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J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$119.1M
Grant Range
Up to $2.0M00
Decision Time
2mo
0

J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $119,109,789 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 1-4 months (quarterly board meetings)
  • Grant Range: Up to $2,000,000 (maximum 20% of project costs)
  • Typical Grant: $600,000 (median)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas only
  • Total Grants Since 1948: Over $1.6 billion

Contact Details

J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation
6 Desta Drive, Suite 5400
Midland, TX 79705
Phone: (432) 848-4260
Website: https://mabeefoundation.com
Application Portal: https://mabeefoundation.com/guidelines

Overview

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation was established in 1948 by John E. and Lottie E. Mabee, Missouri natives who made their fortune in the oil industry. John Mabee's homestead near Randlett, Oklahoma, was leased to Carter Oil Company, and two phenomenal wells drilled in Burkburnett, Texas, in 1919 launched operations that grew until Mabee Consolidated Corporation became the world's largest oil well drilling contractor. With no children, the Mabees left the bulk of their estates to create the Foundation. With current assets of approximately $774 million, the Foundation supports Christian religious organizations, charitable organizations, institutions of higher learning, hospitals, and other organizations of a general charitable nature. Since its inception 75 years ago, the Foundation has issued more than $1.6 billion in grants exclusively to capital projects in its six-state service area. In 2024, the Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling over $119 million. The Foundation is led by Chairman John W. Mabee and Executive Director Michael J. Goeke.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Challenge Grants

  • Grant Amount: Up to 20% of total project costs (maximum $2,000,000)
  • Median Grant Size: $600,000
  • Structure: Challenge grants requiring organizations to raise remaining funds within one year of award or risk grant cancellation
  • Application Method: Quarterly deadlines (December 1, March 1, June 1, September 1) with board decisions the second Tuesday of the following month
  • Type: Capital expenditures only

Priority Areas

The Mabee Foundation exclusively funds capital projects in four areas:

  1. Educational - Institutions of higher learning (not K-12 except schools serving students with disabilities)
  2. Social and Humanitarian Services - Charitable organizations providing community services
  3. Medical and Health - Hospitals and healthcare facilities, including major medical equipment purchases
  4. Cultural and Religious - Christian religious organizations and cultural institutions

Eligible Projects:

  • New construction projects
  • Building renovations
  • Purchase of major medical equipment

Geographic Restriction: Projects must be physically located in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, or Kansas only.

What They Don't Fund

  • Private foundations (as defined in IRC section 509(a))
  • Government-owned or operated institutions
  • Individuals
  • Local church bodies
  • K-12 schools (except those serving students with disabilities)
  • Projects already under construction or with signed construction contracts
  • Renovations to leased property (unless long-term ownership lease exists)
  • Debt retirement
  • Endowments
  • Operating expenses
  • Equipment purchases (except major medical equipment)
  • Borrowed funds, internal/reserve funds, or estate bequests counted toward the 40% requirement
  • Donations not designated for the specific project
  • Government grants counted toward the 40% requirement

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • John W. Mabee - Chairman (Midland, TX)
  • Raymond L. Tullius, Jr. - Vice-Chairman (Tulsa, OK)
  • R. Danny Campbell - Secretary/Treasurer (Midland, TX)
  • Guy Mabee, Jr. (Gordon, TX)

Staff:

  • Michael J. Goeke - Executive Director (Compensation: $384,368)

Michael Goeke joined the Foundation as Executive Director in 2019, having been personally asked by John Mabee to lead the organization. Goeke was previously a lawyer before becoming a pastor, serving as a minister at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland and later as executive pastor at First Baptist Church San Francisco before returning to Midland.

The Board of Trustees considers grant requests at quarterly meetings held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October. All grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the Board, with no guarantee that any application will be funded.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the online portal at https://mabeefoundation.com/guidelines. There is no prescribed application form, but requirements include:

Required Documentation:

  • Project description and detailed budget
  • IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter
  • Current financial reports
  • Names of donors who have contributed to the 40% fundraising requirement

Critical Pre-Requirement: Before submitting an application, organizations must raise 40% of the total project cost from other public donors. This is a non-negotiable threshold for consideration.

What Does NOT Count Toward the 40%:

  • Borrowed funds
  • Internal or reserve funds
  • Estate bequests not designated for capital projects
  • Donations not designated for the specific project
  • Government grants

Application Deadlines

Grant requests must be received by the first business day of:

  • December 1 (for January board meeting)
  • March 1 (for April board meeting)
  • June 1 (for July board meeting)
  • September 1 (for October board meeting)

Decision Timeline

The Board of Trustees meets quarterly on the second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October to consider grant requests. This means:

  • December 1 deadline → Decision mid-January (~1.5 months)
  • March 1 deadline → Decision mid-April (~1.5 months)
  • June 1 deadline → Decision mid-July (~1.5 months)
  • September 1 deadline → Decision mid-October (~1.5 months)

Post-Approval Timeline:

  • Organizations have one year from the date of the grant award to raise the remaining project funds
  • Construction must commence within two years after satisfying the grant challenge
  • Payment is made only after the challenge has been satisfied and construction has started

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose its approval rate. In 2024, the Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $119,109,789. In 2023, there were 119 awards. The Foundation meets quarterly and considers all applications submitted by each deadline, with grants awarded at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.

Reapplication Policy

If Declined: Organizations whose applications are declined must wait one full year before reapplying to the Foundation.

If Funded: Organizations that receive a grant must wait two years before submitting another application to the Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's guidelines and recent funding patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Strong Fundraising Progress: The 40% threshold is mandatory. Applications showing momentum beyond the minimum requirement (50-60% raised) may demonstrate stronger community support and organizational capacity.

  2. Capital Project Focus: The Foundation exclusively funds "brick and mortar" projects. Recent successful grants include:

    • The Salvation Army of Springfield: $2 million for Harbor House homeless shelter facility construction
    • McPherson College: $2 million for Campus Commons construction
    • Baylor University: $1.5 million for construction projects
    • University of the Ozarks: $700,000 for Wilson Athletic Complex
    • Central Christian College of Kansas: $400,000 for new student housing
    • Gatesway Foundation: $450,600 for housing improvement project for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

  3. Geographic Alignment: Projects must be physically located in one of the six eligible states. The Foundation rigorously enforces this geographic restriction.

  4. Mission Alignment: Projects supporting Christian religious organizations, institutions of higher learning, hospitals, or charitable organizations align with the Foundation's core mission established by John and Lottie Mabee in 1948.

  5. Realistic Timelines: Organizations must demonstrate ability to raise remaining funds within one year and begin construction within two years. Applications should show realistic fundraising plans and construction timelines.

  6. Challenge Grant Readiness: Since these are challenge grants, organizations must have capacity and donor pipeline to complete fundraising within the one-year timeframe or risk grant cancellation.

  7. Complete Documentation: Include comprehensive project descriptions, detailed budgets, and complete donor lists showing the 40% threshold has been met.

  8. No Construction Underway: Projects with signed construction contracts or construction already started are ineligible. Apply before committing to construction.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • 40% Rule is Non-Negotiable: Do not apply until you have raised 40% of total project costs from other public donors, with documented donor names. Government grants and internal funds don't count.

  • Capital Projects Only: This Foundation exclusively funds construction, renovation, and major medical equipment. No operating costs, endowments, debt retirement, or non-capital equipment.

  • Plan for the Challenge: These are challenge grants requiring you to raise remaining funds within 12 months of award. Ensure you have donor pipeline and fundraising capacity before applying.

  • Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Projects must be physically located in TX, OK, NM, AR, MO, or KS. No exceptions.

  • Timing Matters: Construction cannot begin until after satisfying the challenge. Plan your construction timeline accordingly, and don't sign contracts before grant approval.

  • Maximum Grant is $2M or 20%: Whichever is less. For a $2M grant, your total project must cost at least $10 million.

  • Wait Periods Apply: If declined, wait one year to reapply. If funded, wait two years before next application. Plan your capital campaign timeline accordingly.

References

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