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Warren Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.8M
Decision Time
3mo

Warren Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,394,124 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $158.4 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely, median $6,000
  • Total Grants Awarded: 123 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Permian Basin region of West Texas
  • Application Method: Two-stage process with spring and fall cycles

Contact Details

Address: 808 W. Wall Street, Midland, TX 79701

Phone: (432) 683-9094

Email: info@warrengiving.org

Website: https://warrengiving.org

Overview

The Warren Charitable Foundation was established in 2010 as a private independent foundation committed to improving lives in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. With total assets exceeding $158 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $4.4 million, the foundation operates through a structured two-cycle grant program each year. The foundation received significant contributions of over $50.7 million in 2024, demonstrating strong ongoing donor support. Led by President W. Stirling Warren and Vice President Anne M. Warren, the foundation made 123 grants in 2024 with a median grant size of $6,000, though individual awards ranged from small project grants to major capital support exceeding $1.8 million. The foundation exclusively serves qualified organizations providing services in the Permian Basin, with a particular focus on program support, capital projects, and initiatives that further charitable purposes in the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Warren Charitable Foundation operates two distinct grant cycles annually:

  • Spring Grant Cycle: Letters of Intent accepted January through early March
  • Fall Grant Cycle: Letters of Intent accepted July through early September

Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and organizational capacity. The 2024 median grant was $6,000, but awards ranged from small program grants to major capital investments exceeding $1.8 million.

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish explicit priority areas, analysis of recent grant recipients reveals funding concentration in:

  • Children and Family Services: Major support for organizations like Buckner Children & Family Services ($361,000) and Basin Dream Center for Orphans ($120,000)
  • Community Development: Significant investment in facilities and programs that strengthen community infrastructure
  • Youth Development: Support for organizations like YMCA ($125,000) that provide youth programming
  • Human Services: General support for organizations addressing community needs in the Permian Basin

The foundation's largest 2024 grant went to The Memas Foundation ($1,835,000), suggesting capacity for substantial capital or program investments in established regional organizations.

Geographic Requirements

Organizations must provide services in the Permian Basin region of West Texas, centered around Midland. This is a strict eligibility requirement.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's website and materials do not provide a specific list of exclusions. However, organizations outside the Permian Basin service area are not eligible.

Governance and Leadership

The Warren Charitable Foundation is governed by a six-member board that includes:

  • W. Stirling Warren, President (20 hours/week)
  • Anne M. Warren, Vice President (15 hours/week)
  • Kevin Y. Petty, Treasurer/Executive Director (20 hours/week)
  • Joshua P. Ham, Secretary (5 hours/week)
  • David Smith, Board Member (5 hours/week)
  • Allen Pruitt, Board Member (20 hours/week)

All board members serve without compensation, demonstrating a volunteer-driven governance model focused on maximizing charitable impact in the region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Warren Charitable Foundation uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

  • Organizations must first submit an online Letter of Intent through the foundation's grant management portal
  • Must include a copy of the organization's IRS determination letter
  • Submitted during designated application windows only

Stage 2: Full Application (By Invitation Only)

  • Following LOI review, the foundation invites selected organizations to submit full grant applications
  • Only invited organizations may submit full applications
  • Applications must be submitted online through the portal provided by the foundation

Important System Update: As of January 1, 2025, the Warren Charitable Foundation changed grant management software. All organizations, including previous applicants, must create new accounts to access the LOI portal.

Application Deadlines

2026 Application Windows:

  • Spring Cycle LOI: January 12 - March 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM
  • Fall Cycle LOI: July 13 - September 7, 2026 by 5:00 PM

Note: Requests are generally not considered outside these established cycles. Organizations should plan accordingly and ensure submissions are complete before the 5:00 PM deadline.

Decision Timeline

The foundation has not published specific timelines for LOI review or final grant decisions. Organizations should expect:

  • LOI review period following each deadline
  • Invitation notifications for selected organizations to submit full applications
  • Final grant decisions communicated after full application review

Based on the twice-yearly cycle structure, organizations should anticipate several months between initial LOI submission and final grant notification.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish application statistics or success rates. With 123 grants awarded in 2024 against total charitable disbursements of $4.4 million, the foundation demonstrates active grantmaking. However, the competitive nature of the invitation-only full application stage suggests organizations should present compelling cases in their Letters of Intent.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not published a formal reapplication policy. Organizations that are not invited to submit full applications or that receive unsuccessful decisions may apply in subsequent grant cycles, as the foundation operates ongoing spring and fall cycles.

Application Success Factors

Strong LOI Strategy is Critical

The two-stage process means your Letter of Intent must be exceptionally strong to receive an invitation to submit a full application. Key elements to emphasize:

  • Permian Basin Impact: Clearly articulate how your organization serves the Permian Basin community and the specific population you reach in this region
  • Program Specificity: Be concrete about what the grant will accomplish rather than requesting general operating support without context
  • Organizational Capacity: Demonstrate your organization's stability, track record, and ability to effectively use grant funds
  • Community Connections: Show how your work addresses genuine community needs and connects to the foundation's broad mission of "improving lives"

Understanding Grant Patterns

Analysis of 2024 grants reveals important patterns:

  • Established Relationships: The largest grants went to recognized regional organizations with proven track records
  • Range of Support: While the median grant is $6,000, the foundation demonstrates capacity for both modest program grants and major capital investments
  • Children and Families: Significant concentration of funding supports organizations serving children, youth, and families in need
  • Purpose Clarity: Recent grants specify clear purposes including "Program Support," "Capital," and "To Further Charitable Purpose"

Demonstrating Regional Commitment

Organizations should emphasize:

  • Years of service in the Permian Basin
  • Specific communities or populations served in the region
  • How your work complements or fills gaps in regional services
  • Partnerships with other Permian Basin organizations
  • Understanding of unique regional needs and challenges

Technical Requirements

  • Ensure your IRS determination letter is current and clearly shows 501(c)(3) status
  • Create your new account in the grant management system well before the deadline
  • Submit complete LOIs before the 5:00 PM deadline—late submissions are not considered
  • Follow any word count or format requirements specified in the online portal
  • Be prepared to respond quickly if invited to submit a full application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Your organization must serve the Permian Basin region to be considered
  • The LOI is your critical first impression: With a two-stage process, invest significant effort in crafting a compelling Letter of Intent that clearly demonstrates regional impact
  • Grant sizes vary dramatically: Don't assume you're limited to small grants—the foundation made grants ranging from modest program support to a $1.8+ million award in 2024
  • Plan for the cycle structure: With only two application windows annually, time your proposals strategically and ensure you have all required materials prepared before deadlines
  • Children and families are a clear priority: Organizations serving youth, families, and vulnerable populations appear particularly well-aligned with the foundation's funding patterns
  • Technical compliance matters: Create your new account early, submit before 5:00 PM deadlines, and ensure all required documentation is included
  • Focus on established impact: The foundation's largest grants support organizations with proven track records—emphasize your history, results, and community standing

References

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