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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Seawell Elam Foundation reported a distributable amount of $180K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Atx Chamber Music and Jazz ($15,000), Austin Youth River Watch ($15,000), The Safe Alliance ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANY BABY CAN OF AUSTIN INC AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| ATX CHAMBER MUSIC AND JAZZ AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| AUSTIN ACHIEVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS INC AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AUSTIN BAT CAVE AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AUSTIN THEATRE ALLIANCE AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| GENAUSTIN AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| INTERFAITH ACTION OF CENTRAL TEXAS AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| PEASE PARK CONSERVANCY AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| SEEDLING FOUNDATION AUSTIN, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
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 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Seawell Elam Foundation fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from The Seawell Elam Foundation?
The foundation distributes approximately $142,000 annually across multiple grants. Recent grant activity shows: **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $10,000–$15,000 • 2024: 12 grants totaling $142,000 • 2023: 14 grants totaling $140,000 • 2022: 16 grants totaling $161,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • ATX Chamber Music and Jazz: $15,000 (Program Support) • Austin Youth River Watch: $15,000 (Program Support) • Any Baby Can of Austin: $12,000 (Program Support) The foundation accepts …
Where does The Seawell Elam Foundation make grants?
The foundation restricts its grantmaking to organizations operating in Texas, with a specific focus on Austin-based nonprofits.
What size grants does The Seawell Elam Foundation award?
In 2024, The Seawell Elam Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $142K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Seawell Elam Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Seawell Elam Foundation reported a distributable amount of $180K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Seawell Elam Foundation's EIN?
The Seawell Elam Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2637039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Seawell Elam Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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