← Back to US Funders Directory

Barbara Kauffman Welder Private Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.0M
Grant Range
$35K - $0.0M

Barbara Kauffman Welder Private Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $35,000 (2023)
  • Assets: $55.4 million
  • Grant Range: $35,000 (single grant in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Victoria, Texas area
  • Foundation Type: Private Christian foundation

Contact Details

Address:
Eric L. Kucera, Trustee
101 S Main St, Suite 400
Victoria, TX 77901

Phone: (361) 573-3255

No website or email listed

Overview

The Barbara Kauffman Welder Private Foundation is a private foundation based in Victoria, Texas, established in honor of Barbara Kauffman Welder, a longtime Victoria resident and member of the Church of Christ who passed away on July 28, 2021. With assets of $55.4 million and total contributions of $47.6 million, the foundation operates with a highly specific Christian mission. The foundation's trust document mandates that assets be used primarily for Christian evangelism, Christian missions, Christian discipleship, and the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with a particular goal of benefiting Christian children's homes. Despite its substantial assets, the foundation awarded only one grant of $35,000 to Trinity Episcopal School in Victoria, Texas in 2023, indicating very limited grant-making activity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to have formal grant programs. Grant-making is discretionary based on the trustees' assessment of alignment with the foundation's Christian mission.

  • 2023 Grant Activity: $35,000 to Trinity Episcopal School for general funding
  • Application Method: Rolling basis, no deadlines

Priority Areas

According to the foundation's trust document, assets must support:

  • Christian evangelism
  • Christian missions
  • Christian discipleship
  • Teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  • Christian children's homes (specifically noted as a priority beneficiary category)

Eligible Recipients

Organizations must qualify as a "Qualified Charitable Recipient" under IRS Code Sections 170(c), 2055(a), and 2522(a). The foundation focuses exclusively on Christian-centered charitable work and organizations that serve as witnesses to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-Christian organizations
  • Organizations not meeting IRS qualified charitable recipient criteria
  • Organizations not aligned with Christian evangelism and discipleship

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three trustees:

  • Eric L. Kucera, Trustee (Primary contact)
  • Linda K. Kauffman, Trustee
  • Karen S. Karm, Trustee

No public statements or quotes from foundation leadership are available.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts grant applications on a rolling basis with no submission deadlines. There is no standard application format.

Required Materials:

  1. Most recent Form 990
  2. Most recent audited or reviewed financial statements
  3. Information regarding the activities of the charity
  4. Description of funding being requested

Submission Address:
Eric L. Kucera
101 S Main St, Suite 400
Victoria, TX 77901

Decision Timeline

No information is publicly available regarding typical decision timeframes.

Success Rates

No data available on application success rates. The foundation awarded only 1 grant in 2023, suggesting highly selective grant-making or preference for a limited number of beneficiaries.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the absence of deadlines, organizations may presumably submit requests at any time.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Christian Mission

Given the foundation's strict trust document language, successful applicants must demonstrate:

  • Strong Christian identity: Organizations must be explicitly Christian in mission and practice
  • Alignment with evangelism and discipleship: Projects should advance Christian teaching and Gospel proclamation
  • Service to Christian children: Priority appears given to Christian children's homes and youth-serving ministries
  • Local Victoria connection: The single 2023 grant went to a Victoria-based Episcopal school, suggesting possible geographic preference

Documentation Requirements

The foundation requires comprehensive financial documentation (Form 990, audited statements), indicating:

  • Preference for established organizations with track records
  • Emphasis on financial accountability and transparency
  • Professional operational standards expected

Limited Grant Activity Considerations

The foundation's minimal grant activity (one $35,000 grant in 2023 despite $55.4 million in assets) suggests:

  • Trustees may have a small number of preferred beneficiaries
  • The foundation may operate more as a supporting foundation for specific institutions
  • Unsolicited applications may face significant barriers to success
  • Trinity Episcopal School appears to be a primary or possibly exclusive beneficiary

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Highly restrictive mission: Only organizations with explicit Christian evangelism and discipleship missions should apply
  • Very limited grant-making: Despite substantial assets, the foundation awarded only one grant in 2023, suggesting extremely selective giving
  • Local focus likely: The 2023 grant went to a Victoria, Texas Episcopal school, indicating possible geographic preference
  • No competitive process: With no deadlines and rolling submissions, grants appear to be awarded at trustees' discretion
  • Strong documentation required: Financial transparency and organizational legitimacy are prerequisites
  • Christian children's homes prioritized: Trust document specifically mentions this category as a priority
  • Low probability for unsolicited requests: The single-grant pattern suggests the foundation may primarily support pre-selected organizations

References

← Back to US Funders Directory