Sadler Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,098,684 (2023)
• Total Assets: $54+ million
• Number of Grants: 18 awards (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $283,260
• Geographic Focus: Primarily United States (Texas, Florida, Virginia, and other states)
• Founded: 2002

Contact Details

Address: 106 College Street, Henderson, TX 75652
Mailing Address: PO Box 1746, Henderson, TX 75653-1746
Email: samuel@sadlerministries.org
Website: www.sadlerfamilyfoundation.org

Overview

The Sadler Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2002 in Henderson, Texas. With assets exceeding $54 million, the foundation distributed approximately $5.1 million in grants across 18 awards in 2023. The foundation is centered on Biblical truth and operates with a clear mission: supporting initiatives that "make disciples who make disciples." The foundation believes the most effective avenues for fulfilling the Great Commission are through support of the local church and discipling the next generation through Christian education. The foundation's work encompasses church planting, church strengthening, Christian education at all levels (elementary through graduate), and connecting people to local churches. Leadership includes Harold Sadler as President/Manager/Director, with all directors serving without compensation, reflecting the foundation's family foundation structure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific funding tiers. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on alignment with the foundation's mission. The average grant size is approximately $283,260, though individual awards vary significantly based on the project and organization.

Priority Areas

Christian Education

• Elementary and secondary Christian schools
• Christian higher education institutions (particularly East Texas Baptist University and Dallas Baptist University)
• Educational initiatives that integrate faith and learning

Church Ministry

• Local church support and strengthening
• Church planting initiatives
• Connecting individuals to local church communities

Missionary Support

• International missionary work
• Domestic mission initiatives
• Disaster relief efforts

Youth Development

• Youth sports programs with Christian foundations
• Mentoring programs
• Youth discipleship initiatives

Support for Vulnerable Populations

• Programs serving youth in financial need
• Services for elderly individuals in financial need

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's tight focus on Christian ministry and education suggests they do not fund:

• Secular educational institutions
• Non-religious social services
• Programs without clear connections to Christian discipleship
• Organizations outside the United States (with exceptions for established missionary partnerships)

Governance and Leadership

Harold Sadler serves as President, Agent, and Manager/Director of the foundation. The foundation is governed by a board of directors, all of whom serve without compensation, consistent with its structure as a family foundation.

The foundation's leadership has demonstrated a long-term commitment to Christian education in the Henderson area, notably through their partnership with Full Armor Christian Academy, where the foundation has committed to covering students' remaining educational costs at East Texas Baptist University after initial scholarships are applied.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Sadler Family Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and established relationships rather than through open competitive applications.

Organizations interested in partnering with the foundation are directed to use the contact form on their website at www.sadlerfamilyfoundation.org or contact them at samuel@sadlerministries.org. This initiates a conversation rather than a formal application.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's published partnerships, organizations can position themselves by:

Demonstrating Alignment with Core Mission: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations focused on "making disciples who make disciples." Organizations should be able to articulate how their work directly contributes to Christian discipleship.

Connection to Local Churches: The foundation emphasizes that supporting local churches is one of the most effective avenues for their mission. Organizations with strong local church partnerships or that strengthen church communities are more likely to be considered.

Geographic Connection to Henderson, TX: The foundation shows particular support for local Henderson area initiatives, including Full Armor Christian Academy, Promise Academy, Mentoring Alliance, and Wiseman Ministries.

Existing Partnership Examples: Current partners include:

• Local: Mentoring Alliance, Wiseman Ministries, Full Armor Christian Academy, Promise Academy
• Domestic: Send Relief, Texans on Mission, East Texas Baptist University, Dallas Baptist University
• International: Asha Partners, Church Missions Network, Disaster Relief, Missionary Support

Organizations operating in similar spaces (Christian education, church support, missionary work) with demonstrated impact may find alignment.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is publicly available. As a family foundation operating through trustee discretion, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than through fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

With 18 grants awarded from a $54 million asset base and no public application process, success rates are not applicable in the traditional sense. The foundation appears to work with a select group of partner organizations rather than reviewing competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-based nature of the foundation's grant-making.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates through established relationships and trustee discretion rather than competitive applications, the following factors appear most important:

Mission Alignment: The foundation's language is explicit and consistent. They seek to support organizations that "make disciples who make disciples" through local church support and Christian education. Organizations must be able to demonstrate clear alignment with this specific vision.

Great Commission Focus: The foundation's stated belief is that "the most effective avenues for fulfilling the Great Commission are through support of the local church and discipling the next generation through Christian education." Organizations should frame their work in these terms.

Demonstrated Impact in Christian Discipleship: Looking at the foundation's partnerships—from local mentoring programs to international missionary support—the common thread is tangible impact in Christian discipleship and education.

Biblical Foundation: The foundation describes itself as "founded and centered on Biblical truth." Organizations must operate from a clear Christian theological foundation.

Educational Component: Whether through formal Christian schools, university programs, or educational components within ministry work, the foundation shows strong preference for initiatives with educational elements.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation's partnership structure (listing "Local Partnerships," "Domestic Partnerships," and "International Partnerships") suggests they prefer ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a traditional grant-making foundation—there is no public application process; grants are awarded through trustee discretion and established relationships
• Contact must be relational, not transactional—use the website contact form to initiate a conversation about partnership, not to submit an application
• Average grant size is substantial at approximately $283,260, indicating the foundation makes meaningful investments in aligned organizations
• Geographic focus includes local Henderson area priorities—the foundation shows particular commitment to their home community
• Mission language matters—use terminology around "making disciples," "Great Commission," "local church support," and "Christian education" if these authentically describe your work
• Long-term partnership orientation—the foundation lists partners rather than grant recipients, suggesting they seek ongoing relationships
• Educational and youth focus—from elementary schools to universities, youth sports to mentoring, organizations serving young people in Christian contexts appear particularly aligned
• Email samuel@sadlerministries.org is the provided contact for those interested in working with the foundation

References

• Sadler Family Foundation official website: https://www.sadlerfamilyfoundation.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ nonprofit database profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sadler-family-foundation,752918989/ (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sadler-family-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SADL006 (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752918989 (accessed January 2026)
• East Texas Baptist University news article on Full Armor Christian Academy partnership: https://www.etbu.edu/etbu-now/news/2021/11/full-armor-christian-academy-students-offered-scholarship-east-texas-baptist-university (accessed January 2026)
• Corporation Wiki profile: https://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Henderson/harold-sadler/29736255.aspx (accessed January 2026)