East Texas Communities Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $19,929,053 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by grant program; typically announced within 1-2 months of deadline
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (most competitive grant programs)
• Geographic Focus: 32 counties in East Texas
• Total Assets: $137,679,511 (as of 12/31/24)

Contact Details

Address: 315 N Broadway, Suite 210, Tyler, Texas 75702
Phone: 903-533-0208
Toll Free: 866-533-0823
Email: etcf@etcf.org
Website: https://etcf.org
Grant Questions Contact: Dana Durman, Program Officer

Overview

Founded in 1989 by visionary leaders from the United Way of Tyler/Smith County, East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) has grown from a modest startup to managing over $137 million in charitable assets across 32 East Texas counties. Led by President Kyle Penney since 2006, the foundation administers over 450 unique charitable funds, including scholarships, endowments, designated funds, and donor-advised funds. In 2024, ETCF awarded more than $19.9 million in grants to over 800 different nonprofit organizations, with the top funding categories being Health (25%), Education (23%), and Youth Development (17%). The foundation has distributed over $138 million in grants and scholarships since its inception. ETCF earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect score of 100%.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ETCF administers multiple competitive grant programs, each with specific geographic and programmatic focus areas:

T.J. and LaVerne Plunkett Foundation Grant: $1,000 - $10,000

• Serves Cherokee, Gregg, Nacogdoches, Panola, and Rusk counties (preference for Rusk County)
• Supports arts and culture, education and job training, health and human services, Christian ministries, children and youth programs, animal welfare, and environmental concerns
• Must align with conservative Christian values including integrity, honesty, stewardship, and respect for all life
• Application opens: October 1 | Deadline: October 31 at 5:00 p.m.

Edwin A. "Blue" and Janice Owen Miller Charitable Fund: Up to $10,000

• Serves Henderson County
• Supports new projects or expansion of existing programs with strong ideas and compelling needs
• Preference for projects with potential to improve the Henderson County community
• General operating support discouraged
• Application opens: May 1 | Deadline: May 31 at 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Reube Franklin Shaw and Jessie Lewis Shaw Foundation: Amount varies

• Serves primarily Rusk County
• Focuses on wellness, healthcare, and education
• By invitation only

Betty and Roy Erickson Charitable Fund for Nursing: Amount varies

• Serves all 32 East Texas counties
• Supports nursing education at public/private nonprofit educational institutions
• May fund special projects, equipment, technology, supplies
• Administrative costs discouraged
• Application opens: June 15 | Deadline: July 15 at 5:00 p.m.

Gladys and Thomas TB Stewart Community Education Fund: Up to $2,000

• Serves Smith County
• Supports educational programs including financial literacy and job skills training
• Application opens: June 1 | Deadline: June 30 at 5:00 p.m.

John Reagan Harris Community Fund: Up to $10,000

• Serves Center, Texas community
• For 501(c)(3) nonprofits or governmental units
• Application opens: June 15 | Deadline: July 15 at 5:00 p.m.

Evans-Merrick Music Grants Fund: Up to $1,000

• Serves East Texas
• Supports traditional/classical music activities
• Preference for free public music programs
• Application opens: July 1 | Deadline: July 31 at 5:00 p.m.

Tyler Library Foundation Fund: Amount varies (approximately $32,500 available annually)

• Serves public libraries in Smith County and Smith County Area Libraries Together
• Supports collection enhancement and new projects
• Facility maintenance grants discouraged
• By invitation only | Application opens: April 1 | Deadline: April 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Priority Areas

The foundation's grant distribution in 2024 prioritized:

• Health (25%)
• Education (23%)
• Youth Development (17%)
• Arts and culture
• Christian ministries
• Human services
• Environment
• Libraries
• Nursing education
• Music (traditional/classical)

What They Don't Fund

• General operating support (discouraged across most programs)
• Facility maintenance (specifically discouraged for library grants)
• Administrative costs (discouraged for nursing fund)
• Organizations that don't align with specific fund requirements

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Kyle Penney (since August 2006)
Former Major Gifts Officer at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. Holds a BBA in Accounting and Finance and an MBA from Baylor University.

Board Chair: Barbara Bass

Key Staff:

• Lisa Justice, Assistant to the President
• Lindsay Sneed, Director of Finance and Administration
• Holly McFarlin, Director of Public Relations
• Dana Durman, Program Officer
• Kathryn Martinez, Program Officer

Board of Directors includes:

• Bill Newburn, Market President, East Texas Southside Wealth Management
• Rogers Pope Jr., Vice Chairman & CEO of Texas Bank & Trust
• Josh Roberts, Owner/Financial Advisor at Roseman Wealth Advisors
• Steve Spitzer, Attorney at Ramey & Flock, P.C.
• Patrick Stacey, VP/General Manager at KLTV TV
• Lonny Uzzell, Senior Executive VP at Southside Bank
• Mark Whatley, President & CEO of Burns Commercial Properties

Leadership Philosophy: President Kyle Penney emphasizes being "proactive rather than reactive in the face of calamity" and notes that "each community is different and has unique challenges that are the focus of local charitable giving." He states: "ETCF currently administers over 450 unique charitable funds which each have a personal story of a donor who is using their generosity and their personal knowledge and experience about their community to address local needs and opportunities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

ETCF operates multiple grant programs with different application methods:

Competitive Grant Programs (open application): Applications are submitted through online portals specific to each grant program. Visit https://etcf.org/nonprofits/grants/ for current application links and detailed guidelines for each fund.

Invitation-Only Programs: Some funds, including the Shaw Foundation and Tyler Library Foundation Fund, operate by invitation only. Organizations invited to apply receive application links via email.

Eligibility Requirements (vary by program):

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status (or governmental entity for some programs)
• Programs serving specific counties within the 32-county East Texas service area
• Alignment with individual fund priorities and values

Application Components typically include:

• Organizational background and mission
• Project description with clear goals and outcomes
• Budget and financial information
• Demonstration of community impact

Decision Timeline

• Applications typically open 1-2 months before deadlines
• Decision notifications generally announced 1-2 months after deadline (e.g., August for June/July deadlines)
• Specific timelines vary by grant program
• ETCF has a rigorous internal review process where each applicant is reviewed in depth

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, ETCF awarded 253 grants in 2023 and distributed over $19.9 million to more than 800 organizations in 2024, demonstrating significant growth in grantmaking (from 129 awards in 2012 to 253 in 2023).

Reapplication Policy

ETCF does not publicly disclose specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact Dana Durman, Program Officer, at 903-533-0208 or etcf@etcf.org for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on ETCF's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Community Impact: ETCF seeks "strong projects based on good ideas and compelling needs which have the potential to improve the community." Focus on clearly articulating measurable community benefit.

New or Expanding Programs: Funding requests to support new projects and programs or expand existing ones are preferred. General operating support is discouraged.

Alignment with Fund-Specific Values: For the Plunkett Foundation Grant, organizations must align with "conservative, Christian values exemplified by the Plunketts and their family, including integrity, honesty, stewardship, and respect for all life."

Geographic Relevance: Applications must serve the specific counties designated by each fund. For example, the Miller Fund prioritizes Henderson County, while the Plunkett Grant focuses on five counties with preference for Rusk County.

Concrete Project Details: Rather than vague operational funding requests, provide specific information about equipment, technology, supplies, programs, or special projects. The Erickson Nursing Fund explicitly encourages these types of requests.

Recent Funded Examples:

• Henderson County HELP Center/Maggie's House Child Advocacy Center received Miller Fund support for therapy sessions for children who are victims of abuse and neglect
• The Miller Fund awarded $98,000 to assist 15 charities serving Henderson County

Foundation Priorities: In 2024, 25% of grants supported Health, 23% Education, and 17% Youth Development. Align applications with these demonstrated priority areas when applicable.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Know Your County: Geographic restrictions are strict. Ensure your organization serves the specific counties eligible for each grant fund before applying.

• Match Fund Values: Each fund has unique priorities and values. The Plunkett Fund requires alignment with conservative Christian values, while other funds focus on specific sectors like nursing education or classical music.

• Emphasize New Impact: ETCF prefers funding new projects or program expansion rather than general operating support. Frame requests around specific, new community impact.

• Stay Within Grant Ranges: Most competitive grants range from $1,000-$10,000. Requests exceeding these amounts are discouraged.

• Track Application Windows: Grant deadlines are time-sensitive and vary throughout the year (April-October). Applications are not accepted after deadlines.

• Build Relationships: With over 450 individual charitable funds and both competitive and invitation-only opportunities, building a relationship with Program Officer Dana Durman can help identify the best funding matches.

• Demonstrate Stewardship: ETCF values "sound financial management" and donors who are "wise givers." Show strong financial practices and accountability in applications.

References

• East Texas Communities Foundation official website: https://etcf.org (accessed January 2026)
• ETCF Grants page: https://etcf.org/nonprofits/grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• ETCF About Us: https://etcf.org/about-us/ (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for East Texas Communities Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/75-2309138 (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/752309138 (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Directory, Candid: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=EAST069 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/east-texas-communities-foundation,752309138/ (accessed January 2026)
• Tyler Morning Telegraph: "Penney: Supporting your community through philanthropy" (accessed January 2026)
• Athens Review: "ETCF Grants over $98K to Henderson County Nonprofits" https://www.athensreview.com/news/etcf-grants-over-98k-to-henderson-county-nonprofits/ (accessed January 2026)
• ETCF Press Release: "ETCF Ends 2025 with Record Grantmaking" https://etcf.org/2025/01/27/etcf-ends-2025-with-record-grantmaking/ (accessed January 2026)