E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation
The E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation is a private foundation based in Vernon, Texas. Its 2021 filing is marked as a final return, so the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation at a glance
In short: E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation gave $239K across 30 grants in 2021 (avg $8K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $238,770
- +1.8% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 30
- +7.1% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $7,959
- -5.0% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $4,288,864
- -3.7% vs 2020
- Primary geography
- Texas (89% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The 2021 filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing described applications as written or typed materials explaining the purpose and intent of the request. It listed no restrictions on awards. Because the filing is marked final, these application instructions should not be treated as current.
- Review Cycle
- None was listed on the 2021 filing.
- Deadline
- None was listed on the 2021 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Gene Willingham
Mailing address: P O Box 2130, Vernon, TX 76385
Phone: (940) 552-2521
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Covenant Classical School ($40K). Together the top 10 received $191K.
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 58 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 10% went to recipients in Florida; the filing lists 0% for Missouri. Named Texas grantees included organizations in Vernon, Fort Worth, and Wichita Falls.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
Cities
How E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation gives
- 77% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $235K (2020) to $239K (2021). In 2021 it made 30 grants totaling $239K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant Classical School Fort Worth, TX | Educational-General Fund | $40,000 |
| Proclaim International Jacksonville, FL | Charity-General Fund | $25,000 |
| Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County Fort Worth, TX | Charity-General Fund | $25,000 |
| All Saints Episcopal School Fort Worth, TX | Educational-Annual Fund | $20,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club Vernon, TX | Educational-General Fund | $20,000 |
| Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX | Educational - Scholarship | $20,000 |
| Vernon College Foundation Vernon, TX | Educational-Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Volunteer Fire Dept Fund WFACF Wichita Falls, TX | Annual Fund | $10,000 |
| Wichita Falls Area Food Bank Wichita Falls, TX | Charity - General Fund | $10,000 |
| First United Methodist Church Needy Fund Vernon, TX | Charity - General Fund | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $4,288,864 | $125,601 | $265,331 | $238,770 | 30 | $96,292 | $259,193 |
| 2020 | $4,454,500 | $129,821 | $261,240 | $234,566 | 28 | $99,218 | $245,279 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included educational support for schools and scholarships, as well as charitable support for organizations addressing needs such as hunger, homelessness, and family support.
Some grantees describe their own work as follows: Covenant Classical School says it partners with parents to provide a rigorous classical education rooted in a biblical, Christ-centered worldview. Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County describes its work as providing holistic care and support for people experiencing homelessness. Vernon College Foundation says it provides funding for student scholarships and other grants to Vernon College. Wichita Falls Area Food Bank describes its mission as strengthening communities to fight hunger through food, education, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2021, the foundation reported 30 grants totaling $238,770. Grants ranged from $500 to $40,000, with a median of $4,500.
The largest listed grant was $40,000 to Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, Texas, for its general fund. Other notable grants included $25,000 each to Proclaim International in Jacksonville, Florida, and Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in Fort Worth, Texas; $20,000 each to All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Boys and Girls Club in Vernon, and Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls; and $15,000 to Vernon College Foundation for scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing listed Helen Willingham as president, Electra Moulder as vice president, Gene Willingham as secretary/treasurer, and Bill Moulder as director.
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation is led by Helen Willingham, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Helen Willingham
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Moulder
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Electra Moulder
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gene Willingham
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation
How much does E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation give each year?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation gave $239K across 30 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $235K across 28 grants.
What is E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's typical grant size?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $4,500, and its average grant was $7,959, across 30 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation give grants?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Vernon, TX (13 grants), Wichita Falls, TX (9 grants) and Fort Worth, TX (6 grants).
Does E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 30) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's largest grantees?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Covenant Classical School ($40,000), Proclaim International ($25,000) and Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County ($25,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $126K.
What does E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included educational support for schools and scholarships, as well as charitable support for organizations addressing needs such as hunger, homelessness, and family support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation?
The 2021 filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's EIN?
E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1243683. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does E Paul & Helen Buck Waggoner 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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