Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda
The Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Edna, Texas. It makes grants to charitable organizations and provides college scholarships to graduates of the three high schools in Jackson County: Edna, Ganado, and Industrial.
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda at a glance
In short: Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda gave $1.8M across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $38K), mostly in Texas. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,810,100
- +11.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $37,710
- +9.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $20,311,937
- +8.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (12 of 44, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda
- Contact
Application contact: John Shutt
Mailing address: 602 N Wells, Edna, TX 77957
Phone: (361) 782-5737
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was San Marcos Academy ($580K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($29,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
228 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 209 grants of 228 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% to recipients in Florida; the reported shares for Missouri and Colorado were 0%. The foundation also identifies graduates of the three Jackson County high schools in Edna, Ganado, and Industrial as beneficiaries of its college scholarship activity.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 44 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2021) to $1.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Marcos Academy San Marcos, TX | Capital Improvements Scholarships | $580,000 |
| South Texas Childrens Home Beeville, TX | Capital Improvements | $580,000 |
| First Baptist Church Edna, TX | Operation Christmas ChildCapital Improvement | $142,000 |
| Texas A M University College Station, TX | College Scholarships | $115,000 |
| Ganado Volunteer Fire Department Ganado, TX | Capital Improvement | $33,000 |
| Jackson County Emergency Management Edna, TX | Capital Improvement | $33,000 |
| Texas State University San Marcos, TX | College Scholarships | $28,000 |
| 5 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $29,500 |
| Texans on Mission Dallas, TX | General Fund Donation - Disaster Relief | $20,000 |
| Guadalupe Baptist Association Victoria, TX | Capital Improvements | $20,000 |
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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 | $20,311,937 | $3,639,975 | $2,085,236 | $1,810,100 | 48 | $1,836,106 | $3,465,281 | $1,911,560 |
| 2024 | $18,757,197 | $946,991 | $1,824,216 | $1,617,200 | 47 | $1,641,880 | $775,535 | $1,809,041 |
| 2023 | $19,634,422 | $961,188 | $1,903,525 | $1,717,000 | 45 | $1,732,128 | $801,416 | $1,617,233 |
| 2022 | $20,589,714 | $1,976,490 | $1,866,389 | $1,658,000 | 44 | $1,674,004 | $1,809,753 | $1,717,007 |
| 2021 | $20,466,657 | $1,039,862 | $1,635,271 | $1,445,750 | 44 | — | $876,466 | $1,658,083 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable activities include grants to an individual recipient Baptist Academy, an individual recipient Children’s Home, First Baptist Church in Edna, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. It also provides college scholarships to graduates of Jackson County’s Edna, Ganado, and Industrial high schools, with scholarship proceeds paid directly to the college.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. The Vine School in Victoria, which received $5,000 in 2025, says it creates customized learning environments and specialized teaching methods for children and young people with autism spectrum and related communication disorders. Baylor University, which received $5,000, describes its mission as educating students for leadership and service by combining academic excellence with Christian commitment. Tarleton State University, which received $4,500, reports that its support includes financial support for the university and student scholarships.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 48 grants totaling $1,810,100. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $580,000, with a median grant of $5,500.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $580,000 to San Marcos Academy for capital improvements and scholarships, and $580,000 to an individual recipient Children’s Home for capital improvements. Other awards included $142,000 to First Baptist Church in Edna for Operation Christmas Child and capital improvement; $115,000 to Texas A&M University for college scholarships; $33,000 each to Ganado Volunteer Fire Department and Jackson County Emergency Management for capital improvements; and $20,000 to Texans on Mission for disaster relief.
The foundation’s filing says applicants should submit a grant application with a budget identifying the specific request. Awards are generally for capital improvements, rolling stock, and other non-operating expenses.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Henry C. Whitley as president, John J. Shutt as vice-president, and Jan McClanahan as secretary. It also lists M. H. Brock, Bobby Bell, Tange Hamilton, and Robert Martin as directors.
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda is led by Henry C. Whitley, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Henry C. Whitley
President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$900 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Bobby Bell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$600 (2021) → $0 (2025)
M. H. Brock
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$900 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Robert Martin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$900 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Tange Hamilton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$600 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Jan McClanahan
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$900 (2021) → $0 (2025)
John J. Shutt
Vice President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$9K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $8K, to John J Shutt (Vice-President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda
How much does Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda give each year?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda gave $1.8M across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 47 grants.
What is Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's typical grant size?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's median grant in 2025 was $5,500, and its average grant was $37,710, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda that year got $58K on average.
Where does Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda give grants?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Edna, TX (5 grants), Victoria, TX (5 grants), San Marcos, TX (2 grants) and Beeville, TX (2 grants).
Does Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "College Scholarships" (17 grants) and "College Scholarship" (13 grants).
Who are Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's largest grantees?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's largest 2025 grantees include San Marcos Academy ($580,000), South Texas Childrens Home ($580,000) and First Baptist Church ($142,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($29,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda reported $20.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable activities include grants to an individual recipient Baptist Academy, an individual recipient Children’s Home, First Baptist Church in Edna, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's EIN?
Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2300129. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/velma-lee-and-john-harvey-robinson-charitable-founda-morg_73c5b34d41fd4622b8a59c072f2e25a3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742300129_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Velma Lee \& John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/velma-lee-and-john-harvey-robinson-charitable-founda-morg_73c5b34d41fd4622b8a59c072f2e25a3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Velma Lee & John Harvey Robinson Charitable Founda's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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