Shelton Family Foundation
The Shelton Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Abilene, Texas. Established in 1996 by A.B. “Stormy” Shelton, it provides support to qualifying nonprofit organizations for eligible projects and programs intended to benefit people in Abilene and the Big Country area.
Shelton Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Shelton Family Foundation gave $876K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Texas. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $875,900
- -10.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,026
- -10.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $40,844,051
- +0.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Shelton Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
Accepts unsolicited requests. Submit an application electronically through the online grant application system. Awards are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental entities, primarily in West Central Texas.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Shelton Family Foundation David L C
Mailing address: PO Box 2791, Abilene, TX 79604
Phone: (325) 676-7724
Website: https://sheltonfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shelton Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Food Bank of Abilene Inc ($171K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $683K.
Grant Size Distribution
263 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 235 grants of 263 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic intent is to benefit citizens of Abilene and the Big Country area. Its eligibility guidance limits requests to organizations serving that area. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Shelton Family Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 31 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $31K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $819K (2021) to $1.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $876K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food Bank of Abilene Inc Abilene, TX | Capital Expansion | $166,000 |
| McMurry University Abilene, TX | Garrison Student Center Renovation | $100,000 |
| Salvation Army & Its Components Abilene, TX | Shelter Expansion Project | $100,000 |
| Abilene Hope Haven Inc Abilene, TX | Bridge 2 Home Operational Support | $60,000 |
| Kenley School Abilene, TX | 2025 Operations | $60,000 |
| Rescue the Animals Abilene, TX | 2025 Operating Expenses | $45,000 |
| National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature Abilene, TX | 2025 Operations Support | $42,000 |
| Love and Care Ministries Abiilene, TX | Carepacks for Kids | $30,000 |
| Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX | Baptist Studies Center | $25,000 |
| Betty Hardwick Center Abiilene, TX | HUD Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shelton Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,844,051 | $1,246,397 | $1,117,541 | $875,900 | 35 | $1,067,850 | $1,215,702 | $1,149,485 |
| 2024 | $40,715,414 | $1,074,703 | $1,200,845 | $977,625 | 35 | $1,165,876 | $689,787 | $1,108,579 |
| 2023 | $40,841,337 | $1,608,638 | $1,358,095 | $1,120,850 | 77 | $1,303,904 | $1,576,448 | $1,126,783 |
| 2022 | $40,590,794 | $1,787,961 | $1,060,690 | $821,396 | 63 | $1,011,498 | $1,750,766 | $1,206,395 |
| 2021 | $39,863,523 | $2,232,022 | $1,085,672 | $819,270 | 53 | — | $2,194,250 | $1,109,265 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shelton Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established with the intent to benefit the citizens of Abilene and the Big Country area. Its stated focus areas are basic human services and essential needs, education, health, and community development.
Eligible applicants include organizations with current 501(c)(3) status, recognized government entities requesting funds for public charitable purposes, K–12 schools, community and junior colleges, colleges and universities, and faith-based organizations whose projects or programs benefit the community at large.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Abilene Hope Haven says it provides basic needs and services to homeless individuals; Kenley School says it provides instruction for children with learning disabilities; and Rescue the Animals says it works to help homeless animals, fight cruelty and abuse, and promote animal education and spay/neuter. McMurry University describes its mission as preparing students for leadership, service, and professional success, while Restored Hope Ministries says it ministers to victims of sex trafficking.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $875,900. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $166,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $166,000 to Food Bank of Abilene Inc. for capital expansion; $100,000 to McMurry University for a student center renovation; $100,000 to the Salvation Army for a shelter expansion project; and $60,000 each to Abilene Hope Haven for Bridge 2 Home operational support and Kenley School for operations.
Applications are submitted electronically through the foundation’s online application system. The foundation accepts proposals throughout the year and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David L. Copeland as president, treasurer, and director. Directors listed are Shay Shelton Hoffman, Sindy Shelton Durham, C. Christine Nichols, Wendy H. Durham, Andrew D. Durham, David R. Durham, Leonard R. Hoffman, and Analie Durham.
Shelton Family Foundation is led by David L. Copeland, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David L. Copeland
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$130K (2021) → $100K (2025)
Andrew D. Durham
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Christine Nichols
Director
Advisory Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David R. Durham
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leonard R. Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shay Shelton Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sindy Shelton Durham
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy H. Durham
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Analie Durham
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $100K, to David L Copeland (Pres/Treas/DIR).
Frequently asked questions about Shelton Family Foundation
How much does Shelton Family Foundation give each year?
Shelton Family Foundation gave $876K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $978K across 35 grants.
What is Shelton Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Shelton Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $25,026, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shelton Family Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Shelton Family Foundation give grants?
Shelton Family Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Abilene, TX (25 grants) and Abiilene, TX (6 grants).
Does Shelton Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Shelton Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (5 grants).
Who are Shelton Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Shelton Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Food Bank of Abilene Inc ($171,000 across 2 grants), Salvation Army & Its Components ($125,000 across 2 grants) and McMurry University ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Shelton Family Foundation?
Shelton Family Foundation reported $40.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (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 Shelton Family Foundation fund?
The foundation was established with the intent to benefit the citizens of Abilene and the Big Country area. Its stated focus areas are basic human services and essential needs, education, health, and community development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shelton Family Foundation?
Accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shelton Family Foundation's EIN?
Shelton Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2655885. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Shelton Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shelton Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shelton-family-foundation-morg_4b1938f94ca24ebdabc46664be42e4d2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752655885_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shelton Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shelton-family-foundation-morg_4b1938f94ca24ebdabc46664be42e4d2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Shelton Family 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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