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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Legett Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Foundation of Abilene ($2,500,000), Amarillo Area Foundation ($2,100,000), Abilene Restoration Ministries ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE ABILENE, TX | HEARTS FOR THE ARTS | $25,000 |
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE ABILENE, TX | YOUNG AUDIENCES | $10,000 |
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE ABILENE, TX | STORYBOOK GARDEN EXPANSION | $150,000 |
| ABILENE EDUCATION FOUNDATION ABILENE, TX | MARTHA KIEL MEMORIAL | $2,500 |
| ABILENE HOPE HAVEN INC ABILENE, TX | 1:1 CHALLENGE TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR BUILDING REPAIRS/UPDATES | $25,000 |
| ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION ABILENE, TX | DOWNTOWN ABILENE HOTEL PROJECT | $237,500 |
| ABILENE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ABILENE, TX | NAVAJO NATION SERVICE LEARNING TRIP | $5,000 |
| ABILENE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY INC ABILENE, TX | APAC SEASON SPONSOR | $1,500 |
| ABILENE PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION ABILENE, TX | TO HELP MEET MATCH FROM ANONYMOUS DONOR | $2,500 |
| ABILENE PHILHARMONIC GUILD INC ABILENE, TX | 2024 HERITAGE GALA | $2,500 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Legett Foundation fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from The Legett Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 570 grants totaling $42.4 million (as of available records) • Median grant size: $10,000 • Average grant size: $74,000 • Grant range: $300 to $4.1 million • Supported organizations: 245 unique organizations **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Community Foundation of Abilene: $2,500,000 (Abilene Heritage Square Project) • Amarillo Area Foundation: $2,100,000 (Panhandle Gives Amplification Fund) • West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation: $1,683,667 (Ca…
Where does The Legett Foundation make 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.
What size grants does The Legett Foundation award?
In 2024, The Legett Foundation awarded 136 grants totaling $12.6M — an average of about $92K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Legett Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Legett Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Legett Foundation's EIN?
The Legett Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2696419. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Legett Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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