The Vessel
The Vessel is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Dallas, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $691K. Net investment income was $858K.
The Vessel at a glance
In short: The Vessel gave $691K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $138K), top state Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $690,559
- +36.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $138,112
- +36.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $43,052
- Total assets
- $1,427,550
- +376.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Vessel funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was CRU ($285K). Together the top 4 received $388K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 19 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Vessel gives
- Giving grew 404% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2020) to $691K (2025). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $691K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Various Qualified Organizations | Grants to Short-Term Mission Projects of Public Charities. | $302,462 |
| CRU Orlando, FL | To Further the Mission of the Foundation. | $285,050 |
| Chi Alpha Conway, AR | To Further the Mission of the Foundation | $43,052 |
| Campus Outreach Atlanta, GA | To Further the Mission of the Foundation. | $41,935 |
| Student Mobilization Conway, AR | To Further the Mission of the Foundation | $18,060 |
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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 | $1,427,550 | $1,632,378 | $754,285 | $690,559 | 5 | $690,559 | $857,862 | — |
| 2024 | $299,497 | $70,076 | $561,944 | $507,244 | 5 | $507,244 | $38,176 | $21,469 |
| 2023 | $792,053 | $67,852 | $315,656 | $274,639 | 5 | $274,639 | $24,463 | $44,457 |
| 2022 | $1,039,231 | $57,080 | $195,879 | $136,965 | 3 | $136,965 | $5,447 | $48,797 |
| 2021 | $1,178,466 | $1,034,239 | $109,935 | $60,351 | 1 | $60,351 | $989,255 | $30,850 |
| 2020 | $253,662 | $39,866 | $103,516 | $43,184 | 1 | — | $1,949 | $15,353 |
| 2019 | $317,312 | $225,315 | $472,706 | $403,551 | 2 | — | $5,904 | $12,269 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Vessel is led by Lori Lovelace, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lori Lovelace
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Dickerhoof
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kevin Kraus
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rhonda Thompson
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tommy Shelton
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Reinhard Ziegler
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Vessel
How much does The Vessel give each year?
The Vessel gave $691K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $507K across 5 grants.
What is The Vessel's typical grant size?
The Vessel's median grant in 2025 was $43,052, and its average grant was $138,112, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Vessel give grants?
The Vessel's top state is Florida, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arkansas (9%) and Georgia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Conway, AR (2 grants).
Does The Vessel give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Vessel's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further the Mission of the Foundation." (4 grants).
Who are The Vessel's largest grantees?
The Vessel's largest 2025 grantees include CRU ($285,050), Chi Alpha ($43,052) and Campus Outreach ($41,935), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Vessel?
The Vessel reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What is The Vessel?
The Vessel is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Dallas, TX. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Vessel's EIN?
The Vessel's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4351596. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 18, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Vessel funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- UK Annual Writing Award: 'Pleasure in the Task of Writing' £250 (1st prize); £50 (runners-up); books for school library · Due November 5, 2026
- Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund Grant Up to US $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
- Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute Up to $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Vessel's focus areas in our free grants database
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