Council for Life
Council for Life is a Dallas, Texas–based public charity, formed in 2000. It raises and distributes funds to nonprofit agencies whose work aligns with its mission of empowering women, men, and youth to make life-affirming choices, with an emphasis on issues surrounding unplanned pregnancies.
Council for Life at a glance
In short: Council for Life gave $2.2M across 39 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in Texas. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,232,319
- +25.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- +18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $57,239
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $58,710
- Total assets
- $1,518,999
- -29.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (7 of 39, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Council for Life
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an application process for agencies and requires attendance at the Fall Forum. It lists a 2027 grant-cycle application due date of November 13, 2026; applications are to be submitted electronically, and late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Review Cycle
- November 13, 2026, for the 2027 grant cycle.
- Deadline
- November 13, 2026, for the 2027 grant cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4516 Lovers Lane Pmb103, Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: (214) 668-1055
Website: https://councilforlife.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Council for Life funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Youth Equipped to Succeed ($106K). Together the top 10 received $877K.
Grant Size Distribution
157 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 157 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Council for Life’s guidelines identify North Texas service counties as Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant, and Central Texas counties as Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan. In filing year 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to Texas recipients; the remaining shares went to Indiana (4%), Virginia (3%), Oklahoma (3%), and Missouri (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Council for Life open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 39 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $56K; repeat grants $57K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $59K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $768K (2020) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 39 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Equipped to Succeed Dallas, TX | General Support | $106,000 |
| Mid Cities Womens Center Euless, TX | Geo-Targeting | $100,000 |
| Preborn Indianapolis, IN | General Support | $100,000 |
| Real Options for Women Allen, TX | Sono Outreach | $100,000 |
| Live Action Arlington, TX | General Support | $88,000 |
| Bella House Plano, TX | Transition Support/Outreach | $80,000 |
| Care Net Lansdowne, TX | Protective Playground Cover | $80,000 |
| Buckner Children & Family Dallas, TX | Life Design & Maternity Services | $75,000 |
| Fort Worth Pregnancy Center Fort Worth, TX | General Support | $75,000 |
| Prestonwood Pregnancy Center Richardson, TX | Sonographer Salary | $73,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Council for Life?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In its 2025 filing narrative, Council for Life reported spending over $104,959 on educational events and $20,313 on beneficiary selection and programming. It said it monitors grant use primarily through written or oral reports from grantees.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,518,999 | $2,564,446 | $3,215,627 | $2,232,319 | 39 | $58,398 |
| 2024 | $2,167,525 | $2,796,252 | $2,624,525 | $1,779,878 | 33 | $20,720 |
| 2023 | $2,081,848 | $2,233,038 | $2,224,577 | $1,150,860 | 31 | $10,910 |
| 2022 | $2,129,415 | $2,104,503 | $1,801,885 | $1,137,832 | 31 | $1,678 |
| 2021 | $1,526,736 | $1,685,988 | $1,470,003 | $976,685 | 23 | $967 |
| 2020 | $1,299,524 | $1,255,940 | $1,091,045 | $768,376 | 20 | $733 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Council for Life’s mission is to empower women, men, and youth to make life-affirming choices. The organization says it is motivated by Christ-like love and responsive compassion, and is committed to raising public awareness of issues surrounding unplanned pregnancies and financially supporting agencies that share its mission.
Its grant guidelines cover projects related to unplanned pregnancies, including operating and capital requests. Examples of supported work in the 2025 grant list include general support, sonography outreach or staffing, maternity services, transition support, playground improvements, and marketing.
Grantees describe their work in varied ways. Youth Equipped to Succeed says it works to combat isolation and impart hope through youth development programs, wellness education, and mentoring. Real Options says it provides counseling and medical services to help women make life- and health-affirming decisions, as well as abstinence education and post-abortion support. Mid-Cities Pregnancy Care says it meets the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies. Bella House describes itself as a maternity home for homeless pregnant women, offering support through a live-in staff model.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Council for Life reported 39 grants totaling $2,232,319. Grants ranged from $12,000 to $106,000, with a median of $58,710. The largest listed awards included $106,000 to Youth Equipped to Succeed for general support; $100,000 each to Mid Cities Womens Center for geo-targeting, PreBorn for general support, and Real Options for sonography outreach; and $88,000 to Live Action for general support. Other notable grants included $80,000 to Bella House for transition support and outreach and $75,000 each to Buckner Children & Family for life design and maternity services and Fort Worth Pregnancy Center for general support.
Council for Life selects beneficiaries through a committee process that includes an application, a CPA financial assessment, and a site visit. Its website says typically 25–30 beneficiaries are selected, with interim and final reports required during the grant year. Applicants must have at least three years of existence based on IRS determination date, or have served the relevant region for at least three years; they must have IRS nonprofit designation, request funding for eligible counties, and submit a project related to issues surrounding unplanned pregnancies. An in-person staff or board representative’s attendance at the Fall Forum is mandatory for agencies wishing to apply.
The guidelines allow operating or capital grants, or a combination within one project. Council for Life does not fund political activity, projects outside its mission, agencies providing any form of contraceptive, debt reduction, raw land purchases, travel expenses, emergency assistance funds for clients, or unspecified operating expenses. Project requests are capped at $100,000 for North Texas and $50,000 for Central Texas. The organization prefers not to fund the same project two consecutive years in a row and prefers applicants to collaborate with other beneficiaries.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lee Anne Morris as Executive Director; Suzanne Everbach as Director of Communications; Natalie Siegel as Director of Finance; Charleen McCulloch and Sandy Ammons as Advocates for Life; Lisa Roossien as Chairman; Rebecca Lutz as Nominating; Cathy Sisk as Parliamentarian; Ann Carruth as Founder Emeritus; and Betsy Hunt on the Advisory Board.
Council for Life is led by Lee Anne Morris, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 50 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lee Anne Morris
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive Director & Staff Executive Director, 2024
Executive Director & Staff Executive Director → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$99K (2022) → $110K (2025)
Lisa Roossien
Chairman
Treasurer → Chairman-Elect, 2023
Chairman-Elect → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Natalie Siegel
Director of Finance
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$75K (2021) → $100K (2025)
Suzanne Everbach
Director of Committee
Executive Director → Committee & Phil, 2024
Committee & Phil → Director of Committee, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$100K (2021) → $106K (2025)
Ann Carruth
Founder Emeritus
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antoinette Davis
Affiliate
Board Education → Luncheon, 2023
Luncheon → Affiliate, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Sisk
Parliamentarian
Parliamentarian → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Parliamentarian, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Tamlyn
Secretary
Affiliate & Lunch → Luncheon, 2024
Luncheon → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Beiersdorf
Prayer
Beneficiary Ch. → Prayer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Hildebrand
Pastors & Church
North Texas Co → Adv. for Life, 2022
Adv. for Life → Pastors & Church, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Crews
Affiliate
Advocate for Li → Men's Breakfast, 2021
Men's Breakfast → Affiliate, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Karlow
Beneficiary
Luncheon → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Beneficiary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Troutt
Troutt Lecture
Lecture Series → Troutt Lecture, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Strasser
College Liason
Yll Smu Liason → Smu Liason, 2022
Smu Liason → College Liason, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Lutz
Nominating
Secretary → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Nominating, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosalyn Brown
Beneficiary
Spring Event → Pastor's & Church, 2022
Pastor's & Church → Beneficiary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Blackburn
Luncheon
Run for Life → Spring for Life, 2022
Spring for Life → Luncheon, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barb Durham
Luncheon
Run for Life → Spring for Life, 2022
Spring for Life → Luncheon, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billye Turner
Prayer
Luncheon → Prayer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mollie Halpin
Pastors & Church
Adv. for Life → Pastors & Church, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Hunt
Advisory Board
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Zeller
Neighborhood
Neighborhood Ch → Neighborhood, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janie Stephens
Family Fun
Ylfl Co-Chair → Family Fun, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ready Bateman
Neighborhood
Spring for Life → Neighborhood, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Ammons
Adv. for Life
Luncheon → Adv. for Life & Luncheon, 2023
Adv. for Life & Luncheon → Adv. for Life, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Shackelford
Education
Education & State → Education, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charleen McCulloch
Adv. for Life
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Johnson
Ctx Vice Board
Cfl Central Tx → Ctx Vice Board, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrice Peoples
Family Fun
Ylfl Chair → Family Fun, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Krog
Prayer
Box Lunch Chair → Prayer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Riffe
College Liason
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Addie Crimmins
College Liason
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Thackston
Treasurer
Treasurer Elect → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex McGowen
Family Fun
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Heffley
Ylfl
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Silva
Adv. for Life
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittany Graft
Box Lunch
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Harlan
Box Lunch
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Mueller
Mens Breakfast
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Sutphin
Family Fun
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gale Roberson
Neighborhood
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Grant Pierce
College Liason
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Rado
Luncheon
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Gouws
Box Lunch
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Brown
Ctx Board
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynne Schott
Luncheon
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Krog
Ylfl
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Adams
Neighborhood
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Baker
Luncheon
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thad Smith
Mens Breakfast
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (51)
- Former: Diann Garnett (2020–2024) — Beneficiary
- Former: Kay McCrary (2020–2024) — Prayer
- Former: Mary Grace Cardenas (2020–2024) — Beneficiary
- Former: Rivers Teske (2020–2024) — Pastor's & Church
- Former: Lissie Donosky (2021–2024) — Men's Event
- Former: Becky Cullum (2022–2024) — Spring for Life
- Former: Julia Geyer (2022–2024) — Ylfl Co-Chair
- Former: Lisa Chenot (2022–2024) — Cfl Central Tx
- Former: Dana Turner (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Linda Vandercook (2023–2024) — Volunteer Coordinator
- Former: Shirley Churchill (2023–2024) — Neighborhood Ch
- Former: Steve Donosky (2023–2024) — Mens Event
- Former: Courtney Schexnayder (2024) — Marketing
- Former: Jolie Humphrey (2024) — Men's Breakfast
- Former: Kimberly Graft (2024) — Luncheon Chair
- Former: Priscilla Overton (2024) — Staff Events
- Former: Mary Louise Binning (2021–2023) — Luncheon
- Former: Kristen Ainsworth (2023) — Beneficiary & Luncheon
- Former: Pia Lara Namdar (2023) — College Liason
- Former: Stacy Burke (2023) — Box Lunch Chair
- Former: Corbin Crews (2021–2022) — Men's Breakfast
- Former: Marty Washington (2021–2022) — Yll-Liason
- Former: Stephanie Hagen (2021–2022) — Beneficiary
- Former: Mimi Gilliland (2022) — Box Lunch Chair
- Former: Amy Mitchell (2020–2021) — Beneficiary
- Former: Caroline Lewis (2020–2021) — Newsletter
- Former: Claudia Jones (2020–2021) — Pastor's Break.
- Former: Emily Vanderstraaten (2020–2021) — Run for Life
- Former: Kyle Waldrep (2020–2021) — Yll President
- Former: Linda Dixon (2020–2021) — Affiliate Chair
- Former: Martha Edwards (2020–2021) — Development
- Former: Meredith Bentley (2020–2021) — Adv. for Life
- Former: Michelle Dodds (2020–2021) — Run for Life
- Former: Shannon Graham (2020–2021) — Luncheon
- Former: Tim Wilson (2020–2021) — Men's Liason
- Former: Betsy Willis (2021) — Box Lunch Chair
- Former: Grace Newman (2021) — Run for Life
- Former: Haylie Crouch (2021) — Adv. for Life
- Former: Katherine Coker (2021) — Advisory Board
- Former: Roy Washburn (2021) — Golf Tourn.
- Former: Bobby Lutz (2020) — Men's Breakfast
- Former: Cheryl Todd (2020) — Adv. Board
- Former: Cori Todd (2020) — Run for Life
- Former: Diane Beckett (2020) — Nominating
- Former: Jennie Gilchrist (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Justin McNeely (2020) — Run for Life
- Former: Lisa Luby Ryan (2020) — Luncheon Chair
- Former: Meredith McNeely (2020) — Run for Life
- Former: Patrick Todd (2020) — Run for Life
- Former: Sadie Storey (2020) — Ylfl Liason
- Former: Sally Ann Ellert (2020) — Adv. for Life
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 $110K, to Lee Anne Morris (Executive Dir.). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Council for Life
How much does Council for Life give each year?
Council for Life gave $2.2M across 39 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 33 grants.
What is Council for Life's typical grant size?
Council for Life's median grant in 2025 was $58,710, and its average grant was $57,239, across 39 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Council for Life that year got $56K on average.
Where does Council for Life give grants?
Council for Life gives mostly in Texas: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (11 grants), Arlington, TX (2 grants), Fort Worth, TX (2 grants) and Plano, TX (2 grants).
Does Council for Life give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of Council for Life's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Council for Life's largest grantees?
Council for Life's largest 2025 grantees include Youth Equipped to Succeed ($106,000), Mid Cities Womens Center ($100,000) and Preborn ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Council for Life?
Council for Life reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Council for Life fund?
Council for Life’s mission is to empower women, men, and youth to make life-affirming choices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Council for Life?
The website describes an application process for agencies and requires attendance at the Fall Forum. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Council for Life's EIN?
Council for Life's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0532415. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 3, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Council for Life's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Council for Life funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/council-for-life-morg_1b3f624468d243aaa4b07d57b7e06fe2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_050532415_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Council for Life funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/council-for-life-morg_1b3f624468d243aaa4b07d57b7e06fe2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Council for Life'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.
Council for Life down — hundreds of funders to go?