Brumley Foundation

The Brumley Foundation operates as a classic private non-operating foundation with a lean governance structure and no paid staff. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, the foundation is governed by a six-member board led by President Dennis Beene, Vice President Rosemartha Cates, and Secretary/Treasurer Marilyn C. Ault, with additional directors Kurt Gehring, Larry Butler, and David Hemphill. The all-volunteer board model keeps administrative costs minimal, directing the vast majority of expenditures toward charitable purposes — approximately 82% of total expenses in 2024 went directly to grants.

The foundation's investment portfolio of roughly $22.9 million generates income primarily through dividends ($755K in 2024) and asset sales ($2.6M), enabling annual grant distributions exceeding $1 million without relying on outside contributions. This endowment-driven model provides stable, predictable funding year over year. The foundation distributes approximately 40 awards annually across its priority areas, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.

The Brumley Foundation's grantmaking reveals consistent growth and broadening reach over the past several years:

• 2024 Total Giving: $1,191,500 across approximately 40 awards
• 2018 Total Giving: $1,161,813
• 2017 Total Giving: $997,800

The foundation's three primary funding pillars are:

1. Human Services — Food pantries, housing assistance, youth programs, and services for underserved populations form the largest category of giving. This reflects the foundation's core commitment to the Texas Panhandle community.

2. Arts, Culture & Humanities — Grants supporting creative writing, journalism, historic building preservation, and children's cultural programs demonstrate a commitment to enriching community life beyond basic needs.

3. Education & Scholarships — The foundation funds multiple scholarship programs through Amarillo College, including the Brumley Foundation Moore County Scholarship, the Brumley Memorial Scholarship, and the Vivian Brumley Warren Scholarship, providing postsecondary access to Texas Panhandle students.

The average grant size centers around $25,000-$30,000, though the range spans from $5,000 for smaller community projects to $100,000 for major institutional support. While the overwhelming majority of grants serve Texas Panhandle organizations, the foundation has also supported select organizations in Illinois, Kansas, and Nevada, suggesting occasional national giving when aligned with board priorities.

Among private foundations in the Amarillo, Texas metropolitan area, the Brumley Foundation occupies a significant mid-tier position:

The Brumley Foundation distinguishes itself from the larger community foundations through its dual emphasis on human services and arts/culture — a combination less common among Texas Panhandle funders. While the Amarillo Area Foundation operates at a much larger scale with formal application cycles and structured programs, the Brumley Foundation's smaller size enables more flexible, relationship-driven grantmaking. Its zero-compensation board structure also means essentially all investment returns flow to charitable purposes.

The foundation's most recent fiscal year (2024) showed healthy financial performance with $3.6 million in total revenue against $1.5 million in expenses, maintaining the $22.9 million asset base. The $1.19 million in total giving represents a modest increase from the $1.16 million distributed in 2018, suggesting steady but conservative growth in grantmaking aligned with endowment performance.

The foundation continues to maintain its Wix-hosted website at brumleyfoundation.org, though detailed program information and application guidelines are not prominently featured online. The organization files its Form 990-PF annually (most recently in June 2025 for FY2024), maintaining full compliance with IRS reporting requirements. Filings are available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer dating back to 2011.

The scholarship partnerships with Amarillo College remain active, with the Moore County Scholarship, Brumley Memorial Scholarship, and Vivian Brumley Warren Scholarship continuing to support Texas Panhandle students pursuing postsecondary education.

1. Align with Texas Panhandle priorities. The overwhelming majority of Brumley Foundation grants serve organizations in the Texas Panhandle. Proposals should clearly demonstrate local impact and community benefit within this geographic area.

2. Emphasize human services or cultural enrichment. The foundation's two strongest funding categories are human services (food, housing, youth) and arts/culture. Proposals that combine both — such as arts-based youth development or cultural programming for underserved populations — may be particularly compelling.

3. Right-size your ask. With typical grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 and average awards around $25,000-$30,000, proposals should request amounts appropriate to the foundation's giving capacity. Requests above $50,000 should include strong justification.

4. Contact the foundation directly. The Brumley Foundation does not publish a formal online application process. Prospective grantees should reach out to the foundation at PO Box 9294, Amarillo, TX 79105-9294 to inquire about current funding priorities and submission guidelines.

5. Demonstrate organizational credibility. As a private foundation making 40 awards annually, the board likely values established organizations with proven track records. Include evidence of past program success, financial stability, and community relationships in your proposal.