The Terry Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, that supports education through scholarships for students attending affiliated Texas public universities. Its website describes it as the largest private scholarship provider in Texas and says it has awarded scholarships to more than 7,000 Texas students since 1987.
Key facts about The Terry Foundation
In short: The Terry Foundation gave $22.5M across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $1.7M), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 31-1551093
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $22,463,345
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- Average grant
- $1,727,950
- Median grant
- $1,606,750
- Total assets
- $433,055,126
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$433.1M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.5M
+15.3% YoY
Grant Count
13
-7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.7M
+24.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Terry Foundation reported a distributable amount of $24.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Terry Foundation gives
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to develop future leaders of Texas through access to education. It says it selects scholars based on academic achievement, leadership, and demonstrated financial need, and challenges them to pursue scholarship, leadership, and service.
Its 2024 grants went to Texas universities for Terry Scholar scholarships and to the Terry Scholars Fund. The Fund describes its own mission as supporting the Foundation’s mission to develop future leaders of Texas through access to education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 13 grants totaling $22,463,345. Grant amounts ranged from $5,106 to $4,052,850, with a median grant of $1,606,750. The largest grants included Texas A&M University ($4,052,850 for scholarships for 183 Terry Scholars), the University of Texas at Austin ($3,747,150 for 190 scholars), the University of Texas at Dallas ($2,230,950 for 74 scholars), the University of Houston ($2,001,120 for 70 scholars), and the University of North Texas ($1,809,650 for 74 scholars). The Terry Scholars Fund received $5,106.
The Foundation’s Traditional Scholarship is for Texas high school graduates entering an affiliated public university as full-time freshmen in the fall after graduation. Applicants must meet Texas residency and in-state tuition requirements, qualify for federal financial aid, demonstrate financial need, apply and commit to on-campus residence for their first year, and show academic achievement and leadership. Students apply through an affiliated university, which reviews applications and nominates candidates for Foundation interviews. The Foundation says its former transfer scholarship program ended in May 2020.
How to Apply
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Scholarship candidates apply through an affiliated university; the Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Ready to take the next step with The Terry Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Texas. The Foundation offers scholarships at 11 affiliated Texas public universities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.5M (2022) to $22.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $22.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Texas AM University ($4.1M). Together the top 10 received $21.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,450), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 48 grants of 68 (71%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas AM University College Station, TX | Scholarships for 183 Terry Scholars | $4,052,850 |
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Scholarships for 190 Terry Scholars | $3,747,150 |
| The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX | Scholarships for 74 Terry Scholars | $2,230,950 |
| The University of Houston Houston, TX | Scholarships for 70 Terry Scholars | $2,001,120 |
| The University of North Texas Denton, TX | Scholarships for 74 Terry Scholars | $1,809,650 |
| The University of Texas at Arlingto Arlington, TX | Scholarships for 73 Terry Scholars | $1,635,400 |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | Scholarships for 69 Terry Scholars | $1,606,750 |
| The University of Texas at San Anto San Antonio, TX | Scholarships for 72 Terry Scholars | $1,583,640 |
| Texas State University San Marcos, TX | Scholarships for 67 Terry Scholars | $1,506,100 |
| Texas Woman's University Houston, TX | Scholarships for 53 Terry Scholars | $1,147,400 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $433,055,126 | $30,403,403 | $28,388,044 | $22,463,345 |
| 2023 | $431,033,653 | $17,821,609 | $27,462,893 | $19,486,374 |
| 2022 | $440,209,331 | $23,941,988 | $23,641,625 | $16,530,244 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $433,055,126 | $431,033,653 | $440,209,331 |
| Revenue | $30,403,403 | $17,821,609 | $23,941,988 |
| Expenses | $28,388,044 | $27,462,893 | $23,641,625 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $26,308,190 | $23,792,499 | $19,466,003 |
| Net Investment Income | $27,977,716 | $10,790,855 | $18,959,804 |
| Distributable Amount | $24,164,160 | $24,626,458 | $24,502,742 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Yvonne R. Moody as President/CEO/Director; Brian G. Yarbrough as Chair/Director; Blair Abernathy as CFO/VP/Treasurer/Secretary; and Kristin K. Eschbach as CIO. Directors listed are Brian K. Carroll, Kathryn E. Flowers, Scott A. Grass, Brandy C. Horton, Dr. Elizabeth R. Keeler, and R. Carter Overton III.
The Terry Foundation is led by Yvonne R Moody, President, CEO & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Yvonne R Moody
President, CEO & Director
President & Executive Director → President, Executive Director & Director, 2023
President, Executive Director & Director → President, CEO & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$314K (2020) → $373K (2024)
Brian G Yarbrough
Chair & Director
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie R Southerland
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian K Carroll
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth R Keeler
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey C Stichler
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim A Pekar
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R Carter Overton III
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott A Grass
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandy C Horton
Director
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn E Flowers
Director
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randall B Skiles
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blair Abernathy
CFO, Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer & Financial Director → Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director Finance & Administrator, 2023
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director Finance & Administrator → CFO, Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$224K (2020) → $248K (2024)
Kristin K Eschbach
CIO
Assistant CIO → CIO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$276K (2022) → $423K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Rhett G Campbell (2020–2023) — CEO, Chair & Director
- Former: Edward T Cotham Jr. (2020–2022) — CIO & Director
- Former: Gayle Stinson (2020) — Director
- Former: James Davis (2020) — 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 $423K, to Kristin K Eschbach (CIO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 3336 Richmond Ave 450, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 552-0002
Website: https://terryfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Terry Foundation
How much does The Terry Foundation give each year?
The Terry Foundation gave $22.5M across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $19.5M across 14 grants.
What is The Terry Foundation's typical grant size?
The Terry Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,606,750, and its average grant was $1,727,950, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Terry Foundation give grants?
The Terry 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 Houston, TX (3 grants).
Does The Terry Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Terry Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Terry Foundation's largest grantees?
The Terry Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Texas AM University ($4,052,850), The University of Texas at Austin ($3,747,150) and The University of Texas at Dallas ($2,230,950), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,450), which are not listed by name. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Terry Foundation?
The Terry Foundation reported $433.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $26.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Terry Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to develop future leaders of Texas through access to education. It says it selects scholars based on academic achievement, leadership, and demonstrated financial need, and challenges them to pursue scholarship, leadership, and service. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Terry Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Terry Foundation's EIN?
The Terry Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1551093. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Terry 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.
Here's the math on researching The Terry Foundation by hand.
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