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Anne T & Robert M Bass Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,480,120 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Fort Worth, Texas with select national institutions

Contact Details

Address: 201 Main Street, Suite 2300, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Note: The foundation does not have a website or publicly listed phone/email. They do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

Established in 1985 by billionaire investor Robert M. Bass and philanthropist Anne T. Bass, the Anne T & Robert M Bass Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with approximately $101 million in assets. The foundation distributed $4.48 million through 30 grants in 2023. Led by Anne Bass as President and Robert Bass as Vice President, the foundation operates with a highly selective, invitation-only approach to grantmaking. Their philanthropic strategy focuses primarily on supporting Fort Worth community organizations in education, arts and culture, and human services, while also maintaining relationships with elite universities including Yale, Stanford, and Duke. The foundation maintains a deliberately low public profile, with no website and no published guidelines, reflecting the couple's preference for quiet, strategic philanthropy based on existing relationships and board involvement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with application cycles. Instead, grants are made through trustee discretion, typically to organizations where the Bass family has existing relationships or board involvement.

Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,500,000

Priority Areas

Education:

  • K-12 institutions (particularly Trinity Valley School)
  • Elite universities (Stanford, Duke, Yale, Rockefeller University, Smith College)
  • Local educational institutions (Brite Divinity School)
  • Independent schools (The Governor's Academy, Epiphany School, Groton School, Middlesex School)

Arts and Culture:

  • Texas Ballet Theater (Anne Bass serves as chair; Robert serves on the board)
  • Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  • Amon Carter Museum

Health and Human Services:

  • James L. West Alzheimer's Center
  • Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health
  • American Red Cross
  • Salvation Army

Community Organizations in Fort Worth:

  • Presbyterian Night Shelter
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
  • United Community Centers
  • Women's Center of Tarrant County
  • The Cliburn

Religious Institutions:

  • All Saints Episcopal Church

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's 990-PF filings indicate they only make contributions to "preselected charitable organizations" and do not fund:

  • Unsolicited requests
  • Organizations without existing relationships to the foundation
  • Organizations outside their established focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Anne T. Bass - Director and President

  • Chair of Texas Ballet Theater
  • Active in Fort Worth arts and culture scene
  • Key decision-maker in foundation grantmaking

Robert M. Bass - Director and Vice President

  • Billionaire investor with estimated net worth of $5 billion
  • Trustee of Stanford University
  • Director of Stanford Management Company
  • Trustee of Brookings Institution
  • Trustee of Rockefeller University
  • Trustee of Groton School and Middlesex School
  • Board member of Texas Ballet Theater
  • Known for calculated, low-profile approach to philanthropy

Officer Compensation: Neither Anne nor Robert Bass receives compensation from the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly indicated in its tax filings that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The foundation does not have a website, published guidelines, or public contact information for grant inquiries.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on:

  • Existing relationships with the Bass family
  • Organizations where Anne or Robert Bass serve on boards
  • Established community partnerships in Fort Worth
  • Alma maters and institutions with historical ties to the family

Getting on Their Radar

Board Connections: The most direct pathway to Bass Foundation support appears to be through organizations where Anne or Robert Bass serve on boards, including Texas Ballet Theater, Stanford University, Rockefeller University, and various independent schools.

Fort Worth Community Leadership: Organizations with strong Fort Worth community presence and leadership that align with the foundation's demonstrated priorities (arts, education, human services) may come to the foundation's attention through the Basses' community involvement.

Institutional Relationships: The foundation maintains long-term relationships with specific institutions, particularly in education. Multi-year, escalating grants to institutions like Trinity Valley School (ranging from $5,000 to $2.5 million) suggest that once a relationship is established, sustained support may follow.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder making grants through trustee discretion, there are no published decision timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not have a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's closed application process, the following factors appear critical for organizations that do receive funding:

Existing Relationships: Nearly all documented grants go to organizations with direct connections to Anne or Robert Bass, either through board service, family alma maters, or sustained community partnerships.

Fort Worth Focus: While the foundation makes significant grants to national institutions, the majority of their community-level support concentrates on Fort Worth organizations. Being a Fort Worth-based organization in arts, education, or human services significantly increases alignment with their priorities.

Multi-Year Commitment: The foundation demonstrates long-term relationships with grantees. For example, Trinity Valley School has received grants ranging from $5,000 to $2.5 million over multiple years, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

Board Engagement: Organizations where the Basses serve on boards receive substantial support. Texas Ballet Theater received $4.5 million in 2019, with both Anne (as chair) and Robert serving on the board.

Educational Excellence: The foundation has made transformational gifts to elite educational institutions including $30 million to Stanford Graduate School of Business (2005), $50 million to Duke University (2013), $20 million to Yale University, and $13 million to renovate Yale's Cross Campus Library.

Low-Profile Operations: Consistent with the foundation's preference for privacy, there are no public statements about what makes applications successful, no published priorities beyond tax filings, and no evidence of promotional materials or public recognition requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Unsolicited Applications: Do not submit grant proposals to this foundation unless specifically invited. The foundation only funds preselected organizations.
  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: All documented funding flows through existing relationships, board connections, or institutional ties to the Bass family.
  • Fort Worth Community Focus: For local organizations, being Fort Worth-based with a focus on arts, education, or human services aligns with the majority of their community giving.
  • Wide Grant Range: Grants vary dramatically from $5,000 to $2.5 million, suggesting flexible funding based on project scope and institutional relationship.
  • Long-Term Partnerships: The foundation demonstrates preference for sustained relationships with grantees rather than one-time support.
  • Private, Low-Profile Approach: The foundation deliberately maintains minimal public presence with no website, no published guidelines, and no public-facing communications.
  • Board Service as Indicator: Organizations where Anne or Robert Bass serve on boards receive significant support—consider this if you have opportunity for board engagement with foundation leadership.

References

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