Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust
Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DALLAS, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $23.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $978K. Net investment income was $754K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.1M
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$978K
-23.4% YoY
Grant Count
4
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$245K
-23.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust
Based on IRS filings
Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DALLAS, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $23.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $978K. Net investment income was $754K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,072,410 | $22,424,782 | $22,718,373 |
| Revenue | $1,168,714 | $866,108 | $5,480,967 |
| Expenses | $1,375,312 | $1,700,499 | $1,780,203 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,064,159 | $1,369,847 | $1,347,196 |
| Net Investment Income | $753,621 | $967,947 | $5,141,913 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,453,061 | $1,411,521 | $1,321,534 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include United Way Foundation of ($391,234), Presbyterian Healthcare ($293,425), Park Cities Presbyterian ($244,521).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PRESBYTERIAN HEALTHCARE DALLAS, TX | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $293,425 |
| PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN DALLAS, TX | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $244,521 |
| UNITED WAY FOUNDATION OF DALLAS, TX | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $391,234 |
| THANKS-GIVING SQUARE DALLAS, TX | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $48,904 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BANK OF AMERICA N A | TRUSTEE | 1 | $211,187 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust?
Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DALLAS, TX. It holds $23.1M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust?
As of 2024, Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust holds $23.1M in total assets with $1.2M in annual revenue. It awarded 4 grants totaling $978K in 2024.
Where does Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust operate?
Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust has awarded grants in Texas.
What size grants does Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust awarded 4 grants totaling $978K — an average of about $245K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust's EIN?
Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-7247352. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Shell Usa Company Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
4,650
Total Given
$16.0M
Texas Instruments Foundation
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$73.0M
Grants
4,484
Total Given
$22.6M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
2,182
Total Given
$143.6M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
Celanese Foundation
IRVING, TX
Assets
—
Grants
1,423
Total Given
$1.8M
Once Upon a Time Foundation
FORT WORTH, TX
Assets
$276.7M
Grants
1,039
Total Given
$10.7M
Baker Hughes Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
Bnsf Railway Foundation
FORT WORTH, TX
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
920
Total Given
$6.1M
Community Foundation of North Texas (tax
FORT WORTH, TX
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
The Houston Food Bank
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$156.8M
Grants
866
Total Given
$282.6M
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
AUSTIN, TX
Assets
—
Grants
835
Total Given
$164.6M
American Heart Association Inc
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
794
Total Given
$227.6M
More Funders in Texas
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with Thomas & Lillian Sowell Charitable Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities