Caris Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 46-0510753 · since 2003carisfoundation.org·Texas·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$5.7M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$5,000 to $2.5M

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$30,050

Typical grant (median)

14 grants in the latest filing

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.

Key takeaways

Caris Foundation funds poverty alleviation work focused on economic empowerment and health and wellbeing, including support for children and families affected by HIV, mostly through general support to charitable organisations and public institutions, plus teacher-appreciation support.
Most grants are modest: half of its grants across its recent filings were about $21,500 or less, though the range runs up to $2,450,000, so a modest request is the realistic starting point for most applicants.
It only makes contributions to preselected organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so there is no open application process to approach.
Giving is heavily relationship-led: the large majority of its grant dollars go to organisations it has already funded in prior years, suggesting it works closely with an established set of partners rather than seeking new ones through applications.
Because it does not accept unsolicited requests, organisations should not apply speculatively; it is only approachable by invitation.

Overview

Caris Foundation is a US private foundation based in Irving, TX.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The foundation’s mission is to help people in need and alleviate human suffering, focusing on impoverished people and the least fortunate where its resources can benefit the greatest number. It seeks to understand communities’ basic needs and implement culturally relevant, sustainable solutions. Its programmes combine economic empowerment with health and wellbeing, including support for children and families affected by HIV. It emphasises empowering people to fulfil their potential and sustaining that potential through training and equipping. Its grants have mainly provided general support to charitable organisations and public institutions, alongside teacher-appreciation support.

Themes

Poverty alleviation

Geographic Focus

No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Texas.

How to apply

Contributions are made only to preselected charitable organisations; unsolicited requests are not accepted.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 98% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 38 grants to organisations were about $21,500 or less.

Where grants go

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

Grant dollars by state

Texas99%

New York<1%

California<1%

Arkansas<1%

North Carolina<1%

Colorado<1%

The largest single recipient received 48% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to organisations Caris Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
48% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

14 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $30,050

How much do they typically give?

Share of 14 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$1k–$2.5k7%

$2.5k–$5k0%

$5k–$10k0%

$10k–$25k36%

$25k–$50k14%

$50k–$100k21%

$100k–$250k7%

$250k–$500k0%

$500k–$1M0%

$1M and over14%

Median $30,050 (tax year 2024)

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

Caris Foundation International · Payment for general support
$2,747,5762024 tax year
Abilene Christian University · Payment for general support
$2,550,0002024 tax year
George W. Bush Foundation · Payment for general support
$100,0002024 tax year
Fortress Youth Development Center · Teacher appreciation
$91,0012024 tax year
Bands Ministries · Payment for general support
$65,7862024 tax year
Changing Lives · Payment for general support
$50,0002024 tax year
Touch a Life Foundation · Payment for general support
$35,0002024 tax year
New York Cancer Foundation · Payment for general support
$25,1002024 tax year

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

Officers and directors

Patrick D Halbert — Director
Michael D Halbert — Director
Christopher Harmon — Vice President / Secretary
Kristen S Halbert — Director / Treasurer
Kathryn A Halbert — Executive Director / President
David D Halbert — Vice President / Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$5,968,516	$5,104,325	$34,163,797	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$6,172,838	$5,385,190	$38,230,150	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$6,247,164	$5,739,165	$36,080,125	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.