Chandler B And Oliver A Evans Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,223,800 (2023)
Total Assets: $27.8 million (2024)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Varies widely, from small grants to $433,500
Median Grant: $15,000 - $20,000
Number of Grants: 17-22 grants annually
Geographic Focus: National (with connections to Fort Worth, TX, New England, and international institutions)
Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 201 Main St Suite 2300, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3137

Tax ID (EIN): 82-3589805

Note: This foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Chandler B And Oliver A Evans Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2019 and based in Fort Worth, Texas. With total assets of $27.8 million and annual giving of approximately $1.2 million, the foundation supports a carefully selected portfolio of organizations, primarily in education, with additional support for cultural institutions, community funds, and medical support initiatives. The foundation is led by Anne Chandler Bass Evans, daughter of prominent Fort Worth philanthropists Robert M. Bass and Anne T. Bass, suggesting a multi-generational approach to strategic philanthropy. The foundation distributed 19 grants in 2023, 22 in 2022, and 21 in 2021, demonstrating consistent grantmaking focused on institutions with which the family has established relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Recent major grants include:

The Governor's Academy (Massachusetts): $433,500 - Supporting one of America's oldest independent boarding schools
American Friends of Christ Church (Oxford): $152,000 - Supporting educational and charitable activities at Christ Church, Oxford University
The Park School (Baltimore): $125,000 - Supporting independent progressive education
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston): $100,000 - Supporting cultural preservation and public access to art
Yale University: Specific amount not disclosed - Supporting higher education

Priority Areas

Primary Focus - Education:

Independent preparatory and boarding schools (particularly in New England)
Higher education institutions (Yale University and support for Oxford University through American Friends)
Progressive and innovative educational models

Secondary Interests:

Cultural institutions and museums
Educational access and scholarship programs
Community support funds
Medical crisis support (stated in mission: "to provide support for families during the critical phase of a medical crisis, easing their daily stresses with compassion and care")

Geographic Pattern: While based in Fort Worth, Texas, the foundation's grants demonstrate a strong preference for New England educational institutions and national/international cultural organizations, suggesting the family's personal connections to these regions and institutions.

What They Don't Fund

As a family foundation operating through trustee discretion:

Does not accept unsolicited applications
Does not fund organizations outside of trustees' established relationships
Funding decisions are based on family connections and personal knowledge of institutions

Governance and Leadership

Anne Chandler Bass Evans - Chairman of the Board Anne Chandler Bass Evans is the daughter of Robert M. Bass and Anne T. Bass, prominent Fort Worth philanthropists known for their support of education, health, and the arts. She appears to be continuing her family's philanthropic legacy while establishing her own grantmaking focus. A Harvard graduate (Class of 2000), her educational background and family connections inform the foundation's giving priorities.

Oliver Evans - Director Co-namesake of the foundation and director.

Bryan Barrett - Chief Financial Officer Manages the foundation's financial operations and investment portfolio.

Jay Hebert - Secretary Handles administrative and governance functions.

Compensation: No officer or director compensation was reported in recent tax filings, indicating this is a volunteer-led family foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to publicly available information, the Chandler B And Oliver A Evans Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships. The foundation operates in the traditional family foundation model where grantmaking decisions are driven by the personal interests, connections, and philanthropic priorities of the Evans family.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's clear statement that it does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected organizations, there is no established pathway for new organizations to apply for funding. The foundation's grantmaking appears to be driven by:

Family Educational Connections: The foundation's support for institutions like The Governor's Academy, The Park School, Yale University, and Christ Church Oxford suggests grants flow to schools and universities where family members have personal connections - either as alumni, current families, or through social networks.

Cultural and Institutional Leadership: Support for institutions like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum suggests engagement through board service, major donor circles, or family cultural interests.

Organizations seeking to understand whether they might align with future foundation interests should note the pattern of support for prestigious independent schools, elite higher education institutions, and nationally significant cultural organizations.

Decision Timeline

The foundation's decision timeline is not publicly disclosed. As grants are made through trustee discretion rather than application cycles, there are no fixed deadlines or decision periods. The foundation distributed between 17-22 grants annually over recent years, suggesting regular but selective grantmaking throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. However, the grants data suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with certain institutions, with some organizations likely receiving support across multiple years.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals:

Educational Excellence and Prestige: The foundation supports nationally recognized institutions with strong academic reputations - The Governor's Academy (founded 1763, one of America's oldest boarding schools), The Park School (progressive independent school), Yale University, and Oxford University connections.

Family Connections: Grantmaking appears directly tied to institutions where family members have personal involvement. Anne Chandler Bass Evans's Harvard education and family connections to elite educational institutions in New England are reflected in the grant portfolio.

Progressive and Innovative Education: Support for The Park School, known for progressive education, suggests appreciation for innovative educational approaches alongside traditional academic excellence.

Cultural Stewardship: The grant to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum demonstrates interest in supporting institutions that preserve cultural heritage and provide public access to art and education.

Multi-Generational Philanthropy: As daughter of Robert M. Bass (whose Anne T. & Robert M. Bass Foundation has given tens of millions to Stanford and Duke universities), Anne Chandler Bass Evans appears to be carrying forward her family's commitment to educational philanthropy while establishing her own foundation's identity and focus areas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected organizations. Organizations should not attempt to submit proposals.
Family-Connected Institutions: Grantmaking is driven by family relationships with educational and cultural institutions, particularly in New England and at elite academic institutions.
Education-Focused: While the stated mission mentions medical crisis support, the vast majority of grants go to educational institutions, particularly independent schools and universities.
Substantial but Selective: With only 17-22 grants annually from $1.2 million in giving, this is highly selective grantmaking with individual grants ranging from small gifts to over $400,000.
Multi-Generational Philanthropy: Understanding the foundation requires understanding the Bass family's broader philanthropic legacy in Fort Worth and beyond.
Not a Prospect for Most Organizations: Unless your organization has established personal connections with the Evans family through board service, alumni relationships, or existing donor networks, this foundation should not be considered a prospect.
Geographic Reach Beyond Texas: Despite Fort Worth headquarters, most grants support institutions in New England and beyond, reflecting the family's educational and cultural networks rather than local Texas grantmaking.

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Chandler B And Oliver A Evans Foundation (EIN: 82-3589805), accessed January 4, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/823589805
Cause IQ - The Chandler B and Oliver A Evans Foundation Profile, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/chandler-b-and-oliver-a-evans-foundation,823589805/
Instrumentl - Chandler B And Oliver A Evans Foundation 990 Report, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/chandler-b-and-oliver-a-evans-foundation
Grantmakers.io - Chandler B and Oliver A Evans Foundation Profile, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/823589805-chandler-b-and-oliver-a-evans-foundation/
The Harvard Crimson - "Look Who's Getting a Leg Up from Legacy," September 21, 2006, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/9/21/look-whos-getting-a-leg-up/
The Governor's Academy - "The Governor's Academy Surpasses $100 Million Fundraising Goal," 2024, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.thegovernorsacademy.org/news/news-detail-page/~board/news-stories/post/the-governors-academy-surpasses-100-million-fundraising-goal
The Park School of Baltimore - "The Promise of Park Campaign," accessed January 4, 2026. https://parkschool.net/giving/the-promise-of-park/
American Friends of Christ Church - Graduate Scholarships information, accessed January 4, 2026. https://chchconnections.org/pages/graduate-scholarships
Inside Philanthropy - Anne T. & Robert M. Bass Foundation profile, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/texas-grants/anne-t-robert-m-bass-foundation
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Grants and support information, accessed January 4, 2026. https://www.gardnermuseum.org/join-give/support