Waco Foundation
Waco Foundation is a public charity based in Waco, Texas, whose mission is to improve quality of life in McLennan County. Established in 1958, it supports local nonprofits through grants, guidance, and fund management, and also works to engage philanthropists and manage charitable assets.
Waco Foundation at a glance
In short: Waco Foundation gave $7.8M across 98 grants in 2025 (avg $80K), mostly in Texas. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,799,733
- +99.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 98
- +21.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $79,589
- +65.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,648
- Total assets
- $148,387,558
- +4.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (53 of 98, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Waco Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s website says applicants for discretionary grants must meet the grant guidelines and complete an application. Program/Operating Support and Immediate Impact applications have deadlines of June 15 and January 1. The June 15, 2026 deadline has passed; the next listed deadline is January 1, 2027.
- Next open deadline
- January 1, 2027 (Immediate Impact Grants)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1224 Austin Ave 100, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 754-3404
Website: https://wacofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Waco Foundation
Immediate Impact Grants
Waco Foundation
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
January 1, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Waco Foundation Capacity Building Mini-Grants
Waco Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Waco Foundation: Immediate Impact Grants
Waco Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
January 1, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Who Waco Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Start Up Waco ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $5.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
420 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 325 grants of 420 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s mission and grant programs focus on McLennan County. Its website identifies McLennan County-based nonprofits as eligible for Program/Operating Support and Capacity Building Mini-Grants. In filing year 2025, 96% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Waco Foundation open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 53 of 98 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $124K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $28K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.8M (2019) to $7.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 98 grants totaling $7.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Start Up Waco Waco, TX | — | $2,006,984 |
| Waco Family Medicine Fndn Waco, TX | — | $975,650 |
| Texas Rural Funders Austin, TX | — | $750,000 |
| Cameron ParkZoo&Botanical Waco, TX | — | $543,500 |
| Transformation Waco Waco, TX | — | $417,018 |
| Mission Waco MissionWorld Waco, TX | Large Capital Expense | $260,050 |
| Baylor Scott&WhiteCTX Fdn Temple, TX | — | $250,250 |
| Grassroots Community Dev Waco, TX | Immediate Impact / Program Support | $148,930 |
| Talitha Koum Institute Waco, TX | — | $140,200 |
| Caritas of Waco Waco, TX | — | $133,433 |
Ready to take the next step with Waco Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $148,387,558 | $16,820,955 | $12,499,829 | $7,799,733 | 98 | $6,271,707 |
| 2024 | $142,304,864 | $8,580,319 | $7,200,164 | $3,901,297 | 81 | $2,764,373 |
| 2023 | $127,546,392 | $11,751,252 | $7,522,031 | $4,321,225 | 79 | $4,550,480 |
| 2022 | $132,771,840 | $26,486,121 | $7,239,601 | $4,303,164 | 92 | $10,414,574 |
| 2021 | $115,989,579 | $8,908,496 | $6,753,791 | $4,105,717 | 70 | $4,380,207 |
| 2020 | $87,878,638 | $20,305,628 | $8,514,402 | $5,584,626 | 71 | $12,686,081 |
| 2019 | $97,060,627 | $15,604,607 | $5,602,978 | $2,815,435 | 57 | $2,104,215 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Waco Foundation’s mission is to promote solutions to community challenges, strengthen local nonprofits, engage philanthropists, and manage charitable assets to improve quality of life in McLennan County.
Its stated grant priorities include addressing root causes of area challenges and inequitable outcomes; helping people leave poverty permanently; supporting educational attainment; fostering belonging and reducing disparities; strengthening the nonprofit sector; and serving vulnerable residents, including people in poverty, people with disabilities, older adults, children, and youth. It also prioritizes projects that contribute to an inclusive and attractive community.
The Foundation supports a range of organizations and activities. Among its 2025 grantees, Start Up Waco describes its work as leading entrepreneurial support efforts and elevating Waco as a hub for business innovation. Transformation Waco says it works to improve and support five struggling elementary and middle school campuses. Mission Waco Mission World describes its mission as empowering poor and marginalized people through holistic programs and addressing systemic social injustice. Talitha Koum Institute says it works to alter the trajectory of families affected by multigenerational urban poverty.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Waco Foundation reported 98 grants totaling $7,799,733. Grant amounts ranged from $5,035 to $2,006,984, with a median grant of $19,648.
Its largest reported grants included $2,006,984 to Start Up Waco, $975,650 to Waco Family Medicine Foundation, $750,000 to Texas Rural Funders, $543,500 to Cameron Park Zoo & Botanical, and $417,018 to Transformation Waco. Other notable awards included $260,050 to Mission Waco Mission World, with the purpose listed as a large capital expense, and $148,930 to Grassroots Community Development, for immediate impact or program support.
The Foundation’s website describes competitive discretionary grants and several grant programs for eligible McLennan County-based nonprofits. Program/Operating Support Grants address root causes of local challenges; the maximum award varies. Immediate Impact Grants provide up to $5,000 in program, operating, or capital support, with special circumstances allowing requests from taxing entities such as school districts. Capacity Building Mini-Grants of up to $5,000 support activities such as board training, strategic planning, and organizational assessments. The Foundation also describes a competitive grant process in which applicants must meet its guidelines and complete an application. Its capacity-building program provides access to planning, training, and other resources for nonprofit staff and boards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ashley Allison as Executive Director and Isabel Weeden as CFO/COO. Trustees listed are Malcom Duncan Jr., Monte Hulse, Dillon Meek, Kristen Mynar, Mike Raymond, Melli Wickliff, Aaron Zimmerman, and Walter Abercrombie.
Waco Foundation is led by Ashley Allison, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ashley Allison
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
39.9 hrs/week
$197K (2023) → $228K (2025)
Sherman Ayres
Chairman
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris McSwain
Trustee
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Malcom Duncan Jr.
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monte Hulse
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Zimmerman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Mynar
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melli Wickliff
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Raymond
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dillon Meek
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Abercrombie
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Isabel Weeden
CFO & COO
On filings since 2024
39.9 hrs/week
$167K (2025)
Soo Battle
Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Mike Bidwell (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Charles Williams (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Valerie Holland (2024) — Director of Finance
- Former: Leslie Mitchell (2019–2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Martha Stuhr (2021–2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Tangela Penny (2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Ashley Allison Dulski (2019–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Betty Bauer (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kris Kaiser Olson (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Kyle Deaver (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Cates (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Cara Chase (2019) — Chair
- Former: Sam Allison (2019) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $228K, to Ashley Allison (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Waco Foundation
How much does Waco Foundation give each year?
Waco Foundation gave $7.8M across 98 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.9M across 81 grants.
What is Waco Foundation's typical grant size?
Waco Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $19,648, and its average grant was $79,589, across 98 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Waco Foundation that year got $42K on average.
Where does Waco Foundation give grants?
Waco Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waco, TX (64 grants), Austin, TX (5 grants), Woodway, TX (3 grants) and Temple, TX (2 grants).
Who are Waco Foundation's largest grantees?
Waco Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Start Up Waco ($2,006,984), Waco Family Medicine Fndn ($975,650) and Texas Rural Funders ($750,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Waco Foundation?
Waco Foundation reported $148.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $16.8M.
What does Waco Foundation fund?
Waco Foundation’s mission is to promote solutions to community challenges, strengthen local nonprofits, engage philanthropists, and manage charitable assets to improve quality of life in McLennan County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Waco Foundation?
The Foundation’s website says applicants for discretionary grants must meet the grant guidelines and complete an application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Waco Foundation's EIN?
Waco Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6054628. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Waco Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Waco Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/waco-foundation-morg_85a93736944a48eaba041a9ebcbf0a81
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746054628_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Waco Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/waco-foundation-morg_85a93736944a48eaba041a9ebcbf0a81},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Waco Foundation'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.
Waco Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?