Yarborough Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 75-2919532
• Annual Giving: $1,230,587 (2024)
• Total Assets: $28,163,813
• Grant Range: $4,865 - $143,000
• Number of Grants: 50 awards (2024), 58 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas (especially West Texas) and Washington, D.C.
• Application Process: Invitation-only (applications mailed in June)

Contact Details

Address: 200 N Loraine Street, Suite 1400, Midland, TX 79701

Phone: (432) 684-8578

Email: foundation@yarbllc.com

Primary Contact: Ann A. Jackson, President/Director

Website: Information available through Philanthropy Southwest and nonprofit databases

Overview

The Yarborough Foundation was established in 2001 as a private independent foundation in Midland, Texas, with the mission of "Helping all generations navigate through life." With assets of approximately $28.2 million and annual giving of over $1.2 million, the foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on education (particularly higher and university education), human services, and voluntarism and grantmaking. The foundation operates in alignment with the interests of its founder, W. B. "Dub" Yarborough, maintaining a strong commitment to supporting communities throughout Texas, with particular emphasis on West Texas regions including Alpine, Big Spring, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Midland, and Odessa, as well as Washington, D.C. Since 2016, the foundation has awarded 363 individual grants totaling $5,699,861. The Yarborough Foundation is a member of Philanthropy Southwest (joined April 22, 2005) and a supporter of West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a General Support Grant Program as its primary funding mechanism. The invitation-only grant applications are mailed out in June each year.

• Grant Range: $4,865 - $143,000
• Average Grant Range: $15,000 - $20,000
• Application Method: Invitation-only; applications distributed in June
• Grant Type: Primarily general support grants

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation places strong emphasis on higher and university education initiatives

Human Services: Support for community-based human service organizations throughout Texas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Support for organizations that advance philanthropic activities and volunteer engagement

Geographic Focus: Cities funded include Alpine, Big Spring, Dallas, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Midland, Odessa (Texas), and Washington, D.C.

Past Grantees (examples from public records):

• Hillcrest School Inc. (Alpine, TX)
• Aphasia Center of West Texas
• Big Bend Education Corp
• Marathon Public Library
• Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend
• Alpine Volunteer Fire Department
• Various schools, youth programs, healthcare facilities, and community service organizations

What They Fund

• Higher education and university programs
• Community-based human services
• Educational institutions and programs
• Volunteer organizations and initiatives
• Philanthropic activities
• Rural West Texas nonprofit organizations

Eligibility Requirements

The foundation only considers grants to 509(a)(1) and 509(a)(2) organizations with:

• Proper IRS Determination Letter
• Other required legal documents
• Tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3)

Organizations classified as private foundations (509(a)(3)) are not eligible.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus on 509(a)(1) and 509(a)(2) public charities means they do not fund:

• Private foundations
• Organizations without proper IRS determination letters
• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas (primarily Texas and Washington, D.C.)

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Ann A. Jackson

Trustees:

• Ann A. Jackson, President/Board Chair
• Linda Yarborough, Vice-President (as of 2017)
• Susan Yarborough, Secretary (as of 2017)
• Scott Dodds, Treasurer

Additional Officers (as noted in recent filings):

• W. Clark Lea, Treasurer
• David Stroman, Secretary

All trustees and officers serve without compensation.

The foundation operates in accordance with the interests and vision of founder W. B. "Dub" Yarborough, maintaining consistency with his philanthropic priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Yarborough Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications.

Process:

1. The foundation identifies potential grantees based on alignment with founder W. B. "Dub" Yarborough's interests
2. Invitation-only grant applications are mailed out in June each year
3. Only invited organizations may submit applications
4. Applications must include proper IRS Determination Letter confirming 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) status
5. Other required legal documents must be submitted

Required Documentation:

• IRS Determination Letter (confirming public charity status under 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2))
• Additional legal documents as specified in invitation

Getting on Their Radar

While the Yarborough Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations working in their priority areas may become known to the foundation through:

West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days: The Yarborough Foundation is a supporter of this annual event, which connects rural West Texas nonprofits with foundations and government agencies. Participating in this event may provide visibility to the foundation's decision-makers.

Philanthropy Southwest: As a member organization since 2005, the foundation participates in this regional network of philanthropic leaders. Organizations active in Philanthropy Southwest's events and initiatives may gain visibility.

Geographic Presence: The foundation has shown consistent support for organizations in specific West Texas communities (Alpine, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Midland, Odessa). Organizations with established presence and track records in these communities appear more likely to be considered.

Alignment with Founder's Interests: Organizations whose work clearly aligns with education (especially higher education), human services, and volunteer/philanthropic activities in Texas may be more likely to be identified for invitation.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. However, given that invitations are distributed in June, organizations can expect:

• June: Invitation-only applications mailed
• Summer/Fall: Application review period (estimated)
• Fall/Winter: Grant decisions and notifications (estimated)

Success Rates

With 50-58 grants awarded annually from an invitation-only pool, the foundation maintains a focused grantmaking approach. Specific success rates for invited applicants are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only nature of the application process, there is no formal reapplication policy. The foundation determines which organizations to invite each year based on their assessment of alignment with the founder's interests and their philanthropic priorities.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Founder's Vision: The foundation explicitly states it "attempts to keep the grants in line with the interests of the founder W. B. "Dub" Yarborough." Organizations should demonstrate clear alignment with education, human services, and philanthropic activities.

Public Charity Status: Absolute requirement for 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) classification. Organizations must have proper IRS documentation. This is non-negotiable and distinguishes between eligible public charities and ineligible private foundations.

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organizations serving West Texas communities, particularly Alpine, Big Spring, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Midland, and Odessa. The foundation maintains deep roots in these rural communities.

General Support Focus: The majority of grants are for general support rather than specific projects, suggesting the foundation values organizational stability and trusts grantee organizations to deploy funds where most needed.

Established Track Record: Past grantees include well-established institutions (schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, community service organizations), suggesting preference for organizations with demonstrated community impact.

Rural West Texas Focus: The foundation's support of West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days indicates commitment to rural communities. Organizations addressing rural challenges may be particularly attractive.

Educational Excellence: With particular emphasis on higher and university education, organizations connected to educational advancement, especially at the post-secondary level, align strongly with foundation priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation - you cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on building visibility in their priority communities and sectors rather than preparing an application.

• Public charity classification is mandatory - Ensure you have current IRS determination letter confirming 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) status before any engagement with the foundation.

• West Texas presence matters - Organizations serving Alpine, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Midland, Odessa, and surrounding Big Bend region appear to receive priority consideration.

• General support grants dominate - The foundation trusts grantees to use funds effectively; focus on demonstrating overall organizational health and community impact rather than specific project outcomes.

• Participate in West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days - As a foundation supporter, this event provides potential visibility to decision-makers and demonstrates commitment to rural West Texas.

• Higher education focus - Organizations connected to university and college-level education have strong alignment with stated priorities.

• Long-term relationships - With 363 grants since 2016 to a consistent geography, the foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with effective grantees; initial funding may lead to continued support.

References

• Yarborough Foundation profile on Instrumentl: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/yarborough-foundation (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Yarborough Foundation on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752919532 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Yarborough Foundation on Cause IQ: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/yarborough-foundation,752919532/ (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Yarborough Foundation Foundation Directory profile (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=YARB004 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Yarborough Foundation on Philanthropy Southwest: https://www.philanthropysouthwest.org/redhen/org/625 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days - Yarborough Foundation profile: https://www.wtxrpd.org/projects/yarborough-foundation (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• GuideStar profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/75-2919532 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Tax Exempt World profile: https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=1166909 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days foundation document: https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/59baa34830620e000122b14c/5d03f8f63ac2560e0dae3d6b_The%20Yarborough%20Foundation.pdf (Referenced in search results, accessed March 10, 2026)