The Big 12 Conference Inc
The Big 12 Conference Inc is a public charity based in Irving, Texas. It collects revenue on behalf of member schools from television agreements, bowl games, championship events, and NCAA grants, then remits net revenues to member schools’ athletic departments. Its stated mission also includes supporting intercollegiate athletics and collaboration among member institutions.
The Big 12 Conference Inc at a glance
In short: The Big 12 Conference Inc gave $557.0M across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $34.8M), top state Texas. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $557,030,984
- +17.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,814,437
- +2.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $38,673,551
- Total assets
- $59,594,578
- -19.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (4 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Big 12 Conference Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 5215 N Oconnor Blvd 1650, Irving, TX 75039
Phone: (469) 524-1000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Big 12 Conference Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Arizona State University ($43.0M). Together the top 10 received $398.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 60 grants of 60 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were reported by recipient state as follows: Texas, 25%; Arizona, 15%; Kansas, 14%; Utah, 11%; and Iowa, 7%. The listed recipients also include organizations in West Virginia, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Big 12 Conference Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 16 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $39M; repeat grants $33M. How we count
Medians: $39M first-time, $39M repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $353.4M (2021) to $557.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $557.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Annual Distribution | $43,009,550 |
| Iowa State Ames, IA | Annual Distribution | $41,194,426 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Annual Distribution | $39,950,085 |
| Kansas State University Manhattan, KS | Annual Distribution | $39,830,544 |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | Annual Distribution | $39,734,106 |
| West Virginia University Morgantown, WV | Annual Distribution | $39,582,600 |
| Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX | Annual Distribution | $39,272,007 |
| University of Colorado Boulder, CO | Annual Distribution | $39,034,422 |
| Kansas Athletics Inc Lawrence, KS | Annual Distribution | $38,312,680 |
| Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK | Annual Distribution | $38,038,756 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,594,578 | $610,904,862 | $609,408,614 | $557,030,984 | 16 | $2,562,897 |
| 2024 | $73,569,096 | $493,822,339 | $530,717,573 | $475,997,099 | 14 | $1,854,877 |
| 2023 | $84,615,443 | $510,705,010 | $495,451,364 | $442,040,053 | 10 | $1,514,682 |
| 2022 | $72,738,029 | $480,595,030 | $460,822,016 | $435,989,053 | 10 | $261,963 |
| 2021 | $67,674,479 | $356,214,140 | $372,198,480 | $353,381,611 | 10 | $365,317 |
| 2020 | $89,973,297 | $409,229,422 | $409,690,232 | $385,328,173 | 10 | $942,067 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Conference’s mission is to advance scholarship, sportsmanship, and equity; support national-championship-caliber intercollegiate athletic programs; organize, promote, and administer intercollegiate athletics; optimize revenues and provide services compatible with academic and competitive excellence; and encourage collaboration beyond athletics.
Its 2024 filing describes revenue collection and remittance to member schools’ athletic departments. The 2025 grants listed are identified as “annual distribution.” The Conference’s published Student Assistance Fund guidelines say the fund is intended to provide direct benefits to student-athletes for financial needs connected with athletics participation or academic enrollment, or to recognize academic achievement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Conference reported 16 grants totaling $557,030,984. Grant amounts ranged from $19,881,951 to $43,009,550, with a median of $38,673,551. The largest reported grants included:
The reported grants are distributions to universities and related organizations, not evidence of an application program for outside applicants. No application process or deadline is stated in the available materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following directors: Doug Girod, Gordon Gee, Lawrence Schovanec, Linda Livingstone, Victor Boschini Jr., Wendy Wintersteen, James D. Hess, Richard Linton, Alexander Cartwright, and Neville Pinto.
The Big 12 Conference Inc is led by Gordon Gee, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 7 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gordon Gee
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence Schovanec
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Livingstone
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Wintersteen
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Linton
President & Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Cartwright
President & Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neville Pinto
President & Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renu Khator
President & Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Reese
President & Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James D. Hess
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Crow
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Robbins
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suresh Garimella
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Randall
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Girod
Chancellor & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Boschini Jr.
Chancellor & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Schwartz
Chancellor & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Weiser
Deputy Commissioner
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$471K (2020) → $778K (2025)
Catrina Gibson
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$185K (2021) → $329K (2025)
Dayna Scherf
Vice President - Women's B
Executive Associate Commissioner → Vice President - Women's Basketball & Competition, 2023
Vice President - Women's Basketball & Competition → Vice President - Women's B, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$201K (2021) → $291K (2025)
Brett Yormark
Commissioner
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$1.1M (2023) → $5.1M (2025)
Jessica Presnall
Chief Legal Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$284K (2024) → $410K (2025)
Scott Draper
Chief Football & Competition Officer
Vice President - Football → Chief Football & Competition Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$295K (2024) → $331K (2025)
Tyler Kirkham
Chief Marketing Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$516K (2024) → $521K (2025)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Joseph Harroz (2020–2024) — President & Director
- Former: Jay Hartzell (2021–2024) — President & Director
- Former: Kayse Shrum (2022–2024) — President & Director
- Former: Bob Burda (2020–2023) — Vice President - Communications
- Former: Kelvin Smith (2020–2023) — Executive Associate Commissioner
- Former: Richard Myers (2020–2023) — President & Director
- Former: Robert A. Bowlsby II (2020–2023) — Commissioner
- Former: John Williams (2023) — Vice President - Men's Basketball
- Former: Burns Hargis (2020–2022) — President & Director
- Former: Ed Stewart (2020–2022) — Executive Associate Commissioner
- Former: Gregory Fenves (2020–2021) — Former President & Director
- Former: Jeff Jackson (2020–2021) — Executive Associate Commissioner
- Former: James Gallogly (2020) — President & Director
- Former: Tim Allen (2020) — Senior Associate Commissioner
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $5.1M, to Brett Yormark (Commissioner). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Big 12 Conference Inc
How much does The Big 12 Conference Inc give each year?
The Big 12 Conference Inc gave $557.0M across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $476.0M across 14 grants.
What is The Big 12 Conference Inc's typical grant size?
The Big 12 Conference Inc's median grant in 2025 was $38,673,551, and its average grant was $34,814,437, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Big 12 Conference Inc that year got $39M on average.
Where does The Big 12 Conference Inc give grants?
The Big 12 Conference Inc's top state is Texas, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Arizona (15%) and Kansas (14%).
Does The Big 12 Conference Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on The Big 12 Conference Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Distribution" (16 grants).
Who are The Big 12 Conference Inc's largest grantees?
The Big 12 Conference Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Arizona State University ($43,009,550), Iowa State ($41,194,426) and Baylor University ($39,950,085), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Big 12 Conference Inc?
The Big 12 Conference Inc reported $59.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $610.9M.
What does The Big 12 Conference Inc fund?
The Conference’s mission is to advance scholarship, sportsmanship, and equity; support national-championship-caliber intercollegiate athletic programs; organize, promote, and administer intercollegiate athletics; optimize revenues and provide services compatible with academic and competitive excellence; and encourage collaboration beyond athletics. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Big 12 Conference Inc?
The Big 12 Conference Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Big 12 Conference Inc's EIN?
The Big 12 Conference Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2604555. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Big 12 Conference Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-big-12-conference-inc-morg_d1125d17f6264805aeac9bca18f1ab7e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752604555_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Big 12 Conference Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-big-12-conference-inc-morg_d1125d17f6264805aeac9bca18f1ab7e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 The Big 12 Conference Inc'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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