Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The foundation's stated focus is education and community development in rural communities served by Mid South Telecommunications, and scouting is also among its core interests, so organisations working in those fields and places are the closest fit.
- Community grants are considered case by case for needs such as community centres, emergency services, technological upgrades and economic development, in named communities in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas and Mississippi, so check that your community is one of them before applying through the online link on its Community Grants page, where requests must be received by October 1.
- Half of its 91 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less and the median was $10,000, so a modest request is realistic, although about 8 in 10 grants fall between $1,900 and $205,000, a typical band rather than the full range.
- In its latest filing, 98% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so this is a relationship-led foundation, and a first approach should be well prepared and made well ahead of the deadline.
- Students who are public-school graduates should contact their school counsellor rather than applying directly.
Overview
Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, 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 foundation focuses on education and community development in rural communities served by Mid South Telecommunications. Its stated core interests also include scouting. It supports public-school graduates with financial assistance for college expenses and public-school educators pursuing professional development, including post-graduate study at Master’s degree level or higher. Community grants are considered case by case for needs such as community centres, emergency services, technological upgrades and economic development, in named communities in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas and Mississippi. It also reports having supported medical research institutions. Community-grant applicants are directed to an online application link; students are told to contact their school counsellor.
Themes
- Education
- Scouting
- Community development
- Medical research
Geographic Focus
Priority: Millport; Kennedy; Fairmount; North Lyon County; Guntown; Houlka; Rienzi; Tishomingo. From its grants, not stated by the foundation: Texas; Mississippi; New Mexico; Alabama.
How to apply
For Community Grants, applicants apply through the application link on the Community Grants page; requests are considered case by case.
Deadlines: Community Grant requests must be received by October 1.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 98% 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 91 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Community Grant requests are considered case by case for specific community needs.
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 34% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to organisations Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 30 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $11,003 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Bovay Scout RanchSHAC · General support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Philmont Scout Ranch · General support$436,6162024 tax year
- Texas A&M Foundation · Grant - Harry E Bovay Jr. Foundation Symposium in Chemical Biology Endowment$208,0002024 tax year
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital · Grant - Division of Cancer Survivorship$202,0002024 tax year
- Bevill State Community College · Tuition Guarantee Program and textbooks in Spring 2024 and Fall 2024$132,6172024 tax year
- Retina Research Foundation · General support$50,0002024 tax year
- Samaritan's Purse · Donation - hurricane relief$25,0002024 tax year
- Allen Community College · HS Dual Credit, Kansas voucher program$20,2282024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Edward R Naumes — Director
- Carl F Jaedicke — Director
- C Ronald Dorchester — Director
- Frances Escriva — Treasurer / Director
- Peggy L Kelly — Vice President / Secretary / Director
- Michael L Patrick — President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,117,695 | $2,476,207 | $49,084,304 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,721,684 | $2,236,430 | $55,650,186 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,467,860 | $2,454,511 | $60,175,406 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 651-2328
- rdietz@legacytrust.com
- RDietz@legacytrust.com
- Houston, TX
- bovayfoundation.org
Applying to Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 651-2328
- rdietz@legacytrust.com
- RDietz@legacytrust.com
- Houston, TX
- bovayfoundation.org