Skip to content
The Horizon Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Horizon Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$7.9M
Granted FY2024still arriving
38
Grants FY2024still arriving
5
States reached
$2.5M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
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.

Environment$13MEducation$2.8MAnimals$1.0MHuman Services$851kYouth Development$750kScience & Tech$520kCrime & Legal$250kFood & Nutrition$155kOther$0
02FY2024 · 38 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k12 grants · $345k
  • $50k–250k22 grants · $2.2M
  • $250k+4 grants · $5.3M
$67,600
Median grant
5
States reached
$26M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY$2,500,000
OU FOUNDATION$2,080,000
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY$500,000
MANE GAIT$250,000
TEXAS AGRICULTURAL LAND TRUST$200,000
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION$200,000
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY$150,000
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY$150,000
TRINITY PARK CONSERVANCY$140,000
BORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE$125,000
DEVILS RIVER CONSERVANCY$125,000
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION$125,000
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION$125,000
HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH$100,000
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN OKLAHOMA$81,250
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 (FY18–24, $1.2M) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 50% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants spread fairly evenly across need levels.

area typical 11%HEROES AND HORSES: $50k → 10%MANE GAIT: $250k → 5%HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $100k → 13%MANE GAIT: $250k → 5%HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $25k → 13%HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $50k → 10%DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER: $100k → 14%DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER: $100k → 14%DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADOVACY CENTER: $100k → 14%DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADOVACY CENTER: $50k → 14%DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADOVACY CENTER: $50k → 14%HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $75k → 14%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

ID
MT
NY
CA
CO
VA
MD
NM
TN
DC
OK
LA
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.

86%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$11M · 29 repeat orgs$1.8M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +36% since the first grant, against +26% for those funded once.

29 repeat relationships: 17 still active in FY2024, 12 since wound down; 9 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

29
23

Total granted

$11M
$1.3M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+36%
+26%

Still filing today

83%
57%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 89% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $490k went to new ones.

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

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

’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
EnvironmentAnimalsHuman ServicesEducationArts & CultureYouth DevelopmentOther
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

  • PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS
    7× · 2017–2024 · $3.2M · revenue +21%
  • TP
    THE PEREGRINE FUND INC
    6× · 2017–2023 · $435k · revenue +122%
  • DC
    DALLAS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
    5× · 2018–2023 · $400k · revenue +20%

Funded once

  • WF
    WATER FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2023 · $250k · revenue +14%
  • TN
    The Nature Conservancy
    one grant, 2017 · $150k
  • TU
    THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
    one grant, 2023 · $100k
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
Coastal Prairie Conservancy

The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) works to sustain a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever. Continued on Schedule OCPC conserves land, restores and enhances…

Environment
2
Texas Foundation for Conservation

Fish and wildlife conservation and outreach including public awareness. Fifteen public relations campaign on social media with over 7.5 million impressions. Twenty plus speaking engagements to a variety of conservation organizations…

Animals
3
Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust

We acquire properties to be donated to the National Park Service and state entities and advocate for protection of Big Thicket natural resources.

Environment
4
Conservation Farms & Ranches

Preserving and enhancing the habitat of wildlife, such as sandhill cranes, waterfowl, raptors, which habitat expenses are supported by agricultural activities.

Housing & Shelter
5
Wetlands America Trust Inc

Wetlands america trust, inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in 1985 to expand ducks unlimited, inc's mission to provide leadership in the protection of the natural balance of wetlands ecosystems ensuring the future viability of…

Environment
6
Bexar Land Trust Inc dba Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas

The mission of Bexar Land Trust (Green Spaces) is to sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through land conservation, community engagement, and education.

Environment
7
Taking Care of Texas

Texan by Nature (TxN) advances conservation efforts that benefit people, prosperity, and natural resources.

Environment
8
Tenngreen Land Conservancy

The organization's primary mission is conserving land where people and nature can thrive by creating green corridors linking existing public lands using conservation easments and outright purchase.

Recreation & Sports
9
Rainforest Trust

Rainforest trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.

International
10
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program Inc

Coastal bend bays & estuaries program is dedicated to protecting and restoring bays and estuaries of the texas coastal bend. coastal bend bays and estuaries remain a vital part of the environmental and economic landscape by preserving and…

Environment
11
Bayou Land Conservancy

To preserve land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife in the geographical area that drains into lake houston.

Environment
12
Witte Museum

The witte museum inspires people to shape the future of texas through transformative and relevant experiences in nature, science and culture.

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas; the most unlike its peers is The Peregrine Fund 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

43 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. 43 of the 62 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.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
10
Early backer (in before they grew)
43/43
Grantees still filing
29/43
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $6,300,000 · OtherTHE NATURE CONSERVANCYAUDUBON TEXAS: $600,000 · OtherAUDUBON TEXASTHE PEREGRINE FUND INC: $435,000 · OtherBORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: $335,000 · Other+31 more: $1,880,014 · Other+31 morePARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS: $3,208,500 · EnvironmentPARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION…DEVILS RIVER CONSERVANCY: $359,000 · EnvironmentDEVILS RIVER CONSERVANCYTexas Agricultural Land Trust: $342,600 · EnvironmentTexas Agricultural Land TrustWATER FOUNDATION: $250,000 · EnvironmentHill Country Alliance: $237,000 · Environment+10 more: $716,000 · Environment+10 moreUNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC: $2,481,295 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF O…Southern Methodist University: $160,000 · EducationSouthern Method…Mane Gait: $500,000 · Human ServicesDALLAS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER: $400,000 · Human ServicesHILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $250,000 · Human ServicesHEROES AND HORSES INC: $50,000 · Human ServicesBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER DALLAS INC: $375,000 · Youth DevelopmentNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION: $200,000 · AnimalsTexas Conservation Alliance: $73,000 · AnimalsOPERATION GAME THIEF: $55,000 · Animals+1 more: $100 · AnimalsTrinity Park Conservancy: $140,000 · Community Improvement
Other$9,550,014Environment$5,113,100Education$2,641,295Human Services$1,200,000Youth Development$375,000Animals$328,100Community Improvement$140,000

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 NATURE CONSERVANCY: $6,300,000 over 6y, 0.2% of budgetPARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS: $3,208,500 over 7y, 12% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC: $2,481,295 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetMane Gait: $500,000 over 2y, 5.8% of budgetTHE PEREGRINE FUND INC: $435,000 over 6y, 0.9% of budgetDALLAS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER: $400,000 over 5y, 0.7% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER DALLAS INC: $375,000 over 5y, 1.4% of budgetDEVILS RIVER CONSERVANCY: $359,000 over 5y, 28% of budgetTexas Agricultural Land Trust: $342,600 over 2y, 2.2% of budgetHILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH: $250,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetWATER FOUNDATION: $250,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetHill Country Alliance: $237,000 over 3y, 5.6% of budgetNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION: $200,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE NATIVE PRAIRIES ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS: $160,000 over 2y, 2.2% of budgetSouthern Methodist University: $160,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTexas Land Conservancy: $150,000 over 2y, 5.0% of budgetTEXAS LAND TRUST COUNCIL: $150,000 over 2y, 24% of budgetTrinity Park Conservancy: $140,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetFRIENDS OF BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK: $100,174 over 2y, 8.7% of budgetSouthwest Research Institute: $100,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBCarbon Inc: $100,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetNORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK: $75,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDucks Unlimited Inc: $75,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCamp Fire Central Texas: $75,000 over 3y, 12% of budgetTEXAS WATER TRADE: $75,000 over 2y, 3.6% of budgetTexas Conservation Alliance: $73,000 over 2y, 4.2% of budgetCADDO LAKE INSTITUTE INC: $55,000 over 2y, 7.1% of budgetOPERATION GAME THIEF: $55,000 over 3y, 11% of budgetNEW FRIENDS NEW LIFE: $50,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetThe Shumla School Inc: $50,000 over 1y, 4.6% of budgetHEROES AND HORSES INC: $50,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetTEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS: $50,000 over 1y, 5.5% of budgetFRIENDS OF CIBOLO WILDERNESS: $46,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetENTERTAINMENT 2 AFFECT CHANGE: $30,000 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetBig Bend Conservation Alliance: $30,000 over 1y, 8.8% of budgetYOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER SAN ANTONIO: $25,590 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE MAGDALEN HOUSE: $20,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetOGALLALA COMMONS INC: $15,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGENTLE GIANTS DRAFT HORSE RESCUE SOCIETY LTD: $100 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.

Jacob and Terese Hers…The Cynthia & George …The Dixon Water Found…Meadows Foundation IncShield-Ayres Foundati…Communities Foundatio…The Dallas FoundationHixon Family Foundati…Still Water FoundationPermian Basin Area Fo…Texas Instruments Fou…Greater Houston Commu…
Jacob and Terese Hershey FoundationTX28.1× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation · The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation · The Dixon Water Foundation · Meadows Foundation Inc · Shield-Ayres Foundation · Communities Foundation of Texas Inc · The Dallas Foundation · Hixon Family Foundation · Still Water Foundation · Permian Basin Area Foundation · Texas Instruments Foundation · Greater Houston 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 Horizon Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Horizon Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%2%8%17%30%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
    2get no government money at all
    12report 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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Horizon Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Horizon Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    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 62 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 Horizon’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