The Deason Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 and based in Dallas, Texas. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$42.6M
-41.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
-3.0% YoY
Grant Count
17
+6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$167K
-8.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Deason Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus on its website. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports initiatives in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services. The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Grant Range
$50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation distributes funding across multiple states and cities, including:
- States: Texas, Virginia, Illinois, District of Columbia, California, Colorado
- Cities: Arlington, Austin, Camarillo, Dallas, Fairfax, Houston, Irving, Lemont, Plano, Steamboat Springs, Washington, and Whitesboro
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $72.8 million
- Total Revenues: $8.6 million
- Total Expenses: $3.1 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Grants, contributions, etc.: $5.1 million
- Investment income and dividends: $3.5 million
Staff: 1 employee
Contact Information:
- Address: 3953 Maple Ave Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75219-3220
- Telephone: 214-378-3600
- EIN: 75-2715549
- Tax-exempt since: July 1998
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $42,610,692 | $72,823,954 | $55,040,907 |
| Revenue | $8,929,513 | $8,605,114 | $10,643,340 |
| Expenses | $2,991,791 | $3,086,697 | $3,030,007 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,891,756 | $2,988,323 | $2,909,231 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,746,972 | $3,421,927 | $2,839,645 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,673,534 | $2,830,260 | $2,788,581 |
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
68 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Southern Methodist University ($1,000,000), Stand Together Foundation ($900,000), Turning Point Usa ($290,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE ARLINGTON, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BLEXIT FOUNDATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| COUNCIL FOR LIFE DALLAS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| FIRST LIBERTY PLANO, TX | GENRAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM ARLINGTON, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| NRA-FAF FAIRFAX, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| PARK CITIES QUAIL COALITION DALLAS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| REMEMBER THE ALAMO FOUNDATION SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| SM WRIGHT FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY DALLAS, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Darwin Deason – President and Treasurer
- Douglas Deason – Vice President
- Asher Ladner – Principal Officer
- Scott Letier – Advisory Employee
- Nick Foster – Vice President and Secretary
The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARWIN DEASON | PRESIDENT AND TREASURER | 0.1 | — |
| DOUGLAS DEASON | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $33,569 |
| SCOTT LETIER | ADVISORY EMPLOYEE | 0.5 | $7,963 |
| NICK FOSTER | VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY | 7.5 | $33,398 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported the Deason Center at SMU Dedman School of Law through multiple grants and initiatives:
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseThe Deason Center secured $1.5 million for overdetained Texans
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseThe Deason Center was awarded $940,000 for an in-depth study of public defense in California
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseThe Deason Center won a federal grant to study American public defense systems
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseThe Deason Center received a grant from the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseThe Deason Center provided support for a state-funded pilot program bringing Day One public defense to rural Mississippi
With Deason Center Support State-Funded Pilot Brings Day One Public DefenseSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Deason Foundation fund?
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus on its website. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports initiatives in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services. The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Deason Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 54 grants totaling $11.8 million (historical record) • Median grant size: $50,000 • Typical award range: $2,000–$1,010,000 • Annual distribution: Between $2.9 million and $5.7 million annually from 2020 to 2023 • Highest grantmaking year: 2022 with $5.7 million distributed across 28 grants **Recent Grants (2023):** • UT Southwestern Health Systems: $100,000 (General Support) • America First Policy Institute: $100,000 (General Support) • Arena Hall: $25,0…
Where does The Deason Foundation make grants?
The foundation distributes funding across multiple states and cities, including: • **States:** Texas, Virginia, Illinois, District of Columbia, California, Colorado • **Cities:** Arlington, Austin, Camarillo, Dallas, Fairfax, Houston, Irving, Lemont, Plano, Steamboat Springs, Washington, and Whitesboro
What size grants does The Deason Foundation award?
In 2024, The Deason Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $167K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Deason Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Deason Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Deason Foundation's EIN?
The Deason Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2715549. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Deason 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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