Buena Vista Foundation
Buena Vista Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. In its 2025 filing, it reported 51 grants totaling $1,942,603, all of which went to recipients in Texas.
Buena Vista Foundation at a glance
In short: Buena Vista Foundation gave $1.9M across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $38K), mostly in Texas. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,942,603
- +16.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,090
- +16.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $39,026,004
- +19.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (11 of 51, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% 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 Buena Vista Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 701 N Post Oak Road Suite 635, Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 204-3050
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Buena Vista Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Austin Ed Fund ($368K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
236 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 182 grants of 236 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Texas; the filing reports less than 1% in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Buena Vista Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 51 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 122% of 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 $1.1M (2020) to $1.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Ed Fund Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $368,111 |
| Communities in Schools Austin, TX | Expanding Mental Health Capacity | $200,000 |
| Explore Austin Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $150,000 |
| United Way for Greater Austin Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $131,663 |
| Humanities Texas Austin, TX | Donation for Emergency Funds | $130,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Greater Texas Dallas, TX | Support General Fund | $100,000 |
| Waterloo Greenway Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $100,000 |
| Social Good Fund - Austin 2030 Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $75,000 |
| Teach for America - Austin Dallas, TX | Support General Fund | $75,000 |
| Creative Action Austin, TX | Support General Fund | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Buena Vista 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,026,004 | $7,167,285 | $2,155,241 | $1,942,603 | 51 | $1,997,749 | $3,539,123 | $1,631,268 |
| 2024 | $32,801,474 | $1,472,789 | $1,877,119 | $1,670,557 | 51 | $1,741,973 | $1,357,317 | $1,548,033 |
| 2023 | $29,480,454 | $1,182,569 | $1,299,434 | $1,111,633 | 45 | $1,165,666 | $1,063,585 | $1,355,407 |
| 2022 | $25,840,364 | $987,762 | $1,432,031 | $1,219,801 | 45 | $1,272,696 | $840,104 | $1,361,131 |
| 2021 | $32,358,459 | $2,077,202 | $1,776,574 | $1,527,562 | 44 | $1,579,892 | $1,907,028 | $1,506,564 |
| 2020 | $29,551,711 | $373,423 | $1,322,504 | $1,085,010 | 40 | — | $382,524 | $1,276,934 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Buena Vista Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M 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’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2025 grants include general-fund support as well as support identified for mental-health capacity and emergency funds.
The grantees’ own descriptions show a range of work among organizations it supported. Communities in Schools describes its mission as surrounding students with community support so they can stay in school and achieve in life. Humanities Texas says it advances education through programs for classroom teaching, libraries, museums, and lifelong learning. Power for Parkinson’s describes providing fitness classes, social opportunities, education, and support for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $1,942,603. Grants ranged from $500 to $368,111, with a median grant of $10,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $368,111 to Austin Ed Fund for general-fund support; $200,000 to Communities in Schools for expanding mental-health capacity; $150,000 to Explore Austin for general-fund support; $131,663 to United Way for Greater Austin for general-fund support; and $130,000 to Humanities Texas for emergency funds. Other notable grants included $100,000 each to Planned Parenthood Greater Texas and Waterloo Greenway for general-fund support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Betsy G Abell as president; Samuel Hv Abell as vice president and treasurer; and Lucy H Abell as vice president and secretary.
Buena Vista Foundation is led by Betsy G. Abell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Betsy G. Abell
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy H. Abell
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Samuel Hv Abell
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: G. Hughes Abell (2020–2023) — Vice President
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.
Frequently asked questions about Buena Vista Foundation
How much does Buena Vista Foundation give each year?
Buena Vista Foundation gave $1.9M across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 51 grants.
What is Buena Vista Foundation's typical grant size?
Buena Vista Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $38,090, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Buena Vista Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does Buena Vista Foundation give grants?
Buena Vista Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (42 grants), Dallas, TX (2 grants) and Waco, TX (2 grants).
Does Buena Vista Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Buena Vista Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (45 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Buena Vista Foundation's largest grantees?
Buena Vista Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Austin Ed Fund ($368,111), Communities in Schools ($200,000) and Explore Austin ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Buena Vista Foundation?
Buena Vista Foundation reported $39.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Buena Vista Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2025 grants include general-fund support as well as support identified for mental-health capacity and emergency funds. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Buena Vista Foundation?
The foundation 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 Buena Vista Foundation's EIN?
Buena Vista Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2869876. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Buena Vista 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 16, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Buena Vista Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
Harry E and EDA L Montandon Charitable Tr
Austin, TX
The Trust funds legally established charitable organizations whose principal operations are in Texas and that serve people with disabilities or children who are ill, disadvantaged, or have disabilities. Its grant program typically awards $10,000–$125,000, averaging $25,000, for program or capital support; endowment requests are not accepted. The profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$42.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$2.4M
St David's Foundation
Austin, TX
St. David’s Foundation funds health equity work in Central Texas, including access to care, economic stability, and community-led efforts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,400 to $5.84 million, with a median of $291,600. Eligible organizations may apply to open calls and some rolling opportunities, while invitation-only opportunities do not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
145
Total Given
$85.1M
Shield-Ayres Foundation
Austin, TX
The Austin-based Shield-Ayres Foundation supports organizations addressing basic human needs, health and social justice, education and arts access, and land and water conservation. Its typical grant is around $10,000, though awards can be smaller or significantly larger; the profile does not state a geographic limit for funding. It accepts Letters of Inquiry only from organizations it has funded before, and has no current plans to reopen its application process.
Assets
$19.1M
Grants
121
Total Given
$2.1M
The Applied Materials Foundation
Santa Clara, CA
The foundation funds education, arts and culture, civic engagement, environmental work, and girls’ empowerment, prioritizing community needs where Applied Materials operates; recent grants went to organizations in California, South Carolina, and Texas. In 2025, grants ranged from $101,907 to $2.5 million, with a median of $373,541. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations, and its guidelines provide application details.
Assets
$39.2M
Grants
20
Total Given
$13.4M
Austin Community Foundation Inc
Austin, TX
Austin Community Foundation funds nonprofits and public entities in areas including arts and culture, education, community development, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on strengthening Central Texas. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though awards ranged widely; its primary service area includes Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$556.3M
Grants
764
Total Given
$54.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Buena Vista Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/buena-vista-foundation-morg_23d05923a32b42a3b680e412263ca02d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742869876_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Buena Vista Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/buena-vista-foundation-morg_23d05923a32b42a3b680e412263ca02d},
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 Buena Vista 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.
Buena Vista Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?