Caris Foundation is a Texas-based private foundation established in 2002 and headquartered in Irving, Texas. The foundation is solely funded by the Halbert and Barstad families: Kathryn and David D. Halbert, Kristen and Jeff Barstad, Shannon and Patrick Halbert, and Caroline and Michael Halbert. The foundation operates with a small staff of 3 employees and focuses on aiding and empowering impoverished people through culturally relevant and sustainable solutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$5.7M
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
14
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$410K
-23.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To help people in need and alleviate as much human suffering as possible by establishing a local presence within communities to understand basic needs and implement solutions that are culturally relevant and sustainable.
Core Values:
- Demonstrate grace to those with the greatest need
- Focus efforts on the least fortunate where resources can provide the greatest benefit to the most people
- Implement solutions to suffering and poverty that are culturally relevant and sustainable
Primary Funding Focus Areas:
- Medical services
- Housing
- Nutrition
- Human services
- Education
- Disaster preparedness and relief
- Youth development and leadership
- Scouting organizations
- COVID-19 relief
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $1,000 to $2,747,576.
Grant Range
Range:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Texas
- New York
- Arkansas
The foundation also maintains significant international operations through Caris Foundation International, with programs in Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- As of 2023: $17,479,513
Annual Giving:
- 2023: $5,739,165 in total grants
Revenues (2023):
- Total grants and contributions: $149,131
- Investment income and dividends: $732,858
- Total revenues: $2,128,155
Expenses (2023):
- Total expenses: $6,172,838
| 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
61 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Caris Foundation International ($2,747,576), Abilene Christian University ($2,550,000), George W Bush Foundation ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY ABILENE, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,550,000 |
| BANDS MINISTRIES NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $65,786 |
| CARIS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL IRVING, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,747,576 |
| CL - CHANGING LIVES CARROLLTON, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| FORTRESS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER FORT WORTH, TX | TEACHER APPRECIATION | $91,001 |
| GEORGE W BUSH FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| HEALTH TALENTS INTERNATIONAL SEARCY, AR | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,125 |
| LAKE CITIES CHURCH OF CHRIST TROPHY CLUB, TX | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $11,168 |
| MCKINNEY NELL BURKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MCKINNEY, TX | TEACHER APPRECIATION | $20,942 |
| NEW YORK CANCER FOUNDATION WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY | PAYMENT FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID D HALBERT | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHRYN A HALBERT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| KRISTEN S HALBERT | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER HARMON | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 20 | $140,000 |
| MICHAEL D HALBERT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PATRICK D HALBERT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 750 W John Carpenter Fwy Ste 800 Irving, TX 75039-2520
Phone: 972-947-2781
Website: www.carisfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Caris Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To help people in need and alleviate as much human suffering as possible by establishing a local presence within communities to understand basic needs and implement solutions that are culturally relevant and sustainable. **Core Values:** • Demonstrate grace to those with the greatest need • Focus efforts on the least fortunate where resources can provide the greatest benefit to the most people • Implement solutions to suffering and poverty that are culturally relevant and…
How do I apply for a grant from Caris Foundation?
**Grant Size Range:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $2,747,576. **Recent Grant Activity:** Notable grants made in 2023 include: • Caris Foundation International: $2,685,486 (General Support) • Abilene Christian University: $2,400,000 (General Support) • George W Bush Presidential Center: $100,000 (General Support) **Total Giving:** • 2023: $5,739,165 in total grants distributed
Where does Caris Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Texas • New York • Arkansas The foundation also maintains significant international operations through Caris Foundation International, with programs in Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia.
What size grants does Caris Foundation award?
In 2024, Caris Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $5.7M — an average of about $410K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Caris Foundation's EIN?
Caris Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0510753. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Caris 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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