The 1687 Foundation

Private operating foundation · EIN 26-3772474 · since 20221687foundation.com·United States·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$4.7M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$2,500 to $100k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$15,000

Typical grant (median)

90 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

The 1687 Foundation funds work in Christian resources, charitable retreats, hunting and fishing, and at-risk populations, with its Geographic focus given as United States.
A realistic request is modest: about 8 in 10 of its 169 grants fall between $2,500 and $100,000, and half of all grants are about $15,000 or less, though the largest grant made was $580,000.
It accepts applications to fixed deadlines, and for a request tied to a specific event the Inquiry Form should be submitted more than three but less than six weeks before the event.
A large share of its grant dollars, 69%, went to organisations it had also funded before, so the approach looks relationship-led, and submitting an inquiry does not guarantee resources.
For its Book Ministry specifically, it does not fund personal ministries, street evangelism, or any distribution that does not serve its stated target ministries.

Overview

The 1687 Foundation is a US private foundation based in Mckinney, TX.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The 1687 Foundation says it seeks to improve lives through free, life-changing experiences, accommodations and resources for nonprofit organisations and individuals who serve others. Its Book Ministry provides free Christian resources in the United States to established ministries and organisations serving service professions, prison ministries, healthcare facilities, children’s programmes and at-risk populations, including homeless shelters, food banks and soup kitchens. The Retreat Program offers restoration, healing and retreat, and supports other 501(c)(3) organisations in fulfilling their missions of service. Its Hunting and Fishing Ministry offers solace, healing and refuge through outdoor activities to people who need them, sharing Christ in those activities.

Themes

Christian resources
Charitable retreats
Hunting and fishing
At-risk populations

Geographic Focus

United States.

What They Don't Fund

Book Ministry only: personal ministries; street evangelism; any distribution that does not serve our stated target ministries

How to apply

Organisations seeking Book Ministry resources submit an Inquiry Form; the foundation reviews the information to determine whether the organisation qualifies, and an inquiry does not guarantee resources.

Deadlines: For requests for a specific event, submit the form more than three but less than six weeks before the event.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 69% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2024 filings, half of its 169 grants to organisations were about $15,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

The Book Ministry targets established ministries and organisations serving its stated groups, including service professions, prison ministries, healthcare facilities, children and at-risk populations.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Texas84%

Alabama6%

Ohio3%

Georgia2%

Tennessee1%

North Carolina1%

4 other states: 2%

The largest single recipient received 31% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to organisations The 1687 Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
<1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

90 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $15,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 90 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k3%

$1k–$2.5k4%

$2.5k–$5k10%

$5k–$10k12%

$10k–$25k28%

$25k–$50k16%

$50k–$100k12%

$100k–$250k11%

$250k–$500k1%

$500k–$1M2%

Median $15,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Texas Tech Foundation · Donation
$580,0002024 tax year
Texas Tech Foundation · Donation
$500,0002024 tax year
Texas Tech Foundation · Donation
$350,0002024 tax year
Heartbeat International · Donation
$240,0002024 tax year
Lifeline Children's Services · Donation
$180,5632024 tax year
Camp Able of Buffalo Gap · Donation
$150,4952024 tax year
Open Door · Donation
$123,0632024 tax year
Elam Ministries · Donation
$120,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Herbert L Cartwright — Director, CEO
Don L Parks — Director
Dona R Bradley — Director
Deborah J Galloway — Director Of Finance, V.P.
Patti Jo Peck Wood — Director, President
Thad Chambers — Director
Mindy R Johnson — Director Of Grants, V.P.
Jerry G Rainey Jr — Director, V.P. Ranch Wildlife

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

2 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$7,570,778	$3,083,375	$148,344,088	Filing for 2022 tax year
2024 tax year	$10,156,028	$4,680,477	$202,063,365	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.