Tecumseh Foundation is a private foundation established in 1997 and incorporated in Texas. Based in Abilene, TX, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking to tax-exempt organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.3M
+11.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+2.4% YoY
Grant Count
40
+2.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
-0.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tecumseh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations with emphasis on the Austin area and the state of Texas. Areas of interest include:
- Human services
- Health
- Animal welfare
- Environment
- Civic affairs
- Education
- Children and youth
- Arts and culture
Types of support provided include project support and general operating funds.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$12,000
Average Grant
award: $45,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and Colorado, which account for 94% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across six states, with primary support in Colorado, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of 2023-2024):
- Total assets: $28.8 million (2023); $32.3 million (2024)
- Total revenues: $2.08 million (2023)
- Total expenses: $2.13 million (2023)
- Annual income: $3.4 million (2024)
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $519,949
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $426,021
- Miscellaneous revenues: $1,134,657
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $2.5 million in 2011 to $32.3 million in 2024.
Governance: The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees and employs 0 staff members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,278,665 | $28,849,303 | $27,714,757 |
| Revenue | $2,743,329 | $2,082,088 | $2,983,463 |
| Expenses | $2,094,956 | $2,125,234 | $2,433,871 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,706,400 | $1,666,560 | $1,915,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,248,494 | $1,408,438 | $2,215,910 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,504,465 | $1,354,553 | $1,464,597 |
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
220 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Colorado Academy Ca Fund ($210,200), Momentum Advisory Collective ($200,000), Upaya Zen Center ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE FOUNDATION AMARILLO, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| AUSTIN GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE MANOR, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AUSTIN PBS MEMBERSHIP AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| AUSTIN PETS ALIVE AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D NEW YORK, NY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE IRVING, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CHAMPIONS OFF THE FIELD AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| COLORADO ACADEMY CA FUND DENVER, CO | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $210,200 |
| COMITIS CRISIS CENTER INC AURORA, CO | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
John Joseph Matthews serves as the principal officer of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN J MATTHEWS | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARGARET MATTHEWS | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| WATT MATTHEWS | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DENNIS WILKINSON | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tecumseh Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations with emphasis on the Austin area and the state of Texas. Areas of interest include: • Human services • Health • Animal welfare • Environment • Civic affairs • Education • Children and youth • Arts and culture Types of support provided include project support and general operating funds.
How do I apply for a grant from Tecumseh Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 172 grants totaling $7.7 million (as of 2024) • Median grant size: $12,000 • Average grant award: $45,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $200 to $330,000 • Annual giving has decreased from $2.2 million in 2021 to $1.7 million in 2023 • Highest grantmaking activity occurred in 2022 with $3.8 million distributed across 82 grants • The foundation has supported 75 unique organizations **Recent Grants (2023):** • Comitis Crisis Center: $200,000 (Operati…
Where does Tecumseh Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and Colorado, which account for 94% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across six states, with primary support in Colorado, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Tecumseh Foundation award?
In 2024, Tecumseh Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tecumseh Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tecumseh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tecumseh Foundation's EIN?
Tecumseh Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2807652. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tecumseh Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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