| INFRARREALISTA REVIEW | SAN MARCOS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF 1 PROGRAM, 1 PROJECT, OPERATING EXPENSES |
| TREAD COALITION | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | LANDOWNER EDU & ACTION CENTER PROGRAMS |
| TEXAS STATE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | SAN MARCOS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | MEADOWS CENTER - OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT SCHOOL HOUSE | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | COMPENSATION EXP WITH 2 NEW POSITIONS, TRAVEL, EDUCATION |
| GREAT SPRINGS PROJECT | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | HAYS COUNTY PROJECT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| OUTSIDERS ANONYMOUS | SAN MARCOS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | FURNISHINGS/UPGRADES TO SM TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY |
| SAN MARCOS YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU INC | SAN MARCOS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL & RENT SPACE SUPPORT |
| MARTINDALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY | MARTINDALE, TX | $27,162 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH LIBRARY OPERATING COSTS |
| CALABOOSE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY | SAN MARCOS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | PMT #2 OF 2 YR PLEDGE-CIS PROGRAMS IN HAYS COUNTY SCHOOLS |
| HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT HAYS CITY PROGRAMS |
| KYLE RADIO | KYLE, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | RADIO START-UP EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE |
| AUSTIN CREATIVE ALLIANCE | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | FISCAL AGENT FOR JAM LLC DBA COLD TOWNE THEATER - PMT #2 OF 2 |
| ZACH THEATRE | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | PILOT SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM IN HAYS COUNTY, TX |
| MARBRIDGE FOUNDATION | MANCHACA, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH SKILLED NURSING FACILITY COSTS FOR IDD RESIDENTS |
| SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE | AUSTIN, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH STAFF SALARY + CONSULTANTS |
| GREATER SAN MARCOS YOUTH COUNCIL | SAN MARCOS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | MINIVAN PURCHASE ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSPORTATION |
| BLUE BIRD'S HOPE INC | MARION, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | SUPPLIES-GEN OPERATIONS FOR NEW FORENSIC NURSING FACILITY, SM |
| SAN MARCOS ART LEAGUE | SAN MARCOS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONALS FOR INCREASED OPERATING EXP |
| HILL COUNTRY SCIENCE MILL | JOHNSON CITY, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | 2-WEEK STEM CAREER IMMERSION PROGRAM, HAYS CITY |
| FOSTER ANGELS OF CENTRAL TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | ASSIST FOSTER YOUTH WITH FUND FOR RENT, FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC |
| SOLACE AND SAGE | DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS FOR PROGRAMS/SERVICES |
| MISSION PRESBYTERY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $19,000 | 2026 | FOR JOHN KNOX RANCH ADV CAMP/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAN MARCOS TX COMMUNITY RADIO ASSOC | SAN MARCOS, TX | $18,976 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL EXP IN PRODUCING 10 EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| THE PUBLIC FOR ANIMAL WELFARE INC | KYLE, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL MEDICAL, KENNEL & TRANSPORTATION COSTS |
| THE AUSTIN CENTER FOR GRIEF AND LOS | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | HAYS CITY SCHOOL BASED GRIEF GROUPS |
| AMALA FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | CIRCLE UP PROGRAM IN 2 HAYS CISD SCHOOLS |
| HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | 2 PROJECTS (MODEL HOA & CITY TO CITY OUTREACH) |
| PEN-CITY WRITERS | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | STOP PMT INCARCERATED CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM&STOP PMT - CHECK LOST IN MAIL&REPLACEMENT FOR ORIGINAL CHECK |
| CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH HAYS COUNTY MOBILE FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTIONS |
| TEXAS RAMP PROJECT | RICHARDSON, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | LUMBER/MATERIAL, WAREHOUSE, TOOL COSTS FOR RAMPS |
| START-UP KIDS CLUB | WIMBERLEY, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS/PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CAMP COMMUNITY, HC |
| KIDS WRITE GOOD dba AUSTIN BAT CAVE | AUSTIN, TX | $12,500 | 2026 | SUMMER CAMP WATERWAYS RE COSTS IN HAYS CITY |
| CRISIS BREAD BASKET OF WIMBERLEY | WIMBERLY, TX | $12,000 | 2026 | HEALTHY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS FOR AREA RESIDENTS IN NEED |
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF TEXAS
$100,000CONSERVATION WORK-PROJECTS IN TX HILL COUNTRY
THE JAMES DICK FOUNDATION
$100,000YEAR 2024 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - PMT #1 OF 2&YEAR 2024 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - PMT #2 OF 2
PRESERVATION TEXAS INC
$75,000PROGRAM OFFICER SALARY, OFFICE EXP, SPONSORSHIP
COMMUNITY ACTION INC OF CENTRAL TEX
$65,000PMT #2 FOR SALARIES/CONSULTANT BREAST SCREENING PROJECT&PMT #1 of 2 - BREAST CANCER SCREENING OUTREACH PROGRAM
LA SOCIEDAD MUTUALISTA DE CUAUHTEMO
$60,000CUAUHTEMOC HALL RENOVATIONS, UPGRADES
DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$50,0003 YR PLEDGE PMT #1 - LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
COST OF 2 INFILL HOMES & LAND PURCHASE - SAN MARCOS, TX
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER TEXAS
$50,000SUPPORT FOR ONGOING CORE PROGRAMS/OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$50,000FULL TIME HAYS CITY BASED KUT REPORTER
PMT #2 OF 2 YR PLEDGE-CIS PROGRAMS IN HAYS CITY SCHOOLS
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000KAP VISITING WRITERS SERIES & KAP HOUSE EXPENSES
TORCH LIBRARY ARTS
$40,000OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS, STRATEGIC PLANS, STAFF
AMERICAN SHORT FICITON
$40,0007th Annual Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize
GREATER SAN MARCOS AREA SENIOR ASSO
$35,000ASSIST WITH 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
HOME CENTER
$35,000ASSIST WITH PROGRAMS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN HAYS CITY
LEARNING BRIDGE
$35,0002 STAFF SALARIES 9ED & PgM)
CENTRO CULTURAL HISPANOL DE SAN MAR
$34,000PROGRAM AND OPERATIONS NEEDS
INFRARREALISTA REVIEW
$30,000SUPPORT OF 1 PROGRAM, 1 PROJECT, OPERATING EXPENSES
TREAD COALITION
$30,000LANDOWNER EDU & ACTION CENTER PROGRAMS
TEXAS STATE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$30,000MEADOWS CENTER - OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
PROJECT SCHOOL HOUSE
$30,000COMPENSATION EXP WITH 2 NEW POSITIONS, TRAVEL, EDUCATION
OUTSIDERS ANONYMOUS
$30,000FURNISHINGS/UPGRADES TO SM TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY
SAN MARCOS YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU INC
$30,000OPERATIONAL & RENT SPACE SUPPORT
MARTINDALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$27,162ASSIST WITH LIBRARY OPERATING COSTS
CALABOOSE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
$25,000PMT #2 OF 2 YR PLEDGE-CIS PROGRAMS IN HAYS COUNTY SCHOOLS
KYLE RADIO
$25,000RADIO START-UP EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUSTIN CREATIVE ALLIANCE
$25,000FISCAL AGENT FOR JAM LLC DBA COLD TOWNE THEATER - PMT #2 OF 2
ZACH THEATRE
$25,000PILOT SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM IN HAYS COUNTY, TX
ASSIST WITH SKILLED NURSING FACILITY COSTS FOR IDD RESIDENTS
GREATER SAN MARCOS YOUTH COUNCIL
$20,000MINIVAN PURCHASE ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSPORTATION
BLUE BIRD'S HOPE INC
$20,000SUPPLIES-GEN OPERATIONS FOR NEW FORENSIC NURSING FACILITY, SM
SAN MARCOS ART LEAGUE
$20,000OPERATIONALS FOR INCREASED OPERATING EXP
HILL COUNTRY SCIENCE MILL
$20,0002-WEEK STEM CAREER IMMERSION PROGRAM, HAYS CITY
FOSTER ANGELS OF CENTRAL TEXAS
$20,000ASSIST FOSTER YOUTH WITH FUND FOR RENT, FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC
SOLACE AND SAGE
$20,000OPERATIONS FOR PROGRAMS/SERVICES
MISSION PRESBYTERY
$19,000FOR JOHN KNOX RANCH ADV CAMP/SCHOLARSHIPS
SAN MARCOS TX COMMUNITY RADIO ASSOC
$18,976OPERATIONAL EXP IN PRODUCING 10 EDUCATION PROGRAMS
THE AUSTIN CENTER FOR GRIEF AND LOS
$15,000HAYS CITY SCHOOL BASED GRIEF GROUPS
AMALA FOUNDATION
$15,000CIRCLE UP PROGRAM IN 2 HAYS CISD SCHOOLS
PEN-CITY WRITERS
$15,000STOP PMT INCARCERATED CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM&STOP PMT - CHECK LOST IN MAIL&REPLACEMENT FOR ORIGINAL CHECK
ASSIST WITH HAYS COUNTY MOBILE FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTIONS
START-UP KIDS CLUB
$15,000OPERATIONS/PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CAMP COMMUNITY, HC
KIDS WRITE GOOD dba AUSTIN BAT CAVE
$12,500SUMMER CAMP WATERWAYS RE COSTS IN HAYS CITY
CRISIS BREAD BASKET OF WIMBERLEY
$12,000HEALTHY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS FOR AREA RESIDENTS IN NEED