The Deason Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and conservative/liberty-oriented public policy work, with a strong preference for large, multi-grant commitments to a small set of organizations. Its largest support goes to Southern Methodist University for university-related programs, while significant funding also flows to national conservative policy and youth-engagement organizations. The foundation’s pattern suggests a Texas/Dallas base with an interest in shaping public policy and civic engagement through academic and advocacy channels.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants with multiple disbursements to the same recipients (repeat multi-grant support), focused on a small set of national and local institutions rather than many small awards.
The Deason Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by repeated seven-figure support for Southern Methodist University, including $1,010,000 in 2024 and $1,000,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for general support. That long-running commitment sits alongside large awards to conservative policy and civic organizations, showing a portfolio centered on higher education, public-policy work, and political engagement rather than a broad set of unrelated causes. The foundation also appears to favor multi-year relationships: Stand Together Foundation received $900,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Turning Point USA was funded across multiple years as well. Across the recent grants list, The Deason Foundation’s largest recipients are institutions with national or Texas-based reach, including Southern Methodist University, Stand Together Foundation, Turning Point USA, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and America First Policy Institute. General support is the dominant purpose text in the record, which suggests flexibility in how recipients use the funds. The overall pattern is concentrated, repeat-oriented grantmaking with a small set of organizations receiving substantial backing over time.
Higher education is a core part of the portfolio. The Deason Foundation gave $100,000 in 2024 and another $75,000 in 2023 to UT Southwestern, both for general support. Southern Methodist University also appears as a major beneficiary in the recent grants list, reinforcing the foundation’s sustained connection to Dallas-based academic institutions. In policy and advocacy, the foundation supported America First Policy Institute with $100,000 in 2023, $100,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025. It also gave Blexit Foundation Inc $120,000 in 2023 and 2024, then $80,000 in 2025, all as general support. Youth political engagement is another visible area. Turning Point USA received $250,000 in 2023 and 2024, and $290,000 in 2025. The repeated awards indicate an ongoing relationship rather than a single-year grant.
Grant size is uneven and skewed toward large awards: the 25th percentile is $21,250, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $217,500. The recent list shows repeated gifts to the same organizations across 2023-2025, which points to multi-year commitments rather than one-off grants. The foundation gives general support in the examples provided, and it funds individuals. It does not make program-related investments.
$2.8M
$42.6M
$8.9M
$3M
Most grants fall between $21K and $218K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$21K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$218K
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Notable grantees: Southern Methodist University, Stand Together Foundation, Turning Point USA
Giving is regionally concentrated, with 63% of grants going to recipients in Texas. Dallas appears repeatedly through Southern Methodist University, UT Southwestern, Goodwill Industries of Dallas Inc, and Sm Wright Foundation. Arlington is another frequent Texas location, including Stand Together Foundation’s listed grant location in Arlington, VA and the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, TX. Outside Texas, the recent grants list also includes recipients in Lemont, IL; Washington, DC; Fairfax, VA; Camarillo, CA; and Austin, TX. All recorded grants in the dataset go to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants show support for higher education, policy and advocacy groups, and civic or cultural organizations. Examples include Southern Methodist University, UT Southwestern, Stand Together Foundation, Turning Point USA, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and America First Policy Institute.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Southern Methodist University received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Stand Together Foundation also received grants in all three years; Turning Point USA and America First Policy Institute each show repeated awards across the same period.
The grant-size distribution is weighted toward larger awards, with a 25th percentile of $21,250, a median of $50,000, and a 75th percentile of $217,500. The recent grants list also includes multiple six-figure and seven-figure gifts.
Texas is the top state by grant count, with 63% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Dallas and Arlington appear frequently among the recipient cities in the recent grants list.
The foundation funds individuals, does not make program-related investments, and the recent grants are listed as general support. The repeated awards to a small group of organizations suggest a relationship-based pattern of giving.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $900,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TURNING POINT USA | LEMONT, IL | $290,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM | ARLINGTON, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UT SOUTHWESTERN | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWESTERN DIABETIC FOUNDATION INC | WHITESBORO, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST LIBERTY | PLANO, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | GENRAL SUPPORT |
| REMEMBER THE ALAMO FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARK CITIES QUAIL COALITION | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NRA-FAF | FAIRFAX, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINNERS FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COUNCIL FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEXAS CONSERVATIVE COALITION | AUSTIN, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $1,010,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $900,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM | ARLINGTON, TX | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TURNING POINT USA | LEMONT, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UT SOUTHWESTERN | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NRA-FAF | FAIRFAX, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOVIE GUIDE AWARDS GALA | CAMARILLO, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWESTERN DIABETIC FOUNDATION INC | WHITESBORO, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARENA HALL | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST LIBERTY | PLANO, TX | $20,000 | 2024 | GENRAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF DALLASFORT WORTH | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINNERS FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $900,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM | ARLINGTON, TX | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TURNING POINT USA | LEMONT, IL | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, TX | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UT SOUTHWESTERN | DALLAS, TX | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NRA-FAF | FAIRFAX, VA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF DALLAS INC | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST LIBERTY | PLANO, TX | $20,000 | 2023 | GENRAL SUPPORT |
| THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINNERS FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $3,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIKE PAGE | IRVING, TX | $2,000 | 2023 | DENTAL/ORAL SURGERY |
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION
$900,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TURNING POINT USA
$290,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UT SOUTHWESTERN
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC
GENERAL SUPPORT
SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHWESTERN DIABETIC FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST LIBERTY
$20,000GENRAL SUPPORT
REMEMBER THE ALAMO FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PARK CITIES QUAIL COALITION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NRA-FAF
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WINNERS FOR LIFE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COUNCIL FOR LIFE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEXAS CONSERVATIVE COALITION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$1,010,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION
$900,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TURNING POINT USA
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UT SOUTHWESTERN
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NRA-FAF
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOVIE GUIDE AWARDS GALA
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHWESTERN DIABETIC FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARENA HALL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST LIBERTY
$20,000GENRAL SUPPORT
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF DALLASFORT WORTH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WINNERS FOR LIFE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAND TOGETHER FOUNDATION
$900,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TURNING POINT USA
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UT SOUTHWESTERN
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NRA-FAF
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF DALLAS INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST LIBERTY
$20,000GENRAL SUPPORT
THE STEAMBOAT INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WINNERS FOR LIFE
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MIKE PAGE
$2,000DENTAL/ORAL SURGERY