Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo
The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John P. Ryan Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. It makes grants to public charities supporting charitable, religious, scientific, or educational causes in Texas, with particular emphasis on Tarrant County.
Key facts about Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo
In short: Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo gave $6.9M across 145 grants in 2024 (avg $47K), mostly in Texas. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 75-1879237
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,871,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 145
- Average grant
- $47,390
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (19 of 142, 2024)
- Total assets
- $123,116,894
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Written applications are due by noon on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). 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
$123.1M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.9M
+45.7% YoY
Grant Count
145
+2.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+41.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo reported a distributable amount of $5.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 142 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $140K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 124% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is organized to support charitable, religious, scientific, or educational causes in Texas, particularly in Tarrant County. Its stated focus areas include health care, human and social services, education, children’s services, and the arts.
Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions illustrate a range of work: Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County says it surrounds students with community support to help them succeed in school and life; United Community Centers says it serves and empowers people in need through programs at Fort Worth neighborhood centers; and Recovery Resource Council says it promotes wellness and recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders and trauma. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame says it honors women whose lives helped shape the West and fosters appreciation of the ideals they represent.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 145 grants totaling $6,871,500. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $25,000.
Review Cycle
Written applications are due by noon on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. The board meets in March, June, September, and December.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo
Ready to take the next step with Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports causes in Texas, with particular emphasis on Tarrant County. Its 2024 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas; the filing also lists small shares for Florida, Michigan, and Tennessee. The foundation describes its awards as generally limited to organizations in Tarrant County, with some minor exceptions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 145 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.7M (2023) to $8.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 145 grants totaling $6.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Texas A&M Foundation ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
746 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 616 grants of 746 (83%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M Foundation College Station, TX | Capital Campaign for the Fort Worth Campus | $2,000,000 |
| All Saints Health Foundation Fort Worth, TX | Carter Rehabilitation and Fitness Center Renovation | $400,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County Fort Worth, TX | Capital Campaign and Annual Operations | $292,000 |
| National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Fort Worth, TX | National Cowgirl Museum Building Expansion Project | $250,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star Arlington, TX | One-to-One Mentoring | $100,000 |
| Cristo Rey Fort Worth Catholic High School Fort Worth, TX | General Operations | $100,000 |
| Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Fort Worth, TX | Children's Museum Gallery Renovation | $100,000 |
| Trinity Habitat for Humanity Fort Worth, TX | Allen Village Neighborhood | $100,000 |
| United Community Centers Inc Fort Worth, TX | Education Literacy Program and Fleet Replacement Project | $100,000 |
| Recovery Resource Council Fort Worth, TX | Programs + Events | $80,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $123,116,894 | $8,249,401 | $8,563,198 | $6,871,500 |
| 2023 | $118,540,369 | $3,351,174 | $6,488,369 | $4,717,600 |
| 2022 | $112,809,962 | $1,293,128 | $10,088,768 | $8,380,300 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $123,116,894 | $118,540,369 | $112,809,962 |
| Revenue | $8,249,401 | $3,351,174 | $1,293,128 |
| Expenses | $8,563,198 | $6,488,369 | $10,088,768 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,384,372 | $7,568,695 | $6,737,053 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,475,500 | $2,507,585 | $1,934,083 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,933,472 | $5,549,655 | $5,918,979 |
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 John P. Ryan Jr. as chairman; Lee A. McConnell as president; J. Lyndell Kirkley as director and secretary; and Thomas M. Ryan II, R. Earl Cox, and Martha V. Leonard as directors. Bailey Ryan is listed as advisory director. The foundation’s website identifies Valerie Freeman as grant administrator.
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo is led by Lee A. McConnell, President on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lee A. McConnell
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$198K (2020) → $241K (2024)
John P. Ryan Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$198K (2020) → $243K (2024)
J. Lyndell Kirkley
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Martha V. Leonard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $20K (2024)
R. Earl Cox
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Thomas M. Ryan II
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Bailey Ryan
Advisory Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $10K (2024)
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 $243K, to John P Ryan Jr (Chairman). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Lee A Mcconnell
Mailing address: 1320 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Phone: (817) 529-4224
Email: lee@ryanfoundation.com
Website: https://ryanfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo
How much does Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo give each year?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo gave $6.9M across 145 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.7M across 141 grants.
What is Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's typical grant size?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $47,390, across 145 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo that year got $140K on average.
Where does Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo give grants?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Worth, TX (97 grants), Dallas, TX (18 grants), Arlington, TX (6 grants) and Allen, TX (3 grants).
Does Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 145) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's largest grantees?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's largest 2024 grantees include Texas A&M Foundation ($2,000,000), All Saints Health Foundation ($400,000) and Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County ($292,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo reported $123.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo fund?
The foundation is organized to support charitable, religious, scientific, or educational causes in Texas, particularly in Tarrant County. Its stated focus areas include health care, human and social services, education, children’s services, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's EIN?
Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1879237. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Thomas M Helen McKee & John P Ryan Fo accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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