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Rees-Jones Foundation

Annual Giving
$52.4M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $52,404,225 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $662,485,185 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 187 awards (2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: Varies by project (typically not exceeding 25% of project budget or 10% of organization's annual operating budget)
  • Geographic Focus: Dallas/Fort Worth area and adjoining counties (North Texas), with select international partners by invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 950, Dallas, Texas 75225

Phone: (214) 751-2977

Fax: (214) 751-2978

Email: info@rees-jonesfoundation.org

Website: www.rees-jonesfoundation.org

President: Terese Stevenson, terese@rees-jonesfoundation.org

Overview

The Rees-Jones Foundation was established in 2006 by Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, driven by their conviction that God had blessed them as custodians of His resources. With over $662 million in assets and awarding approximately $52 million in grants annually, the Foundation serves as a significant philanthropic force in North Texas. Their mission is to "serve God by serving others — sharing His resources in ways that provide opportunities for the disadvantaged, relief for the suffering, and encouragement in the growth and well-being of children and families." The Foundation takes a personal, relational approach to grantmaking, focusing on community transformation and quality-of-life improvements for individuals, children, families, and animals. As Trevor and Jan stated, "We want to use the resources in our custody in ways that are productive and that achieve sustainable positive outcomes," noting that sometimes just relieving immediate suffering or removing obstacles to advancement is enough of a positive outcome.

Funding Priorities

North Texas Grant Programs

Animal Welfare

  • Focus: Ethical and humane treatment of companion animals
  • Categories: Animal Maltreatment Prevention, Rescue & Adoption, Spay/Neuter
  • Goal: Secure, loving, forever homes for animals and safe communities

Child Welfare

  • Focus: Children and youth in substitute care system
  • Categories: Family Reunification, Foster Youth Advocacy, Permanency Support
  • Goal: Help maltreated children heal from trauma and find permanent, loving homes

Disability Care

  • Focus: Children and youth with profound disabilities
  • Categories: Adaptive Living, Therapy, Special Education
  • Goal: Improve quality of life and future prospects

Family & Youth Support

  • Categories: Early Childhood Development, Mental Healthcare, Veteran Care
  • Goal: Protect families from abuse and trauma

Youth Formation

  • Categories: Youth Camping, Education, Mentoring
  • Goal: Help youth flourish and reach their potential

Neighborhood Development

  • Categories: Neighborhood Advocacy, Housing, Land Protection
  • Goal: Support community wellbeing and reverse poverty and decay

Evangelism & Discipleship

  • Categories: Church Planting, Christian Discipleship
  • Goal: Provide opportunities to know Jesus

Community Benefit

  • Categories: Christmas Philanthropy, Community Investments, Scholarships
  • Goal: Support youth philanthropy and civic participation

International Grant Programs (Invitation Only)

International Development

  • Categories: Entrepreneurial Empowerment, Water/Sanitation, Youth Opportunity
  • Example: $250,000 for installation of piped water systems in Kabarole District, Uganda

International Disability Care

  • Categories: Clubfoot Treatment, Pediatric Surgery, Healthcare Training
  • Focus: Children with treatable and lifelong disabilities in developing countries

International Justice

  • Categories: Justice System Building, Trafficking Survivor Support
  • Focus: Systems that deter human trafficking

Priority Areas

  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Care for disabled children and youth
  • Youth character development
  • Animal welfare
  • Community development
  • Medical care for children internationally
  • Justice against sex trafficking
  • Quality childcare
  • Christian ministry and discipleship

What They Don't Fund

  • Loans or grants to individuals
  • Fundraising events
  • Scholarships (except through specific Community Benefit programs)
  • Conferences
  • Endowments
  • More than 25% of a project's budget
  • More than 10% of an organization's total annual operating budget

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Board

  • Trevor Rees-Jones, Chairman (Founder, President and Chairman of Chief Oil & Gas)
  • Jan Rees-Jones, Vice Chairman

Executive Leadership

  • Terese Stevenson, President

Staff

  • Liz Curfman, Program Officer
  • Sara Meyers, Communications Specialist

The Foundation's assets are managed by the executive management team, and the board meets 10 times per year to consider grant requests. Grantees are typically notified within two days of the board's decision.

Leadership Philosophy: Jan and Trevor stated, "Jan and I are faith-driven in our philanthropy and our foundation serves God by serving others." They believe in being responsible stewards who use resources "in ways that are productive and that achieve sustainable positive outcomes."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For New Applicants or New Programs:

  1. Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online grants management portal at www.rees-jonesfoundation.org
  2. Create a portal login to access the submission system (Google Chrome recommended)
  3. If the program is a good fit based on the Letter of Inquiry, you will receive an email invitation to submit a full application

For Previous Grantees:

  • May proceed directly to full application if requesting funding for a previously supported program

Application Portal:

  • All applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online grants management portal
  • No preliminary meetings are offered due to time constraints and volume of applications

Decision Timeline

  • Processing Time: 3-4 months from eligible application submission to decision
  • Board Meetings: 10 times per year
  • Notification: Grantees typically notified within 2 days of board decision
  • Recommendation: Submit application at least 4 months before funding is needed

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded 187 grants in 2023, totaling over $52 million. While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation notes they receive a high volume of applications. All applicants receive written communication regarding the disposition of their application.

Reapplication Policy

Cannot reapply until 12 months after:

  • A declined grant request
  • An approved grant request
  • Completion of a multi-year grant

Additional Requirement: Must submit final grant report before submitting a new application

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Wants to Hear About

People-Centered Narratives: The Foundation specifically wants to hear about the people being served, with narrative about geographic, cultural, socio-economic, or other dynamics of constituents that make the proposed programming the right fit.

Metrics and Collaboration: Grant writers should enter metrics they're tracking for programming into the application. The Foundation collaborates on setting final goals to get the best narrative of organizational accomplishments.

Sustainable Outcomes: The Foundation values productivity and sustainable positive outcomes. As the founders noted, they recognize that "sometimes just relieving someone's immediate suffering or removing an obstacle that blocks an individual's advancement is enough of a positive outcome."

Recent Examples of Funded Work

Cornerstone Baptist Church (South Dallas): Supporting The King's Academy (Christian education), Cornerstone Crossroads Academy (helping students complete high school), and services for homeless, poor, and addicted community members.

For the Nations Refugee Outreach (Garland): Refugee resettlement and support with consistent witness to the love of God.

Our Calling: Homeless services including hot meals, showers, clothing, counseling, pet care, and unconditional hospitality.

HOPE International: Building economic resilience through savings groups in Africa, helping families in the poorest countries start small businesses.

Mercy Ships: Healthcare services via hospital ships.

Family Compass: Child abuse prevention in North Texas.

Foundation Resources

The Foundation offers grant writing checklists and helpful articles covering broad application advice, storytelling guidance, and portfolio area-specific recommendations on their website.

Key Alignment Factors

  • Christian worldview and values alignment
  • Service to vulnerable populations (especially children and families)
  • North Texas geographic focus (Dallas/Fort Worth and adjoining counties)
  • Servant leadership and thoughtful planning
  • Measurable outcomes and clear constituent demographics
  • Sustainable, tangible impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply early: Submit at least 4 months before funding is needed, as the review process takes 3-4 months
  • Know the funding caps: Foundation typically won't fund more than 25% of a project budget or 10% of organizational annual operating budget
  • Christian mission alignment is central: The Foundation operates from a faith-driven perspective and seeks to enable others to "experience the love of Christ in real, tangible ways"
  • Focus on people, not programs: Emphasize the individuals being served with detailed demographic and socio-economic context
  • One-year waiting period: Cannot reapply until 12 months after any decision or grant completion
  • North Texas focus: Must serve residents of Dallas/Fort Worth area (international grants are invitation-only)
  • Relational approach: The Foundation values personal connections and takes time to collaborate on goal-setting with grantees
  • Use their resources: Review the Foundation's grant writing checklist and portfolio-specific guidance before applying

References

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