Quick Summary
Name: Shield-Ayres Foundation Status: Active Grant Maker
Key Facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Giving | $1,429,250 |
| Grant Range | $5,000 - $40,000 |
| Average Grant | $10,000 |
| Application Method | Invitation Only (Prior Grantees Only) |
Contact Details
Address: 3103 Bee Caves Road Suite 203, Austin, TX 78746
Phone: 512.467.4021
Website: https://www.shield-ayresfoundation.org/
Geographic Focus
- Primary focus: Bexar County (San Antonio) and Travis County (Austin) in Central Texas
- Environmental grants: Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast, and Trans Pecos regions of Texas
- Other areas: By invitation only
Funding Priorities
- Health & Human Services: Meeting basic human needs of vulnerable populations
- Environment: Land and water conservation, environmental education, public policy
- Education: Access to educational opportunities (excluding universities, with limited exceptions)
- Arts: Access to the arts
- Social Justice: Advocacy for social justice
What They Don't Fund
- Grants or loans to individuals
- Political candidates or campaigns
- Private foundations
- Universities (except university-sponsored programs aligned with funding priorities other than education)
- Geographic restriction: Organizations outside Bexar and Travis counties (unless by invitation)
Application Method
Currently invitation-only: The foundation has paused its open application process and only accepts applications from prior grantees.
Application Cycle (for eligible organizations):
- Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadlines: February 15 and August 15
- Board reviews: March and September (LOI stage); June and December (full proposals)
- Response time: Within 2 weeks after board meeting
- Eligibility limits: Organizations can apply once per 12 months and receive funding for up to 3 consecutive years, after which they must wait 24 months before reapplying
References
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