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Scharbauer Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$19.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $2.6M
Decision Time
4mo

Scharbauer Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19,258,721 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 69 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant: $279,000
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller grants to $2.5+ million
  • Decision Time: Mid-May (spring cycle) and early December (fall cycle)
  • Geographic Focus: Midland and Odessa, Texas
  • Application Method: Two-cycle system with pre-application required

Contact Details

Address: 300 North Marienfeld Street, Suite 900, Midland, TX 79701-4387

Phone: (432) 683-2222

Website: www.scharbauerfoundation.org

Technical Support: David Guerrero, dguerrero@scharbauerfoundation.org or (432) 695-4226

First-Time Applicants: Foundation staff recommend scheduling a visit before submitting a pre-application if your project falls outside standard guidelines.

Overview

The Scharbauer Foundation was established in 2010 to continue the legacy of Clarence Scharbauer Jr. and his wife, Dorothy Turner Scharbauer, who grew up in Midland and dedicated themselves to helping make Midland, Texas a better place. The foundation began active grant-making in 2011 under the leadership of its first President and CEO, Grant Billingsley, who retired at the end of 2024. Mary Ann Beninati assumed the role of President and CEO in January 2025, bringing experience as a corporate attorney and oil and gas executive who previously served as Vice President and Chief of Staff at Concho Resources and Head of Human Resources – Lower 48 at ConocoPhillips.

The foundation's mission is to "make Midland a better place in which to live and operate a business." With nearly $20 million in annual grant distributions, the Scharbauer Foundation is one of the Permian Basin's most significant philanthropic organizations. The foundation solidified its preference for investing in capital projects that leave a lasting and visible impact on the community, continuing the family history of helping build Midland. Recent grant cycles, including the fall 2024 cycle which awarded over $16 million, represent some of the largest in the foundation's history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Scharbauer Foundation operates on a two-cycle annual grant system with spring and fall deadlines:

  • Spring Cycle: Pre-applications accepted January 8-22; decisions announced mid-May
  • Fall Cycle: Specific dates posted on website; decisions announced early December

All grants are awarded through an invitation-only process following pre-application review. The foundation uses a two-stage process where organizations first submit a pre-application, and selected organizations are then invited to submit a full grant application.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four primary areas:

Education: Major grants support teacher development, early childhood literacy, youth programs, and educational infrastructure. Recent examples include $2.55 million to UTPB for teacher certification scholarships and behavioral health clinicals, and funding for Midland County Public Library Foundation's pilot program to provide books to all Midland third graders.

Healthcare: Significant investments in medical facilities and services. The fall 2024 cycle awarded more than $4.1 million to three healthcare organizations, including support for Cooks Children's Midland Specialty Clinic.

Quality of Place: Infrastructure and community improvement projects. Recent grants totaling over $2.4 million to seven organizations included Basin PBS for education content and activities, and Midland County Sheriff's Office to purchase a Mobile Command/Emergency Operations Center.

Human Services: Programs addressing community needs. Recent grants of $2.8 million to 14 organizations included Hellinghausen Hope for security cameras and playground equipment at their affordable housing complex, and Spectrum of Solutions to expand the A Street campus and Children's Therapy Center.

Funding Preferences

  • Strong preference for capital projects: construction, renovations and repairs, equipment purchase and installation
  • Program support and expansion: particularly when aligned with capital improvements or capacity building
  • Lasting, visible community impact: projects that continue the legacy of helping build Midland

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Churches
  • Lobbying organizations
  • Individual primary/secondary schools serving the general population
  • Consecutive-year non-capital grants (multi-year operational funding is not typically supported)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Mary Ann Beninati, President and CEO (January 2025 - present): Former corporate attorney and oil and gas executive with extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions, and organizational culture. She has lived in Midland since 2008 and currently serves as Board President of Trinity School of Midland and is Past Board President of the YMCA of Midland. Board member Tim Leach praised her "leadership qualities and community commitment."

Grant Billingsley, Founding President and CEO (2011-2024, retired): Led the foundation from its inception through 2024, establishing its focus on capital projects and community impact.

Board of Directors

Dan Hord, Board Chair: Also serves as co-chair of the Executive Campaign Committee for the Young Life Camp LoneHollow Ranch and member of the Baylor College of Medicine Development Board. Appointed to the Texas Public Safety Commission by Governor Abbott in 2024.

Tim Leach, Board Member

Additional board members are not publicly listed on the foundation's website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Submission (Required First Step):

  • Organizations must submit an online pre-application during specified windows (spring: January 8-22; fall: dates posted on website)
  • Pre-applications submitted outside these windows will generally not be considered
  • Pre-applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the deadline day
  • As of July 2025, all applicants must create new accounts to submit applications

Important Note for First-Time Applicants: "First-time applicants, and any applicant with projects that fall outside of the Foundation's guidelines, should visit with Foundation staff before submitting a Pre-Application."

Full Application (Invitation Only):

  • Organizations selected during pre-application review will be invited to submit a full grant application
  • Invited applicants must download and complete Adobe PDF forms (Word or Excel substitutions are not accepted)
  • Only online grant applications will be considered

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)
  • Classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)
  • Must provide a copy of the IRS Letter of Determination Ruling
  • Government entities must provide evidence of tax-exempt status
  • Past grant recipients must have submitted all progress/final reports from previously awarded grants

Decision Timeline

  • Spring Cycle: Pre-applications submitted in January; final decisions announced mid-May
  • Fall Cycle: Specific dates vary; final decisions announced early December

The foundation operates on a predictable biannual schedule, with clear timelines from submission to decision spanning approximately 4-5 months per cycle.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 69 grants in 2023 and 65 grants in 2022. However, the foundation does not publicly disclose the total number of applications received or acceptance rates. The two-stage process (pre-application followed by invitation to submit full application) suggests a competitive process with selective advancement to the full application stage.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is publicly documented. The foundation does not explicitly state whether or how soon unsuccessful applicants may reapply. Organizations with questions about reapplication should contact foundation staff directly.

Important Note: Past grant recipients may only be considered for new funding if all progress/final reports for previously awarded grants have been received.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Strong Capital Project Focus: The foundation has a clear preference for "capital projects - including construction, renovations and repairs, and equipment purchase and installation." Recent successful grants include major infrastructure investments like UTPB's teacher certification facilities, medical equipment for healthcare facilities, and community infrastructure improvements.

2. Geographic Alignment: Organizations must work in Midland and Odessa. The foundation's mission specifically focuses on making "Midland a better place in which to live and operate a business."

3. Alignment with Priority Areas: Successful projects fall clearly into Education, Healthcare, Quality of Place, or Human Services. Recent grants show particular strength in:

  • Teacher and principal development programs (Midland ISD initiatives)
  • Early childhood and youth programs (third-grader book distribution, youth sports leagues)
  • Healthcare workforce and infrastructure
  • Community infrastructure with lasting impact

4. Lasting and Visible Community Impact: The foundation continues "the family history of helping build Midland" through projects that create long-term, tangible benefits. One distinction is the preference for capital projects that leave a physical legacy.

5. Capacity Building and Expansion: While the foundation prefers capital projects, they also support "expansion of program capacity" - particularly when tied to infrastructure improvements or significant program growth.

6. Pre-Application Consultation: First-time applicants and those with projects outside standard guidelines are advised to "visit with Foundation staff before submitting a Pre-Application." This suggests that successful applicants engage with foundation staff early to ensure alignment.

7. Reporting Compliance: Past grant recipients must have submitted all progress/final reports. This indicates the foundation values accountability and follow-through.

What to Avoid:

  • Consecutive-year non-capital grants (ongoing operational support)
  • Projects serving only Odessa without Midland connection
  • Applications submitted outside grant cycle windows
  • Incomplete reporting from previous grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital focus is critical: This foundation strongly prefers tangible, brick-and-mortar projects over operational support. Frame your request around construction, equipment, or physical expansion even if it includes programmatic elements.

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations working in Midland and Odessa will be considered. Demonstrate clear service to these communities.

  • Engage staff before applying: Especially for first-time applicants or unusual projects, the foundation explicitly recommends meeting with staff before submission. This is not optional - it's strategic advice directly from the foundation.

  • Plan for the two-stage process: Not everyone who submits a pre-application will be invited to submit a full application. Make your pre-application compelling and ensure it clearly aligns with their four priority areas.

  • Timing matters: Applications outside the specified windows will generally not be considered. Mark your calendar for the January 8-22 spring pre-application window and watch for fall cycle dates.

  • Think legacy and impact: The foundation seeks projects that will have "lasting and visible impact" and continue the Scharbauer family's tradition of "helping build Midland." Emphasize how your project will create enduring community benefit.

  • Maintain excellent reporting: If you've received grants before, ensure all reports are submitted before applying again. The foundation takes compliance seriously and will not consider new applications from organizations with outstanding reports.

References

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