Robert J Werra Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and gives by invitation only, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; a small charity should seek an introduction or an existing connection before writing.
- Its grants chiefly support research and leadership, with educational and legal-service work also funded, so a project in those areas is the most natural fit to describe.
- Half of its 8 grants to organisations were $60,000 or less, and the median grant was $60,000, so a request around that size is the most realistic, although its largest grant was $1,100,000.
- In its latest filing, 100% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so repeat support is common and its giving has risen each year, with $1,100,000 paid in its latest year.
- No geographic focus is stated, and its grants have mainly gone to District of Columbia and Michigan; that is a pattern in its giving rather than a rule, so location alone should not decide whether you approach it.
Overview
Robert J Werra Foundation is a US private foundation based in Plano, TX.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The recorded grants chiefly support work described as providing solutions, conducting research, training leaders and developing future generations. Other stated purposes include K–12 initiatives, liberal arts and western heritage education, litigation-service help for underserved communities, and general-fund support. Taken together, these records show funding for research and leadership development alongside educational and legal-service work. The filings identify charitable organisations as recipients, but do not set out a wider funding strategy or general eligibility criteria. The purpose descriptions therefore characterise the recorded grants, not a published set of application priorities.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Research and leadership
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in District of Columbia and Michigan.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 100% 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 8 grants to organisations were $60,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 72% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations Robert J Werra Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Heritage Foundation · Providing solutions, researching, training leaders and fututre generations.$1,100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Shawna Mitchell — Secretary
- Paul M Ivanoff — Treasurer
- John Werra — Vice-Chairman
- David R Bower CPA — President
- Nancy L Werra — Chairman
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $640,733 | $250,000 | $17,890,313 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $927,569 | $520,000 | $25,067,824 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,488,813 | $1,100,000 | $28,912,572 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to Robert J Werra Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Plano, TX
Applying to Robert J Werra Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Plano, TX