Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation
The Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation was a private family foundation based in San Antonio, Texas, established in 1997. The foundation closed at the end of 2023 after 26 years of grantmaking and has dissolved its 501(c)(3) status. The foundation was named after Genevieve and Ward Orsinger, who were passionate about people, travel, nature, cooking, dancing, and helping others throughout their lives.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+30.8% YoY
Grant Count
74
+29.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+0.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $86K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission was to improve people's lives by supporting groups and organizations in Bexar County that give people the tools to become educated, healthy, and self-reliant through cultural enrichment, education, and human services.
Primary funding areas included:
- Early childhood programs emphasizing health and wellness, fine arts, outdoor activities, and literacy
- Community service learning projects planned and operated by youth
- Programs for adults supporting self-sufficiency and capacity to care for families
- Programs for elderly persons using fine arts to enhance quality of life and support health and wellness
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Human services
- Support for children and youth, women and girls, economically disadvantaged people, and people with disabilities
Grantmaking
Over 26 years of operation, the foundation awarded $21.6 million to nonprofits in south central Texas.
Grant Range
$50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funded organizations in:
- Bexar County (primary focus area)
- Central Texas counties: Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, and Travis
- Additional funding areas: Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, and other states including Tennessee and Missouri
- Cities served: San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and other locations across the United States
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Final Financial Status (2023):
- Total assets: $0 (fully distributed)
- Total giving: $3.17 million
- Annual expenses: $3.26 million
Previous Year (2022):
- Total assets: $3.4 million
- Total giving: $2.4 million
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $3,364,163 | $5,241,785 |
| Revenue | $-104,075 | $656,778 | $1,652,909 |
| Expenses | $3,260,088 | $2,534,400 | $2,660,512 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,246,606 | $2,477,506 | $2,610,004 |
| Net Investment Income | $50,613 | $625,163 | $1,611,401 |
| Distributable Amount | $85,674 | $210,861 | $325,431 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
191 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Mindpop ($190,477), Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio ($100,000), Blessed Sacrament Academy ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTS OF HOPE CENTER SAN ANTONIO, TX | DUAL GEN FAMILY ACTIVITIES | $10,000 |
| AID THE SILENT BOERNE, TX | AID THE SILENT'S DEAF CHILDREN AND TEEN DEVELOPMENT CENTER | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SAN ANTONIO, TX | ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO-WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN YOUTHWORKS AUSTIN, TX | DUAL GEN OPERATING EXPENSES | $50,000 |
| AUSTIN PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION (DBA AUSTIN ED FUND) AUSTIN, TX | FAMILIES AS PARTNERS | $50,000 |
| AVANCE-AUSTIN AUSTIN, TX | CREATING PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY | $50,000 |
| AVANCE-SAN ANTONIO INC SAN ANTONIO, TX | DUAL GEN PROGRAM OPERATING EXPENSES | $50,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENEVIEVE ORSINGER'S NURSING SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT | $100,000 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT ACADEMY SAN ANTONIO, TX | DUAL GEN OPERATING EXPENSES | $100,000 |
| BOYSVILLE INC CONVERSE, TX | TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPERATING EXPENSES | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President/CEO: Linda McDavitt
- The foundation was led by a team of trustees, all of whom worked without compensation
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA MCDAVITT | PRESIDENT/CEO | 10 | — |
| NANCY MAY | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA MEYER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL BACON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CYNDI HENSLEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN J MCDAVITT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD ORSINGER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation completed its operations and closed at the end of 2023. The foundation announced the completion of its five-year spend-down plan and ended all grantmaking activities. Notable grant recipients over the foundation's history included SAM Ministries, Cibolo Nature Center, Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas, and Communities in Schools.
26 years and $21 million later, Orsinger Foundation sunsetsThe foundation's final 990-PF tax return was filed following the closure. The foundation published a parting message expressing gratitude to the nonprofit community, stating: "It has been a privilege and a pleasure to meet, learn, and work with the nonprofits of our community. You are a blessing to all. Thank you for making our communities a better place."
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission was to improve people's lives by supporting groups and organizations in Bexar County that give people the tools to become educated, healthy, and self-reliant through cultural enrichment, education, and human services. Primary funding areas included: • **Early childhood programs** emphasizing health and wellness, fine arts, outdoor activities, and literacy • **Community service learning projects** planned and operated by youth • **Programs for adults** supporting self-su…
How do I apply for a grant from Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation?
**Grant Activity (Final Years):** • 2023: $3.5 million awarded through approximately 71 grants (final year of operations) • 2022: $2.4 million awarded through 55 grants • Median grant size: $50,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $190,000 **Total Historical Impact:** Over 26 years of operation, the foundation awarded $21.6 million to nonprofits in south central Texas. **Application Process:** The foundation did not accept unsolicited applications. It operated on an invite-only basis for grant submissi…
Where does Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funded organizations in: • **Bexar County** (primary focus area) • **Central Texas counties:** Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, and Travis • **Additional funding areas:** Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, and other states including Tennessee and Missouri • **Cities served:** San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and other locations across the United States
What size grants does Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation award?
In 2023, Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation awarded 74 grants totaling $3.2M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $86K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation's EIN?
Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2832873. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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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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