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Abell-Hanger Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $2.3M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,669,536 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $133.9 million
  • Decision Time: Pre-Proposal Questionnaires reviewed every 4-6 weeks; full applications reviewed three times per year
  • Grant Range: $50 - $2,250,000
  • Median Grant: $6,000
  • Awards Made: 304 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: 27 counties in West Texas, primarily Midland (69% of grants)

Contact Details

Address: 112 Corporate Drive, Midland, TX 79705
Phone: 432.684.6655
Website: https://abell-hanger.org
Email: Contact through online grant portal

Overview

Founded in 1954 by George Thomas Abell and Gladys Hanger Abell, the Abell-Hanger Foundation has been transforming lives in West Texas for over 70 years. With $133.9 million in assets and annual giving of approximately $10.7 million, the foundation has awarded over $213 million since inception, benefiting 1,143 organizations. The foundation's mission is to "transform lives through purposeful philanthropy" with a vision of "a community where every person realizes their full potential." The foundation supports benevolent, charitable, and educational undertakings for public welfare, with 91% of giving concentrated in West Texas and 69% specifically in Midland. Under CEO Mark Palmer's leadership since 2016, the foundation emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and community transformation. Notable initiatives include the Midland Legacy Scholars Program (1986), Students in Philanthropy (1997), Midland Shared Spaces (2013), and the Abell Innovation Award (2021).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Operating Support: Rolling basis through three annual cycles

  • Range: $50 - $2,250,000
  • Median: $6,000
  • Application: Online portal through Pre-Proposal Questionnaire (PPQ) or Letter of Intent (LOI)

Abell Innovation Award: Annual signature grant for transformative projects

  • 2024 Winner: The Springboard Center
  • Purpose: Support innovative ideas that inspire, equip, and connect people to lead change
  • Can be used to develop new ideas, test existing concepts, or spread proven ideas
  • Board selects finalists annually in June
  • Decision communicated via email

Capital Campaigns: CURRENTLY UNDER MORATORIUM

  • Effective June 20, 2024, the foundation is not accepting capital project requests
  • Previously required approximately one-half of funds raised before application

Priority Areas

The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in four primary areas:

Education: Life-long learning opportunities; highest priority since inception

  • Midland Legacy Scholars Program
  • Educational infrastructure and scholarships
  • Literacy initiatives

Health & Human Services: Helping community members be healthy and productive

  • Recent examples: West Texas Food Bank ($375K for Odessa facility expansion, 2023)
  • Human services for vulnerable populations

Arts & Culture: Making communities vibrant and improving quality of life

  • Recent example: Midland Community Theatre Inc ($250K for lobby renovation, education expansion, technology upgrade, 2023)
  • Cultural activities that benefit the community

Public Society Benefit: Supporting the nonprofit sector, civil society, and quality of life

  • Voluntarism and grantmaking initiatives
  • Community infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: No grants or loans to individuals
  • Capital Projects: Moratorium in effect since June 20, 2024
  • Organizations outside 501(c)(3) status: Must provide IRS Determination Letter
  • Private Foundations: Must be exempt under Section 509(a)
  • Single-source funding requests: Applicants must seek funding from multiple sources
  • Repeat applications: Cannot apply for same/similar project more than once per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
  • Organizations outside service area: Unless they demonstrate direct service to West Texas region

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Current Trustees:

  • John D. Bergman
  • Adrian Carrasco
  • Richard H. Coats
  • Jack F. Harper
  • Roy Nelson
  • Chas Perry
  • Wes Perry
  • Laura L. Roman
  • Karen Sparks

Trustees Emeritus: Herb L. Cartwright III, Tevis Herd, Elaine Magruder, Robert C. Leibrock, David L. Smith, James C. Trott, Charles M. Younger

Executive Leadership

Mark Palmer, Chief Executive Officer (since 2016)

  • Quote: "Without a doubt, I have the best job in Midland and get to work with the finest people. I'm grateful to be a steward of the gifts given by George and Gladys Abell so many years ago."
  • On collaboration: "While every foundation and charitable trust must honor their donor intent and their mission, real collaboration will require that we take a broader look at the needs of our community and respond strategically to effect change."
  • On vision: "To continue the great tradition set by community leaders like George Abell, we must be willing to challenge ourselves to reject the status quo and say: 'This is Midland,' we can do better."

Wade Kuehler, Chief Financial Officer (since 2016)

  • Quote: "It is an honor and a joy to be part of the team that facilitates the continuation of George and Gladys's philanthropy."

Helga Hoban, Grants Officer (since 2018)

Julia Vickery, Program Manager (since 2022)

  • Manages Students in Philanthropy and Leadership Acceleration Program

Cindy Lauderdale-Wiederstein, Office Manager (since 2024)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses an online grant portal with different processes for new vs. returning applicants:

First-Time Applicants or Organizations Not Funded in Past 24 Months:

  1. Submit Pre-Proposal Questionnaire (PPQ) through online portal
  2. PPQs reviewed every 4-6 weeks
  3. If interest is shown, invited to submit full application with deadline instructions

Previous Grantees (Funded Within Past 24 Months):

  1. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) through online portal
  2. If approved, invited to submit full application

Important Requirements:

  • Must use foundation's grant portal and forms only
  • Must provide IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
  • Must demonstrate service to 27-county West Texas region (organizations outside area considered if serving region)
  • Must seek funding from multiple sources (sole support rarely undertaken)
  • University/college requests must be approved by development office with cover letter
  • Cannot apply for same/similar project more than once per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
  • If PPQ declined, must wait 12 months before reapplying

Decision Timeline

Three Annual Cycles:

February Cycle:

  • PPQ Deadline: Late November
  • LOI Deadline: Early December
  • Full Application Deadline: Early January
  • Trustee Meeting/Decisions: February

June Cycle:

  • PPQ Deadline: Early April
  • LOI Deadline: Mid-April
  • Full Application Deadline: Late April
  • Trustee Meeting/Decisions: June

October Cycle:

  • Deadlines published annually on foundation website

Review Process:

  • PPQs reviewed every 4-6 weeks
  • Full applications reviewed at trustee meetings three times per year
  • Decisions communicated in writing
  • Abell Innovation Award finalists selected annually in June with email notification

Success Rates

  • 304 awards made in 2024 from undisclosed number of applications
  • Foundation explicitly states: "Due to the number and magnitude of grant requests received each year, the Foundation cannot respond favorably to all grant requests"
  • Historical data (2016): 173 different organizations received grants
  • Median grant size of $6,000 suggests many smaller grants awarded alongside larger ones
  • Organizations funded within past 24 months have streamlined LOI process, suggesting higher success rate for previous grantees

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may NOT apply for the same or similar funding more than once within the foundation's fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
  • If Pre-Proposal Questionnaire (PPQ) is declined, must wait 12 months before reapplying
  • Grants made "without any commitment to future support of operations or specific projects"
  • Organizations funded within past 24 months use different (LOI) process, indicating foundation maintains relationships with successful grantees

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Geographic Connection: 91% of giving concentrated in West Texas with 69% in Midland specifically. Mark Palmer emphasizes local impact: "This is Midland, we can do better."

Collaboration and Innovation: Palmer states: "Collaboration can be challenging. While every foundation and charitable trust must honor their donor intent and their mission, real collaboration will require that we take a broader look at the needs of our community and respond strategically to effect change."

Transformational Change: The foundation values ideas that "inspire, equip, and connect people to lead change." Palmer notes: "Making transformational change is hard work."

Multiple Funding Sources: Foundation rarely provides sole support for programs. Applications must demonstrate funding diversification strategy.

Capital Campaign Readiness (when moratorium lifts): Previously required approximately one-half of funds raised before application, demonstrating momentum and community support.

Recent Funding Examples Show Preference For:

  • Capacity building for essential services: West Texas Food Bank - $375K for facility expansion (2023)
  • Educational access and equity: Midland College Foundation - $260K for Legacy Scholarships 2.0 (2023)
  • Arts infrastructure with educational components: Midland Community Theatre Inc - $250K for lobby renovation, education expansion, technology upgrade (2023)
  • Innovative approaches: The Springboard Center - 2024 Abell Innovation Award recipient
  • Organizations serving West Texas: Aphasia Center of West Texas, Big Bend Young Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin, Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas

Application Best Practices

Use Correct Forms: "Where forms are provided, you must use those forms - forms from another website or self-designed forms are unacceptable."

Demonstrate Community Need: Foundation values organizations meeting genuine charitable needs in their service area.

Show Adaptability: During COVID-19, Palmer praised nonprofits: "Our nonprofit community is collaborative, but now we are hearing stories of how they are working together to find new ways to meet the needs of the people they serve."

Align with Core Values: Foundation emphasizes Transformation, Collaboration, Humility, and Accountability in all work.

Be Strategic About Timing: Three annual cycles provide multiple opportunities, but same organization cannot apply for same/similar project more than once per fiscal year.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is paramount: 91% of funding goes to West Texas, with 69% specifically to Midland. Strong connection to the region essential for success.

  • Capital projects currently unfunded: Moratorium in effect since June 20, 2024. Focus on operating support, programs, and innovative initiatives until further notice.

  • Previous grantees have advantage: Organizations funded within past 24 months use streamlined LOI process rather than full PPQ, suggesting relationship building matters.

  • Collaboration is currency: CEO Mark Palmer emphasizes working together to "reject the status quo" and create transformational change. Show partnerships and collective impact.

  • Innovation rewarded: The Abell Innovation Award (annual signature grant) specifically seeks ideas that inspire, equip, and connect people to lead change. Don't be afraid to propose bold solutions.

  • Multiple funding sources required: Foundation rarely provides sole support. Demonstrate diversified funding strategy with other committed or prospective funders.

  • Timing matters strategically: Three annual cycles mean rejected applicants can potentially reapply in different fiscal year. Plan accordingly and strengthen proposals between cycles.

References

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