The Seawell Elam Foundation
The Seawell Elam Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, Texas, established in 1993. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees and focuses on grantmaking to charitable, educational, and scientific organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$142K
+1.4% YoY
Grant Count
12
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+18.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for those living in Austin through the funding of 501(c)(3) organizations that help interrupt the cycle of poverty through programs that focus on education, nature, and the performing and visual arts.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes approximately $142,000 annually across multiple grants. Recent grant activity shows:
Grant Range
$10,000–$15,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation restricts its grantmaking to organizations operating in Texas, with a specific focus on Austin-based nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,147,589
- Total Revenues: $220,718
- Total Expenses: $222,906
- Investment Income and Dividends: $93,563
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $127,155
- Annual Giving Rate: 4.5% of assets
Historical Assets:
- 2024: $3,147,589
- 2023: $3,200,000 (approximately)
- 2022: $3,300,000 (approximately)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,147,589 | $3,154,189 | $3,305,398 |
| Revenue | $220,718 | $50,344 | $53,665 |
| Expenses | $222,906 | $206,848 | $237,349 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $191,457 | $181,981 | $203,136 |
| Net Investment Income | $188,738 | $51,765 | $31,813 |
| Distributable Amount | $179,934 | $166,121 | $183,514 |
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
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by two trustees: Elizabeth Jarrett and Robert Roth.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH JARRETT BIRDWELL | PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 10 | $43,500 |
| ROBERT ROTH | VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 10 | — |
| JENNIFER ROTH | CHAIRMAN | 0.1 | — |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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