Constantin Foundation Inc.

Constantin Foundation Inc. operates as a tightly scoped private foundation that has channeled virtually all of its tracked grantmaking — 76 grants totaling $16.3 million — exclusively to Dallas County, Texas organizations. The foundation's giving philosophy centers on transformational capital investments: physical infrastructure, capacity-expanding facilities, and multi-phase community development platforms that create durable community assets.

The preference for capital projects is both explicit in its guidelines and confirmed overwhelmingly by grant history. The Park South YMCA received $1 million for new construction, Genesis Women's Shelter received $350,000 for a capital campaign, and Behind Every Door received $400,000 for the Cedar Crest Community Center renovation. Even multi-grant relationships like Children's Medical Center ($900,000 across 5 grants) centered on the Pediatric Mental Health Innovation Center at Red Bird Mall — a major capital project. Operating support grants exist (notably Momentous Institute at $595,220 across 3 grants) but are the exception, not the rule.

The foundation works through a concentrated network of Dallas nonprofits, many funded across multiple cycles. Communities Foundation of Texas is the top grantee at $5.65 million across 8 grants, frequently serving as fiscal sponsor for South Dallas initiatives. This intermediary model suggests the foundation is willing to fund through established vehicles when the underlying project aligns with its priorities — worth noting for organizations managing complex, multi-partner capital campaigns.

The application pathway is straightforward but selective. Initial contact is a 3-page LOI submitted between January 1 and September 15, covering project description, justification, reliable cost estimates, other funding sources, and the amount requested. If the project fits, more detailed documentation may be requested. There is no online portal; submissions go directly to the foundation at 4809 Cole Ave Ste 346, Dallas, TX 75205, care of Executive Director Angie Burch or contact Katie Schlieve.

Two strategic constraints define every application. First, the 10% rule: Constantin will not grant more than 10% of the total project cost, so applicants must bring documented co-funding and a credible campaign budget before applying. Second, the 3-year lockout: once funded, an organization cannot apply again for three years. Both rules reward organizations that are already in motion — with lead funders secured and a capital campaign underway — over those in early planning stages.

Constantin Foundation's annual grantmaking has ranged from $2.2 million (FY2012) to $4.6 million (FY2021), with a recent baseline of $2.9–$3.6 million: $3.4 million paid in FY2020, $4.0 million in FY2021, $2.9 million in FY2022, $3.2 million in FY2023, and $3.3 million in FY2024. Total assets have fluctuated between $42 million and $53 million, sitting at $48.6 million as of FY2024. The payout ratio of approximately 6.8% exceeds the federal 5% minimum, signaling a consistently active grantmaker.

Across 76 tracked grants totaling $16.3 million, the average grant is $214,944 and the median is $250,000. The foundation's own typical grant size data confirms a range of $100,000–$500,000. Individual grants run from $15,000 (Essilor Vision Foundation, vision care) to $1 million (YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Metrocrest Services), with the largest cumulative relationships reaching $5.65 million (Communities Foundation of Texas) and $1.1 million (University of Dallas) over multi-year engagements.

By program area, giving clusters into three verticals:

• Community development and housing (est. 35–40%): $5.65 million through Communities Foundation of Texas as fiscal sponsor for Bonton Farms, Forest Forward, Our Calling, and Dallas Real Time Rapid Rehousing; $400,000 to Behind Every Door; $350,000 to Genesis Women's Shelter; $300,000 to Austin Street Centre; $200,000 to Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation.

• Education and youth (est. 30–35%): $1.1 million to University of Dallas for the Constantin Scholars program (first-generation college students); $400,000 to SMU for early learning systems and STEM; $226,800 to Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute (FY2024); sustained literacy investments in H.S. Thompson and South Dallas Title I schools.

• Health and behavioral health (est. 20–25%): $900,000 to Children's Medical Center across 5 grants for the Pediatric Mental Health Innovation Center; $595,220 to Momentous Institute; $375,000 to Phoenix House Texas; $300,000 to Metrocare Services; $200,000 to Grant Halliburton Foundation (FY2024).

Geographically, 100% of grants flow to Texas — specifically Dallas County, with a marked concentration in South Dallas neighborhoods including Bonton, South Oak Cliff, and the Red Bird corridor. No grants to publicly supported institutions, individuals, churches, or faith-based organizations appear in the record.

The five foundations identified as asset-size peers to Constantin (each holding approximately $48.6 million in total assets) are all classified under Philanthropy & Grantmaking in the NTEE taxonomy, but meaningful public profile data is limited for most.

Constantin is the standout in this peer group for accessibility and transparency. It publishes explicit application instructions, a hard LOI deadline (September 15), a defined geographic scope (Dallas County only), and a documented grant range ($100,000–$500,000 typical median $250,000). Its annual payout of approximately $3.3 million on $48.6 million in assets — roughly 6.8% — exceeds the federal 5% minimum and places it among the more active grantmakers at this asset level. The four peer foundations appear to operate as family office or advisor-directed vehicles with no public-facing grantmaking infrastructure, making Constantin meaningfully more approachable for Dallas-based nonprofits seeking capital campaign co-investment.

The most current public financial data is the FY2024 Form 990-PF, filed October 11, 2025. The return shows total assets of $48,567,904, total revenue of $6,087,053, and grants distributed of approximately $3,285,181 across 14–21 grants (sources differ on exact count). The FY2024 revenue spike — up from $1,155,818 in FY2023 — was driven by asset sales (80.8% of revenue) and dividend income (19.1%), suggesting a portfolio rebalancing rather than new contributions; the foundation has received $0 in external contributions in every year on record.

Three FY2024 grant recipients have been publicly identified from 990-PF disclosures: Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute ($226,800 for after-school tutoring salaries and curriculum), Grant Halliburton Foundation ($200,000 for the Thrive mental health program), and Catch Up and Read ($200,000 for literacy programming at H.S. Thompson Learning Center). These grants continue two established themes — South Dallas youth education and behavioral health access.

Leadership remains stable. Roy Gene Evans has held the Chairman/President role across all available 990 filings spanning more than a decade, and Angie Burch continues as Executive Director at $50,000 annual compensation. No public announcements of strategic pivots, new programs, or leadership transitions were found for 2025 or 2026. The foundation maintains no social media presence and issues no press releases, consistent with its longstanding low-profile operating style. Membership in Philanthropy Southwest (Dallas's regional grantmakers association at 3000 Pegasus Park Dr., Dallas) represents the primary avenue for relationship-building through peer networks. The FY2024 revenue rebound to $6.1M signals stronger grantmaking capacity entering the 2025–2026 cycle.

Lead with a capital project. The foundation explicitly states a strong preference for capital building projects over operating or endowment requests. Even strong program organizations must anchor their ask to a physical project: facility construction, renovation, equipment infrastructure, or capital expansion. Proposals without a capital component are unlikely to advance beyond the initial LOI review.

Master the 10% math before writing a word. Constantin's most decisive restriction is the 10% cap: no grant will exceed 10% of the total project or campaign goal. Before drafting your LOI, finalize your full campaign budget and document your co-funding. A request for $300,000 requires a $3 million campaign with credible lead funders already identified. A request for the typical $250,000 median grant requires a $2.5 million campaign. Include a funding chart in your LOI showing total cost, amounts raised, pledged, and anticipated from other sources, and the gap Constantin would fill.

Submit early — target July 1. The formal deadline is September 15, but the foundation may request detailed follow-up materials before year-end board review. A July 1 submission gives staff time to evaluate and request documentation without pressure. Late-summer applications risk being deferred to the following cycle.

Keep the LOI to exactly 3 pages. The foundation's guidelines specify a maximum 3-page narrative. Cover five elements: (1) project description and community need, (2) justification, (3) reliable cost estimates, (4) funds already raised or anticipated from other sources, and (5) the specific dollar amount requested from Constantin. Do not attach appendices unless invited.

Anchor to South Dallas geography. The grantee list reveals a strong concentration in South Dallas — Bonton, South Oak Cliff, Red Bird — suggesting a de facto geographic priority within Dallas County. Organizations serving these ZIP codes should make that geography prominent.

Leverage fiscal sponsorship for complex initiatives. Communities Foundation of Texas has served as fiscal sponsor for at least $5.65 million in Constantin grants. If your project involves multiple implementing partners, a CFT or similar fiscal sponsorship relationship may increase viability.

Respect the 3-year rule strictly. Submitting during a lockout period wastes your application window and may damage the relationship. Confirm your organization's grant history with the foundation before applying.