The Tapeats Fund
The Tapeats Fund is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in wildlife conservation and animal care, education, and services including workforce development for returning citizens.
The Tapeats Fund at a glance
In short: The Tapeats Fund gave $771K across 80 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Texas. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $770,500
- -6.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 80
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,631
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $16,902,402
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (4 of 79, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (66% 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 Tapeats Fund
- How to Apply
-
Grant applications are directed to Margaret Borho. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Application form and materials, deadlines, and restrictions on awards are specified in its application instructions.
- Contact
Application contact: Grant Apps To Margaret Borho
Mailing address: 55 Walls Drive Suite 302, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Tapeats Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wildlife Conservation Network Inc ($130K). Together the top 10 received $383K.
Grant Size Distribution
408 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 399 grants of 408 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 23% to California, and 5% to Montana. Colorado and Idaho each received 1%. Grants included support for organizations in the Houston area and for conservation work beyond the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 80 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Tapeats Fund open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 79 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $735K (2021) to $828K (2023). In 2024 it made 80 grants totaling $771K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc San Francisco, CA | Painted Dog Conservation, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Somali Giraffe Conservation, Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program, Niassa Lion Project, Siberian Tiger (Tigris), Pangolin Crisis Fund | $130,000 |
| Houston Zoo Inc Houston, TX | to support Veterinary Services for Wildlife in Rwanda | $50,000 |
| Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to a Houston, TX | General & Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Ranch Hands Rescue Justin, TX | General Operations/Care and feeding of the therapy animals in the EAAC Counseling Program | $30,000 |
| Yellowstone Forever Bozeman, MT | Bird Program | $30,000 |
| MGVP Inc Davis, CA | to support Gorilla Doctors | $25,000 |
| Prison Entrepreneurship Program Houston, TX | Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship Programs for Returning Citizens in Houston | $20,000 |
| Teach for America Houston, TX | Teach For America Houston | $20,000 |
| Breakthrough Houston Houston, TX | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Chinquapin Preparatory School Highlands, TX | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Tapeats Fund?
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 | $16,902,402 | $1,557,878 | $1,049,052 | $770,500 | 80 | $894,007 | $1,181,091 | $872,652 |
| 2023 | $16,393,576 | $125,666 | $1,057,579 | $827,500 | 88 | $944,590 | $391,185 | $861,862 |
| 2022 | $17,075,489 | $1,431,225 | $1,037,273 | $755,000 | 80 | $881,110 | $1,232,205 | $875,530 |
| 2021 | $16,681,537 | $1,731,510 | $992,238 | $735,000 | 78 | $857,314 | $1,589,339 | $937,921 |
| 2020 | $15,942,265 | $2,932,110 | $1,048,329 | $810,000 | 82 | — | $2,825,021 | $850,206 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Tapeats Fund reported a distributable amount of $873K 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
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for wildlife conservation and animal care, education, and human services. The Wildlife Conservation Network describes its work as connecting conservationists with supporters and resources. Houston Zoo says its mission is to connect communities with animals and inspire action to save wildlife. Ranch Hands Rescue describes its work as providing a sanctuary for people and animals, including support for trauma victims and special-needs animals.
Other grantees’ stated missions include Yellowstone Forever’s support for Yellowstone National Park and MGVP’s veterinary care and research to help save endangered gorillas. Chinquapin Preparatory School says it provides college-preparatory education to youth from under-resourced communities and schools in the greater Houston area.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund reported 80 grants totaling $770,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $130,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable awards included $130,000 to Wildlife Conservation Network for several wildlife conservation programs; $50,000 to Houston Zoo for veterinary services for wildlife in Rwanda; $40,000 to Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for general and unrestricted support; and $30,000 each to Ranch Hands Rescue for general operations and care of therapy animals, and Yellowstone Forever for its Bird Program.
Other 2024 grants included $25,000 to MGVP for Gorilla Doctors, $20,000 to Prison Entrepreneurship Program for workforce development and entrepreneurship programs for returning citizens in Houston, and $20,000 to Teach for America for Teach for America Houston.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Margaret Borho as Executive Director and Secretary; David R Graham, Laurel A Graham, Robert H Graham, Spencer R Graham, and Whitney G Mixon as trustees; Laurel A Graham as Executive Vice President; and Robert H Graham as President and Treasurer.
The Tapeats Fund is led by Margaret Borho, Executive Director & Secretary on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Margaret Borho
Executive Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert H Graham
President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David R Graham
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Laurel A Graham
Executive Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Spencer R Graham
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Whitney G Mixon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
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 Tapeats Fund
How much does The Tapeats Fund give each year?
The Tapeats Fund gave $771K across 80 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $828K across 88 grants.
What is The Tapeats Fund's typical grant size?
The Tapeats Fund's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,631, across 80 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Tapeats Fund that year got $12K on average.
Where does The Tapeats Fund give grants?
The Tapeats Fund gives mostly in Texas: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (23%) and Montana (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (48 grants), Austin, TX (3 grants), Justin, TX (2 grants) and Bozeman, MT (2 grants).
Does The Tapeats Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The Tapeats Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (40 of 80) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Tapeats Fund's largest grantees?
The Tapeats Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Wildlife Conservation Network Inc ($130,000), Houston Zoo Inc ($50,000) and Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to a ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Tapeats Fund?
The Tapeats Fund reported $16.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $894K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $873K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Tapeats Fund fund?
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for wildlife conservation and animal care, education, and human services. The Wildlife Conservation Network describes its work as connecting conservationists with supporters and resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Tapeats Fund?
Grant applications are directed to Margaret Borho. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Tapeats Fund's EIN?
The Tapeats Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0412011. 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 Tapeats Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-tapeats-fund-morg_3a8b551b6ff946529e6baa0390fdff8a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760412011_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Tapeats Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-tapeats-fund-morg_3a8b551b6ff946529e6baa0390fdff8a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Tapeats Fund'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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