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Ferguson Family Baptist Missionary And Educational Fndn Ltd

Annual Giving
$5.7M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,730,162 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $332,000
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily Arkansas, with grants across AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, KY, MO, OK, TN, TX, WI, WV)

Contact Details

Location: Arkadelphia, AR

Note: Contact information not publicly available. Foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited inquiries.

Overview

The Ferguson Family Baptist Missionary And Educational Fndn Ltd is a private family foundation established in 2006 (tax-exempt status granted May 2006). With total assets of approximately $56.9 million and annual grant distributions of $5.7 million in 2023, the foundation focuses on supporting Baptist missionary work, religious education, and assistance to struggling families. Led by Larry Ferguson (retired President and CEO of Schreiber Foods) and his family, the foundation operates with a preselected approach to grantmaking, identifying beneficiaries through family connections, board relationships, and organizational affiliations. The foundation's geographic reach extends across multiple states, though it maintains strong ties to Arkansas, particularly the Arkadelphia and Hot Springs communities where the Ferguson family resides.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs:

  • Religious Education Scholarships: Funding for individuals attending qualified secondary schools to pursue faith-based education, including biblical study trips to Israel
  • Family Assistance: Direct financial support to struggling families in the Arkadelphia community, identified through the Clark County Sheriff's Department
  • Institutional Support: Grants to Baptist universities, churches, and missionary organizations

Grant amounts in 2024 ranged from approximately $2,000 to $332,000, with a median grant of $2,600.

Priority Areas

  • Baptist missionary work and evangelism
  • Religious education at secondary and university levels
  • Children's homes and family services
  • Church operations and ministries
  • Biblical study and faith development programs
  • Financial assistance for struggling families in Arkansas

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

  • Oklahoma State University Foundation - $332,382
  • Ouachita Baptist University - $125,000
  • Hot Springs Baptist Church - $54,000
  • Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes - $50,000
  • CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ, Orlando, FL) - $39,000

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation focused on Baptist and Christian causes, the foundation does not fund:

  • Secular organizations without religious affiliation
  • Non-educational or non-religious charitable causes
  • Organizations outside their preselected network
  • Unsolicited requests from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Larry Ferguson - President (uncompensated): Retired President and CEO of Schreiber Foods, the world's largest employee-owned dairy company. Along with his wife Kayleen, Larry has demonstrated significant philanthropic commitment, including a $50 million gift to Oklahoma State University.
  • Kayleen H. Ferguson - Vice President (uncompensated): Retired educator who primarily taught English. Alumni of Oklahoma State University.
  • Bryant Ferguson - Secretary (uncompensated): Son of Larry and Kayleen Ferguson.
  • Kyle Ferguson - Treasurer (compensated $115,000): Son of Larry and Kayleen Ferguson, manages the foundation's operations.

The foundation is family-managed, with all board positions held by Ferguson family members. The family resides in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and has three grown sons and seven grandchildren.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have identified through:

  • Personal and family connections
  • Board members' affiliations with Baptist and Christian institutions
  • Community partnerships (e.g., Clark County Sheriff's Department for family assistance)
  • Long-standing relationships with educational and religious institutions

Applicants must prove need for assistance for educational schools and housing when selected by the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through trustee discretion rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates exclusively through preselected charitable organizations, there is no application process. Organizations that receive funding typically share these characteristics:

  • Baptist/Christian Identity: Strong affiliation with Baptist churches, missionary organizations, or Christian educational institutions
  • Geographic Connection: Located in or serving Arkansas communities (particularly Arkadelphia and Hot Springs), Oklahoma, or other states where the Ferguson family has connections
  • Educational Focus: Universities, secondary schools, and programs focused on religious education and faith development
  • Pre-existing Relationship: Connection to the Ferguson family, board members, or organizations they are personally involved with
  • Demonstrated Need: Clear articulation of need for educational or housing assistance when selected

The foundation's giving patterns show strong support for institutions the family has personal ties to, including Oklahoma State University (Larry and Kayleen's alma mater) and Ouachita Baptist University (located in Arkadelphia where the foundation is based).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests of any kind - do not attempt to apply
  • Family-Driven Grantmaking: All funding decisions are made by Ferguson family trustees based on personal connections and affiliations
  • Baptist Focus: Virtually all grants support Baptist or Christian organizations, with emphasis on missionary work and religious education
  • Arkansas Roots: Despite multi-state giving, strong preference for Arkansas-based organizations, particularly in Arkadelphia and Hot Springs
  • Institutional Relationships: Major grants go to established institutions like Oklahoma State University and Ouachita Baptist University where family has connections
  • Diverse Grant Sizes: While median grant is $2,600, the foundation makes grants ranging from small contributions to major six-figure gifts
  • Operational Transparency: Foundation files required 990-PF forms showing grant recipients, but maintains no public presence or communication channels

References

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