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Circle Bar Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.2M

Circle Bar Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,367,020 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $235,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas, with some grants to Kansas and Georgia

Contact Details

  • Phone: (210) 349-8822
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 791000, San Antonio, TX 78279-1000
  • Website: None identified
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

Circle Bar Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1965 in San Antonio, Texas. With total assets of approximately $28.9 million and annual giving exceeding $1.3 million, the foundation operates as a significant philanthropic presence in the San Antonio area. The foundation is managed by the White family, with John H. White Jr. serving as Manager alongside trustees Tuleta C. White, Laurie M. White, John White III, Molly C. White, and Matthew White. The foundation maintains a low public profile with no website or published giving guidelines, suggesting a preference for private, relationship-based philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not maintain publicly advertised grant programs. Based on recent giving patterns:

  • Education grants: $1,000 - $150,000+
  • Community and human services: $5,000 - $100,000+
  • Arts and culture: $10,000 - $110,000

Priority Areas

Based on analysis of recent grants:

  • Education (particularly special education and deaf education)
  • Historical preservation and cultural institutions
  • Community foundations and charitable organizations
  • Human services
  • Youth development

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions published; however, giving patterns suggest focus on established 501(c)(3) organizations in Texas.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by members of the White family:

  • John H. White Jr. - Manager
  • Tuleta C. White - Trustee
  • Laurie M. White - Trustee
  • John White III - Trustee
  • Molly C. White - Trustee
  • Matthew White - Trustee

The foundation reports no officer compensation, suggesting a commitment to maximizing charitable disbursements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through trustee discretion and appears to award grants based on pre-existing relationships and board connections. Organizations seeking support would need to establish connections with board members or be identified through the foundation's network.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on grant recipient patterns, the foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through:

  • Board members' connections within the San Antonio philanthropic community
  • Established relationships with longstanding Texas institutions
  • Participation in San Antonio civic and cultural organizations

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation without a formal application process, decision timelines likely vary based on board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to lack of public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients, successful organizations typically:

  • Have established presence in San Antonio or Texas
  • Demonstrate clear community impact in education, cultural preservation, or human services
  • Include prominent Texas institutions like Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children ($144,000 grant) and Remember the Alamo Foundation ($108,250 grant)
  • Maintain strong reputations within the San Antonio philanthropic community
  • Often receive recurring support, suggesting importance of relationship cultivation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Circle Bar Foundation is a private family foundation with no public application process
  • Focus on building relationships with board members through San Antonio civic engagement
  • The foundation shows consistent support for education, particularly special needs education
  • Grants range widely from $1,000 to $235,000, with many in the $10,000-$150,000 range
  • The foundation makes approximately 30-40 grants annually
  • Geographic focus is primarily San Antonio and Texas, though some out-of-state grants are made
  • Consider connections through major San Antonio institutions that have received support

References

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