The Pineywoods Foundation
The Pineywoods Foundation is a private foundation headquartered in Lufkin, Texas, that makes grants to support community and regional causes in East Texas. Founded by Southland Paper Mills, Inc., it serves communities in the Pineywoods area and awards grants twice a year.
The Pineywoods Foundation at a glance
In short: The Pineywoods Foundation gave $135K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Texas. 64% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $135,000
- +34.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +27.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,643
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,821,616
- -3.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 64% first-time grantees (9 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% 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 Pineywoods Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applicants must be charitable tax-exempt organizations with an IRS exemption letter. The foundation’s filing describes a request process requiring the applicant’s name, address, and phone number, a brief description of its operations, and an explanation of the request, need, services, and how, when, and where the public will benefit. The website’s application instructions also call for a cover letter, the IRS exemption letter and officer certification, supporting letters where applicable, community support letters, vendor quotes for construction, repairs, remodeling, or equipment, and a recent audit or year-end balance sheet. The filing says grants are not made to governmental units, state colleges or universities, churches, religious organizations, or general fund drives. It states a preference for purchases or supplies, construction projects, and administrative expenses other than salaries, and a strong preference for matching participation. Recipients must submit a written completion report with final costs, photos, and community impact within 30 days after project completion; failure to do so may affect eligibility for future grants.
- Review Cycle
- The website says applications should be submitted at least three weeks before a scheduled trustee meeting; it advises applicants to contact the grant manager for meeting dates. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it has no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website says applications should be submitted at least three weeks before a scheduled trustee meeting; it advises…
- Contact
Application contact: George Henderson Iii Trustee
Mailing address: PO Box 153220, Lufkin, TX 75915
Phone: (936) 634-4415
Website: https://pineywoodsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Pineywoods Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Angelina Thrive ($25K). Together the top 10 received $117K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 76 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies a 12-county service region: Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties. Its 2024 filing describes a grantmaking policy covering Angelina, Cherokee, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Panola, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties. The filing also states that grants are made to organizations operating or operated in one of the listed Texas counties. In 2024, all grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Pineywoods Foundation open to new grantees?
64%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 14 grantees (64%) 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 $12K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 14% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $101K (2023) to $168K (2022). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $135K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Angelina Thrive Lufkin, TX | Funding for Executive Director Position | $25,000 |
| Nigton Historical Development Proje Apple Springs, TX | Operating Funds | $25,000 |
| Zavalla Food Pantry Zavalla, TX | Replace Hvac System | $15,500 |
| Women's Sober House of Lufkin Lufkin, TX | To Renovate Meeting Room | $11,500 |
| Community RX Help Nacogdoches, TX | To Help Low-Income Clients Pay for Medication | $10,000 |
| Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Foundat Nacogdoches, TX | Operating Funds | $10,000 |
| Texas Forestry Museum Lufkin, TX | For Maintenance of Trails | $5,000 |
| Angelina Arts Alliance Lufkin, TX | Partially Cover Cost of Discovery Series | $5,000 |
| Christian Mens Job Corps of Lufkin Lufkin, TX | To Help Provide Operating Funds | $5,000 |
| Second Helpings Lufkin, TX | Funding to Help Provide Meals to Students | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Pineywoods 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 | $1,821,616 | $107,949 | $170,743 | $135,000 | 14 | $152,863 | $85,994 | $164,854 |
| 2023 | $1,890,191 | $58,637 | $130,882 | $100,631 | 11 | $115,756 | $41,137 | $148,976 |
| 2022 | $1,955,185 | $148,536 | $220,772 | $167,758 | 17 | $194,263 | $120,524 | $151,550 |
| 2021 | $2,031,041 | $279,253 | $172,638 | $121,727 | 15 | $146,361 | $250,357 | $168,605 |
| 2020 | $1,926,945 | $520,750 | $171,167 | $122,664 | 19 | — | $492,281 | $140,550 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pineywoods Foundation reported a distributable amount of $165K 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 stated commitment is to sustain vibrant, healthy communities where people have opportunities and means to achieve their dreams and make a positive difference. Its website lists past funding for healthcare, libraries, economic development, youth activities, history, education, community development, parks, the arts, environmental improvement, and senior citizen needs.
Recent grants illustrate support for a range of community organizations and needs. For example, the Mantooth House, which received $11,500 in 2024, describes its mission as providing recovery housing for women in early recovery. The Angelina Arts Alliance, which received $5,000, says it enriches, entertains, and educates by presenting and promoting the arts in East Texas. The Texas Forestry Museum, also awarded $5,000, says it educates the public about forestry and preserves the history of the forestry industry.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $135,000. Awards ranged from $3,000 to $25,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Notable grants included $25,000 to Angelina Thrive for an executive director position, $25,000 to the Nigton Historical Development Project for operating funds, and $15,500 to Zavalla Food Pantry to replace its HVAC system. Other awards included $11,500 to the Women’s Sober House of Lufkin to renovate a meeting room and $10,000 each to Community RX Help to help low-income clients pay for medication and to the Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Foundation for operating funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website describes its board as four trustees who are regional business and community leaders. It lists Jay Anderson, Trey Henderson, David Perkins, and Kevin Smithhart as trustees. The 2024 filing lists Jay Anderson as Secretary, George Henderson III as Treasurer, Kevin Smithhart as Vice Chairman, and David Perkins as Chairman.
The Pineywoods Foundation is led by David Perkins, Chairman since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Perkins
Chairman
Secretary → Chair & Secretary, 2022
Chair & Secretary → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Smithhart
V Chairman
Director → V Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Henderson III
Treasurer
Chair & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Anderson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
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 Pineywoods Foundation
How much does The Pineywoods Foundation give each year?
The Pineywoods Foundation gave $135K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $101K across 11 grants.
What is The Pineywoods Foundation's typical grant size?
The Pineywoods Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,643, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Pineywoods Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does The Pineywoods Foundation give grants?
The Pineywoods Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lufkin, TX (9 grants) and Nacogdoches, TX (3 grants).
Does The Pineywoods Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 43% of The Pineywoods Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Pineywoods Foundation's largest grantees?
The Pineywoods Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Angelina Thrive ($25,000), Nigton Historical Development Proje ($25,000) and Zavalla Food Pantry ($15,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Pineywoods Foundation?
The Pineywoods Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $153K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $165K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Pineywoods Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated commitment is to sustain vibrant, healthy communities where people have opportunities and means to achieve their dreams and make a positive difference. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Pineywoods Foundation?
Applicants must be charitable tax-exempt organizations with an IRS exemption letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Pineywoods Foundation's EIN?
The Pineywoods Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1922533. 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 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Pineywoods Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-pineywoods-foundation-morg_de50587925e04178af90b00f7810eddd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_751922533_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Pineywoods Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-pineywoods-foundation-morg_de50587925e04178af90b00f7810eddd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Pineywoods 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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