The Engraved Pencil Foundation
The Engraved Pencil Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. It supports partnerships with Christian and Kingdom-focused organizations, as well as specific higher education opportunities connected to the founder’s experiences.
The Engraved Pencil Foundation at a glance
In short: The Engraved Pencil Foundation gave $1.6M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $80K), mostly in Texas. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,609,780
- +64.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- +17.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $80,489
- +40.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,500
- Total assets
- $14,352,440
- +25.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (6 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Engraved Pencil Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
Requests must be submitted in writing with the foundation’s Charitable Contribution, Gift and Donation Request Form. Donations must benefit nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) that are considered charitable, civic, educational, or recreational, and/or receive the majority of their support through outside funding.
- Review Cycle
- A minimum of 30 days’ notice is required for consideration.
- Deadline
- A minimum of 30 days’ notice is required for consideration.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2727 Kirby Dr Unit 11K, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (281) 389-7245
Email: donations@engravedpencilfdn.org
Website: https://engravedpencilfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Engraved Pencil Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ecclesia Houston ($550K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 78 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Texas (63%), Oklahoma (16%), Missouri (11%), California (5%), and Pennsylvania (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Engraved Pencil Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 20 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $64K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $45K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 370% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 222% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $318K (2020) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ecclesia Houston Houston, TX | General Operations | $550,000 |
| Theta Education Fund Stillwater, OK | General Operations | $250,000 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kansas City, MO | General Operations | $174,979 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | General Operations | $100,000 |
| Sawmill 6TH Man Nacogdoches, TX | General Operations | $100,000 |
| Oak Grove Ministries Menlo Park, CA | General Operations | $75,000 |
| World Hope Ministries International Houston, TX | General Operations | $65,000 |
| First Liberty Plano, TX | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Northwest Houston FCA Houston, TX | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Peace Gospel International Katy, TX | General Operations | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Engraved Pencil 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,352,440 | $4,683,739 | $1,745,009 | $1,609,780 | 20 | $1,628,274 | $1,235,430 | $732,268 |
| 2023 | $11,417,488 | $3,964,955 | $1,071,516 | $976,580 | 17 | $1,002,976 | $233,805 | $500,406 |
| 2022 | $8,522,766 | $2,527,594 | $695,420 | $613,310 | 17 | $613,310 | $83,658 | $598,777 |
| 2021 | $6,699,628 | $4,185,139 | $387,022 | $342,842 | 11 | $342,842 | $161,405 | $268,640 |
| 2020 | $2,908,086 | $444,153 | $367,845 | $317,826 | 13 | — | $25,847 | $150,417 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Engraved Pencil Foundation reported a distributable amount of $732K for 2024 — 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 says it was established to provide support and create partnerships with Christian and Kingdom-focused organizations. It also partners with specific higher education opportunities representative of the founder’s experiences.
Its 2024 grantees include organizations with varied stated missions. Fellowship of Christian Athletes says its mission is to lead coaches and athletes into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church. World Hope Ministries International describes its work as training pastors, growing churches, and transforming communities for Christ. Peace Gospel International says it develops small business enterprises to support locally led programs serving people including orphans, trafficking victims, at-risk women, and children in need. Young Life describes its work as exposing adolescents to the person of Jesus Christ through activities including weekly meetings, Bible studies, camps, and short-term missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 20 grants totaling $1,609,780. Grant amounts ranged from $2,301 to $550,000, with a median grant of $37,500. The largest awards included $550,000 to Ecclesia Houston, $250,000 to Theta Education Fund, and $174,979 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each was listed for general operations. Other notable 2024 grants included $100,000 each to Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation and Sawmill 6th Man, and $65,000 to World Hope Ministries International.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Griffin E. Jones as president, Mindi M. Jones as secretary, and Kennedy E. Jones and Kale G. Jones as vice presidents.
The Engraved Pencil Foundation is led by Griffin E. Jones, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Griffin E. Jones
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kale G. Jones
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2024)
Kennedy E. Jones
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2024)
Mindi M. Jones
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $10K, to Kennedy E Jones (Vice President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Engraved Pencil Foundation
How much does The Engraved Pencil Foundation give each year?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation gave $1.6M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $977K across 17 grants.
What is The Engraved Pencil Foundation's typical grant size?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $37,500, and its average grant was $80,489, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Engraved Pencil Foundation that year got $64K on average.
Where does The Engraved Pencil Foundation give grants?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oklahoma (16%) and Missouri (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (5 grants) and Stillwater, OK (2 grants).
Does The Engraved Pencil Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Engraved Pencil Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Engraved Pencil Foundation's largest grantees?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ecclesia Houston ($550,000), Theta Education Fund ($250,000) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes ($174,979), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Engraved Pencil Foundation?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation reported $14.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $732K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Engraved Pencil Foundation fund?
The foundation says it was established to provide support and create partnerships with Christian and Kingdom-focused organizations. It also partners with specific higher education opportunities representative of the founder’s experiences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Engraved Pencil Foundation?
Requests must be submitted in writing with the foundation’s Charitable Contribution, Gift and Donation Request Form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Engraved Pencil Foundation's EIN?
The Engraved Pencil Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0691682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Engraved Pencil Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Engraved Pencil Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Engraved Pencil Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-engraved-pencil-foundation-morg_3c8c8a4b77bf4fcfaff46aa04542512a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830691682_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Engraved Pencil Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-engraved-pencil-foundation-morg_3c8c8a4b77bf4fcfaff46aa04542512a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Engraved Pencil 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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