Baron & Blue Foundation
The Baron & Blue Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Lisa Blue and her late husband, Fred Baron, founded and endowed it in 2002. Its stated mission is to help nonprofits address homelessness and displacement and promote the needs of underserved people in Dallas.
Baron & Blue Foundation at a glance
In short: Baron & Blue Foundation gave $2.8M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $102K), mostly in Nebraska. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,759,275
- +995.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $102,195
- +873.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,069,646
- -66.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (7 of 27, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Baron & Blue Foundation
- How to Apply
The 2025 filing directs applicants to contact the executive director and submit a completed foundation application with a cover letter and project description, anticipated results and implementation timetable, plans…
The 2025 filing directs applicants to contact the executive director and submit a completed foundation application with a cover letter and project description, anticipated results and implementation timetable, plans for support after the grant period, proof of 501(c)(3) status, board information, project and organizational budgets, a current year-to-date income and expense statement, the organization’s two most recent Forms 990, an annual report, information on other applications and funds for the project, and the last two board meeting minutes. The filing says the board authorizes contributions to IRC Section 501(c)(3) organizations for charitable, educational, religious, scientific, literary, or cultural purposes.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists April 1 and October 1. These dates are past cycles as of September 28, 2026.
- Deadline
- The filing lists April 1 and October 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Executive Director
Mailing address: PO Box 25464, Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: (214) 692-5789
Website: https://baronandblue.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Baron & Blue Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dafgiving 360 ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 134 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission and website describe a focus on Dallas and the Dallas area. In 2025, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 24% to recipients in Texas; the largest grant that year was to a Nebraska recipient for a donor-advised fund.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Baron & Blue Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 27 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $314K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 37% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 651% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $202K (2023) to $2.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dafgiving 360 Omaha, NE | Donor Advised Fund | $2,084,275 |
| Ourcalling Inc Dallas, TX | Support General Operations | $70,000 |
| Family Gateway Dallas, TX | Emergency Shelter & Hotel Overflow Program | $50,000 |
| Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center Dallas, TX | Support General Operations | $50,000 |
| The Stewpot of First Presbyterian Church Dallas, TX | 300 Stewpot General Fund | $50,000 |
| Austin Street Center Dallas, TX | GENOPS | $50,000 |
| Kid Net Foudnation DBA Johnathan's Place Garland, TX | Support General Operations | $40,000 |
| Metrocrest Services Carrollton, TX | Homeless Resources Program | $40,000 |
| Interfaith Family Services Dallas, TX | Empowerment Program | $35,000 |
| ASD - a Home for Life Dallas, TX | General Operations Service-Enriched Housing Program | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,069,646 | $719,614 | $2,815,439 | $2,759,275 | 27 | $2,784,607 | $626,848 | $158,882 |
| 2024 | $3,192,033 | $511,146 | $329,546 | $252,000 | 24 | $284,683 | $481,081 | $167,872 |
| 2023 | $3,013,147 | $1,019,763 | $261,615 | $202,142 | 18 | $234,792 | $908,017 | $130,162 |
| 2022 | $2,255,430 | $67,847 | $449,989 | $367,500 | 14 | $400,352 | $38,665 | $135,956 |
| 2021 | $2,636,824 | $806,199 | $636,876 | $559,500 | 51 | $605,626 | $790,118 | $147,598 |
| 2020 | $2,467,490 | $207,667 | $844,422 | $799,500 | 50 | — | $41,791 | $152,508 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Baron & Blue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $159K for 2025 — 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 foundation states that it supports nonprofits working on homelessness, displacement, and the needs of underserved people in Dallas. Its 2025 grants included support for emergency shelter, homelessness services, housing, and general operations.
The grantees describe their own work in varied ways. Family Gateway says it provides stability and supportive services to children and families affected by homelessness; Austin Street Center says it provides emergency shelter and related services to people experiencing homelessness. Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center says it works to protect tenants’ rights and promote housing stability, while Shared Housing Center says it offers housing solutions with supportive services. Other 2025 recipients include OurCalling, which says it serves unsheltered neighbors and connects them with support; Metrocrest Services, which says it works toward self-sufficiency and independence; and Rainbow Days, which says it helps children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 27 grants totaling $2,759,275. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $2,084,275, with a median of $20,000. The largest grant was $2,084,275 to DAFGIVING 360 for a donor-advised fund. Other notable grants included $70,000 to OurCalling; $50,000 each to Family Gateway, Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, The Stewpot of First Presbyterian Church, and Austin Street Center; and $40,000 each to Kid Net Foundation DBA Jonathan’s Place and Metrocrest Services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa A. Blue Baron as director, president, and treasurer; Chris Hamilton as director; Laura Miller as director, vice president, and secretary; and Helen Holman as executive director.
Baron & Blue Foundation is led by Helen Holman, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Helen Holman
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
$13K (2021) → $7K (2025)
Lisa A. Blue Baron
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Miller
Director, Vice President & Secretary
Director → Director, Vice President & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Hamilton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Courtney Baron (2020–2024) — Director, Vice President & Secretary
- Former: Julie Negussie (2021) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Beth Taylor (2020) — Director
- Former: Lara Ashmore (2020) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $7K, to Helen Holman (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Baron & Blue Foundation
How much does Baron & Blue Foundation give each year?
Baron & Blue Foundation gave $2.8M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $252K across 24 grants.
What is Baron & Blue Foundation's typical grant size?
Baron & Blue Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $102,195, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Baron & Blue Foundation that year got $314K on average.
Where does Baron & Blue Foundation give grants?
Baron & Blue Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (24%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (22 grants).
Does Baron & Blue Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of Baron & Blue Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Baron & Blue Foundation's largest grantees?
Baron & Blue Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Dafgiving 360 ($2,084,275), Ourcalling Inc ($70,000) and Family Gateway ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Baron & Blue Foundation?
Baron & Blue Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $159K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Baron & Blue Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it supports nonprofits working on homelessness, displacement, and the needs of underserved people in Dallas. Its 2025 grants included support for emergency shelter, homelessness services, housing, and general operations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Baron & Blue Foundation?
The 2025 filing directs applicants to contact the executive director and submit a completed foundation application with a cover letter and project description, anticipated results and implementation timetable, plans… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Baron & Blue Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/baron-and-blue-foundation-morg_df89a6a578264ac686319d9eae39ed5a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752965720_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Baron \& Blue Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/baron-and-blue-foundation-morg_df89a6a578264ac686319d9eae39ed5a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Baron & Blue 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.
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