Amherst Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Austin, Texas. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been tax-exempt since September 2012. It operates as a philanthropic entity focused on charitable grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$166K
-53.9% YoY
Grant Count
11
-57.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+9.0% YoY
Grantmaking
Amherst Foundation is an active grantmaker with the following financial profile:
Ready to take the next step with Amherst Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Austin, Texas and operates within the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Assets: $2,586,791
- Total Giving: $360,080
- Annual Expenses: $365,000
- Total Liabilities: $600
- Annual Revenue: $87,600
The foundation maintains consistent grantmaking activity, with total giving representing approximately 14% of total assets in 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Navy SEAL Foundation Inc ($65,000), Capital City Fund for Eductation ($50,000), Firefly Fund ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capital City Fund for Eductation Austin, TX | To help provide educational opportunities for at risk students | $50,000 |
| Firefly Fund Austin, TX | Sponsorship for an annual event benefitting the research to help find a cure for Neimann-Pick Type C1 NPC1. | $25,000 |
| The Rise School Austin, TX | Education of special needs children | $2,500 |
| Project Schoolhouse Austin, TX | Support education, clean water and sanitation in rural Nicaraguan communities. | $3,000 |
| Foundation Communities Inc Austin, TX | To support the foundation to provide an affordable, attractive place to call home, as well as opportunities right at their doorstep to transform their lives. | $5,000 |
| Navy SEAL Foundation Inc Virginia Beach, VA | The Navy SEAL Foundation provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare. | $65,000 |
| Donee's under 500 - 16 total Austin, TX | Amherst Foundation provided various amounts to organizations: 20 donees of $500.00 or less totaling $6,193.00 | $3,088 |
| Hurricanes Baseball Inc Franklin, VA | Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals | $1,500 |
| Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspir Pearland, TX | Is a powerful worldwide network of inclusive, sensory- and literacy-rich playgrounds with more on the way. Our mission has taken us to Mexico, Israel, Canada, Ecuador, Russia, Argentina, South Africa, Armenia, the Dominican Republic and beyond. Once the playgrounds open, we continue working with communities to bring social inclusion programs onto the playground and into schools | $5,000 |
| The Univesity of Texas Austin, TX | The mission of the University of Texas Foundation is to advance education by providing financial support to The University of Texas System, including its branches, departments, schools, and colleges across the fourteen institutions, to enhance research, teaching, scholarship, faculties, and facilities, ensuring excellence in education | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Dobson | Director | 1 | — |
| Steve Gorman | Director | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Amherst Foundation?
Amherst Foundation is an active grantmaker with the following financial profile: • **Total giving (2023):** $360,080 • **Total assets (2023):** $2,586,791 • **Total liabilities (2023):** $600 • **Annual expenses (2023):** $365,000 The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis for grant proposals.
Where does Amherst Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Austin, Texas and operates within the United States.
What size grants does Amherst Foundation award?
In 2024, Amherst Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $166K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Amherst Foundation's EIN?
Amherst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-1559309. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Amherst Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
William Z Hayes Foundation
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$629K
Grants
4
Total Given
$28K
Tr Uw Jane James Cook Item 19
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$861K
Grants
11
Total Given
$41K
Forsyth Fbo Leonard Wood Memorial
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$320K
Grants
1
Total Given
$18K
Teas Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$138K
Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$13.5M
Grants
41
Total Given
$3.9M
Nelson & Debbie Fox Charitable Fdtn
LUBBOCK, TX
Assets
$329K
Grants
9
Total Given
$90K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Amherst Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Amherst Foundation to a real strategy.