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M R And Evelyn Hudson Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,900,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Twice yearly (spring and fall)
  • Grant Range: Varies (average grant ~$50,515)
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (CA, CO, KS, MO, NY, OK, TX, VA, DC)
  • Total Assets: $77.8 million

Contact Details

Website: www.thehudsonfoundation.org
Address: Keller, TX
EIN: 48-1107753

Note: Contact details for individual staff members are not publicly listed. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Overview

Established in 1992, the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Keller, Texas. With assets totaling approximately $77.8 million, the foundation distributed $4,900,000 in grants across 97 awards in 2023. The foundation operates through a carefully planned Vision Document process, identifying organizations annually that align with its mission to support community development, arts, education, and children, youth, and family services. The foundation's grantmaking extends across multiple states including California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Leadership includes M K Larson as President and Director, Jesse Larson as Vice President and Grants Analyst, and Karon Smith as Secretary and Treasurer.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate traditional open grant programs. Instead, it uses an annual Vision Document to identify organizations for funding. Organizations included in the Vision Document receive invitations to apply within the first ninety days of each calendar year.

  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $50,515
  • Total Annual Distribution: $4,900,000 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 97 grants in 2023, 76 in 2022, 67 in 2021
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Priority Areas

The foundation's currently identified areas of interest include:

  • Children's Interests/Discovery Experiences: Programs that provide enriching experiences and opportunities for children
  • Education: Including support for K-12 education, community colleges (such as scholarships at Johnson County Community College), and educational initiatives
  • Arts and Culture: Supporting arts organizations and cultural programs
  • Community Development: Primary focus area for the foundation

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)(3) entities
  • Unsolicited grant requests from organizations not identified in the annual Vision Document
  • Generally, the same organization will not receive more than one grant within a calendar year

Governance and Leadership

M K Larson - President and Director
Jesse Larson - Vice President and Grants Analyst
Karon Smith - Secretary and Treasurer

The foundation operates with a board of directors who serve without compensation. The grant committee meets weekly to review applications from invited organizations, with final decisions and payouts made twice annually in spring and fall.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation accepts proposals by invitation only and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Annual Selection Process:

  1. In December, the Board of Directors approves the Vision Document and budget for the following year
  2. Organizations identified within the Vision Document receive letters or calls inviting them to apply for grant funding
  3. Invitations are extended within the first ninety days of the calendar year
  4. Invited organizations submit proposals according to the foundation's specifications
  5. The grant committee meets weekly to review invited applications
  6. Final decisions and payouts are made twice yearly in spring and fall

Decision Timeline

  • Vision Document Approval: December (previous year)
  • Invitation Period: January-March (first 90 days of calendar year)
  • Committee Meetings: Weekly reviews of invited applications
  • Decision & Payment Cycles: Twice annually in spring and fall
  • Grant Limitation: Applicants normally will not receive more than one grant within a calendar year

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations identified in the Vision Document and invited to apply have a higher likelihood of receiving funding than in open application processes. In 2023, the foundation made 97 awards.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may be included in future Vision Documents and invited to apply again in subsequent years. However, the foundation typically does not award more than one grant to the same organization within a calendar year.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates exclusively through an invitation-only process based on their annual Vision Document, the key to receiving funding is alignment with the foundation's strategic priorities as identified by the Board of Directors each December.

For Organizations Seeking Future Consideration:

  • Mission Alignment: Organizations working in children's interests/discovery experiences, education, arts and culture, or community development are most likely to align with the foundation's priorities
  • Geographic Presence: The foundation has demonstrated funding across multiple states (CA, CO, KS, MO, NY, OK, TX, VA, DC), though its roots are in Texas
  • 501(c)(3) Status: Only organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) are eligible
  • Quality Programming: With 97 grants totaling $4.9 million in 2023, the foundation appears to prefer supporting established organizations with proven track records
  • Vision Document Inclusion: Being identified in the foundation's annual Vision Document is the prerequisite for invitation to apply

When Invited to Apply:

  • Respond promptly to invitations (extended in first 90 days of calendar year)
  • Follow application specifications exactly as outlined in the invitation
  • Demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's identified priority areas
  • Be aware of the bi-annual decision timeline (spring and fall)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations must be identified in the annual Vision Document approved each December to receive an invitation to apply
  • Strategic Planning Cycle: The Board approves priorities and budget at year-end, with invitations extended January-March
  • Limited Annual Funding: Organizations typically cannot receive more than one grant per calendar year from the foundation
  • Focus Areas: Prioritize children's programming, education, arts/culture, and community development initiatives
  • Multi-State Reach: Despite Texas base, the foundation funds across at least nine states and DC
  • Relationship-Based: The invitation-only model suggests the foundation values ongoing relationships with organizations that align with its strategic vision
  • Regular Review Process: Weekly committee meetings followed by bi-annual decision cycles indicate a structured, deliberative approach to grantmaking

References

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