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
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
Ready to take the next step with Lee & Ramona Bass Foundation?
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
No grants recorded for .
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.
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 Lee & Ramona Bass 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