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Dickson-Allen Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Dickson-Allen Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,159,600 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $86,294,895 (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: $41,596
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $125,000
  • Number of Awards: 100 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas (emphasis on Hallettsville, Houston, San Antonio, and Victoria areas)
  • Founded: 1958 (tax-exempt since January 1961)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 406, Hallettsville, TX 77964-0406

Phone: 361-798-2531

Website: The Foundation does not maintain a website

Note: Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation at (361) 798-2531 to verify eligibility before submitting proposals.

Overview

The Dickson-Allen Foundation was established in 1958 and received tax-exempt status in January 1961. The foundation was formerly known as the Raymond Dickson Foundation, named after Raymond Dickson who died in 1956, leaving the bulk of his estate to be operated as a private foundation by his good friends, including attorneys Alton and William Allen of Hallettsville. When Alton Allen died in 1976, he left a significant portion of his estate to the foundation. When William Allen died in 1989, he left most of his estate to his nephew, Wilbur Baber, with the understanding that Baber would pass a portion to the foundation. Upon Baber's death in 2005, the trustees renamed it the Dickson-Allen Foundation to recognize the significant contributions of the Allen brothers and Baber.

With total assets of $86,294,895 and annual giving of $4,159,600 (2023), the foundation is one of Texas's significant private foundations. The foundation focuses primarily on education, medical research, and medical facilities, though grants may be made for other charitable purposes to the extent funds are available. The foundation holds its annual meeting in October or November each year and distributes 85.2% of its expenses as charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong commitment to its grantmaking mission.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Education: Educational programs, scholarships for rural students, support for schools and universities
  • Medical Research: Research initiatives and projects
  • Medical Facilities: Hospital equipment, facility improvements, and healthcare infrastructure

Secondary Areas (to the extent funds are available):

  • Social services
  • Community development
  • Cultural institutions (libraries, museums)
  • Emergency services (fire departments)

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports organizations primarily in Texas, with particular emphasis on:

  • Hallettsville and Lavaca County
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Victoria
  • Wharton County
  • Gonzales County
  • Broader Texas communities

Limited support also extends to organizations in California and Virginia.

Grant Range

  • Minimum Grant: Typically $5,000
  • Maximum Grant: Up to $125,000
  • Average Grant: $41,596
  • Total Annual Giving: $4,159,600 distributed across approximately 100 grants per year

Sample Grant Recipients

Past recipients include:

  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Houston-Victoria (scholarships)
  • Shiner Catholic School
  • Sheridan Memorial Library
  • San Antonio Children's Museum
  • Alamo Community College
  • Sheridan Fire Department

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is managed by a board of trustees including:

  • Jessie L. Allen (Compensated trustee - $60,000-$61,975 annually)
  • Dunham F. Jewett (Houston business attorney)
  • Curtis T. Vaughan III
  • Curtis Gunn (also listed as Curtis Gunn Jr.)
  • Anna Allen Johnson
  • Lucas W. Allen

Foundation Philosophy

According to trustee J.L. Allen: "We are pleased to help rural students from our area take advantage of the educational opportunities at UHV." This quote reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting educational access for students in rural Texas communities, particularly those demonstrating financial need.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dickson-Allen Foundation accepts written proposals submitted by mail. There is no online application portal.

Application Requirements:

Proposals should include the following components:

  1. Name, mailing address, and telephone number of the organization
  2. Description of the organization's purpose and activities in general
  3. Amount requested and detailed explanation of how funds will be used
  4. Statement confirming the applicant is organized as a nonprofit organization under state law
  5. Photocopy of IRS ruling or determination letter (501(c)(3) status)
  6. Copy of the organization's proposed budget for the year in which funds are to be used (if available)
  7. If the grant will be a substantial and material part of the total budget, attach a copy of the latest information return filed with the IRS
  8. Statement regarding any organizational relationships: whether the applicant is controlled by, related to, connected with, or sponsored by another organization, and if so, identification and explanation of the relationship

Submission Address: Dickson-Allen Foundation PO Box 406 Hallettsville, TX 77964-0406

Pre-Application Contact: Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation at 361-798-2531 to verify eligibility before submitting a full proposal.

Decision Timeline

The foundation holds its annual meeting in October or November of each calendar year. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect decisions to be made in relation to this annual meeting schedule.

Success Rates

  • 2023: 100 grants awarded from funds of $4,159,600
  • 2022: 95 grants awarded from funds totaling approximately $3,800,000

Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available, but the foundation makes a substantial number of grants annually, suggesting reasonable accessibility for organizations that align with funding priorities.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose restrictions on reapplication. Organizations that have previously received funding appear to be eligible for additional support, as evidenced by ongoing relationships with institutions like the University of Houston-Victoria.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission

The foundation's primary focus remains education, medical research, and medical facilities. Applications that fall squarely within these areas have the strongest likelihood of success. However, the foundation's governing language states that "to the extent funds are available, grants may be made for other purposes," suggesting some flexibility for compelling proposals in other charitable areas.

Geographic Preference

Organizations based in or serving the Hallettsville area and surrounding rural counties (Lavaca, Wharton, Gonzales) appear to receive priority consideration. The foundation has a strong commitment to supporting its local community, as reflected in trustee statements about helping "rural students from our area."

Demonstrated Need

The foundation shows particular interest in supporting populations with financial need. In scholarship programs, preference is given to students demonstrating financial need, with remaining awards based on merit. This suggests that applications highlighting genuine need and impact on underserved populations may be viewed favorably.

Clear Budget and Purpose

The application requirements emphasize detailed explanation of how funds will be used and inclusion of organizational budgets. Applications should provide specific, measurable uses for grant funds rather than general operational support requests.

Established Organizations

The requirement for IRS determination letters and organizational documentation suggests preference for established 501(c)(3) organizations with proven track records rather than new or informal initiatives.

Connection to Foundation Values

The foundation's history reflects values of education, healthcare, community service, and support for rural Texas communities. Applications that connect to these values and demonstrate understanding of the foundation's legacy may resonate with trustees.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact first: Call 361-798-2531 to verify eligibility before investing time in a full proposal—this is explicitly encouraged by the foundation
  • Geographic fit matters: Organizations serving Hallettsville, Lavaca County, and surrounding rural areas have the strongest alignment
  • Focus on the big three: Education, medical research, and medical facilities are the primary funding areas with the most reliable support
  • Be specific about budget: Include detailed explanations of how funds will be used and provide organizational budget documentation
  • Rural focus: The foundation has a clear commitment to supporting rural communities and students from rural areas
  • Timing matters: With annual meetings in October/November, plan proposal submission well in advance of when funds are needed
  • Average grant size: Most grants cluster around $41,596, though the range extends from $5,000 to $125,000 depending on project scope
  • No website means direct contact: Without an online presence, building a direct relationship through phone communication is essential

References

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