Ram Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,208,044 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $48 - $601,000
• Geographic Focus: Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma (primary); Arkansas, Kansas, New York (secondary)

Contact Details

Primary Contact: Dede Fasken, Executive Director

• Email: ramfoundation@suddenlinkmail.com
• Phone: (602) 222-0767
• Mailing Address: PO Box 1339, Paris, TX 75461
• Website: Not confirmed

Overview

The Ram Foundation is a private foundation based in Paris, Texas, with assets of approximately $36.9 million. Established as a family foundation, it distributed $2.2 million through 80 grants in 2024, maintaining a consistent pattern of 72-80 grants annually over recent years. The foundation focuses on education, human services, and philanthropic infrastructure, primarily serving communities in Texas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. Led by the Fasken family, including President F. Andrew Fasken and Executive Director Dede Fasken, the foundation operates with minimal public-facing infrastructure, typical of family-operated private foundations. While specific application guidelines are not publicly available, the foundation demonstrates steady grantmaking with awards ranging from $48 to $601,000, suggesting flexibility to support both small community initiatives and major institutional projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General grantmaking program: $48 - $601,000
• Application method appears to be by invitation or direct request
• No specific program categories publicly documented

Priority Areas

• Education initiatives
• Human services programs
• Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking infrastructure
• Organizations serving communities in Texas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly documented; contact foundation for restrictions

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• F. Andrew Fasken - President
• John R. Elliott - Vice President
• Dede Fasken - Executive Director

The foundation is operated by the Fasken family, who also operate The Fasken Foundation (a separate entity) in Midland, Texas. While leadership quotes specific to the Ram Foundation are not publicly available, the family's philanthropic approach appears focused on education and human services based on their consistent grantmaking patterns.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Application materials must be requested directly from the foundation by contacting Executive Director Dede Fasken at ramfoundation@suddenlinkmail.com or (602) 222-0767. The foundation operates without a public website or online application portal, and appears to make grants primarily through existing relationships and board connections.

Getting on Their Radar

• Initial contact should be made via email to ramfoundation@suddenlinkmail.com with a brief letter of inquiry
• Review their Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica) to identify organizations similar to yours that have received funding
• Consider whether your organization has existing board or community connections to the foundation
• Organizations based in Texas, South Dakota, or Oklahoma have the strongest geographic alignment

Decision Timeline

No public information available regarding application deadlines, review periods, or board meeting schedules

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not documented; inquire directly with the foundation

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

• Strong geographic alignment with Texas, South Dakota, or Oklahoma significantly increases likelihood of consideration
• Organizations with existing relationships or board connections to the Fasken family may have advantages
• Wide grant range ($48-$601,000) suggests openness to projects of various scales
• Consistent annual grantmaking (72-80 grants) indicates established relationships with core grantees
• Focus on education and human services aligns with broader Fasken family philanthropic interests
• Small, family-operated structure suggests personalized approach to grantmaking decisions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct outreach to Dede Fasken is essential as there is no public application process
• Research Form 990-PF filings to understand past grantmaking patterns before making contact
• Geographic location in Texas, South Dakota, or Oklahoma is likely critical for consideration
• Be prepared for possible invitation-only status; have alternative funding sources identified
• Average grant size of approximately $27,600 but range extends to $601,000 for major projects
• Foundation maintains consistent grantmaking year-over-year, suggesting stable funding relationships
• Lack of public information suggests relationship-based rather than competitive grantmaking approach

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ram Foundation Profile (accessed March 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Ram Foundation (accessed March 2024)
• Grantmakers.io - Ram Foundation Profile 263541160 (accessed March 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Ram Foundation RAMF412 (accessed March 2024)
• Cause IQ - Ram Foundation 263541160 (accessed March 2024)
• Tax Exempt World - Organization Profile 1737096 (accessed March 2024)
• GuideStar - Ram Foundation Profile (accessed March 2024)
• Grantable.co - Ram Foundation Profile (accessed March 2024)