Dian Graves Owen Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold proposal is unlikely to be considered and the route in is a relationship.
- Its giving is strongly centred on Texas, with Abilene a stated priority, so an organisation outside that area would be working against the grain of its giving.
- About 8 in 10 grants fall between $2,000 and $250,000, and the median grant is $21,500, so a request in the low tens of thousands fits its typical pattern, though its largest grant was about $4,000,000 and the band is not a ceiling.
- Most of its grant dollars, 88%, went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a newcomer should expect established relationships to count for a great deal.
Overview
Dian Graves Owen Foundation is a US private foundation based in Abilene, TX.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (philanthropydaily.com, turtlecreekwealth.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The grant record shows support for a varied set of charitable organisations, including universities and schools, health and rehabilitation services, heritage and arts organisations, community foundations, food and social-service providers, churches and youth organisations. The filings describe the organisation grants as general support, without identifying a narrower purpose for them. Giving is strongly centred on Texas, especially Abilene, while the foundation has also supported recipients around the country. A profile reports that its work has been integral to projects in Abilene and Fredericksburg.
Geographic Focus
Priority: Abilene, Texas. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 564 grants to organisations were $21,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 18% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Dian Graves Owen Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 13% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 202 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Abilene Heritage Square · General support$4,000,0002024 tax year
- Community Foundation of Abilene · General support$2,516,4002024 tax year
- McMurry University · General support$2,003,5002024 tax year
- West Texas Rehab Center · General support$1,255,5002024 tax year
- Houston Grand Opera · General support$1,175,0002024 tax year
- Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation · General support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Abilene Youth Sports Authority · General support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Fredericksburg Tennis Center Foundation · General support$625,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Deborah O Carson — Director
- Jane V Beard — Secretary
- Tucker S Bridwell — President, Director
- Dian Graves Owen Stai — Chairman, Treasurer, Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $38,172,176 | $19,015,038 | $355,693,773 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $38,727,975 | $22,945,087 | $383,012,072 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $37,034,223 | $24,107,466 | $416,346,315 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Dian Graves Owen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Abilene, TX
Applying to Dian Graves Owen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Abilene, TX