The CM Bass Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization and designated as a private grantmaking foundation, it operates as a philanthropic organization supporting charitable initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.5M
-6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+12.0% YoY
Grant Count
13
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
+3.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cm Bass Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported total expenses of $1,097,921 and made approximately 2,903 grants in the previous year, with an average grant size of $378. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1.0 million through 12 grants. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
of $378. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1.0 million through 12 grants. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Average Grant
of $378. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1.0 million through 12 grants. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The CM Bass Foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including:
Cities: Arlington, Boston, Concord, Durham, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Marfa, Napa, New York, Richmond, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Rafael, and Santa Monica
States: California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $14,512,264
- Annual Revenue: $398,703
- Annual Expenses: $1,097,921
- Total Liabilities: $2,160
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since May 2019 (EIN: 82-3589887)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,533,377 | $14,512,264 | $15,210,300 |
| Revenue | $265,334 | $398,703 | $198,920 |
| Expenses | $1,242,065 | $1,097,921 | $1,199,458 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,165,068 | $1,040,026 | $1,160,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $323,505 | $380,365 | $171,898 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,112,385 | $1,028,084 | $1,036,734 |
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
57 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Dia Center for the Arts Inc ($470,000), Friends of Laguna Seca Inc ($250,000), Duke University ($110,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $470,000 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NC | GENERAL | $110,000 |
| EAT REAL CERTIFIED INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL | $25,000 |
| LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION FOR OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH SANTA MONICA, CA | GENERAL | $25,000 |
| MIDDLESEX SCHOOL CONCORD, MA | GENERAL | $50,000 |
| THE CHINATI FOUNDATION MARFA, TX | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| THE MAD FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $50,000 |
| UCSF FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL | $25,000 |
| DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART DALLAS, TX | GENERAL | $50,000 |
| FRIENDS OF LAGUNA SECA INC SALINAS, CA | GENERAL | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team serves without compensation:
- Christopher M. Bass – Chairman of the Board
- Bryan Barrett – Chief Financial Officer
- Jay Hebert – Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER M BASS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND | — | — |
| BRYAN BARRETT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | — | — |
| JAY HEBERT | SECRETARY | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Cm Bass Foundation?
The foundation reported total expenses of $1,097,921 and made approximately 2,903 grants in the previous year, with an average grant size of $378. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1.0 million through 12 grants. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does Cm Bass Foundation make grants?
The CM Bass Foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including: **Cities:** Arlington, Boston, Concord, Durham, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Marfa, Napa, New York, Richmond, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Rafael, and Santa Monica **States:** California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Virginia
What size grants does Cm Bass Foundation award?
In 2024, Cm Bass Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $90K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cm Bass Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cm Bass Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cm Bass Foundation's EIN?
Cm Bass Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3589887. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cm Bass 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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