The Miles Foundation Inc
The Miles Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. It supports education initiatives intended to help children succeed in school and in life, and its 2024 filing describes direct work on educational opportunity and family well-being.
The Miles Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Miles Foundation Inc gave $2.5M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $248K), mostly in Texas. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,478,750
- +8.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -41.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $247,875
- +85.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $92,500
- Total assets
- $65,915,747
- -2.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (63% 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 Miles Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation uses an invitation-only process, makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations, and does not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations invited to submit proposals must be 501(c)(3) public charities under section 509(a) or qualified public entities under section 170(c), and should be prepared to develop and share program-effectiveness metrics. The foundation does not award grants to individuals, international organizations, capital programs, or political organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5049 Edwards Ranch Road 280, Fort Worth, TX 76109-4133
Phone: (817) 293-5555
Website: https://milesfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Miles Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Texas Community Foundation ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
153 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 153 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Texas (63%), Virginia (24%), Illinois (10%), and the District of Columbia (3%). The foundation’s stated grantmaking purpose includes supporting education for a brighter future for Fort Worth.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Miles Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $168K; repeat grants $268K. How we count
Medians: $168K first-time, $88K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% 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 $2.0M (2020) to $2.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Texas Community Foundation Fort Worth, TX | The Miles Foundation Community Funds | $1,113,750 |
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | The Miles Foundation Fund | $600,000 |
| Vela Education Fund Glencoe, IL | Expand Vela Micro-Grants Across Texas | $250,000 |
| Families Empowered Houston, TX | General Operations | $150,000 |
| Basis Texas Charter Schools Inc San Antonio, TX | Fort Worth Expansion | $100,000 |
| Trinity Christian Academy Addison, TX | Innovative Learning Initiative | $85,000 |
| The Philanthropy Roundtable Inc Washington, DC | General Operations | $75,000 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas Inc Dallas, TX | Philanthropy Advocates | $55,000 |
| Fort Worth Chamber Development Foundation Fort Worth, TX | General Support | $25,000 |
| Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX | School of Medicine | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Miles Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $65,915,747 | $3,267,568 | $4,986,173 | $2,478,750 | 10 | $3,703,934 | $2,156,128 | $3,386,632 |
| 2023 | $67,314,378 | $7,821,502 | $4,852,928 | $2,275,654 | 17 | $3,367,861 | $6,094,117 | $3,285,541 |
| 2022 | $65,213,534 | $7,300,637 | $4,879,643 | $2,479,832 | 34 | $3,361,798 | $5,462,982 | $3,248,023 |
| 2021 | $60,008,223 | $9,668,760 | $4,797,205 | $2,340,501 | 38 | $3,271,897 | $8,187,314 | $2,974,176 |
| 2020 | $57,978,986 | $2,999,080 | $3,909,796 | $1,988,085 | 54 | — | $2,606,853 | $2,921,823 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Miles Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to honor founder Ellison Miles through investments in education that promote the next generation’s success. Its stated vision is for children to have the foundation to lead healthy, hopeful, and productive lives.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for organizations working in education and philanthropy. For example, VELA Education Fund describes its mission as accelerating education innovation and opportunity by supporting entrepreneurs developing custom education programs and increasing awareness and adoption of nontraditional education. Families Empowered says it works to help resource-constrained Texas parents understand and access school options. BASIS Texas Charter Schools describes its mission as empowering students through a transformative K–12 academic program.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded $2,478,750 through 10 grants. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $1,113,750, with a median grant of $92,500. Its largest grants were $1,113,750 to North Texas Community Foundation for “The Miles Foundation Community Funds,” $600,000 to Donors Trust for “The Miles Foundation Fund,” and $250,000 to VELA Education Fund to expand VELA micro-grants across Texas.
Other 2024 grants included $150,000 to Families Empowered for general operations, $100,000 to BASIS Texas Charter Schools for a Fort Worth expansion, and $85,000 to Trinity Christian Academy for an innovative learning initiative. The foundation also awarded $75,000 to The Philanthropy Roundtable for general operations, $55,000 to Communities Foundation of Texas for Philanthropy Advocates, and $25,000 each to Fort Worth Chamber Development Foundation for general support and Texas Christian University for its School of Medicine.
The foundation awarded $2,275,654 through 17 grants in 2023 and $2,479,832 through 34 grants in 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher G. Coates as CEO/director, Jack L. Burdett as chairman, and Sherry A. Wilson as director.
The Miles Foundation Inc is led by Christopher G. Coates, CEO & Director on every filing since 2023; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher G. Coates
CEO & Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$305K (2023) → $283K (2024)
Jack L. Burdett
Chairman
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Sherry A. Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: C. Grant Coates (2020–2022) — CEO & 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 $283K, to Christopher G Coates (CEO/Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Miles Foundation Inc
How much does The Miles Foundation Inc give each year?
The Miles Foundation Inc gave $2.5M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 17 grants.
What is The Miles Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Miles Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $92,500, and its average grant was $247,875, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Miles Foundation Inc that year got $168K on average.
Where does The Miles Foundation Inc give grants?
The Miles Foundation Inc gives mostly in Texas: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (24%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Worth, TX (3 grants).
Does The Miles Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of The Miles Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Miles Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Miles Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include North Texas Community Foundation ($1,113,750), Donors Trust ($600,000) and Vela Education Fund ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Miles Foundation Inc?
The Miles Foundation Inc reported $65.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Miles Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to honor founder Ellison Miles through investments in education that promote the next generation’s success. Its stated vision is for children to have the foundation to lead healthy, hopeful, and productive lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Miles Foundation Inc?
The foundation uses an invitation-only process, makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations, and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Miles Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Miles Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2739180. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Miles Foundation Inc 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Miles Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Miles Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-miles-foundation-inc-morg_a9e683504c56418398ca4dabc8e3af35
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752739180_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Miles Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-miles-foundation-inc-morg_a9e683504c56418398ca4dabc8e3af35},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Miles Foundation Inc'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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