Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation
The Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Its 2024 grants supported research, wildlife conservation, and nonprofit operations, including organizations in Texas, Virginia, and Idaho.
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation at a glance
In short: Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation gave $1.7M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $333K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,664,770
- -68.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $332,954
- -49.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $87,682,183
- +11.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (73% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 309 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 336-0494
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Texas at Austin ($945K). Together the top 5 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 12 grants of 39 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 73% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 15% to Virginia, and 12% to Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation gives
- Giving fell 68% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 41% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2024) to $23.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Texas Invasive Species Research Program | $944,770 |
| The International Rhino Foundation Strasburg, VA | General Support | $250,000 |
| Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Inc Glen Rose, TX | Capital Support - Animal Health & Conservation Ctr. | $250,000 |
| The Peregrine Fund Inc Boise, ID | General Support for Aplomado Program | $200,000 |
| Opportunity in Overalls Fort Worth, TX | Operational Support | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87,682,183 | $4,924,932 | $4,026,697 | $1,664,770 | 5 | $1,745,685 | $4,723,527 | $4,230,850 |
| 2023 | $78,687,032 | $3,904,262 | $1,124,898 | $5,282,829 | 8 | $5,415,891 | $3,746,066 | $3,198,939 |
| 2022 | $65,789,838 | $1,885,700 | $21,060,138 | $23,103,646 | 10 | $18,208,074 | $1,582,632 | $2,388,321 |
| 2021 | $60,001,579 | $1,089,825 | $3,394,930 | $5,143,848 | 8 | $5,260,452 | $1,010,326 | $2,967,831 |
| 2020 | $60,010,905 | $560,483 | $5,704,304 | $8,398,616 | 8 | — | $663,076 | $2,951,194 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for invasive species research, animal health and conservation facilities, and wildlife programs. The Peregrine Fund describes its mission as conserving birds of prey worldwide; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center describes its mission as conserving animal species in peril through research, caregiver training, and conservation information.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 5 grants totaling $1,664,770. Grants ranged from $20,000 to $944,770, with a median of $250,000. The largest grants were $944,770 to the University of Texas at Austin for the Texas Invasive Species Research Program; $250,000 to the International Rhino Foundation for general support; $250,000 to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for capital support for its Animal Health & Conservation Center; $200,000 to The Peregrine Fund for general support for its Aplomado Program; and $20,000 to Opportunity in Overalls for operational support.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation is led by Lee M. Bass, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lee M. Bass
President & Treasurer
President & Treasurer → Presidenttreasurer, 2021
Presidenttreasurer → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Preston M. Geren III
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dee Steer
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary W. Reese
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ramona S. Bass
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas W. White
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President & Secretary → Vice Presidentsecretary, 2021
Vice Presidentsecretary → Vice President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Preston M. Green III (2020) — Executive Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation
How much does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation give each year?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation gave $1.7M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.3M across 8 grants.
What is Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's typical grant size?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $250,000, and its average grant was $332,954, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation give grants?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (15%) and Idaho (12%).
Does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's largest grantees?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Texas at Austin ($944,770), The International Rhino Foundation ($250,000) and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Inc ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation reported $87.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for invasive species research, animal health and conservation facilities, and wildlife programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's EIN?
Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2495163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 4, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation'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.
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