Tocker Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 75-6037871 · since 1964tocker.org·Texas·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$1.2M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

Open to applications

A mix of rolling and fixed deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

If your organisation is a public library in a rural Texas town of 12,000 or less, or serves one, the foundation's stated focus fits closely, with themes including collections, technology, programming, outdoor spaces, interior redesign, automation and newspaper digitisation.
Do not seek funding for debt service, endowment funds, normal operating expenses, salaries, employee benefits, construction, carpeting, electrical work, infrastructure the municipality typically supports, e-readers or provider membership fees.
The only amount stated is $100,000 for the Library Transformation Grant, so size your request to the programme you are applying under rather than to that figure.
Proposals are due by January 15 and June 1 through the foundation's online system, and it encourages applicants to discuss a grant idea early and explain its impact on the library and community.
Its guidance asks for a clear, honest account of what makes your library unique, what you want to improve and how you will do it, and it values impact reports, a brief accounting of funds and quantifiable patron-usage data.

Overview

Tocker Foundation is a US private foundation based in Austin, TX.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Tocker Foundation supports public libraries in rural Texas towns of 12,000 or less and the communities they serve. It helps libraries through grants, professional development stipends and advocacy. Its grants support collections, technology, programming, outdoor spaces, interior redesign, automation and newspaper digitisation, enhancing the services provided by public libraries. Through the Transformation Grant, it helps rural libraries rethink and refurnish their spaces for contemporary use and future flexibility. The Foundation describes rural libraries as hubs for learning, cultural enrichment, support services and personal growth for people of all ages.

Themes

Library collections
Library technology
Library programming
Outdoor library spaces
Library interior redesign
Newspaper digitization
Professional development

Geographic Focus

Texas.

What They Don't Fund

Debt Service
Endowment Funds
Normal Operating Expenses
Salaries
Employee Benefits
Construction
Carpeting
Electrical
Other infrastructure needs that are typically supported by the municipality
E-readers
Membership fees for providers
Automation Grant only: Items included in the request for other library needs will not be considered

How to apply

Submit applications through the Foundation’s online system.

Deadlines: Grant proposals are due twice a year, by January 15 and June 1.

Application success factors

What the foundation says:

The Foundation encourages applicants to discuss a grant idea early and explain its impact on their library and community.
Applicants should give a clear, honest account of what makes their library unique, what they want to improve and how they plan to accomplish it.
The Foundation values reports on a grant’s impact, a brief accounting of funds and quantifiable patron-usage data.

Officers and directors

Dayna Williams — Director
Debbie Garza — Director
Mark Smith — Director
Laura Tocker — Director
Rachel Tocker — Director
Darryl Tocker — Executive Director
Natalie Tocker — Director
Donna Tocker — Vice President
Terry Tocker — President

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$2,976,462	$1,804,180	$35,008,917	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$2,603,946	$2,674,754	$40,309,049	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$2,693,149	$1,245,434	$40,759,034	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.