Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation
The Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation is a private foundation established in October 1994 and based in Fort Worth, Texas. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on educational institutions, community programs, and environmental initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$87.7M
+11.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-68.5% YoY
Grant Count
5
-37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$333K
-49.6% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation funds grants in the following categories:
- Education: Schools, colleges, and universities within Texas, with emphasis placed upon faculty development and liberal arts programs
- Community Programs and Projects: Particularly related to the arts and the environment, including museums, zoos, and educational/research institutions
Primary funding focus areas include wildlife, higher education, science research, and nonprofit support, with particular emphasis on Texas-based initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$177,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
States: Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
Cities: Austin, Boise, Dallas, Fort Worth, Kerrville, Kingsville, Lexington, Nashville, Stillwater, and Strasburg
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023
- Total assets: $78.7 million
- Total revenue: $3.9 million
- Total expenses: $1.1 million
- Total liabilities: $1.07 million
- Investment income and dividends: $1.098 million
- Giving rate: 6.7% of assets
Historical Comparison (2022)
- Total assets: $65.8 million
- Total giving: $23.1 million across 10 grants
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $87,682,183 | $78,687,032 | $65,789,838 |
| Revenue | $4,924,932 | $3,904,262 | $1,885,700 |
| Expenses | $4,026,697 | $1,124,898 | $21,060,138 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,745,685 | $5,415,891 | $18,208,074 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,723,527 | $3,746,066 | $1,582,632 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,230,850 | $3,198,939 | $2,388,321 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Texas at Austin ($944,770), The International Rhino Foundation ($250,000), Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Inc ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The International Rhino Foundation Strasburg, VA | General Support | $250,000 |
| The Peregrine Fund Inc Boise, ID | General Support for Aplomado Program | $200,000 |
| Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Inc Glen Rose, TX | Capital Support - Animal Health & Conservation Ctr. | $250,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Texas Invasive Species Research Program | $944,770 |
| Opportunity in Overalls Fort Worth, TX | Operational Support | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lee M. Bass: President and Treasurer
- Ramona S. Bass: Trustee
- Preston M Geren III: Executive Director
All key personnel serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Ramona Bass has been recognized as the driving force behind the Fort Worth Zoo's transformation and success over a 30-year public-private partnership. Her involvement began when she visited the zoo in the 1980s and was motivated to improve the facility. The foundation's $3.4 million grant to the Fort Worth Zoological Association in 2023 supported the A Wilder Vision Master Plan Project, which includes award-winning exhibits such as Elephant Springs, featuring three generations of Asian elephants living as they would in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation fund?
The foundation funds grants in the following categories: 1. **Education**: Schools, colleges, and universities within Texas, with emphasis placed upon faculty development and liberal arts programs 2. **Community Programs and Projects**: Particularly related to the arts and the environment, including museums, zoos, and educational/research institutions Primary funding focus areas include wildlife, higher education, science research, and nonprofit support, with particular emphasis on Texas-based …
How do I apply for a grant from Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023)** • Total giving: $5.3 million across 8 grants • Median grant size: $177,000 • Grant range: $25,000 to $3.4 million **Recent Grants (2023)** • Fort Worth Zoological Association: $3,400,000 (Support for A Wilder Vision Master Plan Project) • The Peregrine Fund: $375,000 (Aplomado Falcon Project & Endowment Support) • Safe City Commission: $100,000 (Operational Support) **Application Policy** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite…
Where does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: **States**: Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia **Cities**: Austin, Boise, Dallas, Fort Worth, Kerrville, Kingsville, Lexington, Nashville, Stillwater, and Strasburg
What size grants does Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation award?
In 2024, Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $333K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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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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