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Community Foundation of Abilene

Annual Giving
$21.4M

Community Foundation of Abilene

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21.4 million (2024 total expenses)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Not specified
  • Geographic Focus: Abilene, Rural West-Central Texas, Coleman County

Contact Details

Overview

The Community Foundation of Abilene (CFA) was established in 1985 by civic leaders who believed "the work that can be accomplished by the whole could be greater than the sum of its parts." With total assets of over $204 million as of 2024, CFA manages charitable funds and connects donors with community causes. The foundation has distributed over $200 million in grants since its founding and operates with the vision "to see a thriving Abilene, endowed forever." CFA is accredited by National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations and serves as a tax-exempt public charity focused on empowering lasting charitable impact throughout the Big Country region of Texas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Grants for Abilene: Supporting nonprofits in the Abilene area (amounts not specified)
  • Grants for Rural West-Central Texas: Regional funding for rural communities (amounts not specified)
  • Grants for Coleman County: Targeted support for Coleman County organizations (amounts not specified)
  • Student Scholarships: Postsecondary education support for area students
  • Disaster Relief & Recovery: Emergency response funding as needed

Priority Areas

  • Community development and improvement
  • Education and student support
  • Nonprofit capacity building
  • Regional economic development
  • Health and human services

What They Don't Fund

[Specific exclusions not publicly documented]

Governance and Leadership

President/CEO: Katie Alford (Compensation: $250,500 + $14,130 in 2024)

Board Leadership:

  • Ian Nickerson (Chairman)
  • Sam Vinson (Vice Chairman)
  • Carolyn Beckham (Secretary)
  • Mindy Patterson (Treasurer)

Key Staff:

  • Michelle Parrish, Grants Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Nonprofits can apply for grants through multiple grant cycles each year. Applications are submitted based on geographic location and program focus. The foundation uses volunteer grant committees to review applications and make award recommendations, with final approval by the Foundation's Board of Directors.

Contact Michelle Parrish at mparrish@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883 for specific application requirements and current opportunities.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates multiple grant cycles throughout the year, though specific timelines from submission to decision are not publicly documented. Recent fall 2024 grant awards totaled more than $663,000.

Success Rates

[Not publicly available]

Reapplication Policy

[Not publicly documented]

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's structure and approach:

  • Demonstrate clear alignment with regional community needs
  • Show how your project connects to CFA's vision of "a thriving Abilene, endowed forever"
  • Highlight collaborative approaches that embody the foundation's belief in collective impact
  • Focus on sustainable, long-term community benefit rather than short-term fixes
  • Consider how your organization can build capacity through CFA's nonprofit resources and trainings

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CFA manages over $204 million in assets with significant annual grantmaking capacity
  • Multiple grant cycles per year provide various opportunities for funding
  • Geographic focus is critical - must serve Abilene, Rural West-Central Texas, or Coleman County
  • Foundation values collective impact and collaborative approaches to community challenges
  • Direct contact with Grants Director Michelle Parrish is encouraged for application guidance
  • Foundation provides additional support through nonprofit trainings and resources beyond grants
  • Accreditation by National Standards demonstrates commitment to best practices and transparency

References

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