The Horizon Foundation
The Horizon Foundation is a private foundation based in Plano, Texas, that supports efforts to protect land and water resources. Its website describes it as committed to ensuring iconic landscapes and natural resources remain for future generations.
The Horizon Foundation at a glance
In short: The Horizon Foundation gave $7.9M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $207K), top state Virginia. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,856,524
- +79.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +46.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $206,751
- +22.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $67,550
- Total assets
- $25,516,176
- +43.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (9 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (42% 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 Horizon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Applications are by invitation only and accepted on a rolling basis.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 5760 Legacy Dr Ste B3-388, Plano, TX 75024
Phone: (972) 334-9000
Website: https://thehorizonfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Horizon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Nature Conservancy ($3.3M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $7.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 40 grants of 110 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, and Colorado. By grant dollars, 42% went to Virginia, 30% to Texas, 28% to Oklahoma, 1% to Montana, and less than 1% to Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Horizon Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 27 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $409K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $63K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 725% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 772% 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 $833K (2020) to $7.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $7.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Support | $2,500,000 |
| Ou Foundation Okalhoma City, OK | General Support | $2,080,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Support | $500,000 |
| Mane Gait McKinney, TX | General Support | $250,000 |
| Texas Agricultural Land Trust San Antonio, TX | General Support | $200,000 |
| Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation Dallas, TX | General Support | $200,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Support | $150,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Support | $150,000 |
| Trinity Park Conservancy Dallas, TX | General Support | $140,000 |
| Borderlands Research Institute Alpine, TX | General Support | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Horizon Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25,516,176 | $9,378,083 | $8,079,418 | $7,856,524 | 38 | $8,001,821 | $1,300,585 | $1,036,612 |
| 2023 | $17,849,477 | $5,315,900 | $4,475,361 | $4,386,590 | 26 | $4,386,590 | $428,015 | $843,896 |
| 2022 | $15,936,488 | $-185,664 | $3,585,630 | $3,481,000 | 22 | $3,481,000 | $283,135 | $1,044,119 |
| 2021 | $20,236,224 | $534,661 | $985,977 | $951,795 | 11 | $951,795 | $502,430 | $1,185,611 |
| 2020 | $22,807,218 | $134,822 | $838,732 | $833,000 | 13 | — | $129,229 | $476,137 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Horizon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M 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 stated aim is to ensure that iconic landscapes and natural resources remain for future generations. Its website describes its challenge grant as supporting fee simple and conservation easement land protection.
The 2024 grants include organizations with a range of missions. The Nature Conservancy describes its mission as conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Devils River Conservancy says it works to preserve and protect the Devils River and the lands within its watershed. Trinity Park Conservancy says it champions transforming the Trinity River into the heart of Dallas, including through public spaces and protection of river ecosystems. Mane Gait says it provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with developmental difficulties.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 38 grants totaling $7,856,524. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $2,500,000, with a median of $67,550. Notable grants included $2,500,000 and $500,000 to The Nature Conservancy, $2,080,000 to OU Foundation, $250,000 to Mane Gait, and $200,000 each to Texas Agricultural Land Trust and Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. The listed purposes for these grants were general support.
The foundation’s website says applications are accepted by invitation only on a rolling basis. Its 2024 filing 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 Rodger M. Sanders as chairman, president, and treasurer; Nancy Sanders and Carter Smith as directors; Robert Potts as vice president; Anne Brown as executive director; Sally Anderson as secretary; and Lunette Mesecke as assistant secretary.
The foundation’s website identifies Rod Sanders as president and says he is CEO of Highland Homes and has served on The Nature Conservancy’s board for over twenty years. It describes Anne Brown as executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and Nancy Sanders as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.
The Horizon Foundation is led by Anne Brown, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Anne Brown
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$90K (2024)
Rodger M. Sanders
Chairman, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carter Smith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Sanders
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lunette Mesecke
Assistant Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Potts
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally Anderson
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jean Ann Brock (2020–2023) — Vice President & Secretary
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 $90K, to Anne Brown (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Horizon Foundation
How much does The Horizon Foundation give each year?
The Horizon Foundation gave $7.9M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 26 grants.
What is The Horizon Foundation's typical grant size?
The Horizon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $67,550, and its average grant was $206,751, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Horizon Foundation that year got $54K on average.
Where does The Horizon Foundation give grants?
The Horizon Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (30%) and Oklahoma (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (7 grants), Austin, TX (6 grants), Arlington, VA (4 grants) and Alpine, TX (4 grants).
Does The Horizon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Horizon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Horizon Foundation's largest grantees?
The Horizon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Nature Conservancy ($3,300,000 across 4 grants), Ou Foundation ($2,080,000) and Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation ($615,000 across 6 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Horizon Foundation?
The Horizon Foundation reported $25.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Horizon Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to ensure that iconic landscapes and natural resources remain for future generations. Its website describes its challenge grant as supporting fee simple and conservation easement land protection. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Horizon Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Horizon Foundation's EIN?
The Horizon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2947962. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Horizon 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Horizon Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Horizon Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Horizon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-horizon-foundation-morg_9a59f092cccf484fb6641c5cbee9703c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752947962_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Horizon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-horizon-foundation-morg_9a59f092cccf484fb6641c5cbee9703c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Horizon 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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