Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates
The Foundation of the American Board of is a Dallas, Texas–based public charity that supports work related to civic education, professional education, and the American civil justice system. Formed in 1993, it says its mission is to preserve, promote, and improve the civil justice system and the Seventh Amendment right to civil jury trials for future generations.
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates at a glance
In short: Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates gave $217K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), top state Texas. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $216,824
- +79.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,711
- +14.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $3,274,132
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (6 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (39% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates
- How to Apply
-
The website provides an application process and lists the grant guidelines, application, and sample budget as materials to review and complete. It does not state whether requests must be invited.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists annual deadlines of March 31 and September 30. March 31, 2026, has passed; the next listed deadline is September 30, 2026.
- Deadline
- The website lists annual deadlines of March 31 and September 30.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2001 Bryan St 3000, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 871-7523
Website: https://abota.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was TEX-ABOTA Inc ($78K). Together the top 10 received $211K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 42 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant records show awards to recipients in multiple states. Texas received 39% of grant dollars, California 22%, Pennsylvania 14%, Delaware 11%, and Arizona 7%. The listed grants also included recipients in Oregon and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 11 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $83K (2020) to $260K (2022). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $217K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TEX-ABOTA Inc Dallas, TX | Program support | $78,353 |
| Delaware Law Related Education Center Inc Wilmington, DE | Program support | $24,000 |
| Teach Democracy Los Angeles, CA | Program support | $22,500 |
| Monroe County Bar Association Stroudsburg, PA | Program support | $20,000 |
| Loyola Law School Los Angeles, CA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Arizona Bar Foundation (Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education) Phoenix, AZ | Program support | $15,000 |
| Center for Youth Development Through Law Berkely, CA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts Philadelphia, PA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Civics Learning Project Portland, OR | Program support | $10,000 |
| Tampa Bay Chapter of ABOTA Dallas, TX | Program support | $6,596 |
Ready to take the next step with Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,274,132 | $1,877,387 | $2,020,376 | $216,824 | 11 | $169,908 |
| 2023 | $3,349,580 | $1,777,332 | $1,927,358 | $120,862 | 7 | $62,111 |
| 2022 | $3,235,208 | $1,685,577 | $2,001,875 | $259,810 | 10 | $-144,150 |
| 2021 | $4,267,754 | $1,652,539 | $1,690,917 | $122,500 | 7 | $381,196 |
| 2020 | $4,390,093 | $1,633,179 | $1,113,746 | $82,500 | 7 | $91,477 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to preserve, promote, and improve the American civil justice system and the Seventh Amendment right to civil jury trials for future generations. Its described program areas include civics education for teachers and students, professional education to develop trial lawyers’ advocacy skills and promote civility and professionalism, and public awareness about jury service, civic engagement, and the Seventh Amendment.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with education and rule-of-law missions. For example, Teach Democracy says it inspires lifelong civic engagement through programs and resources for teachers and youth. Civics Learning Project says it promotes civics education and equips students to participate in their communities and democratic society, principally through work with teachers and schools. The Center for Youth Development Through Law says it prepares youth from first-generation and disadvantaged backgrounds for academic, career, and civic engagement. The Mecklenburg Bar Foundation says it advances public understanding of the rule of law and legal profession and supports access to the legal system.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 11 grants totaling $216,824. Grants ranged from $5,375 to $78,353, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $78,353 to TEX-ABOTA Inc, $24,000 to Delaware Law Related Education Center Inc, $22,500 to Teach Democracy, and $20,000 to the Monroe County Bar Association; each was listed for program support. Other listed recipients included Loyola Law School and the Arizona Bar Foundation, each at $15,000, and the Center for Youth Development Through Law and Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, each at $10,000.
The Foundation’s website says applications are reviewed by its standing Grant Giving Committee and asks applicants to complete the grant application and provide a sample budget, after reviewing the grant guidelines. The Foundation’s filing also says some grants go to chapters hosting local programs that support its mission.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Frederick James as President; Deborah Tropp-Thompson as Vice President; Lynn Leonard as Secretary; JD Smith as Treasurer; and Christopher Beeman as Foundation Past President. It also lists Luis Cardenas, Corinne Hodak, and Yoshiaki Kubota as Foundation Trustees, and Jennifer Haltom Doan as National President Elect and Andrea La'Verne Edney as National President.
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates is led by Brian Tyson, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian Tyson
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $52K (2024)
Frederick W James
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$24K (2024)
Andrea La'Verne Edney
National President
National Vice President → National President-Elect, 2023
National President-Elect → National President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nichole Tabaska
Finance Director
New on the 2024 filing
15 hrs/week
$28K (2024)
Corinne Hodak
Foundation Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luis Cardenas
Foundation Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Traut
Foundation Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Ritchie
Foundation Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yoshiaki Kubota
Foundation Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher J Beeman
Foundation Past President
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Foundation Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$24K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Molly McDonald
Fdn Associate Executive Director
Associate Executive Director - Foundation → Associate Executive Director-Foundation, 2022
Associate Executive Director-Foundation → Fdn Associate Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $157K (2024)
Sarah Walhert-Kersh
Nat'l Associate Executive Director
Associate Executive Director-National → Nat'l Associate Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
3.8 hrs/week
$30K (2023) → $18K (2024)
Jennifer Haltom Doan
National President Elect
Trustee → National Vice President, 2023
National Vice President → National President Elect, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn M Leonard
Secretary
Appointee → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
JD Smith
Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah S Tropp-Thompson
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Shapiro
National Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: John H Kim (2020–2023) — Past Foundation President
- Former: Steven W Quattlebaum (2021–2023) — National President
- Former: Craig M Peters (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jill M Webb (2023) — Trustee
- Former: John K Courtney (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Manuel A Reboso (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Nelly N Khouzam (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Douglas M DeGrave (2020–2022) — Past Foundation President
- Former: Kathleen A Gallagher (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Sarah Wahlert-Kersh (2020–2022) — Associate Executive Director-National
- Former: Karen C Burgess (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Deborah S Tropp (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lewis R Sifford (2022) — National President
- Former: Marquette William Wolf (2022) — Appointee
- Former: R Scott Costantino (2022) — Appointee
- Former: Grace Weatherly (2020–2021) — National President
- Former: Karan Wright (2020–2021) — Financial Director
- Former: Peter W. Riley (2020–2021) — Past Foundation President
- Former: Richard H. Middleton Jr. (2020–2021) — National President-Elect
- Former: William B. Smith (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: John Sweeney (2021) — Appointee
- Former: John R. Rodman (2020) — Past Foundation President
- Former: Luther J. Battiste III (2020) — National President
- Former: Robert C. Alden (2020) — Trustee
- Former: William M. Toles (2020) — Appointee
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 $157K, to Molly McDonald (Fdn Assoc Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates
How much does Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates give each year?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates gave $217K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $121K across 7 grants.
What is Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's typical grant size?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $19,711, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates that year got $15K on average.
Where does Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates give grants?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's top state is Texas, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (22%) and Pennsylvania (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (2 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program support" (11 grants).
Who are Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's largest grantees?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's largest 2024 grantees include TEX-ABOTA Inc ($78,353), Delaware Law Related Education Center Inc ($24,000) and Teach Democracy ($22,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates reported $3.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.9M.
What does Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to preserve, promote, and improve the American civil justice system and the Seventh Amendment right to civil jury trials for future generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates?
The website provides an application process and lists the grant guidelines, application, and sample budget as materials to review and complete. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's EIN?
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0969581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 31, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association Inc
Chicago, IL
The Alzheimer’s Association funds Alzheimer’s and dementia research, including basic, clinical, social and behavioral studies, and supports care, prevention, early detection, awareness, and advocacy. In 2025, its 79 grants ranged from $10,000 to $13.3 million, with a median of $270,750; research opportunities are open to U.S. and international researchers.
Assets
$523.7M
Grants
79
Total Given
$73.3M
Miller UA Morey & Helen Schol
Brooklyn, OH
This foundation funds college scholarships for graduating seniors of Rockville High School who have been accepted to a college or university, with recent grants going to schools mainly in Connecticut and nearby states. Its 2026 grants ranged from $1,600 to $61,000, with a median of $7,000; the filing lists an application and directs applicants to contact KeyBank N.A. c/o Agnes Marountas.
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
20
Total Given
$210K
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Northwestern University funds research and community organizations, along with selected programs in community health, transportation research, and investigative journalism. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $7.7 million, with a median of about $73,000; grants went largely to U.S. recipients, especially in Illinois, and its ANCHOR program focuses on Evanston and Chicago. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$20.8B
Grants
383
Total Given
$133.4M
KPMG US Foundation Inc
Montvale, NJ
KPMG US Foundation supports education, mental health, community vitality, and community relief and resilience, with grants distributed across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts ranged from about $5,000 to $2.2 million. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.4M
Grants
387
Total Given
$33.5M
The Fullerton Foundation
Gaffney, SC
The Fullerton Foundation primarily funds healthcare and medicine, including research, clinical and medical education, equipment, and related services and programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000, and focused mainly on Upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina. It accepts requests beyond a preselected list of organizations; its filing describes an initial letter and supporting materials, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$35.8M
Grants
54
Total Given
$1.5M
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s reported grants primarily support research subcontracts to universities, medical institutions, and research organizations; its student scholarships and fellowships are not grants to outside applicants. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,700 to $659,031, with a median of $71,429, and recipients were located across the U.S., especially in New York. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
57
Total Given
$7.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-of-the-american-board-of-trial-advocates-morg_187aae325b3a4907af6df370a4fd6698
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570969581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-of-the-american-board-of-trial-advocates-morg_187aae325b3a4907af6df370a4fd6698},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates'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.
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates down — hundreds of funders to go?