Harry Bass Foundation

DALLAS, TX EIN: 75-1876307

The Harry Bass Foundation, also known as the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation, is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. It was established in 1983 and operates as a non-operating foundation dedicated to philanthropic support of qualified nonprofit organizations.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$73.2M

-26.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$33.4M

+46.2% YoY

Grant Count

52

-13.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$642K

+68.6% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation seeks to enrich the lives of citizens of Texas by providing support to qualified organizations. Primary funding areas include:

  • Early childhood education and literacy (primary focus)
  • Youth and education
  • Health & Human Services
  • Civic & Community
  • Science & Research
  • Arts & Culture

Grantmaking

Grants are awarded predominantly in Dallas County, with a focus on early childhood education and literacy. Grants outside Dallas County are rarely considered. The foundation has supported organizations across 6 states, with primary grantmaking concentrated in Texas, Colorado, and Hawaii, which account for 98% of all grants. The foundation has supported 110 unique organizations.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Cities

AbileneAthensAustinBooneCarrolltonColorado SpringsCrowleyDallasEulessEustaceFarmers BranchFt WorthGarlandGonzalesGypsumHonoluluHoustonLa GrangePasadenaPlano

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

  • Total Assets: $73.2 million (as of most recent reporting)
  • Annual Income: $39.7 million
  • Total Giving: $33.3 million
  • Asset Growth: Assets have grown from $44 million in 2011 to $99 million in 2023

Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$12M$25M$37M$50M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$73,247,812$99,027,945$62,995,266
Revenue$9,438,037$45,426,508$12,837,786
Expenses$35,215,785$23,907,975$2,558,945
Qualifying Distributions$33,944,242$23,288,646$2,168,645
Net Investment Income$8,808,129$44,983,645$12,527,186
Distributable Amount$4,129,618$3,589,690$1,891,012

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$8M$17M$25M$33M46 grants202048 grants202152 grants202260 grants202352 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DALLAS$20.0MDALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY$7.0MTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS …$4.0MDALLAS ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY$250KREADERS 2 LEADERS$225KTEXANS ON A MISSION$200KUPLIFT EDUCATION$150KSAMARITANS PURSE$150KSMU MEADOWS SCHOOL OF TH…$100KGIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST…$75K

Grant Size Distribution

244 grants across all recorded years

177<$50K36$50–100K25$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M3$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Harry Bass Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. The principal officer is listed as Harry W Bass Jr Foundation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

F DAVID CALHOUNEXEC DIRECTOR$194KMICHAEL L CALHOUNPRESIDENT, TRUSTEE$67KLINDA B STALEYTRUSTEE$6K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DORIS L BASSTRUSTEE1
MICHAEL L CALHOUNPRESIDENT, TRUSTEE20$67,464
F DAVID CALHOUNEXEC DIRECTOR37.5$194,141
LINDA B STALEYTRUSTEE1$5,638

Contact Information

  • Address: 4809 Cole Ave Ste 105, Dallas, TX 75205-7313
  • Phone: 214-599-0300
  • Website: HBRF.ORG
  • EIN: 75-1876307

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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