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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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