The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity

Private foundation · Grantmaker Colleyville, TX EIN: 74-2869512

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity is a private foundation based in Colleyville, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including religious ministries and organizations involved in Bible study, Scripture distribution, and Christian outreach.

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity at a glance

In short: The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity gave $165K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state Texas. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$165,000
+12.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
25
+4.2% vs 2023
Average grant
$6,600
+7.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$3,598,089
+6.5% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
8% first-time grantees (2 of 25, 2024)
Primary geography
Texas (26% 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 Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 5600 Montclair Dr, Colleyville, TX 76034-5029
Phone: (817) 481-7447

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Baptist Spanish Publishing House FoundationBibliaBible League International: $15KBaptist Spanish PublishingHouse FoundationBibliaBible…$15KJesus Film Project: $15KJesus Film Project$15KWycliffe Bible Translators: $12KWycliffe Bible Translators$12KFaith Comes by Hearing: $11KFaith Comes by Hearing$11KBiblia: $10KBiblia$10KBible League International: $10KBible League International$10Ke3 Partners: $10Ke3 Partners$10KJesus Online Ministries: $10KJesus Online Ministries$10KSat-7: $8KSat-7$8KGideons International: $7KGideons International$7K

The largest 2024 recipient was Baptist Spanish Publishing House FoundationBibliaBible League International ($15K). Together the top 10 received $108K.

Grant Size Distribution

97 grants across all recorded years

97<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 97 grants of 97 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares by recipient state were Texas (26%), Florida (17%), Illinois (9%), Arizona (8%), and New Mexico (7%).

Grant Distribution by State

16states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.

Cities

OrlandoAlbert LeeAlbuquerqueColorado SpringsCreteDallasEl PasoFort WorthNapaNashvillePlanoSan AntonioArgyleClaremontMerrifieldAlber LeeBradentonBridgevilleEastonGreen Valley

Is The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity open to new grantees?

8%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 2 of 25 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $7K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $6K repeat.

  • 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K23 grants2020 25 grants2021 24 grants2023 25 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $131K (2021) to $165K (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $165K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Baptist Spanish Publishing House FoundationBibliaBible League International El Paso, TXReligious Ministry$15,000
Jesus Film Project Orlando, FLReligious Ministry$15,000
Wycliffe Bible Translators Orlando, FLReligious Ministry$12,000
Faith Comes by Hearing Albuquerque, NMReligious Ministry$11,000
Biblia Dallas, TXReligious Ministry$10,000
Bible League International Crete, ILReligious Ministry$10,000
e3 Partners Plano, TXReligious Ministry$10,000
Jesus Online Ministries Higly, AZReligious Ministry$10,000
Sat-7 Easton, MDReligious Ministry$8,000
Gideons International Nashville, TNReligious Ministry$6,500
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$3,598,089$39,657$165,000$165,00025$165,000$39,657$178,677
2023$3,378,387$-60,608$158,201$147,00024$147,000$9,008$152,563
2021$2,835,855$316,985$149,813$130,50025$130,500$150,093$122,833
2020$2,507,122$-16,335$147,500$147,50023—$94,065$133,240

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity reported a distributable amount of $179K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s mission is to disseminate the Bible through printed and digital formats. Its 2024 grants show support for Christian ministries and organizations involved in Bible study, Scripture distribution, and religious outreach.

Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Bible Study Fellowship says it provides global, in-depth Bible classes intended to foster commitment to Christ, the Bible, and the church. Bibles For The World describes its work as sharing the Christian message with unreached peoples, churches, and Christian leaders in developing nations, with an emphasis on India. Scriptures In Use says it equips and trains oral communities to make disciples in their own heart languages and cultures.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $165,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $15,000, with a median of $5,000. All 2024 grants listed among the largest awards had a stated purpose of “Religious Ministry.”

Among the largest reported grants were $15,000 to Jesus Film Project, $12,000 to Wycliffe Bible Translators, $11,000 to Faith Comes by Hearing, and $10,000 each to Biblia, Bible League International in Crete, Illinois, e3 Partners, and Jesus Online Ministries. Other notable grants included $8,000 to SAT-7, $6,500 to Gideons International, and $6,000 to Bible Study Fellowship.

Other 2024 recipients included Bibles For The World, which received $4,500; Scriptures In Use, which received $3,500; Hope Ignited, which received $2,000; and Equip India Inc, which received $1,000.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Burton H Patterson, Virginia L Patterson, Leanne Linder West, Patricia Patterson Nelson, Paula Patterson McDowell, and Harley Trey West.

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Burton H Patterson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Harley Trey West

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Leanne Linder West

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Patricia Patterson Nelson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Paula Patterson McDowell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Virginia L Patterson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    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.

Frequently asked questions about The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity

How much does The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity give each year?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity gave $165K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $147K across 24 grants.

What is The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's typical grant size?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,600, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity that year got $5K on average.

Where does The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity give grants?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's top state is Texas, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (17%) and Illinois (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Orlando, FL (2 grants) and Albert Lee, MN (2 grants).

Does The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Religious Ministry" (25 grants).

Who are The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's largest grantees?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's largest 2024 grantees include Baptist Spanish Publishing House FoundationBibliaBible League International ($15,000), Jesus Film Project ($15,000) and Wycliffe Bible Translators ($12,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $165K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $179K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity fund?

The foundation’s mission is to disseminate the Bible through printed and digital formats. Its 2024 grants show support for Christian ministries and organizations involved in Bible study, Scripture distribution, and religious outreach. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's EIN?

The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2869512. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity 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 October 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-the-advancement-of-christianity-morg_1482fce130c0496aabf3f1509b9c6f03

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742869512_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-the-advancement-of-christianity-morg_1482fce130c0496aabf3f1509b9c6f03},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Foundation for the Advancement of Christianity'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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