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The Drake Bettner Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Drake Bettner Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$89k
Granted FY2024still arriving
7
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Arts & Culture$538kHealth$511kCivil Rights$171kPublic Benefit$170kInternational$126kEnvironment$90kEducation$36kHuman Services$31kOther$0
02FY2024 · 7 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k3 grants · $4k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $85k
$10,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$2.8M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
TAKE THIS INC$25,000
THE 19TH$25,000
CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK$25,000
LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL$10,000
EMMANUEL LABOR$2,750
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY OF MCKINNEY$989
TEXAS YOUTH BALLET$500
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, $76k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 33% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%EDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25k → 14%SILVER LININGS RECOVERY RESIDENCES INC: $3k → 8%ENCIRCLE: $20k → 8%EMMANUEL LABOR: $3k → 5%EMMANUEL LABOR: $2k → 5%MEALS ON WHEELS COLLIN COUNTY: $10k → 5%COMMUNITY LIFELINE CENTER: $8k → 5%COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY: $2k → 5%COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY: $2k → 5%COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY OF MCKINNEY: $1k → 5%COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY OF MCKINNEY: $989 → 5%COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY OF MCKINNEY: $500 → 5%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

WA
ID
NY
MA
PA
CA
UT
CO
VA
AZ
DC
LA
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.

71%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.2M · 19 repeat orgs$494k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +92% since the first grant, against +28% for those funded once.

19 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2024, 15 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
35

Total granted

$1.2M
$444k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+92%
+28%

Still filing today

63%
71%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 43% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $51k went to new ones.

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

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Arts & CultureHuman ServicesCivil RightsInternationalPhilanthropyEducationOther
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

  • TN
    THE NORTH TEXAS FAMILY HEALTH FOUNDATION
    4× · 2019–2022 · $400k · revenue +34%
  • Sundance Institute
    5× · 2017–2022 · $150k · revenue +1%
  • AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC
    3× · 2017–2019 · $113k · revenue +102%

Funded once

  • T1
    THE 19TH NEWSgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $100k · revenue +301%
  • WM
    WOMEN MAKE MOVIES INCgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $35k · revenue +36%
  • EU
    EQUALITY UTAH FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2022 · $25k · revenue -26%
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
Aclu Foundation of Texas Inc

The ACLU Foundation of Texas is the unyielding guardian and promoter of freedom, justice, equality and dignity of all people, particularly for those who are still fighting to secure the full exercise of their civil rights and liberties.…

Civil Rights
2
Glasstire

Glasstire is a website about visual art in Texas. Our mission is to expand the conversation about visual art in Texas.

Arts & Culture
3
Breaking Through the Lens

Advocate for gender equality in the film industry.

Arts & Culture
4
Eqtx Equality Texas dba Equality Texas

EQTX Equality Texas dba Equality Texas works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.

—
5
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

Transforming global storytelling by using data-driven research, education, and advocacy to mitigate bias, inspiring authentic portrayals in entertainment, advertising, and gaming that reflect the true diversity of the population.

Civil Rights
6
Progress Texas Institute

The Progress Texas Institute provides research and strategic communications on issues with the ultimate goal of increasing civic engagement.

Civil Rights
7
Center for Public Policy Priorities

At the Every Texan, we believe in a Texas that offers everyone the chance to compete and succeed in life. We envision a Texas where everyone is healthy, well educated, and financially secure. We want the best Texas, a proud state that sets…

Public Benefit
8
Progress Texas

Progress Texas is a non-profit media organization advocating for progressive ideals and policies in our state.

Civil Rights
9
San Francisco Film Society

SFFILM is a nonprofit organization whose mission ensures independent voices in film are welcomed, heard, and given the resources to thrive. SFFILM connects and inspires audiences, students and teachers, and filmmakers through our film…

—
10
Eqtx Equality Texas Foundation

EQTX Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.

Civil Rights
11
Grist Magazine Inc

Grist is an independent, non profit media organization dedicated to reporting on climate change.

Environment
12
Christianity Today International

Christianity Today is a global community inspired by evangelical conviction to advance the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God. Our mission is to elevate the storytellers and sages of the global church.

Religion
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Equality Utah Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty. 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

42 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. 42 of the 57 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)
12
Early backer (in before they grew)
39/42
Grantees still filing
29/42
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE NORTH TEXAS FAMILY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $400,000 · PhilanthropyTHE NORTH TEXAS FAMILY HEA…+1 more: $1,556 · PhilanthropyTHE 19TH: $105,000 · OtherTHE 19THINTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE: $42,500 · OtherINTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEEHARMONY FOUNDATION INC: $35,000 · OtherHARMONY FOUNDATION INCB C VOICE: $29,000 · OtherB C VOICECHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK: $25,000 · OtherCOMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC: $25,000 · OtherCENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARIES INC: $25,000 · OtherAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Texas Inc: $25,000 · OtherSTATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT: $40,000 · OtherSTATE DEMOCRACY PROJECTTake This Inc: $25,000 · OtherPRINCIPE PRODUCTIONS INC: $25,000 · Other+20 more: $103,048 · Other+20 moreSundance Institute: $150,000 · Arts & CultureSundance InstituteTHE 19TH NEWS: $100,000 · Arts & CultureTHE 19TH NEWSWOMEN MAKE MOVIES INC: $35,000 · Arts & CultureWOMEN MAKE MOVIES INCFilm Society of Austin Inc: $15,000 · Arts & CultureCHICKEN & EGG FILMS INC: $15,000 · Arts & Culture+4 more: $18,000 · Arts & Culture+4 moreTEXAS TRIBUNE INC: $130,000 · EducationTEXAS TRIB…MCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $25,000 · EducationMCKINNEY E…AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $112,500 · Civil RightsAMERICAN …EQUALITY UTAH FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Civil RightsEQUALITY …The Representation Project: $5,000 · Civil Rights+1 more: $2,500 · Civil RightsREDFORD CENTER INC: $65,000 · EnvironmentCarbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty: $25,000 · EnvironmentEDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Human ServicesEncircle Family and Youth Resource Center: $20,000 · Human ServicesMEALS ON WHEELS COLLIN COUNTY: $10,000 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY LIFELINE CENTER: $7,500 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY: $6,081 · Human ServicesEMMANUEL LABOR: $5,000 · Human Services+1 more: $2,500 · Human Services
Philanthropy$401,556Other$504,548Arts & Culture$333,000Education$155,000Civil Rights$145,000Environment$90,000Human Services$76,081

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 NORTH TEXAS FAMILY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $400,000 over 4y, 6.5% of budgetSundance Institute: $150,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetTEXAS TRIBUNE INC: $130,000 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $112,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE 19TH NEWS: $100,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetREDFORD CENTER INC: $65,000 over 4y, 1.4% of budgetSTATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT: $40,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetHARMONY FOUNDATION INC: $35,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetWOMEN MAKE MOVIES INC: $35,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetEQUALITY UTAH FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetEDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetCarbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty: $25,000 over 1y, 6.9% of budgetTake This Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 3.3% of budgetPRINCIPE PRODUCTIONS INC: $25,000 over 1y, 4.2% of budgetAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Texas Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetEncircle Family and Youth Resource Center: $20,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetFilm Society of Austin Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCHICKEN & EGG FILMS INC: $15,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetLifting Hands International: $15,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetMEALS ON WHEELS COLLIN COUNTY: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetHoly Family School: $10,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetUTAH FILM CENTER: $10,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY LIFELINE CENTER: $7,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY: $6,081 over 5y, 1.3% of budgetAMERICAN DOCUMENTARY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetEMMANUEL LABOR: $5,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetCenter for Survivors of Torture: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetBetter Days 2020: $3,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetSILVER LININGS RECOVERY RESIDENCES INC: $2,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetIFWHENHOW: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNORTH TEXAS PUBLIC BROADCASTING INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCORPUS CHRISTI HOPE HOUSE INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMARINE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION: $1,556 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCompassion International Incorporated: $1,079 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAMARITAN INN INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMaurice Barnett Geriatric Wellness Center Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTexas Youth Ballet: $500 over 1y, 0.3% 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.

Prism FoundationCommunities Foundatio…Texas Instruments Fou…Harvest Seed Project …Ruthanna B Snow Chari…Episcopal Health Foun…North Texas Food BankCoserv Charitable Fou…Texas Women's Foundat…United Way of Metropo…The Ford FoundationSilicon Valley Commun…
Prism FoundationTX17.9× affinity6 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Prism Foundation · Communities Foundation of Texas Inc · Texas Instruments Foundation · Harvest Seed Project Foundation · Ruthanna B Snow Charitable Foundation · Episcopal Health Foundation Of Dallas · North Texas Food Bank · Coserv Charitable Foundation · Texas Women's Foundation · United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Inc · The Ford Foundation · Silicon Valley Community 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 The Drake Bettner Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Drake Bettner 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%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    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 57 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Drake Bettner’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