Earl C Sams Foundation Inc
The Earl C. Sams Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Established in 1946, it makes grants primarily to public charities in South Texas for projects in educational, medical, social, religious, and environmental fields.
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Earl C Sams Foundation Inc gave $777K across 49 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Texas. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $776,589
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,849
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $20,676,255
- +2.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (17 of 49, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Earl C Sams Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applications are considered from public charities. The application and guidelines are available through the Foundation’s website or by request from its office. Scanned PDF applications are accepted, and electronic PDF submission is preferred. Applicants should submit a completed program or project budget, current operating budget (including in-kind services and volunteer hours), current board list with business addresses, occupations, and community affiliations, audited financial report, latest Form 990, major-contributor list with amounts, and 501(c)(3) determination letter. Supporting organizations must also provide the specified supporting-organization certification and a reasoned opinion of counsel on their classification.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are generally due 30 days before a board meeting. The currently listed meetings and deadlines are November 14, 2026 (October 16, 2026); February 20, 2027 (January 22, 2027); June 26, 2027 (May 28, 2027); and October 1, 2027 (September 3, 2027). Applications received after a deadline are considered for the following meeting.
- Deadline
- Applications are generally due 30 days before a board meeting.
- Contact
Application contact: Bruce S Hawn
Mailing address: 101 N Shoreline Blvd Suite 500, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 883-1871
Website: https://ecsams.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Earl C Sams Foundation Inc
Who Earl C Sams Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Valley Zoological Society Gladys Porter Zoo ($171K). Together the top 10 received $449K.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 200 grants of 213 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it awards grants primarily in South Texas. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% to recipients in Wisconsin. Its guidelines say grants outside Texas are rare.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Earl C Sams Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 49 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $620K (2021) to $832K (2022). In 2024 it made 49 grants totaling $777K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Zoological Society Gladys Porter Zoo Brownsville, TX | Zoofari 2024 & General Support | $170,500 |
| Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi, TX | Capital Fund Wildlife Rescue | $100,000 |
| Hill Country Daily Bread Ministry Boerne, TX | General Operating Support | $40,000 |
| Hidden Forest PTA San Antonio, TX | General Operating Support | $23,800 |
| 1 Hope for Kids San Antonio, TX | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Agape Ranch Corpus Christi, TX | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Coastal Bend Community Fund Corpus Christi, TX | 2024 Day of Giving | $20,000 |
| Friends of the Port O'Connor Library Port Oconnor, TX | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Warrior's Weekend Corpus Christi, TX | Warrior's Weekend Fishing Tournament | $20,000 |
| Foster Angels of South Texas Foundation Corpus Christi, TX | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,676,255 | $1,883,764 | $1,389,019 | $776,589 | 49 | $1,157,858 | $1,647,665 | $1,291,902 |
| 2023 | $20,189,789 | $835,784 | $1,360,543 | $742,000 | 49 | $1,130,482 | $597,573 | $1,183,426 |
| 2022 | $20,714,548 | $858,445 | $1,537,926 | $832,000 | 45 | $1,273,439 | $618,492 | $1,202,970 |
| 2021 | $21,394,029 | $2,611,020 | $1,320,965 | $619,500 | 44 | $1,090,123 | $2,230,115 | $1,302,379 |
| 2020 | $20,206,080 | $1,117,346 | $1,340,343 | $667,313 | 26 | — | $862,133 | $1,099,158 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Earl C Sams Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation describes its grantmaking as supporting a wide array of charities and projects in educational, medical, social, religious, and environmental fields. It considers applications from public charities as defined under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate some of the work supported. Agape Ranch says it supports foster children and foster parents; Foster Angels of South Texas Foundation says it enriches the lives of children in foster care in South Texas. Corpus Christi Metro Ministries says it serves people and families in the Coastal Bend through food, shelter, and related support. Mission of Mercy says it provides free health care, and Warriors Weekend says it supports U.S. veterans, with an emphasis on those wounded in the Global War on Terrorism.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation made 49 grants totaling $776,589. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $170,500, with a median of $10,000. Its largest listed award was $170,500 to Valley Zoological Society Gladys Porter Zoo for “Zoofari 2024 & General Support.” Other large awards included $100,000 to Texas State Aquarium for its capital fund for wildlife rescue and $40,000 to Hill Country Daily Bread Ministry for general operating support. The Foundation also awarded $23,800 to Hidden Forest PTA and $20,000 each to 1 Hope for Kids, Agape Ranch, Coastal Bend Community Fund, Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, and Warrior’s Weekend.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bruce S. Hawn as President, CEO, and Director. It also lists Nancy Hawn, Candace N. Coutinho, Caitlyn J. Cairns, Sydney E. Thames Bonner, William P. Thames, Benjamin S. Hawn, Jonathan D. Hawn, and Rohan P. Coutinho as directors; Susan Ohnmacht is listed as Assistant Treasurer/Secretary.
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc is led by Bruce S. Hawn, President, CEO & Director on every filing since 2020; all 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bruce S. Hawn
President, CEO & Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$71K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Susan G. Hawn
V President & Director
V. P., Chairman & Director → V President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Benjamin S. Hawn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Candace N. Coutinho
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Jonathan D. Hawn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Nancy Hawn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Rohan P. Coutinho
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
William P. Thames
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Caitlyn J. Cairns
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$4K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Peter Cairns
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$4K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Sydney E. Thames Bonner
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Susan Ohnmacht
Assistant Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $109K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Sydney E. Thames (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Caitlyn J. Hawn (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $109K, to Susan Ohnmacht (Asst Treasurer/Secretary). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Earl C Sams Foundation Inc
How much does Earl C Sams Foundation Inc give each year?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc gave $777K across 49 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $742K across 49 grants.
What is Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,849, across 49 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Earl C Sams Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does Earl C Sams Foundation Inc give grants?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Corpus Christi, TX (27 grants), Brownsville, TX (4 grants), San Antonio, TX (4 grants) and Boerne, TX (2 grants).
Does Earl C Sams Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Valley Zoological Society Gladys Porter Zoo ($170,500), Texas State Aquarium ($100,000) and Hill Country Daily Bread Ministry ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Earl C Sams Foundation Inc?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc reported $20.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Earl C Sams Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation describes its grantmaking as supporting a wide array of charities and projects in educational, medical, social, religious, and environmental fields. It considers applications from public charities as defined under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Earl C Sams Foundation Inc?
Applications are considered from public charities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's EIN?
Earl C Sams Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1463151. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Earl C Sams Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/earl-c-sams-foundation-inc-morg_e33ead2049bc44ee860a080ee001db21
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_741463151_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Earl C Sams Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/earl-c-sams-foundation-inc-morg_e33ead2049bc44ee860a080ee001db21},
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 Earl C Sams Foundation Inc'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.
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