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Stephens Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Stephens Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$600k
Granted FY2025still arriving
24
Grants FY2025still arriving
8
States reached
$100k
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, FY2019 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$728kReligion$679kEducation$491kHealth$377kYouth Development$70kHuman Services$25kFood & Nutrition$11kPhilanthropy$10kOther$0
02FY2025 · 24 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k8 grants · $46k
  • $10k–50k11 grants · $201k
  • $50k–250k5 grants · $352k
$10,000
Median grant
8
States reached
$6.1M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MSU FOUNDATION$100,000
YOUNG LIFE$70,000
SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH$61,225
ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION$61,225
DALLAS OPERA$60,000
DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION$48,550
BROADWAY DALLAS$30,000
DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE$25,000
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL$20,000
ATLANTA OPERA$13,787
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LACMUS FESTIVAL$13,787
MERCY CHEFS$10,000
HORIZON CIRCLE$10,000
WICHITA FALLS AREA FOOD BANK$10,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY$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 (FY19–25, $11k) land where the poverty rate runs at 20%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%MERCY CHEFS: $10k → 20%THE KITCHEN: $500 → 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.

Which US states its grants reach

MT
IL
NY
CA
VA
SC
DC
GA
TX
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.

89%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.1M · 17 repeat orgs$272k to everyone else

17 repeat relationships: 14 still active in FY2025, 3 since wound down; 9 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

17
2

Total granted

$2.1M
$8k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+13%
+15%

Still filing today

76%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 55% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $264k went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationHuman ServicesPhilanthropyYouth DevelopmentFood & NutritionOther
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

  • TD
    The Dallas Opera
    7× · 2019–2025 · $312k · revenue +30%
  • DS
    DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
    7× · 2019–2025 · $239k · revenue +33%
  • SF
    SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA INC
    6× · 2019–2025 · $43k · revenue +43%

Funded once

  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2022 · $7k
  • SC
    SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES OF NORTH TEXAS INC DBA THE KITCHEN
    one grant, 2019 · $500 · revenue +15%
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
The Dallas Opera Foundation

Provide financial support to the dallas opera.

Philanthropy
2
Dallas International University

As a christian university, we provide education and research opportunities preparing global leaders to partner with local communities.

Education
3
Opera Southwest

Professional production of opera for the public, and education about opera and the performing arts for audiences of all ages.

Arts & Culture
4
Dallas Wind Symphony

The Dallas Winds, a Grammy-nominated wind ensemble, stands as a cultural cornerstone of Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1985, the Dallas Winds has grown into one of the worlds premier wind bands, renowned for its extraordinary artistry and…

Arts & Culture
5
The Shakespeare Festival of Dallas dba Shakespeare Dallas

Using Shakespeare's works as a cornerstone, Shakespeare Dallas serves the Southwest region with fun and accessible indoor and outdoor theatre, integrated school programs, and cultural enrichment for people of all ages and backgrounds.

—
6
The Santa Fe Opera

To further the operatic art form by presenting ensemble performances of the highest quality in a varied repertoire of new as well as rarely performed and standard works, to ensure excellence of opera's future through its apprentice…

Arts & Culture
7
San Diego Opera Association

Mission: the mission of san diego opera is to deliver exceptional performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community partnerships, and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice. as…

Arts & Culture
8
Seattle Symphony Orchestra Inc

To present symphonic music of the highest quality in a distinctive way for the cultural enrichment, education, engagement and enjoyment of the people of our community.

Arts & Culture
9
Dallas Theater Center

Dtc will engage, entertain, and inspire our diverse community by creating experiences that stimulate new ways of thinking and living and by producing plays, educational programs, and other initiatives that are of the highest quality and…

Arts & Culture
10
North Carolina Symphony Society Inc

To be north carolina's state orchestra, an orchestra achieving the highest level of artistic quality and performance standards, and embracing its dual legacies of statewide service and music education.

Arts & Culture
11
Capital of Texas Public Telecommunications Council

Klru is a leader in public media, distinguished by its energetic engagement with the community and for the quality and creativity of content. klru illuminates the wider world of knowledge; the importance of discourse; and the many…

Arts & Culture
12
Cleveland Institute of Music

The cleveland institute of music's mission is to empower the world's most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Broadway Dallas Inc; the most unlike its peers is American Friends of Lacmus Festival Inc. 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

22 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. 22 of the 29 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/22
Grantees still filing
14/22
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION: $376,525 · OtherALZHEIMER ASSOCIATIONGRACE CHURCH: $318,600 · OtherGRACE CHURCHSAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: $317,925 · OtherSAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCHProject Back to School: $60,000 · OtherPARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: $42,500 · Other+4 more: $49,500 · OtherThe Dallas Opera: $312,000 · Arts & CultureThe Dallas OperaDALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $238,550 · Arts & CultureDALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATIONSPOLETO FESTIVAL USA INC: $42,500 · Arts & CultureSPOLETO FESTIVAL USA INCBroadway Dallas Inc: $38,000 · Arts & CultureBroadway Dallas Inc+3 more: $62,426 · Arts & Culture+3 moreCHRIST ACADEMY: $263,400 · EducationCHRIST ACADEMYMidwestern State University Foundation Inc: $100,000 · EducationMidwestern State Un…SWEET BRIAR INSTITUTE: $22,574 · EducationMISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: $20,000 · Education+2 more: $17,500 · EducationYOUNG LIFE: $70,000 · Youth DevelopmentTHE CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL: $15,000 · PhilanthropyTHE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY INC: $10,000 · PhilanthropyMERCY CHEFS INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesSENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES OF NORTH TEXAS INC DBA THE KITCHEN: $500 · Human ServicesWICHITA FALLS AREA FOOD BANK: $10,000 · Food & NutritionDALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL SOCIETY INC: $9,000 · Environment
Other$1,165,050Arts & Culture$693,476Education$423,474Youth Development$70,000Philanthropy$25,000Human Services$10,500Food & Nutrition$10,000Environment$9,000

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetThe Dallas Opera: $312,000 over 7y, 0.6% of budgetCHRIST ACADEMY: $263,400 over 5y, 3.3% of budgetDALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $238,550 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetMidwestern State University Foundation Inc: $100,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetYOUNG LIFE: $70,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetProject Back to School: $60,000 over 5y, 8.5% of budgetSPOLETO FESTIVAL USA INC: $42,500 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetBroadway Dallas Inc: $38,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSWEET BRIAR INSTITUTE: $22,574 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetOpera Parallle: $22,426 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ATLANTA OPERA INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: $20,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICAN FRIENDS OF LACMUS FESTIVAL INC: $20,000 over 2y, 7.4% of budgetTHE CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL: $15,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTHE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWICHITA FALLS AREA FOOD BANK: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetThe George Washington University: $7,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION INC: $7,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES OF NORTH TEXAS INC DBA THE KITCHEN: $500 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

James N McCoy Foundat…Stanley Grover Charit…Leota Steed FoundationDonnell FoundationBryant Edwards Founda…Perkins-Prothro Found…Communities Foundatio…American Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…Raymond James Charita…Morgan Stanley Global…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…
James N McCoy FoundationTX15.7× affinity5 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: James N McCoy Foundation · Stanley Grover Charitable Trust · Leota Steed Foundation · Donnell Foundation · Bryant Edwards Foundation Inc · Perkins-Prothro Foundation · Communities Foundation of Texas Inc · American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Jpmorgan Chase 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 Stephens Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Stephens Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%4%8%11%15%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–15%
    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 29 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-PF 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

    Play a game based on Stephens Family’s filings →

    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