Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation

Also known as: Blanche Davis Moore Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $250,000-$300,000
• Assets: $8.3 million (as of 2023)
• Grant Range: $31 - $20,000
• Number of Grants: 45-53 annually
• Geographic Focus: Nueces County and surrounding counties in South Texas (Kleberg, Jim Wells, and San Patricio counties)
• Application Deadline: July 15 annually
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at October board meeting

Contact Details

Address: 700 Everhart Road, Suite J-21, Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Phone: 361-814-6700

Email: office@moorefoundationcc.com

Website: www.moorefoundationcc.com

Contact Person: Gary J Leach

Overview

The Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a Texas nonprofit corporation through the Last Will and Testament of Blanche Davis Moore. The foundation was established to primarily benefit children under the age of 18 in Nueces County and the immediately surrounding counties in Texas. Founded from the assets of Blanche Davis Moore's estate, including proceeds from the development of farmland that became Moore Plaza shopping center, the foundation today distributes grants to more than 85 charities that serve children of the Coastal Bend region of South Texas. The foundation has assets of approximately $8.3 million and awards between $250,000-$300,000 annually in grants. The foundation carries on the legacy of Allan Lovelace "Dinty" Moore and his wife Blanche, who moved to Corpus Christi in the 1930s, built their fortune through real estate investments, and dedicated resources to benefiting the community's children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant program with a July 15 application deadline. Applications are reviewed at the board's October meeting. Grants typically range from $31 to $20,000, with the foundation making 45-53 grants annually.

Priority Areas

The foundation's mission is to enrich and improve the lives of children aged 18 and under in the Coastal Bend region. Priority areas include:

• Education: Educational programs and initiatives for children and youth
• Youth Services: Programs serving children and adolescents
• Children's Mental Health: Mental health services and support for children
• Children with Disabilities: Programs supporting children with special needs
• Child Welfare Services: Programs protecting and supporting vulnerable children
• Children's Health & Pediatrics: Health services and medical care for children
• Early Childhood Development: Programs supporting young children's development
• Human Services: General human services benefiting children

Geographic Focus: Texas counties of Nueces, Kleberg, Jim Wells, and San Patricio

Age Restriction: All programs must benefit children aged 18 and under

Recent Grant Examples

Recent grants awarded by the foundation include:

• Youth Odyssey: $15,000
• Coastal Bend Food Bank: $10,000
• Odyssey After School Enrichment Program: $8,000
• Rise School: $7,500
• New Life Refuge Ministries: $15,000
• Alabama Baptist Children's Home: $5,000

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals for scholarships or other direct support
• Private schools (preference against funding)
• Endowments (preference against establishing or funding)
• Organizations that are not IRS-recognized tax-exempt public charities
• Organizations not listed as "not a private foundation" by the IRS
• Projects that do not benefit children aged 18 and under
• Programs outside of Nueces, Kleberg, Jim Wells, and San Patricio counties

Governance and Leadership

Information about specific board members and trustees is available in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings, accessible through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or by contacting the foundation directly.

Key Contact: Gary J Leach is listed as the primary contact at the foundation's office address.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using the standard Grant Application form provided by the foundation. All applications and supporting documentation should be emailed to office@moorefoundationcc.com.

Application Requirements:

• Completed standard Grant Application form
• Grant status report (if previously funded by the foundation)
• Current list of Board of Directors with business addresses and occupations
• Current audited or financial report with project and agency budgets
• Copy of last IRS Form 990 filed (no more than two years old)
• Copy of latest verification of Tax Exempt Status from the Internal Revenue Service (no more than seven years old)

Eligibility: Applications will be considered only from nonprofit organizations currently recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that are public charities. The organization must be currently listed as a public charity that is "not a private foundation" by the IRS on its most current Cumulative List of 501(c)(3) organizations.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: July 15 annually
• Board Meeting: Applications are reviewed at the board meeting in October
• Decision Notification: Following the October board meeting

Reapplication Policy

The foundation will not accept applications from previous grant recipients that have not timely filed required grant status reports. The search results do not indicate restrictions on unsuccessful applicants reapplying in subsequent years, suggesting organizations may reapply annually.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: The foundation strongly prioritizes organizations serving children in Nueces County and the immediately surrounding counties (Kleberg, Jim Wells, and San Patricio). Ensure your program clearly serves this geographic area.

Age Focus: Programs must specifically benefit children aged 18 and under. Applications should clearly articulate how the program serves this age group.

Public Charity Status: Ensure your organization's IRS status is current and that you are classified as a public charity, not a private foundation. Have documentation readily available.

Complete Documentation: The foundation requires specific exhibits with each application. Missing or outdated documentation may disqualify your application.

Grant Reporting Compliance: If you have received previous funding from the foundation, timely submission of grant status reports is mandatory for future consideration.

Community Impact: With over 85 charities competing for approximately 45-50 grants annually, demonstrate clear community impact and alignment with the foundation's focus on enriching and improving children's lives.

Regional Understanding: The foundation's history is deeply rooted in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend region. Understanding and articulating your role in the local community may strengthen your application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• One chance per year: With a single July 15 deadline, plan well in advance and ensure your application is complete and compelling
• Regional focus matters: The foundation strongly prioritizes the four-county area; organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive funding
• Children-only mission: All programs must exclusively or primarily benefit children aged 18 and under
• Documentation is critical: Have current IRS documentation and financial reports ready; outdated materials disqualify applications
• Competition is significant: With approximately 85 charities receiving funding from 45-53 annual grants, success rates suggest roughly 50-60% of applicants may receive awards
• Grant size varies significantly: Awards range from as low as $31 to $20,000, suggesting the foundation tailors grant amounts to organizational needs and project budgets
• Relationship building: With no public board member information readily available, consider attending local nonprofit events and building relationships within the Corpus Christi philanthropic community

References

• Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation website: https://moorefoundationcc.com/ (Accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation (EIN: 742675281): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/742675281 (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Blanche Davis Moore Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/allen-lovelace-moore-and-blanche-davis-moore-foundation (Accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MOOR108 (Accessed March 2026)
• Cause IQ - Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/allen-lovelace-moore-and-blanche-davis-moore-found,742675281/ (Accessed March 2026)
• KRIS TV Coastal Bend History - "A penny at time: The story of Moore Plaza": https://www.kristv.com/coastal-bend-history/a-penny-at-at-time-the-story-of-moore-plaza (Accessed March 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Allen Lovelace Moore and Blanche Davis Moore Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/742675281-allen-lovelace-moore-and-blanche-davis-moore-foundation/ (Accessed March 2026)