Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $11,663,045 - $12,910,425
- Success Rate: Not available (invitation-only process)
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: $86 - $17,000,000
- Geographic Focus: Texas (emphasis on Central and rural West Texas), also California and New Mexico
Contact Details
- Website: https://stillwaterfdn.org/
- Phone: Not publicly listed
- Email: Contact through website form at stillwaterfdn.org/contact/
- Address: 1606 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
Overview
Still Water Foundation II is a private foundation established in 1982 by Julia "Jill" Matthews Wilkinson, with roots tracing back to the Dodge Jones Foundation founded in 1954. With total assets of $151.3 million and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $11.6 million, the foundation makes approximately 75-79 grants annually. The foundation operates with a sophisticated, strategic approach to philanthropy, focusing on making catalytic investments that create meaningful community change across Texas, with particular emphasis on Central and rural West Texas regions including the Permian Basin and Trans-Pecos areas. Still Water Foundation is known for its proactive, relationship-driven grantmaking approach and leadership in rural Texas development initiatives.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not have specific named grant programs but makes grants ranging from $86 to $17,000,000 in the following areas:
- Arts & Culture: Supporting cultural institutions and creative initiatives
- Education: Funding schools, universities, and educational programs
- Environment: Environmental conservation and natural resource protection
- Spirituality: Supporting spiritual development and faith-based programs
- Social Services: Human services and community support organizations
Priority Areas
- Rural Texas development (particularly Permian Basin and Trans-Pecos regions)
- Statewide rural broadband access initiatives
- Capital campaigns for major institutions
- Endowment support for educational institutions
- Community revitalization projects
- Capacity building for rural nonprofits
What They Don't Fund
While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus suggests they typically do not fund:
- Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
- Projects not aligned with their five core focus areas
- Individual requests or scholarships
Governance and Leadership
Board of Directors:
- Julia M. Wilkinson - President/Board Chair (Founder)
- Duncan E. Osborne - Vice President/Secretary
- James A. Flieller - Treasurer
- Dennis Wilkinson - Board Member
- Melissa Wilkinson - Board Member
Key Staff:
- Ellen O. Ray - CEO/Executive Director (20+ years of leadership)
- Katy Sauer - Senior Program Officer
- Lisa Jacobs - Program Associate
- Pam Lawrence - Finance and Operations Manager
Ellen Ray serves as founding board president of Texas Rural Funders, a coalition of 45+ philanthropies, and has stated: "The Rural Funders are backing this effort because we believe every Texan should have access to the resources and opportunities that can improve their lives."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Still Water Foundation II operates on an invitation-only basis. The foundation's staff proactively identifies and cultivates relationships with nonprofit organizations. Grant opportunities come through:
- Proactive identification by foundation staff
- Direct invitation to apply for funding
- Cultivation of relationships over time
Organizations may submit a brief description of their work through the contact form on the foundation's website (stillwaterfdn.org/contact/), but this is an inquiry only and not a guarantee of consideration. The foundation notes they have "limited capacity for responding to inquiries" and "not all inquiries will receive a reply."
Getting on Their Radar
- Submit a brief inquiry through the foundation's website contact form if your work aligns with their five focus areas
- Participate in Texas philanthropic networks where Still Water Foundation is active, particularly Texas Rural Funders and Philanthropy Southwest
- Build visibility in Central and rural West Texas communities where the foundation concentrates its work
- Collaborate with organizations already in the foundation's portfolio, as they often support collaborative initiatives
- Engage with the Digital Texas network if working on broadband access issues
Decision Timeline
Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on its own internal timeline for identifying and funding organizations.
Success Rates
Not applicable due to invitation-only process.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly stated, as the foundation initiates all grant relationships.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's giving patterns and stated priorities:
- Geographic alignment is crucial - organizations with impact in Central Texas, rural West Texas, Permian Basin, or Trans-Pecos regions are prioritized
- Collaborative approach - The foundation values organizations that work with other nonprofits and funders
- Long-term impact - Projects that create lasting, catalytic change are favored over short-term initiatives
- Rural focus - Organizations addressing challenges specific to rural Texas communities have strong alignment
- Scale of impact - The foundation makes both transformational multi-million dollar grants and smaller targeted investments
- Established track record - Many recipients are well-established institutions with proven impact
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Still Water Foundation II does not accept traditional grant applications - all funding is by invitation only
- The foundation makes approximately 75-79 grants annually totaling over $11 million
- Geographic focus on Texas (especially Central and rural regions) is essential for consideration
- Building relationships and visibility within Texas philanthropic networks is more important than formal applications
- The foundation supports both large capital campaigns ($17 million+) and smaller operational grants
- Submit brief inquiries through their website, but understand that most will not receive responses
- Focus on demonstrating alignment with their five core areas: Arts, Education, Environment, Spirituality, and Social Services
References
- Still Water Foundation official website: https://stillwaterfdn.org/ (Accessed January 2025)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Still Water Foundation II Form 990 data (2021-2023)
- Candid/Foundation Directory Online - Still Water Foundation II profile
- FoundationSearch - Still Water Foundation II ranking and financial data
- Texas Rural Funders coalition information
- Digital Texas network resources
- Chronicle of Philanthropy - Coverage of Still Water Foundation grants
- Various grantee announcements and press releases (2022-2024)