Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, it reported 17 grants totaling $1,021,451, with the largest grants going to organizations in Dallas and Washington, DC.
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation at a glance
In short: Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation gave $1.0M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), mostly in Texas. 59% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,021,451
- +197.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +88.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $60,085
- +57.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $619,862
- -60.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (10 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (58% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4143 Maple Avenue Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 744-5000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was UT Southwestern Medical Center ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 61 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 42% went to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 17 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $92K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $16K repeat.
- 18% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 213% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $326K (2021) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX | Charitable | $500,000 |
| Hudson Institute Washington, DC | Charitable | $225,000 |
| American Enterprise Institute Washingon, DC | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Advancing American Freedom Foundati Washington, DC | Charitable | $100,000 |
| State Fair of Texas Dallas, TX | Educational | $23,180 |
| Christ the King Catholic Church Dallas, TX | Religious | $22,000 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas Dallas, TX | Charitable | $15,800 |
| University of North Texas at Dallas Dallas, TX | Educational | $10,000 |
| St Ann Catholic Church Coppell, TX | Religious | $10,000 |
| Birds Eye View Project Allen, TX | Charitable | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $619,862 | $145,777 | $1,093,599 | $1,021,451 | 17 | $1,026,090 | $80,578 | $70,118 |
| 2023 | $1,568,444 | $1,980,826 | $392,653 | $343,145 | 9 | $347,200 | $1,080,247 | $61,865 |
| 2022 | $591,734 | $113,748 | $672,177 | $615,229 | 13 | $618,500 | $66,508 | $38,356 |
| 2021 | $1,115,434 | $440,713 | $387,644 | $326,100 | 9 | $326,600 | $398,445 | $77,779 |
| 2020 | $1,704,557 | $2,579,686 | $606,067 | $588,480 | 13 | — | $1,265,226 | $21,648 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation reported a distributable amount of $70K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included charitable, educational, and religious purposes. The grantees’ own descriptions show a range of activities: Hudson Institute describes its work as promoting American leadership for a secure, free, and prosperous future; the State Fair of Texas says it promotes agriculture, education, and community involvement; and Friends of the Katy Trail describes its mission as maintaining and advocating for the trail for recreation, wellness, and alternative transportation. New Friends New Life says it works to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited girls and women and their children.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $1,021,451. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $500,000, with a median of $10,000.
The largest 2024 grants were $500,000 to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, $225,000 to Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, and $100,000 each to the American Enterprise Institute and Advancing American Freedom Foundation, both in Washington, DC. Other grants included $23,180 to the State Fair of Texas, $22,000 to Christ the King Catholic Church, and $15,800 to Communities Foundation of Texas, all in Dallas.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amy A Ware as president, treasurer, and director; Leslie D Ware as secretary and director; and Melissa Douglass as vice president and director.
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation is led by Amy A Ware, President, Treasurer & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amy A Ware
President, Treasurer & Director
President → President, Treasurer & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie D Ware
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Douglass
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Melissa M. Ware (2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation
How much does Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation give each year?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation gave $1.0M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $343K across 9 grants.
What is Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's typical grant size?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $60,085, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation give grants?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (10 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (10 grants) and "Educational" (4 grants).
Who are Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's largest grantees?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include UT Southwestern Medical Center ($500,000), Hudson Institute ($225,000) and American Enterprise Institute ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation reported $620K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $70K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included charitable, educational, and religious purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's EIN?
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0781485. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Rosewood Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Rosewood Foundation supports arts, education, environmental conservation, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, primarily through program grants aimed at improving quality of life in the Dallas area. Its stated award range is $2,500–$10,000, and it funds only preselected organizations, not unsolicited requests.
Assets
$19K
Grants
3
Total Given
$6K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The Aileen and Jack Pratt Foundation
Dallas, TX
The foundation supports Texas religious, medical, educational, and human-service organizations, with grants for purposes including general support, research and treatment, fundraising, and scholarships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $3,572. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$701K
Grants
23
Total Given
$175K
Hegi Family Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Hegi Family Foundation funds a broad range of causes, including children’s programs, elder services, education, arts, employment services, and community programs, with nearly all of its giving in Texas. In 2025, it made 39 grants ranging from $250 to $60,000, with a median grant of $5,000. It requests a written explanation of how funds will be used; no deadlines or award restrictions are stated.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
39
Total Given
$300K
The Addy Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Addy Foundation funds community engagement, culture, education, health, and social services, primarily in North Texas; most of its 2025 grant dollars went to Texas organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $55,750, though awards ranged widely, and it accepts proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$120.9M
Grants
88
Total Given
$23.2M
Hoblitzelle Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Hoblitzelle Foundation primarily funds capital projects—such as construction, renovation, equipment, and technology—for eligible nonprofits in Texas, especially in the Dallas area; it generally does not fund operations. Recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $1 million, with a median of $67,300. It accepts online applications and encourages applicants to discuss a potential project with the foundation before applying.
Assets
$141.1M
Grants
59
Total Given
$7.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/amy-and-leslie-ware-foundation-morg_dee63d8a397d4401a2426d1364502f60
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_900781485_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Amy \& Leslie Ware Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/amy-and-leslie-ware-foundation-morg_dee63d8a397d4401a2426d1364502f60},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Amy & Leslie Ware Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?