Kershaw Foundation
The Kershaw Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas, established in 2014. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status. The foundation was created by Clayton Kershaw and primarily supports Kershaw's Challenge, a faith-based organization focused on empowering people to make a difference in communities in need.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+9.6% YoY
Grant Count
53
+12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
-2.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Kershaw's Challenge, the primary beneficiary of the foundation, operates with the mission to encourage people to use their God-given passion and talent to make a difference and give back to people in need. The organization aims to empower people to use their spheres of influence to impact communities positively and expand God's Kingdom, with a particular focus on transforming at-risk children and neighborhoods through the benevolence and impact of others.
The foundation supports work across four distinct geographic locations: Dallas, Los Angeles, Africa, and the Dominican Republic.
Grantmaking
The Kershaw Foundation made 38 grants in 2024. Recent grants include:
Ready to take the next step with Kershaw Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on four distinct locations:
- Dallas, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- Africa
- Dominican Republic
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $51,463,397
- Total Revenues: $4,354,328
- Total Expenses: $2,529,668
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $2,268,465
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,424,921
- Number of Employees: 1
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $45.2 Million
- Total Revenue: $1.38 Million
- Total Expenses: $2.38 Million
- Total Liabilities: $150,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
216 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kershaw Foundation:
- Jim Melson, Director and President & CEO, Kershaw Management
Kershaw's Challenge (primary beneficiary organization):
- Ellen and Clayton Kershaw, Founders
- Ann Higginbottom, Executive Director
- Karen James, Director of Operations
- Jordan Taylor, Director of Communications
- Shay O'Dwyer King, Director of Development
- Morgan Miller, Administrative Assistant
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN KERSHAW | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| CLAYTON KERSHAW | VICE-PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ANN HIGGINBOTTOM | SECRETARY - TREASURER | 12 | — |
| JIM MELSON | DIRECTOR - CFO | 12 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Since its inception in 2011, Kershaw's Challenge has raised over $28.6 million over 14 years to support at-risk children and families globally. The foundation continues active grantmaking, with 38 grants distributed in 2024 totaling approximately $1.8 million in grant activity.
Kishwaukee College Foundation receives $5K grant for textbook initiative\Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
William Z Hayes Foundation
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$629K
Grants
4
Total Given
$28K
Tr Uw Jane James Cook Item 19
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$861K
Grants
11
Total Given
$41K
Forsyth Fbo Leonard Wood Memorial
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$320K
Grants
1
Total Given
$18K
Teas Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$138K
Harold D Miller Endowment Fund
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$890K
Grants
1
Total Given
$44K
Amarillo Business Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
13
Total Given
$222K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Kershaw Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities