The Lanier Theological Library Foundation
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation is a Houston, Texas–based private foundation that supports biblical research, theological education, and Christian ministry training. It also provides a research library with books, periodicals, historical documents, and artifacts for educational purposes.
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation at a glance
In short: The Lanier Theological Library Foundation gave $10.9M across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $681K), top state Texas. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,899,357
- +111.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $681,210
- +163.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $191,925,019
- +2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (3 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (6% 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 Lanier Theological Library Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact David Fleming; contact the foundation for application forms and materials.
- Contact
Application contact: David Fleming
Mailing address: 10940 W Sam Hoston Pkwy Ste 100, Houston, TX 77064
Phone: (281) 477-8400
Email: david.fleming@lanierfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lanier Theological Library Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lanier Theological Education Foundation ($9.6M). Together the top 10 received $10.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 96 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 grants include named recipients in Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Arizona, Florida, and New York. The filing’s recipient-state breakdown also includes an unspecified state entry, so the complete state distribution is not identifiable from the available information.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Lanier Theological Library Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 16 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $3.2M; repeat grants $97K. How we count
Medians: $22K first-time, $15K repeat.
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 $917K (2020) to $14.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $10.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lanier Theological Education Foundation | General operations | $9,600,000 |
| Champion Forest Baptist Church Houston, TX | General Operations | $575,000 |
| Lipscomb University Nashville, TN | General operations | $425,147 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kansas City, MO | General operations | $100,000 |
| Langham Partnership USA Inc Cave Creek, AZ | General operations | $46,710 |
| Hope Media Group New Caney, TX | General operations | $25,000 |
| Evangelia Education Croatia Arlington, TX | General operations | $22,000 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL | General operations | $20,000 |
| Inspire Women Houston, TX | General operations | $15,000 |
| George Whitfield College | General Operations | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $191,925,019 | $29,872,747 | $25,671,552 | $10,899,357 | 16 | $35,100,733 | $4,756,573 |
| 2023 | $187,722,138 | $47,430,238 | $13,532,059 | $5,161,981 | 20 | $9,328,461 | $4,794,406 |
| 2022 | $153,835,954 | $6,715,527 | $18,339,541 | $14,603,576 | 21 | $17,688,168 | $6,519,706 |
| 2021 | $165,460,506 | $161,744,141 | $17,052,546 | $14,220,243 | 21 | $15,616,705 | $14,773,526 |
| 2020 | $25,361,496 | $10,261,818 | $2,492,308 | $916,975 | 18 | — | $136,515 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance God’s Kingdom through academic excellence in biblical research, theological education, and ministry training. Its website describes activities including library access, theological engagement, public events, and academic offerings.
Its 2024 filing describes a research library for educational purposes and lists eligibility restrictions for an award: applicants must be college graduates with undergraduate degrees in Bible, theology, or ministry, have demonstrated academic and practical distinction through service and ministry, and be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Bible, theology, or related church ministry. The proposed research and writing should address topics of particular interest to the Library and Learning Center and be intended to affect the library, the church, and the world.
The 2024 grantees include educational, religious, and other organizations. Lipscomb University describes its mission as preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes says it aims to lead coaches and athletes into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church. Hope Media Group describes its mission as engaging people to love Jesus, serve others, and spread hope. Palm Beach Atlantic University says it equips students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly. Inspire Women describes its work as providing biblical resources to women across ethnicities, denominations, and economic levels.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $10,899,357. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $9,600,000, with a median of $17,500. The largest reported grants included $9,600,000 to Lanier Theological Education Foundation for general operations, $575,000 to Champion Forest Baptist Church for general operations, and $425,147 to Lipscomb University for general operations. Other reported grants included $100,000 to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $46,710 to Langham Partnership USA, and $25,000 to Hope Media Group, each for general operations.
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists David Fleming as the contact for the application process and says applicants should contact the foundation for application forms and materials. The filing lists restrictions for applicants pursuing doctoral study and research in Bible, theology, or related church ministry, as described above.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists W Mark Lanier as President/Treasurer, Becky S Lanier as Vice President/Secretary, and Elizabeth G Lanier as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. It also lists JT Thee, Rachel Lanier, Rebecca Lanier, Sarah Lanier, Drew Davis, and Kevin D Roberts as directors, and David Fleming as Executive Director.
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation is led by David Fleming, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Fleming
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$321K (2023) → $330K (2024)
W Mark Lanier
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Drew Davis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
JT Thee
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin D Roberts
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Lanier
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Lanier
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Lanier
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Navid
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Sparks
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Becky S Lanier
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth G Lanier
Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Louis Miori (2020) — Director
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 $330K, to David Fleming (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Lanier Theological Library Foundation
How much does The Lanier Theological Library Foundation give each year?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation gave $10.9M across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 20 grants.
What is The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $681,210, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lanier Theological Library Foundation that year got $3.2M on average.
Where does The Lanier Theological Library Foundation give grants?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's top state is Texas, with 6% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (3 grants) and Nashville, TN (2 grants).
Does The Lanier Theological Library Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lanier Theological Education Foundation ($9,600,000), Champion Forest Baptist Church ($575,000) and Lipscomb University ($425,147), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lanier Theological Library Foundation?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation reported $191.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $29.9M.
What does The Lanier Theological Library Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance God’s Kingdom through academic excellence in biblical research, theological education, and ministry training. Its website describes activities including library access, theological engagement, public events, and academic offerings. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lanier Theological Library Foundation?
Contact David Fleming; contact the foundation for application forms and materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's EIN?
The Lanier Theological Library Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1632105. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Lanier Theological Library Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Lanier Theological Library Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lanier-theological-library-foundation-morg_75ddae0051844e168c568dd951e8b141
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_611632105_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Lanier Theological Library Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lanier-theological-library-foundation-morg_75ddae0051844e168c568dd951e8b141},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Lanier Theological Library 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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