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John A and Charlotte G Yates Legacy Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

John A and Charlotte G Yates Legacy Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $913,000 (FY 2024)
  • Number of Grants: 12 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $18,600 (based on 2023 data)
  • Total Assets: $20.7 million (FY 2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Primary focus on Eddy County, NM, with extended support to Doña Ana County, Permian Basin, and select national initiatives
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 100, Artesia, NM 88211-0100
Phone: 575-640-4193
Website: https://yateslegacynonprofits.org/john-a-charlotte-g-yates-legacy-foundation/
Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=yateslegacy
Email Inquiries: yvonnep@yateslegacy.com (for portal access questions)

Overview

The John A. and Charlotte G. Yates Legacy Foundation was established in 2011 by John A. Yates, Sr. and Charlotte G. Yates of Artesia, New Mexico. The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the Yates family, whose roots in New Mexico's oil and gas industry date back to 1924 when John's father drilled the first commercial oil well on state lands. John A. Yates, Sr., a legendary wildcatter who was inducted into multiple petroleum halls of fame, passed away in 2022, but the foundation continues under the leadership of his wife Charlotte and President & CEO Yvonne Palmer. Operating as a private family foundation with over $20 million in assets, it distributed $913,000 in charitable grants in FY 2024. The foundation is rooted in the Yates family's long-standing values of service, entrepreneurship, integrity, and community, with a dedication to making a meaningful and lasting impact in rural New Mexico communities.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five key areas:

  1. Youth Development — Supporting education, safety, sports, and arts advancement for young people
  2. Healthcare Access — Hospice care and rural healthcare support
  3. Advocacy & Support — Safety and well-being for women and children, including survivors of domestic violence
  4. Services for Military Veterans — Resources, rehabilitation, and support programs
  5. Faith-Based Initiatives — Gospel spreading and Christian outreach

Geographic Requirements

  • Primary Focus: Eddy County, New Mexico (minimum 50% of giving directed here, particularly the City of Artesia)
  • Extended Focus: Doña Ana County, Permian Basin region, and select national initiatives
  • Overall Requirement: 75% of total annual giving must go to New Mexico non-profit organizations

What They Fund

  • Tax-exempt charitable organizations (501(c)(3) entities)
  • Government-sponsored projects
  • Initiatives involving collaborative efforts among multiple agencies
  • Programs with broad community involvement
  • Projects with clear plans for long-term sustainability
  • Organizations demonstrating thoughtful planning and measurable impact

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Structure:

  • Founder & Director: Charlotte G. Yates
  • President & CEO: Yvonne Palmer (oversees daily operations)
  • Board of Directors:
    • John D. Perini (Vice President, independent board member)
    • Jimmy Naylor (Vice President, independent board member)
    • Melinda Weast (Secretary/Treasurer, independent board member)
  • Administrative Support: Yates Legacy, LLC (provides accounting, investments, and administrative services)

Compensation: Current officers receive no compensation for their service to the foundation.

Founder's Legacy: The foundation honors John Ashby Yates, Sr. (1929-2022), a pioneering wildcatter who developed the Pecos Slope Abo Field with over 400 producing wells. He was named "All American Wildcatter of the Year" in 1996 and inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame (2005) and Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Hall of Fame (2009). Charlotte Yates continues his philanthropic vision, having established multiple foundations in the Yates Legacy family.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications year-round through an online grant portal:

  1. New Organizations: Create a new account at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=yateslegacy
  2. Additional Users from Existing Organizations: Contact yvonnep@yateslegacy.com to be added to your organization's account
  3. Application Method: Rolling basis (applications accepted anytime for mission-aligned activities)
  4. Platform: Grant Lifecycle Manager (provided by Foundant Technologies)

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must be:

  • Recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable entity
  • Aligned with the foundation's priority areas
  • Able to demonstrate thoughtful planning and measurable impact
  • Committed to community engagement and diversified support

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors on a rolling basis. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect board-level review emphasizing collaborative efforts and long-term sustainability. Contact the foundation directly for current timeline expectations.

Grant Amounts

  • FY 2024 Total Giving: $913,000 in charitable disbursements
  • Number of Awards: 12 grants in 2023, 11 in 2022, 10 in 2021
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $18,600 (based on 2023 data of $223,000 distributed across 12 awards)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified; awarded amounts reflect demonstrated need and community engagement priorities

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications will demonstrate:

Alignment with Core Values: The foundation prioritizes organizations that embody service, entrepreneurship, integrity, and community values. Applications should clearly articulate how projects reflect these principles.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation explicitly states that "priority is given to initiatives that involve collaborative efforts among multiple agencies." Applications should highlight partnerships and multi-organization coordination.

Community Engagement: Projects with "broad community involvement" are favored. Demonstrate how the community has been involved in planning and will participate in implementation.

Long-Term Sustainability: Include "a clear plan for long-term sustainability" in your application. Show how the project will continue beyond grant funding.

Measurable Impact: The foundation seeks organizations that demonstrate "measurable impact." Include specific metrics and evaluation plans.

Demonstrated Need: Grant amounts "reflect both the demonstrated need and the Foundation's emphasis on community engagement and diversified support." Clearly articulate the need your organization addresses.

Geographic Focus: Organizations serving Eddy County (especially Artesia) should emphasize their local impact, as at least 50% of foundation giving supports this area.

Faith Integration (for applicable organizations): For faith-based organizations, demonstrate alignment with the foundation's commitment to "spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and supporting Christian outreach."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local focus is critical: The foundation must direct at least 50% of giving to Artesia/Eddy County and 75% to New Mexico overall—emphasize your local roots and impact
  • Collaboration wins: Applications highlighting partnerships with multiple agencies and broad community involvement receive priority consideration
  • Show sustainability: Include concrete plans for how your project will continue after grant funding ends
  • Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines allow you to apply when ready, but also mean no guaranteed review schedule
  • Modest grant sizes: With an average grant around $18,600, tailor your request accordingly and consider this as one part of a diversified funding strategy
  • Values alignment matters: The foundation is rooted in Christian values, service, and entrepreneurship—applications should reflect these principles where appropriate
  • Emphasize measurable outcomes: Include specific metrics and evaluation plans to demonstrate your commitment to accountability
  • Leverage the Yates legacy: Understanding the family's deep roots in Artesia's oil and gas industry and their multi-generational commitment to the community can help contextualize your application

References

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