The Herndon Family Foundation
The Herndon Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, Texas. Its 2025 filing reports 21 grants totaling $97,000, including grants to charitable organizations in Texas and several other states.
The Herndon Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Herndon Family Foundation gave $97K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Texas. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $97,000
- +0.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- -43.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,619
- +77.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $1,443,641
- +9.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Herndon Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2903 Tarry Trail, Austin, TX 78703
Phone: (512) 663-8882
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Herndon Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Andrews Fund ($25K). Together the top 10 received $78K.
Grant Size Distribution
170 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 170 grants of 170 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas. The other listed recipient-state shares were Tennessee, North Carolina, and Vermont at 5% each, and Virginia at 4%. The listed grants also included recipients in New York and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Herndon Family Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 21 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $93K (2019) to $106K (2022). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $97K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrews Fund Austin, TX | An Unrestricted Gift for Educational Purposes. | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Governor's Mansion Austin, TX | An Unrestricted Gift. | $10,000 |
| Camp John Marc Meridian, TX | An Unrestricted Gift. | $10,000 |
| George W Bush Presidential Center Dallas, TX | An Unrestricted Gift | $5,000 |
| Scottish Rite for Children - Dallas Dallas, TX | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| St Jude's Chilrden's Hospital Memphis, TN | An Unrestrcited Gift | $5,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | An Unrestrcited Gift | $5,000 |
| Shelburne Farms Shelburne, VT | An Unrestricted Gift | $5,000 |
| Central Texas Food Bank Austin, TX | Unrestricted Grant | $5,000 |
| Stephen Sillar Tunnel to Towers Fdn Staten Island, NY | An Unrestricted Gift | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Herndon Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,443,641 | $225,714 | $106,465 | $97,000 | 21 | $97,000 | $216,249 | $104,678 |
| 2024 | $1,322,441 | $110,338 | $104,198 | $96,500 | 37 | $96,500 | $102,640 | $100,523 |
| 2023 | $1,318,036 | $58,338 | $104,702 | $96,500 | 41 | $96,500 | $50,136 | $92,346 |
| 2022 | $1,363,714 | $32,256 | $117,994 | $105,944 | 39 | $105,944 | $20,206 | $97,857 |
| 2021 | $1,440,348 | $170,930 | $103,962 | $94,000 | 32 | $94,000 | $160,968 | $107,177 |
| 2020 | $1,371,420 | $-24,396 | $107,974 | $96,050 | 35 | — | $15,227 | $93,624 |
| 2019 | $1,501,131 | $73,365 | $104,006 | $92,700 | 42 | — | $62,059 | $93,780 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Herndon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $105K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Friends of the Governor’s Mansion says its mission is to preserve historic collections, enhance the grounds, and educate the public about the mansion and its history. Shelburne Farms describes its mission as inspiring and cultivating learning for a sustainable future. Central Texas Food Bank says it works to increase food access in Central Texas through food provision, advocacy, programs, education, and other solutions.
Other 2025 recipients include organizations whose stated missions address humanitarian aid, military families, and children’s health. The foundation also made a grant for educational purposes to St Andrews Fund.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $97,000 through 21 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median grant of $3,000.
Its largest reported grants were $25,000 to St Andrews Fund for educational purposes; $10,000 each to Friends of the Governor’s Mansion and Camp John Marc; and $5,000 each to George W. Bush Presidential Center, Scottish Rite for Children – Dallas, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, Shelburne Farms, and Central Texas Food Bank. Other listed grants included $3,000 to Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Fisher House Foundation, and $2,000 to Texas Parks Wildlife Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Herndon as President; Dealey Decherd Herndon as Treasurer; Benjamin David Herndon as Vice President; Bryan Derek Herndon as Secretary; and Tanis Herndon and Erika Herndon as board members.
The Herndon Family Foundation is led by David Herndon, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Herndon
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Benjamin David Herndon
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Bryan Derek Herndon
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Dealey Decherd Herndon
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Erika Herndon
Board Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tanis Herndon
Board Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Herndon Family Foundation
How much does The Herndon Family Foundation give each year?
The Herndon Family Foundation gave $97K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $97K across 37 grants.
What is The Herndon Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Herndon Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $4,619, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Herndon Family Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Herndon Family Foundation give grants?
The Herndon Family Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (5%) and North Carolina (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (8 grants), Dallas, TX (3 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does The Herndon Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of The Herndon Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "An Unrestrcited Gift" (3 grants).
Who are The Herndon Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Herndon Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include St Andrews Fund ($25,000), Friends of the Governor's Mansion ($10,000) and Camp John Marc ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Herndon Family Foundation?
The Herndon Family Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $97K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $105K (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 Herndon Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Herndon Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Herndon Family Foundation's EIN?
The Herndon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2982730. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Herndon Family 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 29, 2024)
Live grants for the work The Herndon Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Herndon Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Texas
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic, cultural, education, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, including operating costs and specific projects. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged from $100 to $500,000; it supports eligible organizations serving communities near BNSF rail lines across its 28 operating states. The foundation provides an online application process, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Baker Hughes Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
Community Foundation of North Texas (Tax
Fort Worth, TX
The foundation supports nonprofits and community projects in areas including animal welfare, nonprofit capacity building, first responders, land conservation, neighborhood development, opportunity and access, and scholarships. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,100 to $1.5 million, with a median of $14,250; its service area covers 11 North Texas counties. It accepts applications for some competitive grant programs through its online portal, but donor-advised grants are not open to nonprofit applications.
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Herndon Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-herndon-family-foundation-morg_bfa61e1362de4c54aa02b5385d42bca0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742982730_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Herndon Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-herndon-family-foundation-morg_bfa61e1362de4c54aa02b5385d42bca0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Herndon Family 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.
The Herndon Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?