The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, Texas. Created in 1994 by Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte, it supports educational and community organizations and operates community grantmaking focused on Central Texas, including the Mitte Cultural District in Brownsville.
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation at a glance
In short: The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation gave $679K across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $679,187
- +70.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,356
- +42.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $11,758,218
- +5.3% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for community grants under its stated invitation-only structure. Its website says there are currently no open application processes and that new procedures will be posted when finalized. The website’s FAQ describes a letter-of-inquiry process followed, for applicants invited to submit a full proposal, by an online application with requested materials uploaded there. It says award amounts vary, encourages challenge and matching grant opportunities, and notes that multi-year grants are possible, though projects are rarely funded for more than three years. The website says the invitation-only change does not affect the scholarship program for students graduating high school in Region XIII.
- Contact
Application contact: Coleith Molstad The Roy F Joann Col
Mailing address: 1106 Clayton Lane Suite 545W, Austin, TX 78723
Phone: (512) 233-5579
Website: https://mittefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Valley Zoological Society ($135K). Together the top 4 received $354K.
Organizations only. It also paid 33 individual scholarships ($325,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 192 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s community grant program identifies two geographic areas: the Mitte Cultural District in Brownsville and Central Texas. The website describes the Brownsville initiative as supporting cultural, historical, educational, and community activities, while its broader community grant description refers to improving quality of life in Central Texas. In 2024, all grant dollars reported in the filing went to Texas recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation gives
- Giving grew 51% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 226% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $380K (2022) to $679K (2024). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $679K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Zoological Society Brownsville, TX | Grant to purchase and prepare for use the Gladys Porter Zoo Conservation Cabin | $135,000 |
| Brownsville Wellness Coalition Brownsville, TX | Grant to support the StartUp Texas Accelerator Program | $117,000 |
| Mitte Cultural District Brownsville, TX | Grant to support salary for Executive Director and misc. development/office expenses | $100,312 |
| 33 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $325,000 |
| Philanthropy Southwest Dallas, TX | General support | $1,875 |
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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 | $11,758,218 | $2,549,067 | $2,283,420 | $679,187 | 37 | $1,709,795 | $1,207,955 | $757,900 |
| 2023 | $11,164,194 | $2,801,726 | $2,235,883 | $398,750 | 31 | $1,264,458 | $2,348,333 | $1,113,658 |
| 2022 | $10,173,098 | $-144,289 | $2,222,722 | $380,000 | 31 | $2,298,332 | — | $1,192,144 |
| 2021 | $13,636,842 | $1,131,951 | $2,037,362 | $450,100 | 40 | $1,854,779 | $661,904 | $1,358,305 |
| 2020 | $15,085,988 | $901,575 | $2,914,879 | $553,464 | 53 | — | $330,231 | $1,012,403 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation reported a distributable amount of $758K 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 mission is “to identify, engage, and support educational and community organizations that have the potential to manifest the Foundation’s vision.” Its website describes community grants as primarily intended to improve quality of life in Central Texas through programs supporting education, care for the elderly, and therapeutic and rehabilitative services for people with mental or physical disabilities.
The foundation’s stated Brownsville focus includes support for historical, cultural, and educational activities in the Mitte Cultural District. Its 2024 filing also reports $481,734 in capital expenditures and project oversight costs for a development project there, including construction of venues and parking facilities intended to support community programming and events.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. The Valley Zoological Society describes its work as wildlife conservation, ecology education, and operating and managing the Gladys Porter Zoo. The Brownsville Wellness Coalition describes its mission as cultivating healthy food and lifestyles.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $679,187. Grant amounts ranged from $1,875 to $135,000, with a median of $10,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Among the largest reported grants were $135,000 to the Valley Zoological Society for a Gladys Porter Zoo Conservation Cabin, $117,000 to the Brownsville Wellness Coalition for the StartUp Texas Accelerator Program, and $100,312 to the Mitte Cultural District for the Executive Director’s salary and other development and office expenses. The filing also lists scholarships of $10,000 to individual recipients.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists RJ Mitte as president; Roy De los Santos as treasurer; and Lacianne Carriere as secretary. Directors listed are Dyna Mitte, John Butler, Dianne Carriere, Tyler Carriere, Joseph C. McCormick, Sandra Pope, and Nedda Soltani.
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation is led by RJ Mitte, President on every filing since 2020; all 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
RJ Mitte
President
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$22K (2020) → $19K (2024)
Dianne Carriere
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Dyna Mitte
Director & Associate Director
On filings since 2020
46 hrs/week
$168K (2020) → $198K (2024)
John Butler
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Joseph C McCormick
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Tyler Carriere
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Nedda Soltani
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$15K (2024)
Sandra Pope
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$15K (2024)
Roy De los Santos
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Lacianne Carriere
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $18K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Ruth Anne Tomlinson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: James Mead (2020–2021) — 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 $198K, to Dyna Mitte (Dir / Assoc Dir). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
How much does The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation give each year?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation gave $679K across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $399K across 31 grants.
What is The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's typical grant size?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $18,356, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation give grants?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte 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 Brownsville, TX (3 grants).
Does The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (33 grants).
Who are The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's largest grantees?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Valley Zoological Society ($135,000), Brownsville Wellness Coalition ($117,000) and Mitte Cultural District ($100,312), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 33 individual scholarships ($325,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation reported $11.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $758K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to identify, engage, and support educational and community organizations that have the potential to manifest the Foundation’s vision.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for community grants under its stated invitation-only structure. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's EIN?
The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2766058. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte 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
(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 Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-roy-f-and-joann-cole-mitte-foundation-morg_237dd3ad98024da9b1638438d8d6c0e6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742766058_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Roy F \& Joann Cole Mitte Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-roy-f-and-joann-cole-mitte-foundation-morg_237dd3ad98024da9b1638438d8d6c0e6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Roy F & Joann Cole Mitte 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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