C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,135,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $19,348,408 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 34 grants (2024)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000
• Average Grant Size: ~$33,400
• Geographic Focus: Palm Beach County, Florida

Contact Details

Address: 505 S Flagler Dr Ste 900, West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5948 (Note: Recent address change registered to 360 South Rosemary Ave STE 1605, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 as of February 2025)

Phone: 561-832-9292

Website: https://thebaxterfoundation.org/

EIN: 59-2706460

Overview

The C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation Inc. is a private family foundation established in 1986 and based in West Palm Beach, Florida. With total assets of approximately $19.3 million and annual giving of $1.1 million in 2024, the foundation focuses on enriching the lives of Palm Beach County residents through strategic philanthropic investments. The foundation was established to honor C. Kenneth Baxter, who died from Alzheimer's disease, and his legacy continues through the foundation's work led by family trustees. The foundation maintains a highly selective, invitation-only approach to grantmaking, focusing on health associations (particularly Alzheimer's disease), youth agencies and services, and Christian organizations. A significant milestone in the foundation's history was funding the construction of the Baxter Building for Alzheimer's Community Care in 1996, demonstrating their commitment to creating lasting infrastructure for community benefit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a single discretionary grant program with no public application cycles. Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis throughout the year to pre-selected organizations.

• Discretionary Grants: $5,000 - $100,000 (by invitation only)

Recent notable grants (2024):

• $100,000 to Quantum House
• $80,000 to Place of Hope
• $75,000 to Palm Beach Atlantic University

Historical grants (2007):

• $87,500 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
• $55,000 to Alzheimer's Association of Palm Beach County
• $45,000 to Hearts and Hope
• $30,000 to Youth for Christ
• $15,000 to Urban Youth Impact

Priority Areas

Health & Medical Services - Primary focus on Alzheimer's disease research, care, and support services. The foundation has a deep personal connection to Alzheimer's care, stemming from C. Kenneth Baxter's death from the disease. Support also extends to other health associations including heart and lung disease organizations.

Youth Development & Services - Support for youth-serving organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts of America, Youth for Christ, and other programs that provide services, development opportunities, and support for young people in Palm Beach County.

Christian Organizations - Grants to faith-based organizations aligned with the foundation's values, including Youth for Christ and other Christian service organizations.

Family Support Services - Organizations providing critical support to families in crisis, such as Place of Hope (foster care and family services) and Quantum House (housing for families with children receiving medical treatment).

Higher Education - Support for Palm Beach Atlantic University and other educational institutions aligned with the foundation's mission.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Does not fund organizations outside of Florida (with primary focus on Palm Beach County)
• Does not respond to general funding inquiries
• Contributes only to pre-selected organizations identified through trustee discretion

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Laura Baxter - Founder/Director
• David S. Donten - Vice President/Director (Compensated at $48,250 annually)
• Pamela A. Markley - Vice President/Director
• William K. Caler, Jr. - Vice Director
• Tasha K. Dickinson - Vice Director

The foundation operates as a family foundation with no full-time employees. Don Baxter (Trustee and nephew of C. Kenneth Baxter) has been instrumental in the foundation's work, particularly developing the Baxter Building as a memorial to his uncle. The foundation is managed with support from Eisner Advisory Group LLC for administrative and financial services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. According to their official communications: "We do not solicit funds, and all award recipients go through a rigorous screening process that is by invitation only. The foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations, and applications are not accepted."

Organizations cannot apply directly to this foundation. The trustees identify potential grantees through their own research, networks, and knowledge of the Palm Beach County nonprofit sector.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their giving patterns may help organizations position themselves within the Palm Beach County philanthropic ecosystem:

Focus on Palm Beach County Impact - The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for organizations making measurable impact in Palm Beach County, particularly those serving vulnerable populations (youth, Alzheimer's patients and families, children in crisis).

Established Organizations with Track Records - Historical grants suggest preference for well-established organizations with proven track records, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Alzheimer's Association, and major health organizations.

Board and Trustee Networks - The foundation's trustees are active in Palm Beach County's philanthropic and business communities. Building relationships within these circles through sector-specific events, collaborative initiatives, and community leadership may increase visibility.

Memorial and Legacy Projects - The foundation funded the construction of the Baxter Building, suggesting interest in projects that create lasting infrastructure and legacy, particularly those that can be named in honor of C. Kenneth Baxter or align with his memory.

Alzheimer's Care Connections - Organizations working in Alzheimer's research, care, or family support have a natural alignment with the foundation's core mission and may be more likely to come to trustees' attention.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling basis throughout the year with no fixed deadlines. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees. There is no public information available about typical timeframes from identification to funding, as all grants are proactively initiated by the foundation rather than responsive to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications, so there is no application success rate. In 2024, the foundation made 34 grants totaling $1,135,000, and in 2023 made 36 grants. All grants are by invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or reapplications. Organizations that have received funding in the past may receive additional grants at the trustees' discretion.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, examining their grant history reveals patterns that may indicate what attracts the foundation's attention:

Alignment with Personal Mission - The foundation's giving is deeply rooted in honoring C. Kenneth Baxter's memory and addressing Alzheimer's disease. Organizations working in this space or addressing issues that affected the Baxter family appear to receive priority consideration.

Community Infrastructure Building - The foundation's support for the Baxter Building construction demonstrates interest in creating lasting physical infrastructure that serves the community. Projects that offer naming opportunities or memorial recognition may be of interest.

Youth Development Focus - Consistent support for Boys & Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Urban Youth Impact, and Youth for Christ indicates a strong commitment to youth-serving organizations, particularly those providing character development, mentoring, and support services.

Faith-Based Alignment - Support for Christian organizations like Youth for Christ and Palm Beach Atlantic University suggests that faith-based missions resonate with the foundation's values.

Established Reputation - Grant recipients tend to be well-known, established organizations rather than newer or emerging nonprofits, suggesting trustees rely on organizational track records and reputation.

Palm Beach County Roots - All identified grants support organizations based in or serving Palm Beach County, indicating a strong commitment to local impact.

Family and Health Support - Recent major grants to Quantum House (supporting families during children's medical treatment) and Place of Hope (foster care services) show interest in organizations that strengthen families during crisis.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They identify and invite organizations proactively.

• Deep Alzheimer's Connection: The foundation's origin story is rooted in C. Kenneth Baxter's death from Alzheimer's disease. Organizations working in Alzheimer's care, research, or family support have natural alignment with the foundation's core mission.

• Local Focus Only: All giving appears concentrated in Palm Beach County, Florida. Organizations outside this geographic area should not expect consideration.

• Substantial Grant Sizes: With 34 grants averaging $33,400 and some reaching $100,000, this foundation makes meaningful investments rather than small symbolic gifts.

• Multi-Year Relationships: Several organizations appear in grant histories across multiple years, suggesting the foundation builds ongoing relationships with organizations they value rather than constantly seeking new partners.

• Memorial and Legacy Opportunities: The Baxter Building project demonstrates interest in creating lasting memorials. Organizations that can offer meaningful recognition of the Baxter family legacy may be of interest.

• Network-Based Discovery: With trustees active in Palm Beach County's philanthropic community, being visible through excellent work, sector leadership, and collaborative partnerships may increase the likelihood of coming to trustees' attention.

References

• C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation Official Website: https://thebaxterfoundation.org/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592706460 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 Data: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/592706460 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BAXT002 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Cause IQ Organization Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/c-kenneth-and-laura-baxter-foundation,592706460/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Florida Division of Corporations - Sunbiz.org Entity Records (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• History of Alzheimer's Community Care: https://www.alzcare.org/history-of-alzheimers-community-care (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Here-4-You Consulting Foundation Directory: https://npfunds.com/directory/c-kenneth-and-laura-baxter-foundation-inc-the/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)