Judith Filler Foundation
The Judith Filler Foundation is an Austin, Texas-based private foundation established to fund projects and activities related to ending the death penalty in Texas. It was established in 2017 by the estate of Judith Evelyn Filler, and its exemption was recognized effective September 11, 2017.
Key facts about Judith Filler Foundation
In short: Judith Filler Foundation gave $82K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 82-4137873
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $82,377
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $7,489
- Median grant
- $6,472
- Total assets
- $923,091
- Primary geography
- Texas (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation publishes a required grant application form each year, with instructions for attachments and acceptable submission methods. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists March 1 and September 1 as annual application deadlines.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$923K
-2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$82K
-0.2% YoY
Grant Count
11
+37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-27.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Judith Filler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Judith Filler Foundation gives
- Giving grew 63% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 159% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to fund projects devoted to ending the death penalty in Texas. Its website identifies public education and awareness, social media and outreach, training events and conferences, and activities exposing and addressing systemic flaws in the Texas death penalty system as areas it may support.
Its 2025 grants included legal research, attorney training, public communications, documentary production, event participation, and online-meeting technology. Among its grantees, Texas Defender Service describes its work as direct representation, policy reform, and public education concerning mass incarceration and excessive punishment in Texas. From the Heart Productions describes its work as supporting independent filmmakers through fiscal sponsorship, grants, education, mentorship, and community support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 itemized grants totaling $82,377. Grant amounts ranged from $270 to $20,000, with a median grant of $6,472. Notable grants included $20,000 to Texas Defender Service for legal research, $15,000 to Texas Defender Service for social media and distribution of client stories, and $10,000 to From the Heart Productions for a documentary about James Beathard. Other grants included $8,000 to Justice League CIC for a research project and $7,500 to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for its 2026 annual conference.
Review Cycle
The website lists March 1 and September 1 as annual application deadlines. Both 2026 deadlines have passed.
Ready to take the next step with Judith Filler Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its grant purpose is related to ending the death penalty in Texas. In 2025, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 12% to California, and 6% to Illinois; the state associated with the remaining 10% is not identified in the available filing data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2019) to $83K (2024). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $82K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Texas Defender Service ($40K across 3 grants). Together the top 9 received $82K.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 41 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Defender Service Austin, TX | Legal Research | $20,000 |
| Texas Defender Service Austin, TX | Create Social Media for Distribution of Client Stories | $15,000 |
| From the Heart Productions Oxnard, CA | Produce Documentary About James Beathard | $10,000 |
| Justice League CIC | Research Project | $8,000 |
| Texas Coalition to Abolish the Deat Austin, TX | Tcadp 2026 Annual Conference | $7,500 |
| Save Jeff Wood Campaign San Antonio, TX | Create web page and provide supplies for event participation | $6,472 |
| Texas Defender Service Austin, TX | Training for Capital Defense Attorneys | $5,000 |
| ABA Fund for Justice and Education Chicago, IL | Training for Attorneys on Death Penalty Case Representation | $5,000 |
| Clinton Young Foundation Longview, TX | Support Broadcasting of Scheduled Executions in Texas | $3,655 |
| Kids Against the Death Penalty San Antonio, TX | Supplies for Event Participation | $1,480 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $923,091 | $56,509 | $87,381 | $82,377 across 11 grants |
| 2024 | $950,077 | $52,463 | $87,076 | $82,548 across 8 grants |
| 2023 | $993,035 | $49,495 | $73,802 | $67,867 across 7 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $923,091 | $950,077 | $993,035 |
| Revenue | $56,509 | $52,463 | $49,495 |
| Expenses | $87,381 | $87,076 | $73,802 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $82,377 | $82,548 | $67,702 |
| Net Investment Income | $55,909 | $51,863 | $48,895 |
| Distributable Amount | $51,922 | $48,447 | $44,466 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 22, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing lists Mary Christine Reed as president; Gloria Rubac as vice president; Kerrin Meyer as secretary; and Leeatriss Greenwood-Rollins as treasurer. Directors listed were Anastassios Rigopoulos, Joanna Vaughn, Kathy Harris, and Walter Long.
Judith Filler Foundation is led by Mary Christine Reed, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Christine Reed
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Anastassios Rigopoulos
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Joanna Vaughn
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kathy Harris
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Walter Long
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Gloria Rubac
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kerrin Meyer
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Leeatriss Greenwood-Rollins
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Vicki Vernon Lott PhD (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: E. Marie Brignac (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Judith Filler Foundation
Mailing address: 1709 Norris Drive, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 585-8869
Email: questions@jfillerfoundation.org
Website: https://www.jfillerfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Judith Filler Foundation
How much does Judith Filler Foundation give each year?
Judith Filler Foundation gave $82K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $83K across 8 grants.
What is Judith Filler Foundation's typical grant size?
Judith Filler Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,472, and its average grant was $7,489, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Judith Filler Foundation give grants?
Judith Filler Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (12%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (4 grants) and San Antonio, TX (2 grants).
Does Judith Filler Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Judith Filler Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Judith Filler Foundation's largest grantees?
Judith Filler Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Texas Defender Service ($40,000 across 3 grants), From the Heart Productions ($10,000) and Justice League CIC ($8,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Judith Filler Foundation?
Judith Filler Foundation reported $923K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $82K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $52K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Judith Filler Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to fund projects devoted to ending the death penalty in Texas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Judith Filler Foundation?
The foundation publishes a required grant application form each year, with instructions for attachments and acceptable submission methods. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Judith Filler Foundation's EIN?
Judith Filler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4137873. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Judith Filler Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Judith Filler Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
H C Gemmer Family Christian Foundation Inc
Indianapolis, IN
The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation funds peace, justice, and human rights work, including peace education, conflict resolution, criminal justice, anti-discrimination, sobriety, racial harmony, and interfaith cooperation. It gives about 24 grants a year, typically around $1,750–$2,000, with recent awards of $1,000–$3,000, and has no geographic limits. It does not accept unsolicited full proposals; organizations may submit a letter of inquiry, and only those invited can apply for a grant.
Assets
$555K
Grants
24
Total Given
$46K
Mechia Foundation
Beaumont, TX
The Mechia Foundation supports education, arts and culture, health, and other community needs, with most funding going to Texas organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $42,250, with a median of $1,100. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
234
Total Given
$729K
Texas Bar Foundation
Austin, TX
The Texas Bar Foundation funds Texas nonprofits, government entities, and local bar affiliates working to strengthen the rule of law and justice, including legal assistance for underserved people, court administration, legal ethics, and legal education. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,400 to $45,000, with a median of about $13,700. It accepts applications through semi-annual Spring and Fall cycles.
Assets
$46.7M
Grants
110
Total Given
$1.6M
Foundation to Promote Open Society
New York, NY
It supports organizations and movements advancing rights, equity, justice, and accountable democracy, with work spanning the United States and six global regions. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $44.9 million, with a median of about $257,000; most grants go to organizations the foundations approach directly, though some programs use proposals or letters of inquiry.
Assets
$10.8B
Grants
738
Total Given
$481.5M
Houston Jewish Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Houston Jewish Community Foundation funds community needs, education, youth, older adults, basic needs, health, and other charitable projects, with a strong focus on Houston and Greater Houston; its broader grantmaking also reaches organizations nationally. Its 2025 grants had a median of $14,000, while its 2024 competitive community-grant cycle awarded over $227,000 to 30 organizations. It accepts unsolicited requests through its community-grant program, starting with a Grant Abstract.
Assets
$179.9M
Grants
269
Total Given
$24.7M
The Brown Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Brown Foundation funds education, arts and culture, healthcare, human services, and civic assets, with education and the arts as top priorities and public education giving focused almost exclusively on greater Houston. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20,000 to $11 million, with a median of $50,000; it primarily supports Houston organizations and selectively funds distinctive opportunities elsewhere in Texas and beyond.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
222
Total Given
$84.3M
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
Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Inc
Bloomington, IN
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County funds nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations in areas including health and social services, education, arts, the environment, animal welfare, and community development, primarily serving Monroe County, Indiana. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,124 to $169,386, with a median of $14,656; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$79.0M
Grants
53
Total Given
$1.5M
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
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
More Funders in Texas
Judith Filler Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?