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Abilene Christian University at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Abilene Christian University

Acu is a national leader in christian higher education, and the mission is to educate students for christian service and leadership throughout the world.

$90M
Granted FY2025still arriving
7
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$250k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Human Services$491kReligion$389kPublic Safety & Disaster$141kHealth$101kRecreation & Sports$100kYouth Development$70kArts & Culture$46kCrime & Legal$30kOther$0
02FY2025 · 7 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 7 grants below total $391,000, the rows itemized in this filing. The $90,086,180 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $89,695,180 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k5 grants · $91k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
  • $250k+1 grant · $250k
$25,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$1.4B
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY$250,000
ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY$50,000
WOODSEDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH$26,000
YOUTH VOICE$25,000
CHRISTIAN CAMPUS CENTER - UTA$20,000
EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSIONS$10,000
LIVEBEYOND$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–24, $58k) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%Arms of Hope: $11k → 12%SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCE: $15k → 14%MINISTRY OF COUNSELING AND ENRICHMENT: $15k → 22%DISABILITY RESOURCES: $10k → 22%CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER: $7k → 16%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

70%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.0M · 15 repeat orgs$435k to everyone else

15 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2025, 10 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

15
30

Total granted

$1.0M
$390k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

0%
+26%

Still filing today

47%
80%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 88% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $45k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesHealthReligionYouth DevelopmentPublic Safety & DisasterArts & CultureOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NH
    NEW HORIZONS RANCH & CENTER INC
    3× · 2018–2024 · $30k · revenue +30%
  • HF
    HOUSES FOR HEALING INC
    2× · 2020–2024 · $30k · revenue +334%
  • TR
    TEXAS RAMP PROJECT
    2× · 2017–2018 · $16k · revenue +144%

Funded once

  • AH
    ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE INCgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $35k · revenue +131%
  • TP
    TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $25k · revenue +115%
  • MO
    MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2023 · $25k · revenue -29%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Texas Reach Out Inc

Provides housing and spiritual development for Christians reintegrating into society upon exiting the criminal justice system.

Health
2
Faithworks of Abilene Inc

Our mission is to help the underemployed, through personal, career, academic and spiritual development, acquire the confidence and skills for gainful and long-term employment.

Education
3
His Story Coaching and Counseling

Christian coaching, counseling, assessment and consulting services to the communities of Tarrant County, Texas.

Human Services
4
First Baptist Denton Ministry Center

The mission of First Refuge Ministries is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering essential services to those in need within our community. Our belief is that every person has worth and value since they are created by God. Our goal…

Health
5
Family Abuse Center Inc

The family abuse center exists to eliminate domestic violence in central texas by sheltering victims of domestic violence and by preventing abuse from occurring through intervention and education.

Human Services
6
Family Promise of Bryan-College Station

To assist homeless families in securing stable housing

Housing & Shelter
7
A Bridge to Opportunity Inc

To operate a 30 unit permanent and temporary housing facility known as Destiny Village for rental to low income individuals and families who are survivors of domestic violence and or sexual assault

Housing & Shelter
8
Abigail's Place

Committed to supporting displaced single mothers in Fort Bend County by providing housing assistance and wraparound services.

Housing & Shelter
9
UnBound North Texas

Unbound North Texas exists to support survivors and resource the community to fight human trafficking through Survivor Advocacy, a 24/7 Drop-In Center, and Prevention and Awareness.

—
10
Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas

Our mission is to provide adults and families with an effective and comprehensive faith based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order for them to become productive members of society. By applying biblical…

—
11
El Paso Area Christian Counseling Service

Counseling Services offering hope, healing, and restoration to hurting people, marriages, and families using respected therapy practices and solid biblical principles.

Human Services
12
Raise Texas

RAISE Texas advances equitable policies and programs that foster financial security and economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Texans. We equip, innovate and advocate to reduce disparities, remove barriers and build opportunities…

Human Services
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Arms of Hope; the most unlike its peers is Mlb-Mlbpa Youth Development Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

33 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 33 of the 47 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
8
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/33
Grantees still filing
17/33
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: $368,000 · OtherFOCUS ON THE FAMILYPRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST: $90,000 · OtherPRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRISTEASTERN EUROPEAN MISSION: $60,000 · OtherEASTERN EUROPEAN MISSIONWOODSEDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH: $58,500 · OtherWOODSEDGE COMMUNITY CHURCHHILLCREST CHURCH OF CHRIST: $32,778 · OtherSOUTHERN HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST: $31,590 · Other+22 more: $302,491 · Other+22 moreABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY: $100,000 · Youth DevelopmentABILENE YO…YOUTH VOICE INC: $25,000 · Youth DevelopmentYOUTH VOIC…BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR: $11,782 · Youth DevelopmentBIG BROTHE…MOBILE MEDICAL DISASTER RELIEF INC: $120,000 · InternationalMOBILE ME…Regional Crime Victim Crisis Center: $20,000 · Human ServicesSAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCE: $15,000 · Human ServicesFirst Baptist Mission Action Inc: $15,000 · Human ServicesARMS OF HOPE: $10,600 · Human ServicesDisability Resources Inc: $10,000 · Human ServicesChristian Service Center of Abilene: $7,429 · Human ServicesHOUSES FOR HEALING INC: $30,000 · HealthMIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION: $25,000 · HealthAbilene Restoration Ministries dba Nehemiah Abilene: $15,000 · HealthABILENE RECOVERY COUNCIL INC: $7,571 · HealthReflective Life Ministries: $30,000 · ReligionChristian Campus Center at UTA Inc: $20,000 · ReligionUPWORDS INC: $5,000 · ReligionABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE INC: $35,000 · Arts & CultureSVG SPORTS BROADCASTING FUND: $11,000 · Arts & Culture
Other$943,359Youth Development$136,782International$120,000Human Services$78,029Health$77,571Religion$55,000Arts & Culture$46,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMOBILE MEDICAL DISASTER RELIEF INC: $120,000 over 6y, 2.7% of budgetABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY: $100,000 over 2y, 3.6% of budgetABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE INC: $35,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetNEW HORIZONS RANCH & CENTER INC: $30,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetReflective Life Ministries: $30,000 over 2y, 11% of budgetHOUSES FOR HEALING INC: $30,000 over 2y, 7.9% of budgetTEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetMLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation: $25,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetChristian Campus Center at UTA Inc: $20,000 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetRegional Crime Victim Crisis Center: $20,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetSAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCE: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCancer Services Network Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 3.1% of budgetPregnancy Resources of Abilene Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetAbilene Restoration Ministries dba Nehemiah Abilene: $15,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetFirst Baptist Mission Action Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetBIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR: $11,782 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE TSTC FOUNDATION: $11,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetABILENE PALM HOUSE INC: $11,000 over 1y, 7.0% of budgetSVG SPORTS BROADCASTING FUND: $11,000 over 1y, 2.6% of budgetARMS OF HOPE: $10,600 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetUNITED RESCUE ALLIANCE INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBIG COUNTRY COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetTEXOMA YOUTH CAMP INC: $8,500 over 1y, 9.8% of budgetABILENE RECOVERY COUNCIL INC: $7,571 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetChristian Service Center of Abilene: $7,429 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetUNITED WAY OF ABILENE INC: $5,963 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetNOAH PROJECT INC: $5,176 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetUPWORDS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Community Foundation …The Legett FoundationBarber FoundationKickapoo Springs Foun…Shelton Family Founda…Dian Graves Owen Foun…Greathouse FoundationThe Karakin FoundationUnited Way of Abilene…Food Bank of West Cen…American Electric Pow…Directors Foundation
Community Foundation of AbileneTX53.7× affinity24 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Foundation of Abilene · The Legett Foundation · Barber Foundation · Kickapoo Springs Foundation · Shelton Family Foundation · Dian Graves Owen Foundation · Greathouse Foundation · The Karakin Foundation · United Way of Abilene Inc · Food Bank of West Central Texas · American Electric Power Foundation · Directors Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Abilene Christian University funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Abilene Christian University. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%19%38%56%75%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–75%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 47 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

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    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home