The Texas State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 31-1583091

Bess L Rayford Foundation

A private foundation in Henderson, TX. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 14 grants and $125,000 paid in grants.

Tax year 2024 (period ending Sep 30, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2024

    $125,000

    Grants listed
    14
    Assets, end of year
    $1,740,231
  • Tax year 2023

    $120,000

    Grants listed
    15
    Assets, end of year
    $1,472,723
  • Tax year 2022

    $126,000

    Grants listed
    15
    Assets, end of year
    $1,488,554
  • Tax year 2021

    $128,000

    Grants listed
    14
    Assets, end of year
    $1,533,423
  • Tax year 2020

    $104,000

    Grants listed
    11
    Assets, end of year
    $1,566,807
  • Tax year 2019

    $116,000

    Grants listed
    12
    Assets, end of year
    $1,629,495
  • Tax year 2018

    $120,000

    Grants listed
    14
    Assets, end of year
    $1,631,256
  • Tax year 2017

    $120,000

    Grants listed
    13
    Assets, end of year
    $1,663,131

Grants paid in 2024

14 grants, largest first

As listed on the return. Grants to individuals show as “Individual”, with purpose and amount only.

  1. Boys Girls Club of Rusk CountyHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $45,000
  2. Henderson Interchurch MinistryHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $17,000
  3. Henderson Civic TheatreHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $10,000
  4. Rusk County Historical CommissionHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $6,000
  5. Rusk County Children's Advocacy CenHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  6. One Step at A Time IncHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  7. Rusk County Friends Helping FriendsHenderson, TX

    Prescription assistance program

    $5,000
  8. Individual

    General funds,& black box theater project

    $5,000
  9. Henderson Food BankHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  10. Rusk County Heritage AssociationHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  11. Rusk County United WayHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  12. Rusk County Child Welfare BoardHenderson, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  13. SPCA of East TexasTyler, TX

    General funds

    $5,000
  14. Individual

    General funds

    $2,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Food and agriculture2 grants $22,00047% of the total
  2. Arts and culture1 grant $10,00021% of the total
  3. Animals1 grant $5,00011% of the total
  4. Crime and legal aid1 grant $5,00011% of the total
  5. Human services1 grant $5,00011% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Texas12 grants $118,000

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • David R AlfordPRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Woodie TippsVICE PRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Mary Frances Engle AlfordSECRETARY/TREAS Hours 1Pay $0

The return

More foundations

Similar foundations

Same main cause (food and agriculture), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. John & Susan Landon Alford FoundationHenderson, TX 10 grants Accepts applications $34,020 giving
  2. Wood Family Charitable TrustDallas, TX 19 grants Accepts applications $126,964 giving
  3. Amerman Family FoundationSan Antonio, TX 19 grants Preselected only $118,240 giving
  4. Fifth Age of Man FoundationAustin, TX 7 grants Preselected only $135,000 giving
  5. The Pineywoods FoundationLufkin, TX 14 grants Accepts applications $135,000 giving