Cooper Foundation
The Cooper Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Waco, Texas, established in 1943. It operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to strengthening the Waco community through philanthropic support and community engagement.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$102.6M
+3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+4.7% YoY
Grant Count
24
-4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$87K
+9.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to make Waco a better and more desirable community in which to live. The organization values the work of local nonprofits and provides financial support to advance community goals.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Arts
- Humanities
- Community Improvement
- Civic and Community Engagement
Grantmaking
The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations located in and working in the Waco area. Typical grant awards range from $7,500 to $316,978.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily serves Waco, Texas and the surrounding area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $99.5 million to $102.6 million (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $2.1 million to $2.75 million (2024)
Revenue: $9.28 million (2024)
Liabilities: $706,000 (2024)
Staffing: 3-5 employees
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $102,640,611 | $99,474,302 | $86,534,551 |
| Revenue | $12,992,344 | $9,281,321 | $1,652,034 |
| Expenses | $2,964,276 | $2,750,444 | $2,792,777 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,908,917 | $9,259,684 | $1,625,864 |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
133 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Cooper Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Salvation Army Waco ($316,978), Texas Tribune ($250,000), Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MEALS ON WHEELS (CENTRAL TEXAS SENIOR MINISTRY) WACO, TX | REPAIR THE MAIN DOOR AND CONDENSERS ON THE WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR. | $25,001 |
| GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WACO, TX | SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK AND SCHOOL-BASED ORGANIZING TO STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOODS. | $170,000 |
| WACO FOUNDATION WACO, TX | PROVIDE RACE EQUITY EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING TO THE WACO COMMUNITY DURING FYE 2026. | $36,430 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS-HEART OF TEXAS CHAPTER WACO, TX | PROVIDE FREE HOME FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION AND SMOKE DETECTORS,IMMEDIATE RELIEF, CASE WORK AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES DEVASTED BY HOME FIRES AND STORMS. | $35,000 |
| WACO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WACO, TX | A CHALLENGE GRANT TO LEVERAGE FUNDING TO BUILD A HABITAT HOME IN 2025. | $70,000 |
| HEART OF TEXAS GOODWILL INDUSTRIES WACO, TX | SUPPORT THE ABSORPTION OF THE FAMLLY & FOSTER CARE COALITION INTO THE HEART OF TEXAS GOODWILL. | $25,874 |
| WACO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT-UHS WACO, TX | PROVIDE NEW UNIFORMS FOR THE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL MARIACHI BAND. | $43,260 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER TEXAS WACO, TX | PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH NO- OR LOW-COST REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND TO REDUCE UNINTENDED PREGNACIES AND STIS IN WACO. | $200,000 |
| SALVATION ARMY WACO WACO, TX | SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE WELCOME CENTER AT THE NEW CENTER OF HOPE. | $316,978 |
| COMPASSION MINISTRIES WACO, TX | PROVIDE NEW FLOORING TO 6 APARTMENTS AT COMPASSION WACO. | $39,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Felicia Goodman: Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR ROLAND GOERTZ | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DAVID LACY | CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| SHARON SHIELDS | SECRETARY-TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DALE FISSELER | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| MICHAEL MORRISON | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| VIRGINIA DUPUY | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 1.5 | — |
| WILLIAM NESBITT | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 1.5 | — |
| REVEREND LESLIE KING | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| JOSEPH W NESBITT | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| FELICIA CHASE GOODMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $155,609 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation awarded community grants in 2025, with announcements made regarding grant recipients and funding allocations to local nonprofits.
Cooper Foundation and Midwest bank announce grantsFrequently Asked Questions
What does Cooper Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to make Waco a better and more desirable community in which to live. The organization values the work of local nonprofits and provides financial support to advance community goals. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Human Services • Arts • Humanities • Community Improvement • Civic and Community Engagement
How do I apply for a grant from Cooper Foundation?
The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations located in and working in the Waco area. Typical grant awards range from $7,500 to $316,978. Beyond direct grantmaking, the Foundation engages in multiple support mechanisms: • Provides guidance to nonprofits seeking funding or nonprofit management advice • Offers public endorsement for nonprofits undertaking new ventures or seeking early-stage support • Sponsors the monthly Nonprofit Network, providing professional development and infor…
Where does Cooper Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily serves Waco, Texas and the surrounding area.
What size grants does Cooper Foundation award?
In 2025, Cooper Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $87K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cooper Foundation's EIN?
Cooper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1272389. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cooper 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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