Elston Family Foundation
Elston Family Foundation is a private foundation located in Fort Worth, Texas (EIN 65-0975468). It reported making 11 grants totaling $14,500 in 2021 to charitable organizations working in areas including environmental protection, health care, human rights, and community support.
Key facts about Elston Family Foundation
In short: Elston Family Foundation gave $15K across 11 grants in 2021 (avg $1K), top state New York. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 65-0975468
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021
- Annual giving (2021)
- $14,500
- Grants made (2021)
- 11
- Average grant
- $1,318
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $77,409
- Primary geography
- New York (21% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- None stated in the filing.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2021 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$77K
-9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$15K
+806.3% YoY
Grant Count
11
+1000.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
-17.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elston Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Elston Family Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out 199% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Center for Biological Diversity describes its work as using science, law, and creative media to protect species and the lands, waters, and climate they need. The Nature Conservancy says its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
Other 2021 grantees included the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which describes itself as a Jewish human rights organization confronting antisemitism and hate and teaching the lessons of the Holocaust; Trident United Way, which says it works to uplift families out of poverty; and Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, which says it provides a medical home for qualifying uninsured adults.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $14,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $2,000, with a median grant of $1,500. Notable grants included $2,000 each to the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and World Aid; and $1,500 each to Planned Parenthood, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Trident United Way, and The Nature Conservancy.
Review Cycle
None stated in the filing.
Ready to take the next step with Elston Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2021 grants went to organizations in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were New York (21%), South Carolina (17%), and Arizona, Virginia, and Washington (14% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2021 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2020) to $15K (2021). In 2021 it made 11 grants totaling $15K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Center for Biological Diversity ($2K). Together the top 10 received $14K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Biological Diversity Tuscon, AZ | The Center's programs are devoted to savings life on Earth: protecting biodiversity in different arenas through science, legal action, policy advocacy, negotiation with government and industry. | $2,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council New York, NY | To assist this non-profit in its mission to defend the environment through education and conservation advocacy. | $2,000 |
| World Aid Seattle, WA | To assist this non-profit in its mission to serve people in need through advocacy, medical relief and emergency supplies, and educational assistance in the country of Burma. | $2,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Raleigh, NC | To assist this non-profit in its mission to be an advocate for more expansive access to health care and education. | $1,500 |
| Simon Wiesenthal Center Los Angeles, CA | This charity is a global human rights organization researching the Holocaust and hate in historic and contemporary context. | $1,500 |
| Trident United Way North Charleston, SC | To assist in this non-profit's mission in providing building blocks to a good life-education,financial stability, and health. | $1,500 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | To assist this non-profit in its mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. | $1,500 |
| Adl New York, NY | To assistance this non-profit organization in it's mission to fight anti-semitism. | $1,000 |
| Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic Johns Island, SC | To assist this non-profit in its mission to provide free primary medical care for the needy. | $500 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | To assist this non-profit in its environmental mission. | $500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $77,409 | $7,265 | $15,454 | $14,500 across 11 grants |
| 2020 | $85,598 | $9,298 | $1,764 | $1,600 across 1 grant |
| Metric | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $77,409 | $85,598 |
| Revenue | $7,265 | $9,298 |
| Expenses | $15,454 | $1,764 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,500 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,265 | $9,298 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,298 | $6,321 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Barbara Measter and Stephen Elston as directors.
Elston Family Foundation's 2021 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Barbara Measter
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Elston
Director
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 2501 Museum Way Apt 409, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Frequently asked questions about Elston Family Foundation
How much does Elston Family Foundation give each year?
Elston Family Foundation gave $15K across 11 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $2K across 1 grant.
What is Elston Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Elston Family Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,318, across 11 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Elston Family Foundation give grants?
Elston Family Foundation's top state is New York, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were South Carolina (17%) and Arizona (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants) and Johns Island, SC (2 grants).
Does Elston Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Elston Family Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Elston Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Elston Family Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Center for Biological Diversity ($2,000), Natural Resources Defense Council ($2,000) and World Aid ($2,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is Elston Family Foundation?
Elston Family Foundation reported $77K in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Elston Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Center for Biological Diversity describes its work as using science, law, and creative media to protect species and the lands, waters, and climate they need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elston Family Foundation?
The filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elston Family Foundation's EIN?
Elston Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-0975468. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Elston Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Elston Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elston Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
$16.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds charitable work in health, wealth, living, and learning, with much of its grantmaking supporting North Texas nonprofits; its 2025 grants had a median of $18,779, though award sizes varied widely. Nearly all opportunities are by invitation, and its Nonprofit Gateway profile is not a grant application.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
The Houston Food Bank
Houston, TX
The Houston Food Bank supports food distribution and related hunger-relief programs, including school, children’s, and senior food initiatives, through community organizations in 18 Southeast Texas counties. Its 2025 grants had a median of $33,402, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$164.4M
Grants
1,128
Total Given
$210.7M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation supports civic, cultural, educational, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, as well as general operating costs, in communities served by BNSF across its 28-state network. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500; its current grants program lists awards of $1,000–$10,000.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Baker Hughes Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
Community Foundation of North Texas (Tax
Fort Worth, TX
The Community Foundation of North Texas supports nonprofits through grants for areas including animal welfare, conservation, community development, nonprofit capacity, and opportunity, primarily in North Texas, including seven listed counties. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $14,250, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $1.5 million. It offers competitive grants through application cycles; nonprofits cannot apply for donor-advised grants.
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Austin, TX
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds education, health, family economic stability, and nonprofit capacity, with a strong focus on children and families and its deepest investment in Texas, especially Greater Austin; it also supports work elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $50 million, with a median of $19,324. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application.
Assets
—
Grants
835
Total Given
$164.6M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational, population, and other research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health, mainly through research awards to eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.9 million, with a median award of $20,000. Applications are submitted through designated programs; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Houston, TX
Arnold Ventures funds evidence-based research, evaluation, and policy work in criminal justice, health care, higher education and career pathways, public finance, and infrastructure. Its 2024 grants had a median of $122,776 (ranging from $685 to $12.5 million); based in Houston, Texas, it does not accept unsolicited requests, but accepts applications through specific requests for proposals.
Assets
$4.8B
Grants
789
Total Given
$193.3M
More Funders in Texas
Elston Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?