Oatman Hill Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Grant Range: At least up to $5,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily Central Texas)

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Director: Hon. William D. Old III, J.D. (Judge, 25th Judicial District of Texas)

Overview

The Oatman Hill Foundation is a newly established private foundation created through the estate of Bennie Walter Bock II (J.D. '68), a prominent Texas attorney, former state representative, and businessman who passed away in June 2022. Under the direction of Judge William D. Old III, whom Bock mentored throughout his career, the foundation supports education and the arts. The foundation has demonstrated significant grantmaking capacity, awarding a $5 million gift to St. Mary's University School of Law in 2025 to establish the Bennie W. Bock II Center for Business and Transaction Law. As a legacy foundation carrying forward Bock's values, it focuses on strategic, transformative gifts to institutions in Central Texas, particularly those advancing legal education, business acumen, and the arts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes strategic, large-scale grants focused on:

• Major Institutional Gifts: $1,000,000 - $5,000,000+ (creates named programs, centers, and endowments)
• Application Method: Invitation-only, relationship-based giving

Priority Areas

• Higher education (particularly law schools and business programs)
• Legal education and transactional law programs
• The arts and arts education
• Student scholarships and support funds
• Endowed professorships and academic positions
• Educational centers and clinics

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their giving pattern:

• Organizations outside Texas
• Small operational grants
• General operating support
• National organizations without Texas presence

Governance and Leadership

Director: Hon. William D. Old III, J.D.

• Presiding Judge, 25th Judicial District of Texas
• Personal mentee of founder Bennie Walter Bock II

According to Judge Old: "Bock created the foundation to support education and the arts."

Founder (deceased): Bennie Walter Bock II (1942-2022)

• St. Mary's University School of Law graduate (J.D. '68)
• Former Texas State Representative (10 years)
• Attorney, lobbyist, businessman, and rancher
• Seventh-generation Texan from Lockhart

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through:

• Strategic initiatives identified by the director
• Relationships with institutions important to the founder
• Invitation-only consideration
• Proactive grantmaking aligned with founder's legacy

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no formal application process

Success Rates

Not available - invitation-only grantmaking

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's demonstrated giving pattern:

• Strong Texas connection essential - the foundation's only known grant went to the founder's alma mater in San Antonio
• Legacy naming opportunities valued - the $5M grant created the "Bennie W. Bock II Center," suggesting the foundation values permanent recognition of the founder
• Transformative scale preferred - rather than many small grants, the foundation appears to make large, strategic investments
• Business and law intersection appeals - the funded center focuses on "ensuring that law graduates are prepared for the business acumen needed for the rapidly changing field of law practice"
• Established institutions favored - the recipient was an accredited law school with strong regional reputation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Oatman Hill Foundation operates as a strategic, relationship-based funder without a public application process
• Focus is exclusively on Texas institutions, particularly in Central Texas (Seguin, New Braunfels, San Antonio region)
• Minimum grant threshold appears to be in the high six to seven figures, making this suitable only for major capital or endowment campaigns
• Education and the arts are the two stated priorities, with demonstrated interest in legal education and business skills development
• Best approach is through established connections to Judge William D. Old III or institutions that had relationships with Bennie Walter Bock II
• Consider proposing named programs or centers that would honor the founder's legacy
• This is a very new foundation (established ~2022-2023) still developing its grantmaking patterns

References

• St. Mary's University Official Announcement. "Oatman Hill Foundation donates $5M to St. Mary's University School of Law to advance business and the law." March 2025. https://www.stmarytx.edu/2025/bock-gift-law/
• St. Mary's University. "$5M gift creates Bock Center for Business and Transaction Law." 2025. https://www.stmarytx.edu/2025/bock-center-gift/
• San Antonio Report. "St. Mary's School of Law gets $5M to establish new business and transaction law center." 2025. https://sanantonioreport.org/st-marys-school-of-law-gets-5m-to-establish-new-business-and-transaction-law-center/
• Southeast Texas Record. "Oatman Hill Foundation donates $5M to St. Mary's University School of Law." 2025. https://setexasrecord.com/stories/670627714-oatman-hill-foundation-donates-5m-to-st-mary-s-university-school-of-law-to-advance-business-and-the-law
• GuideStar Profile for Oatman Hill Foundation. EIN: 92-6148420. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/92-6148420
• Instrumentl Foundation Directory. "Foundations in Seguin, TX." Accessed February 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/foundations/texas/seguin