The Orr Family Foundation
The Orr Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations working in areas including astronomy, conservation, museums, education, and cancer research.
The Orr Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Orr Family Foundation gave $1.8M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $131K), top state Arizona. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,830,000
- +73.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $130,714
- +61.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $31,072,251
- +6.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (43% 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 Orr Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1100 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 472-0144
Website: https://orrfamilyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Orr Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Texas ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 31 grants of 73 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Arizona recipients received 43% of grant dollars and Texas recipients received 40%. North Carolina received 11%, California 3%, and New York 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Orr Family Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $500K; repeat grants $102K. How we count
Medians: $500K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 78% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% 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 $725K (2020) to $1.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas Austin, TX | Charitable | $500,000 |
| Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ | Charitable | $400,000 |
| The V Foundation for Cancer Research Cary, NC | Charitable | $200,000 |
| Grand Canyon Trust Flagstaff, AZ | Charitable | $130,000 |
| Grand Canyon Conservancy Grand Canyon, AZ | Charitable | $120,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Austin, TX | Charitable | $100,000 |
| SUL Ross University - Center for Big Bend Studies Alpine, TX | Charitable | $80,000 |
| Witte Museum San Antonio, TX | Charitable | $60,000 |
| International Dark Sky Association Tuscon, AZ | Charitable | $60,000 |
| Friends of the Observatory - Griffith Observatory Los Angeles, CA | Charitable | $60,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Orr Family Foundation?
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 | $31,072,251 | $4,066,089 | $2,270,127 | $1,830,000 | 14 | $2,270,127 | $3,625,962 | $1,871,689 |
| 2023 | $29,276,288 | $5,408,645 | $1,514,794 | $1,055,000 | 13 | $1,514,794 | $4,948,851 | $1,701,868 |
| 2022 | $25,382,439 | $5,270,315 | $1,388,133 | $1,005,000 | 15 | $1,388,133 | $4,905,149 | $1,424,555 |
| 2021 | $21,493,718 | $4,022,275 | $1,285,996 | $1,030,000 | 15 | $1,285,996 | $3,766,279 | $1,107,941 |
| 2020 | $18,746,966 | $791,887 | $875,892 | $725,000 | 16 | — | $740,593 | $801,647 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Orr Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M 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 website names beneficiaries but does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for observatories, conservation organizations, museums, a university, and a cancer research organization.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Lowell Observatory says its mission is to study astronomy and provide public education and outreach. The Grand Canyon Trust says it works to safeguard the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau while supporting the rights of Native peoples. Grand Canyon Conservancy describes its mission as inspiring support for the Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural heritage. The Witte Museum says it offers experiences in nature, science, and culture. The Museum of Northern Arizona says it works to preserve and interpret the Colorado Plateau’s natural and cultural heritage, and Grand Canyon Youth describes its work as educational outdoor expeditions for young people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $1,830,000. Awards ranged from $20,000 to $500,000, with a median of $70,000. Notable grants included $500,000 to the University of Texas in Austin, $400,000 to Lowell Observatory, $200,000 to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, $130,000 to the Grand Canyon Trust, and $120,000 to Grand Canyon Conservancy. The listed grants were reported for charitable purposes.
In 2023, it reported 13 grants totaling $1,055,000; in 2022, it reported 15 grants totaling $1,005,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Sam Bassett was listed as a trustee on the 2024 filing.
The Orr Family Foundation is led by Sam Bassett, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sam Bassett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Orr Family Foundation
How much does The Orr Family Foundation give each year?
The Orr Family Foundation gave $1.8M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 13 grants.
What is The Orr Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Orr Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $130,714, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Orr Family Foundation that year got $500K on average.
Where does The Orr Family Foundation give grants?
The Orr Family Foundation's top state is Arizona, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (40%) and North Carolina (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Flagstaff, AZ (4 grants) and Austin, TX (2 grants).
Does The Orr Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Orr Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (14 grants).
Who are The Orr Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Orr Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Texas ($500,000), Lowell Observatory ($400,000) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Orr Family Foundation?
The Orr Family Foundation reported $31.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Orr Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website names beneficiaries but does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for observatories, conservation organizations, museums, a university, and a cancer research organization. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Orr Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Orr Family Foundation's EIN?
The Orr Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3317225. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Orr Family 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Orr Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Orr Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-orr-family-foundation-morg_4c49b9e91ce44116ad71203ff7f5cee9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_473317225_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Orr Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-orr-family-foundation-morg_4c49b9e91ce44116ad71203ff7f5cee9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Orr Family 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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