Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Grant

The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation offers competitive grant funding primarily aimed at enriching lives through support for nonprofit organizations, particularly in the domains of youth development and education, with a strong focus on early childhood literacy. The Foundation is rooted in the philanthropic legacy of Harry W. Bass, Jr., and operates under a charter that mandates giving exclusively to qualified public entities, churches, or 501(c)(3) public charities. Individuals are explicitly excluded from funding eligibility. The Foundation has a regional focus, concentrating most of its funding within Dallas County, Texas, though it occasionally considers applications from other regions. Additionally, while its main funding priorities are education and literacy, especially early childhood education, grants in other sectors such as Health & Human Services, Civic & Community Development, Science & Research, and Arts & Culture are considered on a limited basis. The grant application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Foundation’s online portal. No email or hard-copy submissions are accepted. Prospective applicants must first create an account on the portal, after which they are guided through the LOI submission process. If the LOI elicits sufficient interest, the applicant may be invited to submit a full application along with required documentation. Before initiating the LOI, applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Foundation’s Application Guidelines and FAQ to ensure alignment with its mission and eligibility parameters. For organizations unsure of their fit, the Foundation welcomes pre-submission inquiries via phone to determine the advisability of proceeding. Application deadlines are not rigidly stated on the public materials, but the Foundation operates a cyclical funding model. While it accepts LOIs and full applications on a rolling basis through its portal, decisions are made at set intervals, and only a limited number of proposals are considered at each funding cycle. The Foundation typically requires the inclusion of supporting documents with the full application, including financial statements and program details. After an application is approved, recipients are notified and issued a Grant Contract, which must be signed prior to disbursement of funds. As part of the post-award requirements, all grantees must submit a Final Evaluative Report (FER) at the conclusion of the funded project. This report must outline the outcomes and effectiveness of the funded activities. Failure to submit this report will result in the rejection of future grant applications from the same organization. If the FER is submitted late, the organization will face a 12-month moratorium on submitting new applications after the delinquent report is received. The Foundation does not specify the exact funding amount or number of awards per cycle, nor does it list a minimum or maximum award size. It is presumed that awards vary based on project scope and alignment with the Foundation’s priorities. Evaluation criteria are not published in detail, but the importance placed on early childhood literacy and education suggests that alignment with these priorities plays a significant role in the Foundation’s review process. Moreover, geographic relevance, especially work conducted in Dallas County, and the organizational type (such as 501(c)(3) status) are likely key evaluation factors. All correspondence and inquiries should be directed to the Foundation's office located at 4809 Cole Ave., Suite 105, Dallas, TX 75205. Their main contact number is 214-599-0300. Grant seekers are encouraged to utilize this contact for pre-application questions or to clarify guidelines before initiating the LOI process. The online portal remains the sole method for submission, ensuring a consistent and trackable application experience for all applicants.