The Baron and Blue Foundation is a private foundation based in Addison, Texas, established in 2002 by Lisa Blue and her late husband, renowned litigator Fred Baron. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since July 2003.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$252K
+24.7% YoY
Grant Count
24
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-6.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Baron & Blue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to help nonprofit organizations fight the problems of homelessness and displacement and to promote the needs of the underserved in Dallas. The foundation provides grants for homelessness and housing support, focusing on emergency services and long-term solutions.
Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $6 million in grants to Dallas area nonprofits addressing these issues.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$10,000
Review Cycle
April 1 and October 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and the District of Columbia. Grantmaking reaches organizations across six states, with 96% of grants supporting organizations in Texas, District of Columbia, and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $3,192,033
- Total revenues: $511,146
- Total expenses: $329,546
- Number of employees: 0
Historical giving rate: 6.7% of assets (based on 2023 data)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,192,033 | $3,013,147 | $2,255,430 |
| Revenue | $511,146 | $1,019,763 | $67,847 |
| Expenses | $329,546 | $261,615 | $449,989 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $284,683 | $234,792 | $400,352 |
| Net Investment Income | $481,081 | $908,017 | $38,665 |
| Distributable Amount | $167,872 | $130,162 | $135,956 |
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
156 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Family Gateway ($20,000), Metrocrest Services ($15,000), Housing Forward ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FAMILY GATEWAY DALLAS, TX | EMERGENCY SHELTER & HOTEL OVERFLOW PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| METROCREST SERVICES CARROLLTON, TX | HOMELESS RESOURCES PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| HOUSING FORWARD DALLAS, TX | HUD MATCH | $15,000 |
| NEXUS RECOVERY CENTER DALLAS, TX | RECOVERY CENTER | $15,000 |
| THE STEWPOT OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS, TX | 300 STEWPOT GENERAL FUND | $15,000 |
| AUSTIN STREET CENTER DALLAS, TX | ASC | $15,000 |
| THE FAMILY PLACE DALLAS, TX | SUPPORTIVE LIVING PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| DALLAS FURNITURE BANK DALLAS, TX | SUPPORT PROVIDING FURNITURE TO FAMILIES TRANSITIONING FROM HOMELESSNESS | $15,000 |
| THE BRIDGE HOMELESS RECOVERY CENTER DALLAS, TX | CARE MANAGEMENT | $15,000 |
| SOUL'S HARBOR DALLAS, TX | CAMPUS RENOVATIONS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Helen Holman - Executive Director
- Lara Ashmore - Principal Officer
The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA A BLUE BARON | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT/TREASUR | 1 | — |
| COURTNEY BARON | DIRECTOR/VP/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LAURA MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HELEN HOLMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 25 | $14,769 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Baron & Blue Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to help nonprofit organizations fight the problems of homelessness and displacement and to promote the needs of the underserved in Dallas. The foundation provides grants for homelessness and housing support, focusing on emergency services and long-term solutions. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $6 million in grants to Dallas area nonprofits addressing these issues.
How do I apply for a grant from Baron & Blue Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • According to recent filings, the foundation has made 82 grants totaling $1.4 million • Median grant size: $10,000 • Grant range: $500 to $100,000 • Average award: $17,000 • Annual giving has ranged from $800,000 in 2020 to $202,000 in 2023 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Family Gateway (Emergency Shelter & Hotel Overflow Program): $20,000 • Austin Street Center: $15,000 • Dallas Furniture Bank: $15,000 **Application Process:** • Accepts applications • Geographic restriction: I…
Where does Baron & Blue Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and the District of Columbia. Grantmaking reaches organizations across six states, with 96% of grants supporting organizations in Texas, District of Columbia, and North Carolina.
What size grants does Baron & Blue Foundation award?
In 2024, Baron & Blue Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $252K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Baron & Blue Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Baron & Blue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Baron & Blue Foundation's EIN?
Baron & Blue Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2965720. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Baron & Blue Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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