The Summerlee Foundation
The Summerlee Foundation is a Dallas, Texas-based private foundation that supports animal protection and the preservation of Texas history. Its website says it was founded in 1988; its 2025 filing identifies it as a Form 990-PF filer.
The Summerlee Foundation at a glance
In short: The Summerlee Foundation gave $2.3M across 195 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Texas. 73% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,278,865
- -22.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 195
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,686
- -25.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $85,202,996
- +5.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (139 of 191, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Summerlee Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated on its 2023 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website describes a program-specific process. For Texas history, applicants must first contact the program director to discuss a proposed project; those approved to proceed are invited to submit an online letter of inquiry and, if accepted, a full application. The website says final reports are required one year after a grant is made. For animal protection, the application portal was closed for the September 2026 cycle; the website says information about future opportunities will be posted when available.
- Review Cycle
- For the February 2027 Texas History cycle, the website lists September 7–October 5, 2026, to request a project discussion. The February 2026 animal protection cycle listed elsewhere has passed.
- Deadline
- For the February 2027 Texas History cycle, the website lists September 7–October 5, 2026, to request a project…
- Contact
Application contact: Summerlee Foundation - Program Dire
Mailing address: 5556 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: (214) 363-9000
Website: https://summerlee.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Summerlee Foundation
Who The Summerlee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Friends of the Texas Historical Com ($55K). Together the top 10 received $360K.
Grant Size Distribution
872 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 835 grants of 872 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The animal protection program identifies the Americas and the British Isles as its geographic scope, with special emphasis on underserved and challenged communities. Its stated priorities include cats in the United States and Canada and dogs in Latin America or in First Nations and Native American communities. The Texas History Program supports projects from regions across Texas.
In filing year 2025, recipients in Texas received 50% of grant dollars, followed by California at 11%, Maryland at 4%, and Washington and Florida at 3% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 195 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Summerlee Foundation open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 139 of 191 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 5% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 67% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2021) to $2.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 195 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of the Texas Historical Com Austin, TX | General Support | $55,000 |
| Museum of the Big Bend Alpine, TX | General Support | $55,000 |
| University of North Texas Foundatio Denton, TX | General Support | $35,000 |
| Animal Protection New Mexico Albuquerque, NM | General Support | $30,000 |
| C 60 Inc Houston, TX | General Support | $30,000 |
| Faunalytics San Diego, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Global Federation of Animal Sanctua Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $30,000 |
| International Marine Mammal Project Berkeley, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Museum of South Texas History Edinburg, TX | General Support | $30,000 |
| Project Coyote Larkspur, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Summerlee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,202,996 | $2,739,421 | $3,750,419 | $2,278,865 | 195 | $2,681,171 | $1,404,410 | $4,017,805 |
| 2024 | $80,616,840 | $5,140,114 | $3,917,799 | $2,945,000 | 188 | $4,734,716 | $4,406,389 | $3,742,524 |
| 2023 | $76,395,297 | $3,553,093 | $4,268,713 | $2,663,170 | 190 | $5,011,670 | $2,888,078 | $3,551,249 |
| 2022 | $74,165,879 | $6,129,809 | $4,032,707 | $2,834,133 | 165 | $3,656,254 | $5,632,755 | $3,753,299 |
| 2021 | $80,281,141 | $3,495,021 | $2,183,310 | $1,476,636 | 134 | — | $2,996,601 | $3,772,749 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Summerlee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.0M for 2025 — 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 states that it makes grants to alleviate fear, pain, and suffering of animals and promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty, and to research, promote, and document Texas history.
Animal protection priorities include cats in the United States and Canada, dogs in Latin America and First Nations or Native American communities, selected wildlife and marine-life efforts, wildlife rehabilitation, and qualifying captive-wildlife sanctuaries. The foundation’s website says cat funding for TNR, spay and neuter, rescue, adoptions, transport, and sanctuaries is directed to a separate program administered by United Spay Alliance; cat proposals in those areas are redirected there. Texas history projects have included archaeology, archives, libraries, media, museums, schools, higher education, preservation, publications, and scholarly research.
The 2025 grants illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Texas State Historical Association describes its work as delivering publications and digital content, including the Handbook of Texas and the Southwest Historical Quarterly. C 60 Inc says it works to preserve and revitalize the LULAC Clubhouse as a historic site highlighting Mexican American civil rights history. Animal Protection New Mexico describes its work as creating policies, infrastructure, and services to protect animals and strengthen communities. Faunalytics says it provides research, insights, and strategies to animal advocates.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 195 grants totaling $2,278,865. Grants ranged from $830 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. The foundation’s FAQs also state an average grant amount of $10,000 for both animal protection and Texas history.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $55,000 each to Friends of the Texas Historical Commission and the Museum of the Big Bend, both for general support. Other grants included $35,000 to the University of North Texas Foundation and $30,000 each to Animal Protection New Mexico, Faunalytics, C 60 Inc, the Museum of South Texas History, and the Texas State Historical Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website says Jessica Lee Hamlin became president and Texas History Program Director on January 1, 2026, succeeding Gary N. Smith, who had served as president for ten years. The 2025 filing lists Gary N. Smith as president and names John W. Crain as chairman, Mary Volcansek as vice chair, Joan Casey as secretary, and Jim Burseth as treasurer, along with other directors.
The Summerlee Foundation is led by Gary N. Smith, President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gary N. Smith
President
President & Program Director → President & Tx History Program Director, 2022
President & Tx History Program Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$162K (2021) → $200K (2025)
John W. Crain
Chairman
Director & Chair of the Board → Chairman of the Board, 2022
Chairman of the Board → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melanie K. Anderson
Director
Program Director-Animal Pr → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$149K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Ron Tyler PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly F. Williams
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David D. Jackson
Assistant Secretary
Founding Director & Assistant → Founding Director & Assistant Secretary, 2022
Founding Director & Assistant Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan Casey
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Volcansek PhD
Vice Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Burseth PhD
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jim Bruseth PhD (2022–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: James Bruseth (2021) — Director & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $200K, to Gary N Smith (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Summerlee Foundation
How much does The Summerlee Foundation give each year?
The Summerlee Foundation gave $2.3M across 195 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.9M across 188 grants.
What is The Summerlee Foundation's typical grant size?
The Summerlee Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,686, across 195 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Summerlee Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Summerlee Foundation give grants?
The Summerlee Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (13 grants), Dallas, TX (10 grants), Houston, TX (8 grants) and San Antonio, TX (7 grants).
Does The Summerlee Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Summerlee Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (195 of 195) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Summerlee Foundation's largest grantees?
The Summerlee Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Friends of the Texas Historical Com ($55,000), Museum of the Big Bend ($55,000) and Texas State Historical Association ($35,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Summerlee Foundation?
The Summerlee Foundation reported $85.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.0M (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 Summerlee Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it makes grants to alleviate fear, pain, and suffering of animals and promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty, and to research, promote, and document Texas history. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Summerlee Foundation?
The foundation stated on its 2023 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Summerlee Foundation's EIN?
The Summerlee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2252355. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Summerlee 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 2021 (received by the IRS January 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 2, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Summerlee Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-summerlee-foundation-morg_8e742615f99e4be3940c2588a2aefdb2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752252355_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Summerlee Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-summerlee-foundation-morg_8e742615f99e4be3940c2588a2aefdb2},
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 Summerlee 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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