Wyatt Ranches Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,330,408 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation/pre-selected organizations only)
• Decision Time: Board meetings held periodically
• Grant Range: $12,000 - $500,000
• Geographic Focus: Rural communities in South and West Texas (from Agua Dulce to Rio Grande River, and west of Marfa)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: Realitos, TX Website: www.wyattranches.com/contact-us Phone: Not publicly listed Email: Contact through website form

Note: The foundation responds to routine inquiries within 72 business hours through Wyatt Ranches contact channels.

Overview

Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in January 2015, the Wyatt Ranches Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Wyatt Ranches, a cattle ranching operation founded by Oscar Wyatt in 1965. With total assets of approximately $40.6 million, the foundation distributed over $2.3 million in grants in 2024. The foundation has donated more than $25 million since 2014, focusing its support on rural communities throughout South and West Texas where Wyatt Ranches operates cattle divisions. The foundation's mission centers on supporting communities with limited resources, following the motto "nuestro orgullo es nuestra gente" (our pride is our people). Leadership emphasizes providing resources to communities that would otherwise lack access to significant funding opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through board-approved grants decided at periodic Board of Directors meetings held at the Tasajillo Division in Realitos. There are no formal grant programs; all funding decisions are made by trustee discretion.

Recent Grant Awards (2025):

• Infrastructure Projects: $200,000 - $500,000 (e.g., Agua Dulce Municipal Plaza received $500,000 plus two city lots)
• Major Program Support: $100,000 (standard for significant initiatives)
• Mid-Range Grants: $30,000 - $57,000 (equipment, operational support)
• Smaller Grants/Sponsorships: $12,000 - $20,000

Priority Areas

Public Safety & Emergency Services:

• Law enforcement equipment and vehicles
• Fire department equipment and facilities
• Emergency medical services (ambulances, equipment)
• Police athletic leagues and youth programs
• Crisis management canine programs

Education:

• Scholarships for students (particularly children of DPS officers and peace officers)
• Teacher scholarships and educational materials
• Special needs education programs
• School district foundations
• Continuing education for adults with disabilities

Healthcare:

• Emergency medicine programs at universities
• Hospital support in metropolitan areas
• Children's cancer support services

Community Development:

• Municipal infrastructure (plazas, city offices)
• Veterans services
• Cultural programs (mariachi programs)
• Animal rescue and welfare
• Civic leadership recognition

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly specified exclusions, but their giving pattern clearly favors:

• Organizations located in South and West Texas
• Rural community-serving organizations
• Projects with direct community impact
• First responder and public safety initiatives

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• William C. "Billy" Wells - President, Treasurer & Director (compensation: $105,000)
• Robert T. "Tio" Sakowitz - Vice President & Director (compensation: $97,500)
• Judge Ana Lisa Garza - Secretary & Director (compensation: $102,500)
• Oscar S. "Trey" Wyatt III - Director
• Bradford A. "Brad" Wyatt - Director & Administrator

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Billy Wells (Senior Business Advisor): "We get a reward with the thank yous we get from knowing we are providing sources and resources to communities that would not have it any other way."

Billy Wells (on first responders): The foundation has supported many first responders whose work "touches the lives of many individuals throughout South Texas."

Bradford Wyatt (Administrator): "We have had the opportunity to really step in for those communities who otherwise may have not had the donation."

Ana Lisa Garza (Board Member): "Wyatt Ranches Foundation follows the spirit of the motto... nuestro orgullo es nuestra gente" (our pride is our people).

Trey Wyatt: "We were taught and we were raised that it is very important to give back to the community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly indicates it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

• Board discretion at periodic meetings
• Pre-selection by foundation leadership
• Invitation-only basis
• Review of requests submitted to the board

The foundation receives more grant requests than it can fulfill, and a board of directors reviews requests and approves funding at their discretion.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made at periodic Board of Directors meetings held at the Tasajillo Division in Realitos, TX. Specific meeting schedules are not publicly disclosed. Organizations that have been invited to submit requests or have established relationships with the foundation can expect responses within a reasonable timeframe following board meetings.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with pre-selected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, reapplication would likely depend on maintaining relationships with board members and demonstrating impact from previous support.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their funding patterns reveals key priorities:

Geographic Connection:

• Organizations in rural South Texas (from Agua Dulce to Rio Grande River) and West Texas (west of Marfa) are strongly favored
• Communities where Wyatt Ranches operates divisions receive particular attention

Priority Projects:

• First responder equipment and facilities consistently receive major funding
• Educational scholarships, especially for children of public safety officers
• Emergency medical services infrastructure
• Municipal infrastructure in small communities
• Special education and continuing education programs

Grant Size Patterns: Recent grants demonstrate clear tiers:

• Major infrastructure: $200,000-$500,000 (municipal buildings, major facilities)
• Signature programs: $100,000 (Police Athletic League, special education, DPS scholarships)
• Equipment/operational: $30,000-$57,000 (fire trucks, rescue vehicles, program support)
• Sponsorships/smaller programs: $12,000-$20,000 (community events, specific initiatives)

Community Impact Focus: The foundation emphasizes supporting "communities with limited resources" and providing "sources and resources to communities that would not have it any other way." Projects demonstrating clear benefit to underserved rural communities align with this mission.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• $514,000 to Duval County Emergency Services for two new ambulances
• $190,000 to Bluntzer Volunteer Fire Department for quick-response fire truck
• $137,500 to Alice Police Department for three patrol units
• $100,000 to Rio Grande City/La Grulla ISD for special needs adult continuing education
• $1 million to University of Texas Health for emergency medicine programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this is an invitation-only funder that pre-selects organizations; traditional grant writing will not be effective
• Geographic focus is critical - organizations must serve rural communities in South or West Texas where Wyatt Ranches operates
• First responder and emergency services projects receive consistent, substantial funding - law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS are top priorities
• Education grants favor scholarships - particularly for children of public safety officers, teachers, and special needs students
• Grant sizes are substantial - the foundation makes meaningful grants ranging from $12,000 to $500,000, with most significant grants at $100,000
• Board connections matter - with only five board members making all funding decisions, relationships with board leadership are essential
• Rural community impact is paramount - the foundation's motto and leadership statements emphasize supporting communities with inadequate resources

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wyatt Ranches Foundation (EIN 36-4794505), Form 990-PF filings 2015-2024. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364794505

2. KRIS 6 News. "Wyatt Ranches donates over $1 million to support organizations in need." February 2025. https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/corpus-christi/wyatt-ranches-donates-over-1-million-to-support-organizations-in-need

3. Alice Echo News Journal. "WYATT RANCHES DONATES OVER $1,000,000 TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS IN NEED." February 26, 2025. https://www.alicetx.com/2025/02/26/wyatt-ranches-donates-over-1000000-to-support-organizations-in-need-2/

4. Philanthropy News Digest. "Wyatt Ranches awards $2 million in grants to South Texas organizations." 2023. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/wyatt-ranches-awards-2-million-in-grants-to-south-texas-organizations

5. KRIS 6 News. "KRIS 6 Angels: Wyatt Ranches Foundation." Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.kristv.com/community/kris-6-angels/kris-6-angels-wyatt-ranches-foundation

   • Quote: Ana Lisa Garza on foundation motto
   • Quote: Bradford Wyatt on stepping in for communities
   • Quote: Billy Wells on providing resources

6. KRIS 6 News. "Wyatt Ranches Foundation gives large grants to local police and firefighters." Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/wyatt-ranches-foundation-gives-large-grants-to-local-police-and-firefighters

   • Quote: Trey Wyatt on giving back to community
   • Details on Alice Police Department and Bluntzer Fire Department grants

7. Cause IQ. "Wyatt Ranches Foundation - Realitos, TX." Profile data. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/wyatt-foundation,364794505/

8. Grantmakers.io. "Wyatt Ranches Foundation Profile." 2023 tax year data. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/364794505-wyatt-ranches-foundation/

9. Wyatt Ranches official website. Contact page. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.wyattranches.com/contact-us