The Ershel Franklin Charitable Trust concentrates giving in West Texas higher education, regional healthcare, and faith-based scholarship support. Its grants combine multi‑year or repeat commitments to a handful of local institutions (notably Texas Tech and area medical centers) with smaller gifts for public broadcasting, arts programming, and hospital fundraising. The foundation favors place-based investments that support student scholarships, community health campaigns, and cultural/educational programming tied to local institutions.
A $100,000 Passion Campaign gift to University Medical Center Foundation in 2025 stands out in the Ershel Franklin Charitable Trust’s recent record, showing how the trust pairs large anchor grants with steady local support. The trust backs West Texas higher education, regional healthcare, scholarship funds, and community institutions tied to Post and Lubbock. Its giving also reaches public broadcasting, museum programming, emergency services, and faith-based education support. Recent grants show a pattern of concentrating resources around a small set of recurring recipients. Texas Tech Foundation received support for KTTZ public broadcasting, scholarships, and a museum teaching artists program. Presbyterian Church Education Fund received multiple scholarship grants. Community Recovery Center received both operating support and funding for drug and alcohol education. The trust also supported children's health and hospital fundraising through UMC and St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, alongside local cultural and service organizations such as Os Ranch Foundation, Lubbock Public Media, and Post-garza County Ems. These grants reflect a place-based funder that uses a mix of program support, operating support, and scholarship funding to reinforce institutions serving the region.
Higher education is a central theme. The trust gave $70,000 to Texas Tech Foundation in 2025 for KTTZ - Channel 5 Public Broadcasting System, scholarships, and the Museum-Teaching Artists Program, and it also gave $75,000 and $50,000 to Presbyterian Church Education Fund for scholarships in 2023 and 2024. Healthcare support appears through multiple channels. In 2025, Community Health Center of Lubbock received $25,738 for dental equipment, and Community Recovery Center received $25,500 for general operations. The trust also funds youth and family services. Buckner Foundation received $40,000 in 2023, $40,000 in 2024, and $40,000 in 2025 for the Family Pathways Project and Family Hope Center. In substance-use prevention and education, Community Recovery Center received $22,500 in 2023 and $22,500 in 2024 for operating expenses and drug and alcohol educational programs.
Typical grant size is modest but not small: the p25 is $3,500, the median is $7,500, and the p75 is $22,500. That distribution sits alongside a few larger awards, including six-figure gifts to hospital fundraising efforts and repeated $40,000 and $70,000 commitments to regional institutions. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off; several recipients appear across multiple years, including Texas Tech Foundation, Presbyterian Church Education Fund, Buckner Foundation, Community Recovery Center, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, and Os Ranch Foundation. The trust appears to give directly to organizations rather than through an open application program, and it does not fund individuals.
$1.3M
$9.6M
$799K
$687K
Most grants fall between $4K and $23K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$23K
About 91% of grants go to recipients in TX.
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Concentrated, place-based giving: a small number of relatively large grants (three ~100k+ awards) to repeat institutional grantees, supplemented by several modest gifts for events, campaigns, and program support.
Notable grantees: Texas Tech Foundation, Presbyterian Church Education Fund, UMC Foundation / University Medical Center Foundation, KTTZ (Texas Tech public broadcasting) - via Texas Tech Foundation
The trust’s giving is overwhelmingly Texas-based, with 91% of grants going to recipients in its HQ state. Post and Lubbock are the main nodes, with repeated grants to organizations in both cities. Outside Texas, the only recipient country shown is the United States, and the recent-grants list also includes one recipient in Memphis and one in Houston. That geographic pattern matches a local funder focused on West Texas institutions rather than broad national grantmaking.
Its recent grants center on higher education scholarships, regional healthcare, public broadcasting, family services, and community education. Examples include scholarships through Presbyterian Church Education Fund, KTTZ public broadcasting and museum teaching artists support through Texas Tech Foundation, and health-related support for UMC Foundation and Community Health Center of Lubbock.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Texas Tech Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Presbyterian Church Education Fund in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Buckner Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Community Recovery Center in 2023 and 2024.
The distribution is centered on smaller grants: p25 is $3,500, median grant size is $7,500, and p75 is $22,500. The recent record also includes larger awards, such as $70,000 and $102,500, but those are above the upper quartile.
It gives most often in Texas, which accounts for 91% of grants. Recent recipients are concentrated in Post and Lubbock, with additional Texas grants in Houston.
No. The trust does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMC FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $102,500 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK $2,500; PASSION CAMPAIGN $100,000 |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | BOX, TX | $70,000 | 2025 | KTTZ - CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM $20,000; SCHOLARSHIPS $30,000; MUSEUM-TEACHING ARTISTS PROGRAM $20,000 |
| BUCKNER FOUNDATION CO MYNDI EASTER | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000 |
| POST-GARZA COUNTY EMS | POST, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | FIRST RESPONDER UNIT |
| OS RANCH FOUNDATION | POST, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | MUSEUM |
| COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF LUBBOCK | LUBBOCK, TX | $25,738 | 2025 | DENTAL EQUIPMENT |
| COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER | POST, TX | $25,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND | POST, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| LUBBOCK PUBLIC MEDIA | LUBBOCK, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | RADIO STATION |
| GARZA COUNTY TRAILBLAZERS | POST, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| POST ALCOHOL RECOVERY CENTER | POST, TX | $7,500 | 2025 | RECIPIENT DISCRETION |
| CAPROCK CULTURAL ASSOCIATION | POST, TX | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| POST CITY FESTIVALS | POST, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | RECIPIENT DISCRETION |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LUBBOCK | LUBBOCK, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | PARENT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM |
| ALCOHOLIC RECOVERY CENTER | LUBBOCK, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MUSEUM OF TTU ASSOCIATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | ART OF LLANO ESTACADO EXHIBIT |
| SOUTH PLAINS FOOD BANK | LUBBOCK, TX | $4,800 | 2025 | MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS | CLARKSVILLE, AR | $3,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GARZA COUNTY | POST, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS |
| KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 11807 | LUBBOCK, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GARZA COUNTY JR LIVESTOCK | POST, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $102,500 | 2024 | COVID 19 FIGHT $2,500; 20 UMC GALA $3,000 |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $68,000 | 2024 | KTTZ-CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM |
| PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND | POST, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BUCKNER FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2024 | FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000 |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| RANCHING HERITAGE ASSOC | LUBBOCK, TX | $22,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER | POST, TX | $22,500 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES $500; DRUG & ALCOHOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS $20,000 |
| OS RANCH FOUNDATION | POST, TX | $10,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GARZA COUNTY TRAILBLAZERS | POST, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | LUBBOCK, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | COVID 19 OPERATIONAL |
| COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | LUBBOCK, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | COVID 19 OPERATIONAL $25,0000; COVID 19 SPONSOR $1,000 |
| POST ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER | POST, TX | $7,500 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ALCOHOLIC RECOVERY CENTER | LUBBOCK, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE |
| MUSEUM OF TTU ASSOCIATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | ART OF LLANO ESTACADO EXHIBIT |
| CROSSVIEW CHRISTIAN CAMP | DICKENS, TX | $4,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GARZA COUNTY | POST, TX | $4,000 | 2024 | 4-H YOUTH PROGRAM $250 |
| PLEASANT HOME BAPTIST CHURCH | POST, TX | $4,000 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| POST CITY FESTIVALS | POST, TX | $3,500 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CAPROCK CULTURAL ASSOCIATION | POST, TX | $3,000 | 2024 | PARKING LOT PROJECT. |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH | LUBBOCK, TX | $3,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAMARITANS PURSE | BOONE, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL USE |
| SALVATION ARMY | LUBBOCK, TX | $1,500 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL USE |
| POST ART GUILD INC | POST, TX | $500 | 2024 | SPRING ART SHOW & EXHIBIT MEMORIAL |
| CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICE | LUBBOCK, TX | $500 | 2024 | NIGHT TO REMEMBER FUNDRAISER |
| PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND | POST, TX | $75,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $65,000 | 2023 | KTTZ-CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM |
| BUCKNER FOUNDATION | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2023 | FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
UMC FOUNDATION
$102,500CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK $2,500; PASSION CAMPAIGN $100,000
TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION
$70,000KTTZ - CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM $20,000; SCHOLARSHIPS $30,000; MUSEUM-TEACHING ARTISTS PROGRAM $20,000
BUCKNER FOUNDATION CO MYNDI EASTER
$40,000FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000
POST-GARZA COUNTY EMS
$40,000FIRST RESPONDER UNIT
OS RANCH FOUNDATION
$40,000MUSEUM
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF LUBBOCK
$25,738DENTAL EQUIPMENT
COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER
$25,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$25,000RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROGRAMS
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND
$20,000SCHOLARSHIPS
LUBBOCK PUBLIC MEDIA
$15,000RADIO STATION
GARZA COUNTY TRAILBLAZERS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
POST ALCOHOL RECOVERY CENTER
$7,500RECIPIENT DISCRETION
CAPROCK CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
$6,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
POST CITY FESTIVALS
$5,000RECIPIENT DISCRETION
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LUBBOCK
$5,000PARENT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
ALCOHOLIC RECOVERY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MUSEUM OF TTU ASSOCIATION
$5,000ART OF LLANO ESTACADO EXHIBIT
SOUTH PLAINS FOOD BANK
$4,800MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
$3,500SCHOLARSHIPS
GARZA COUNTY
$3,000SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 11807
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
GARZA COUNTY JR LIVESTOCK
$2,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$102,500COVID 19 FIGHT $2,500; 20 UMC GALA $3,000
TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION
$68,000KTTZ-CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND
$50,000SCHOLARSHIPS
BUCKNER FOUNDATION
$40,000FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$25,000CHARITABLE
RANCHING HERITAGE ASSOC
$22,500CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER
$22,500OPERATING EXPENSES $500; DRUG & ALCOHOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS $20,000
OS RANCH FOUNDATION
$10,500CHARITABLE
GARZA COUNTY TRAILBLAZERS
$10,000OPERATING EXPENSES
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
$10,000COVID 19 OPERATIONAL
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$10,000COVID 19 OPERATIONAL $25,0000; COVID 19 SPONSOR $1,000
POST ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER
$7,500OPERATING EXPENSES
ALCOHOLIC RECOVERY CENTER
$5,000DISCRETIONARY USE
MUSEUM OF TTU ASSOCIATION
$5,000ART OF LLANO ESTACADO EXHIBIT
CROSSVIEW CHRISTIAN CAMP
$4,000CHARITABLE
GARZA COUNTY
$4,0004-H YOUTH PROGRAM $250
PLEASANT HOME BAPTIST CHURCH
$4,000OPERATING EXPENSES
POST CITY FESTIVALS
$3,500OPERATING EXPENSES
CAPROCK CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
$3,000PARKING LOT PROJECT.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
SAMARITANS PURSE
$2,500OPERATIONAL USE
SALVATION ARMY
$1,500OPERATIONAL USE
POST ART GUILD INC
$500SPRING ART SHOW & EXHIBIT MEMORIAL
CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICE
$500NIGHT TO REMEMBER FUNDRAISER
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATION FUND
$75,000SCHOLARSHIPS
TEXAS TECH FOUNDATION
$65,000KTTZ-CHANNEL 5 PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM
BUCKNER FOUNDATION
$40,000FAMILY PATHWAYS PROJECT $20,000; FAMILY HOPE CENTER $20,000
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CENTER
$25,000RESEARCH AND EDUCATION