Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation
The Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1952 by Dallas oilman R. Wofford Cain, a 1913 graduate of Texas A&M University, and his wife, Effie Marie. Based in Austin, Texas, the foundation operates as an independent private foundation with a focus on supporting scientific, medical, and educational institutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$108.9M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
-6.2% YoY
Grant Count
53
-7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+0.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily to scientific, medical, and educational institutions. Priority funding areas include:
- Medical and scientific research
- Speech-language pathology, including stuttering research and treatment
- Diagnostic imaging
- Bone and joint disease research
- Cancer therapy research
- Universities and medical schools
- Public charities and civic organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It operates on a preselected basis, selecting grantees rather than accepting proposals. There are no submission deadlines. The foundation maintains established funding relationships and does not maintain a public website or provide public contact methods for prospective grantseekers.
Grant Range
$1,500 to $2.7 million
Average Grant
$95,000
Review Cycle
. The foundation maintains established funding relationships and does not maintain a public website or provide public contact methods for prospective grantseekers.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grantmaking is concentrated primarily in Texas, with some support extending to Idaho and California. The foundation has supported 67 unique organizations across 8 states, with Texas, Idaho, and California accounting for 95% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending October 2024:
- Total assets: $108,876,597
- Total revenues: $8,223,291
- Total expenses: $7,119,076
- Investment income and dividends: $3,086,057
- Number of employees: 4
Historical Giving:
- 2023: $5,521,500 in grants across 55 awards
- 2022: $12.1 million in grants
- Total grants made (historical): $17.7 million across 185 grants
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $108,876,597 | $107,772,381 | $109,440,296 |
| Revenue | $8,223,291 | $5,451,346 | $9,351,436 |
| Expenses | $7,119,076 | $7,119,261 | $7,774,297 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,675,284 | $6,542,276 | $7,124,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,027,463 | $4,218,481 | $9,848,514 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,195,757 | $6,236,716 | $6,670,890 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Texas at Austin ($1,600,000), University of Texas at Austin ($1,550,000), Southern Methodist University ($383,334).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABUNDANT LIFE PREGNANCY CENTER ATHENS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ATHENS CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY ATHENS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ATHENS FIRST METHODIST CHURCH ATHENS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL ATHENS, TX | GRADUATION CEREMONY | $15,500 |
| ATHENS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHENS, TX | SCHOLARSHIPS | $2,000 |
| ATHENS OLD FIDDLERS' FOUNDATION ATHENS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| AUSTIN CLASSICAL GUITAR AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $65,000 |
| AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATIAON AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| AUSTIN POLICE OPERATION BLUE SANTA AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| AUSTIN SPEECH LABS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Lynn Fowler
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C CAIN | DIRECTORS OF REAL ESTATE, VP | 32 | $39,080 |
| CHARMAINE D MCGILL | DIRECTOR, VP, GRANT ADMINISTRATOR | 31 | $88,161 |
| F WOFFORD DENIUS | DIRECTOR OF LEGAL, PRESIDENT | 31 | $39,080 |
| LYNN FOWLER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SECY & TREASURER | 44.54 | $471,890 |
| CYNTHIA M MATULA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SECY & TREASURER | 43.62 | $132,750 |
| MARY BRATZ | BUSINESS MGR, ASST SECRETARY | 40.31 | $107,920 |
Contact Information
Address: 4131 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite A-1, Austin, TX 78759-8658
Phone: 512-346-7490
EIN: 75-6030774
IRS Ruling Year: 1954
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily to scientific, medical, and educational institutions. Priority funding areas include: • Medical and scientific research • Speech-language pathology, including stuttering research and treatment • Diagnostic imaging • Bone and joint disease research • Cancer therapy research • Universities and medical schools • Public charities and civic organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $5.5 million (2023) • Total assets: $108.9 million (as of 2024) • Grant range: $1,500 to $2.7 million • Number of awards: 55 grants in 2023 • Median grant: $15,000 • Average grant: $95,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Psi Chi - University of Texas at Austin: $1,600,000 (Facilities Construction) • Psi Chi - University of Texas at Austin: $1,550,000 (Facilities Construction) • Psi Chi - University of Texas at Austin: $370,000 (Scholarships) • Austin Classical G…
Where does Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation make grants?
Grantmaking is concentrated primarily in Texas, with some support extending to Idaho and California. The foundation has supported 67 unique organizations across 8 states, with Texas, Idaho, and California accounting for 95% of all grants.
What size grants does Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation award?
In 2024, Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation's EIN?
Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-6030774. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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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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