Shield-ayres Foundation
The Shield-Ayres Foundation is a private foundation with roots in Texas land conservation and family philanthropy. The foundation is connected to Shield Ranch, a 6,400-acre protected wildland property in Texas managed in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.1M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+49.6% YoY
Grant Count
121
+6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+40.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shield-ayres Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's work reflects a commitment to land protection and fostering kinship with nature for future generations. The foundation supports conservation efforts aligned with preserving wildlands and natural resources.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains a formal grantmaking program with published FAQs available to prospective applicants, indicating an active and structured approach to grant distribution.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Texas, with particular emphasis on land conservation initiatives within the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,140,519 | $18,570,499 | $17,106,663 |
| Revenue | $3,204,438 | $3,388,401 | $3,850,793 |
| Expenses | $2,698,290 | $1,928,282 | $2,319,733 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,309,078 | $1,593,301 | $2,001,266 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,857,808 | $3,105,527 | $3,564,389 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,683,665 | $1,624,078 | $1,641,945 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Doctors Without Borders ($45,000), El Buen Samaritano ($40,000), Bread for the World Institute ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A ROCHA USA WHEATON, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AMALA FOUNDATION AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $15,000 |
| AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN GATEWAYS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $15,000 |
| AMERICAN YOUTHWORKS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| THE ARC OF THE CAPITAL AREA AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AUDUBON TEXAS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| AUSTIN CLASSICAL GUITAR AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AUSTIN CLUBHOUSE AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is connected to the Ayres family, including Vera Ayres Bowen and her brother Bob Ayres, who grew up on what became Shield Ranch and have been instrumental in the family's conservation legacy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICIA SHIELD AYRES | FOUNDER,TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| VERA AYRES BOWEN | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| MARGARET BOWERS AYRES | VICE PRESIDENT | 1.5 | — |
| ROBERT ATLEE AYRES | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| MARSHALL AYRES BOWEN | SECRETARY | 1.5 | — |
| ELIZABETH AYRES DOMENECH | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| GENTRY SHIELD BOWEN | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| CINDY RAAB | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $131,248 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Shield Ranch encompasses 6,400 acres of protected wildlands managed through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, representing the foundation's commitment to permanent land protection and environmental stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Shield-ayres Foundation fund?
The foundation's work reflects a commitment to land protection and fostering kinship with nature for future generations. The foundation supports conservation efforts aligned with preserving wildlands and natural resources.
How do I apply for a grant from Shield-ayres Foundation?
The foundation maintains a formal grantmaking program with published FAQs available to prospective applicants, indicating an active and structured approach to grant distribution.
Where does Shield-ayres Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Texas, with particular emphasis on land conservation initiatives within the state.
What size grants does Shield-ayres Foundation award?
In 2024, Shield-ayres Foundation awarded 121 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Shield-ayres Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Shield-ayres Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Shield-ayres Foundation's EIN?
Shield-ayres Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1938157. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shield-ayres Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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