Cibolo Preserve

## Approach & Fit Strategy

The Cibolo Preserve is a private operating foundation — not a traditional grantmaking foundation. Its primary function is managing and preserving a 654-acre natural habitat laboratory in Boerne, Texas, as part of the Cibolo Creek watershed. With $14.6 million in assets but only ~$86,000 in annual charitable disbursements, the vast majority of its resources go to direct land management and research operations rather than external grants. The Preserve does make occasional grants — notably a $50,000 five-year grant to the Native Plant Society of Texas — but these are rare, targeted, and directly tied to the Preserve's conservation mission. Organizations seeking support should have deep alignment with Cibolo Creek watershed conservation, Texas Hill Country ecology, or aquifer recharge science. The strongest fit is for research institutions (like UTSA) or conservation organizations working directly on projects within or adjacent to the Preserve's 654-acre property. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed; partnerships must be built through scientific collaboration and shared conservation objectives.

## Funding Patterns & Grant Landscape

The Cibolo Preserve operates primarily as a land conservation and research entity, not a grantmaker. Its financial profile reflects this: in 2024, total revenue was $214,407 (43% contributions, 37% dividends, 19% asset sales), while total expenses were only $96,848, with $86,048 (89%) going to charitable disbursements — primarily direct program operations. The Preserve has zero liabilities and $14.6 million in assets, which grew dramatically from $4.9 million in 2011 to $14.6 million in 2024, fueled by a major ~$7.1 million contribution in 2016. Annual program expenses are allocated across four main research activities at roughly $24,500 each: (1) Great Blue Heron Rookery Monitoring with Cibolo Center for Conservation, (2) UTSA aquatic ecology and stream biofilm studies, (3) TCEQ Clean Rivers water quality monitoring, and (4) TPWD grassland sparrow research. The single known external grant was $50,000 over five years to the Native Plant Society of Texas for Bigtooth Maple conservation — a highly targeted, mission-aligned award. The Preserve's extremely low overhead and conservative financial management suggest it prioritizes perpetual land preservation over active grantmaking.

## Peer Comparison

The Cibolo Preserve occupies a distinctive niche as a private operating foundation focused exclusively on a single 654-acre property. Unlike the Heart of Texas Conservancy (which manages 37 easements across 14,443 acres) or the Cibolo Center for Conservation (which runs extensive public programs), the Preserve functions as a dedicated research station with minimal public access. Its $14.6 million asset base provides long-term stability, but its annual spending of ~$97,000 is modest compared to peer organizations. The Preserve's value to the conservation ecosystem is primarily as a protected research site and aquifer recharge area rather than as a funding source.

## Recent Activity & Trends

Research Programs: The Preserve maintains four ongoing research partnerships: (1) Long-term Great Blue Heron Rookery monitoring conducted weekly January-July by Master Naturalist volunteers using observation blinds, (2) UTSA studies on stream biofilms, nutrient cycling, and fish food resources in Cibolo Creek, (3) TCEQ Clean Rivers Program quarterly water quality sampling, and (4) Texas Parks & Wildlife grassland sparrow distribution and abundance studies. All research addresses the Preserve's core mission of understanding and protecting the Cibolo Creek watershed ecosystem.

Conservation Activities: Prescribed burns are conducted regularly to promote natural ecology. The Preserve serves as a critical groundwater recharge area for the Trinity Aquifer, with water filtering through limestone creek bed fractures and caverns.

Governance: The board includes Suzanne Young, Robert R. Lende, Clark Terrell MD, Candace Andrews, Donna Taylor, Christina Bergmann, and Rufus Stephens — all serving without compensation. The Lende family appears to be a significant donor (the annual lecture series bears their name).

Financial Health: Assets have tripled from $4.9M (2011) to $14.6M (2024). Zero liabilities. Revenue exceeds expenses consistently, building the endowment for perpetual preservation. The 2016 contribution of ~$7.1M likely represents a major land or investment donation that transformed the organization's financial position.

## Application Tips & Strategy

The Cibolo Preserve is not a traditional grantmaking foundation and does not solicit or regularly review grant applications. Organizations interested in working with the Preserve should consider the following strategies:

1. Research Partnership Model — The primary pathway for engagement is proposing a research project that utilizes the Preserve's 654-acre property. Current partners (UTSA, Cibolo Center for Conservation, USGS, TCEQ, TPWD) gained access through scientific collaboration agreements. New proposals should address water quality, aquifer recharge, wildlife habitat, or native plant conservation within the Cibolo Creek watershed.

2. Scientific Alignment — Projects must directly serve the Preserve's mission of maintaining the property "in its natural habitat as part of the Cibolo Creek watershed." Studies on stream ecology, bird populations, native plants, or groundwater hydrology are the strongest fit.

3. Volunteer Engagement — The Master Naturalist volunteer program provides an entry point for organizations seeking to build relationships. Participating in rookery monitoring or other volunteer research activities demonstrates commitment and builds trust with the board.

4. Conservation Grants — While rare, the $50,000 grant to the Native Plant Society of Texas shows the Preserve will fund external conservation work that directly benefits the Hill Country ecosystem. Proposals for native species restoration or watershed protection may be considered.

5. Contact: info@cibolopreserve.org | PO Box 99, Boerne, TX 78006 | Website: cibolopreserve.org

Note: Access to the Preserve is restricted to research partners and approved volunteers. Public visitation is not permitted.