The Legett Foundation is a private foundation based in Abilene, Texas, established in 1996 and granted its IRS ruling in 1998. The foundation provides grants to tax-exempt entities and operates as a significant philanthropic organization in the region and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$111.6M
+8.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.6M
-3.1% YoY
Grant Count
136
+16.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$92K
-16.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides funding for scholarships and supports a broad range of nonprofit initiatives. According to available information, areas of interest include:
- Human services
- Health
- Education
- Children and youth
- Police and fire departments
- Civic affairs
- Animal welfare
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in some sources, indicating a potentially broad philanthropic scope.
Grantmaking
Recipients must be tax-exempt entities. The foundation accepts applications, though specific application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Grant Range
$10,000
Average Grant
$74,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States, including major urban centers and smaller communities. Primary funding regions include:
- Texas
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- California
- New York
Grantmaking reaches organizations across 22 states, with Texas, District of Columbia, and Virginia accounting for approximately 85% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $111,603,346
- Total revenues: $24,016,688
- Total expenses: $15,737,188
- Number of employees: 4
Historical Growth:
- Total assets grew from $31.9 million in 2011 to $111.6 million in 2024
- Annual giving grew from $7.5 million in 2020 to $13 million in 2023
- Highest grantmaking activity occurred in 2022 with $22 million distributed across 292 grants
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $111,603,346 | $102,786,846 | $94,012,608 |
| Revenue | $24,016,688 | $24,301,725 | $25,181,966 |
| Expenses | $15,737,188 | $15,761,052 | $14,442,563 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,939,728 | $13,222,710 | $11,250,071 |
| Net Investment Income | $21,720,206 | $20,642,109 | $22,348,788 |
| Distributable Amount | $13,993,428 | $11,922,712 | $11,907,617 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kade L. Matthews – Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President
- Joseph Edwin Canon – Executive Vice President and Executive Director
- Watt R. Matthews – Senior Vice President - Investments
- Aaron Miller – Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
The foundation is supported by Kade L. Matthews and is governed by 7 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KADE L MATTHEWS | DIR/CEO/PRESIDENT | 4 | $85,313 |
| JOSEPH EDWIN CANON | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 11.67 | $78,057 |
| WATT R MATTHEWS | SR VICE PRES - INVESTMENTS | 8 | $79,300 |
| JEFF BLANKS | SR VICE PRES/OPERATIONS OFFICER | 13.33 | $80,313 |
| MARGARET M FREDERICK | DIRECTOR/GRANTS OFFICER | 4 | $26,000 |
| JOHN A MATTHEWS JR | DIRECTOR | 3 | $48,750 |
| AARON MILLER | VICE PRES/TREASURER/CFO | 10 | $47,613 |
| ELYSE LEWIS | ASST VICE PRES/SEC/GRANTS OFC | 7 | $39,217 |
| BRENDA CASSELBERRY | ASST VICE PRES/PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR | 7 | $31,258 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Persephone Theatre received a generous gift from the Leggett family to support a roof replacement project, demonstrating the foundation's continued support for cultural and community infrastructure initiatives.
Persephone Theatre Receives Generous Gift from the Leggett Family to SupportSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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