The Westerman Foundation is a private independent foundation established in June 2000 by Laura Jane Westerman. Based in Plano, Texas, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since June 2001. The foundation provides financial support to educational institutions, Christian-based organizations, and programs serving vulnerable populations across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$35.7M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+10.7% YoY
Grant Count
80
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
+16.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Westerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: It shall be the mission of this Foundation to provide financial support to educational institutions with emphasis on Catholic education; Christian based organizations, which promote family unity and values; and programs, which provide assistance to the poor and the abused.
The foundation is committed to three primary focus areas:
- Educational institutions with emphasis on Catholic education
- Christian-based organizations that promote family unity and values
- Programs providing assistance to the poor and the abused
The foundation's work is guided by the vision of its founder to provide ongoing support for institutions close to her heart, with particular emphasis on causes related to the Catholic Church.
Grantmaking
The Westerman Foundation has distributed over $5.4 million in grant funding to more than 240 organizations across the United States since its establishment.
Grant Range
$2,000–$50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $35.7 million
- Total Revenue: $2.35 million
- Total Expenses: $2.14 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2023:
- Total Assets: $34.1 million
- Total Revenue: $561,991
- Total Expenses: $1.95 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $35,701,629 | $34,116,770 | $32,208,228 |
| Revenue | $2,348,199 | $561,991 | $-247,175 |
| Expenses | $2,143,548 | $1,952,769 | $1,632,629 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,961,590 | $1,766,964 | $1,285,878 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,140,560 | $552,110 | $287,279 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,734,456 | $1,653,011 | $1,735,192 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Catholic Charities Fort Worth ($50,000), Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo ($50,000), Donnelly College ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BENEDICTINE COLLEGE ATCHISON ATCHISON, KS | GENERAL PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| BISHOP WARD HIGH SCHOOL KANSAS CITY, KS | GENERAL PURPOSES | $45,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES COMMUNITY SERVICES ODESSA INC ODESSA, TX | GENERAL PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF TYLER TYLER, TX | GENERAL PURPOSES | $28,960 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES FORT WORTH FORT WORTH, TX | GENERAL PURPOSES | $50,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES GALLUP INC GALLUP, NM | GENERAL PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF CENTRAL TEXAS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DALLAS INC DALLAS, TX | GENERAL PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA TULSA, OK | GENERAL PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTH LOUISIANA SHREVEPORT, LA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Valerie H. Goddard – Executive Director
- Lindsey Thompson – President
- John Settich – Vice President
- Dan Carey – Treasurer
- Julie Westerman – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALERIE H GODDARD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $78,750 |
| LINDSEY THOMPSON | PRESIDENT | 10 | $25,000 |
| JOHN SETTICH | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $5,000 |
| DAN CAREY | TREASURER | 1 | $5,000 |
| JULIE WESTERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5,000 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 6505 W. Park Blvd. Ste. 306-294 Plano, TX 75093
Phone: 813-257-9477
Email: info@thewestermanfoundation.org
Website: thewestermanfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Westerman Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** It shall be the mission of this Foundation to provide financial support to educational institutions with emphasis on Catholic education; Christian based organizations, which promote family unity and values; and programs, which provide assistance to the poor and the abused. The foundation is committed to three primary focus areas: 1. **Educational institutions** with emphasis on Catholic education 2. **Christian-based organizations** that promote family unity and values 3.…
How do I apply for a grant from The Westerman Foundation?
The Westerman Foundation has distributed over $5.4 million in grant funding to more than 240 organizations across the United States since its establishment. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2023): $1,611,400 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Grant range: $2,000–$50,000 • Number of grants (2024): 80 grants **Application Process:** As of 2025, the foundation has transitioned to an invitation-only grant application process and will not be accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation has an…
What size grants does The Westerman Foundation award?
In 2024, The Westerman Foundation awarded 80 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Westerman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Westerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Westerman Foundation's EIN?
The Westerman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2897679. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Westerman 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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