Our History
The story of the Permian Basin Area Foundation begins with a simple but powerful idea: that our community could build something lasting by working together. From its earliest days, the Foundation has been guided by the generosity of donors and the resilience of West Texans. Over the years, we’ve faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and invested in opportunities that strengthen our community. This history is more than a timeline – it’s a testament to the people and partnerships that continue to shape the future of the Permian Basin.
Stotlz ROYALTY ENDOWMENT
Deane Stoltz
Originally from Ottumwa, Iowa, Deane Stoltz served as a line officer in the U.S. Navy before moving to Midland in the 1950s to become an independent oil operator. He also was an active volunteer, serving in leadership positions with United Way of Midland, Midland Community Theatre, and Manor Park. He served as the founding chairman of the Foundation from 1989 to 1993. During his tenure as chairman, he funded the Stoltz Royalty Endowment, which makes annual grants to charities he designated before his death in 2006.
Gifts of oil and gas interests
Mineral rights and royalty income can be powerful charitable choices. Permian Basin Area Foundation accepts oil and gas interests, using the revenues to support local causes for future generations.
Martin County Community Endowment
Jimmy Stallings, James McGilvray, Frances Hernandez, Bob Deavenport
The Martin County Community Endowment became an affiliate community fund of the Foundation in 1993, as a result of the generous philanthropy of Grace Jones and the diligent volunteer work of County Judge Bob Deavenport and Stanton accountant Jimmy Stallings. A longtime resident of Martin County, Grace was a career schoolteacher who wanted to see the quality of life in her community improve and gave of herself and her resources to pursue this vision. Among the initiatives fostered by the Endowment have been the Martin County Food Bank and the college scholarship program in Grace’s honor.
Endowment
An endowment is a permanent fund, with the principal corpus remaining intact and growing over time through investments. Following disciplined principles, it generates annual grants for charitable purposes.
Marie Hall Scholarship Endowment
Marie Hall, Guy McCrary
Florence Marie Hall served as a great example of a West Texas philanthropist. Marie’s interest in philanthropy originated with her volunteerism at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where she trained volunteers, led tours, and sponsored the first pediatric international psychiatry seminar. One of her favorite quotes is from Pearl S. Buck: “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word: excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” Although a private person, Marie touched the heart and soul of so many Texans. Her generosity embraced medicine, health sciences, fine arts, and higher education. In addition to establishing multiple endowments, she provided generous scholarships through the Marie Hall Scholarship Endowment.
Scholarship Endowment
A scholarship endowment is a permanent fund that provides support for students pursuing higher education. The principal is invested, and annual earnings are awarded as scholarships, often for multiple years, as long as recipients remain eligible.
Nonprofit Management Center
Guy McCrary,Cookie Wetendorf, Jack Swallow, Kenda Prather, Cynthia Jenkins
For Midland-Odessa and rural communities across West Texas, nonprofit organizations are often the backbone for delivery of services to those in need. In 1998, the Meadows Foundation of Dallas provided a grant for our Foundation to establish the Nonprofit Management Center. Under the administration of our Foundation and with the support of private foundations and charitable trusts, the Center expanded training and consulting services to assist nonprofit organizations, thereby strengthening community services. In 2012, the Center was incorporated as an independent entity. The Center continues to equip volunteers and nonprofit leaders with knowledge and skills to serve their organizations.
Dawson Geophysical Scholarship Endowment
Decker Dawson
In 2002, Rodney Robinson established the Dawson Geophysical Scholarship Endowment in honor of his friend and mentor Decker Dawson. 2002 was also the 50th anniversary of the firm Decker founded in Midland in 1952, Dawson Geophysical Company. Recognized as an industry leader, Decker received the Hearst Energy Award for Lifetime Achievement, was named Top Hand by the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, and was inducted into the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame. He recounted that “our company has helped our customers find oil and gas – that’s our reason for being” and that “we’ve stuck to our knitting, worked hard, and built a reputation.” Decker and Lou, his wife of more than 60 years, were recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding Philanthropists. While they have passed on, the Dawson family’s charitable legacy continues.
“Having been involved in its beginnings, it has been very rewarding to watch the foundation’s progress. They are building a great asset for West Texas.”
-Rodney Robinson, Midland
George and Clarine Brown
George and Clarine Brown lived most of their adult lives in West Texas. Clarine taught school, while George was a cattleman and ranched in Texas and New Mexico. At various times the couple lived in Andrews, Big Spring, Midland, and Odessa. George predeceased Clarine in 2003. Clarine loved children but was not survived by any of her own. At her death in 2009, she left numerous bequests to schools, colleges, and nonprofits, the largest being to Permian Basin Area Foundation. From their generous estate plans, George and Clarine Endowments now support charities in the four counties where they made their home: Andrews, Ector, Howard, and Midland.
Bequest
A bequest is a gift made through a will or estate. It enables a donor to leave a legacy without affecting their finances during their lifetime.
Scarborough-Linebery Home Endowment
Tom and Evelyn Linebery
A few years after Tom and Evelyn Linebery were married in 1933, Evelyn’s father, W.F. Scarborough, died, and the couple took over management of the Frying Pan Ranch near Kermit, Texas. Over the next six decades, Tom and Evelyn expanded their considerable landholdings while shepherding development of their oil and gas minerals. Just as vast were their charitable interests, which they advanced through the Scarborough-Linebery Foundation, established in the 1960s. After their deaths, in 2001, the leadership of their family foundation conveyed its assets to Permian Basin Area Foundation to establish the Scarborough-Linebery Endowments.
Private Foundations Can Transition Their Legacy
When a private or corporate foundation has fulfilled its mission or seeks to reduce administrative costs, transferring its assets to the Foundation can sustainably and efficiently continue the founder’s legacy.
Clayton Welch Henson Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Clayton Welch Henson
Clayton W. Henson heard and heeded the call to duty after the terrorist attack on the U.S. on 9/11 and volunteered to join the Army. In 2004, he was deployed with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq, where he died while serving our country; for his service and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Clayton grew up in Midland and Stanton. After his death, his family honored him by establishing the Clayton Welch Henson Memorial Scholarship Endowment with the Foundation. Today, college scholarships are awarded each year to graduates of Grady, Greenwood, or Stanton high schools in Clayton’s memory.
Ward County Community Endowment
Guy McCrary, Jimmy Stallings, Teresa Burnett, Todd Hunt, Bryan Heflin
The Ward County Community Endowment was developed through our partnership with the Dunagan Foundation, based in Monahans, and hundreds of very generous donors who made matching contributions. The leadership of the Monahans Chamber of Commerce was pivotal in promoting this community initiative, which began in 2006. Today, usually in honor or memory of a neighbor, the Endowment continues to receive gifts to help it grow and create greater capacity to award scholarships for higher education and grants for nonprofits serving the Monahans community.
“They have always been accessible and transparent. We truly value our trusted partnership with PBAF.” -Teresa Burnett, Executive Director, Monahans Chamber of Commerce
Community Fund
A community fund is an endowment established by one or more donors to support grants or scholarships for a specific community. Local advisors identify community needs and guide the endowment’s use.
TRIAD
U.S. troops had been deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq for over five years when the Foundation was tapped to partner with the Dallas Foundation and the San Antonio Community Foundation in making grants for services for veterans of those conflicts under the banner of Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD). Funded by the California Community Foundation, in 2007, the TRIAD initiative expanded assistance to American military service members and their families who because of deployment had unmet needs due to injury, other physical or mental impairment, or financial hardship. Over the next three years, the Foundation awarded $5 million to fund services across West Texas, from El Paso to Abilene and Amarillo to San Angelo, in addition to our Permian Basin service area. The TRIAD alliance of our four community foundations was recognized nationally by the Council on Foundations.
Mashburn Legacy Scholarship Endowment
Jimmie and Dorothie Mashburn
Jimmie and Dorothy Mashburn were natives of Stanton, Texas. Jimmie was a homebuilder, and Dorothy spent her career with Exxon and its predecessors. In 2001, they established the Jimmie and Dorothy Mashburn Scholarship Fund to support students from Martin County. Jimmie died in 2005, and Dorothy in 2013. With assets from their estates, a second fund was established, the Mashburn Legacy Scholarship Endowment, to provide financial support for Martin County graduates who have completed at least one year as full-time college students, thus expanding the couple’s initial intentions. As Jimmie put it in 2001, “All we’re hoping to do is give a youngster an opportunity to prepare for a successful career they will enjoy.”
Gifts of Real Estate
Contributing marketable real estate can be a way of reducing or eliminating capital gains or estate taxes while achieving a donor’s charitable plans. Whether the donor is an individual, company, or church, the Foundation welcomes the opportunity to discuss gifts of marketable real estate.
West Texas Heritage Holdings
As part of expanding services to donors, the Foundation established West Texas Heritage Holdings to support the development of non-cash assets for the Foundation. Led by former members of the Foundation’s board, West Texas Heritage Holdings has facilitated more than $12 million in real estate transactions to advance the Foundation’s mission while fulfilling donors’ charitable wishes.
“Our community’s schools have been richly blessed by our relationships with oil production and transport business. We are delighted to have a partnership with Permian Basin Area Foundation to help shepherd these resources for generations to come.” -Amanda Evridge, community volunteer, Rankin
Gifts of real estate
Contributing marketable real estate can be a way of reducing or eliminating capital gains or estate taxes while achieving a donor’s charitable plans. Whether the donor is an individual, company, or church, the Foundation welcomes the opportunity to discuss gifts of marketable real estate.
Permian Honor Scholarship
Conrad and Kitty Dunagan
In 2011, the Foundation succeeded Permian Honor Foundation, Inc., in the stewardship of the Permian Honor Scholarship, a merit scholarship program initiated in 1977 by J. Conrad Dunagan of Monahans. Awarded to top graduates of West Texas high schools, the Permian Honor Scholarship encourages young people to attend the University of Texas Permian Basin and to remain in West Texas for career opportunities.
Ratliff Ranch Legacy Endowment
Sarah Jane Whittenburg and Harvey Stewart Ratliff were West Texas ranching pioneers. In 1903, “Miss Sallie” and “Bud,” as they were called, homesteaded four sections – the beginning of the Ratliff Ranch that would eventually span 32 sections of northeast Ector County. Their daughter Mary wed Sam Hurt, and James Ratliff “Buzz” Hurt was born to them in 1930. Sam began managing the ranch in 1933, but when he died in 1950, Buzz left the University of Texas to manage ranching operations. Through drought and the endless challenges that come with our hard country, Buzz survived like his ancestors while serving the Odessa community in numerous nonprofit causes. After Buzz died in 2023, Betsy, his devoted wife of 39 years, established the Ratliff Ranch Legacy Endowment that supports worthy programs that serve the hardworking people of Odessa.
Daryl Lynn Hunt Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Daryl and Elayne Hunt
From his youth, Odessa native Daryl Hunt was recognized as a gifted athlete. The son of Walter and Elayne Hunt, he excelled in football and played linebacker and tight end for the Permian Panthers that won the state championship in 1972. He then starred at the University of Oklahoma as a linebacker, earning accolades as a two-time All-America choice; a section of the Gaylord Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is named in his honor. Recruited by the Houston Oilers, he stymied NFL offenses with his speed and strength over six seasons before retiring due to injuries. Daryl died suddenly in 2010. In Daryl’s memory, his mother established a scholarship fund with the Foundation. Each year, a Permian student athlete receives a scholarship from the Daryl Lynn Hunt Memorial Scholarship Endowment.
“It is always a pleasure for me to refer a client to the foundation. They are prompt to respond and resourceful in their dedication to service.” -Steve Barron, Attorney, Odessa
Florence Larsh Charitable Endowment
Florence Larsh – “Flossie” to her many friends – was born in San Angelo. Her family moved to Midland, where she graduated from Midland High School. Her career with Humble Oil and Refining Co. and its successors spanned more than 30 years. An avid and accomplished golfer, Florence had four holes-in-one to her credit. She left her estate to the Foundation upon her death in 2022, designating several area nonprofits to receive annual grants.
“I have worked with families who have unique charitable goals – they see PBAF as a reliable partner.” -Tracy Elms, CPA, Midland
Planned Giving
Planned giving lets donors leave charitable gifts to the Foundation through instruments like wills, beneficiary designations, or transfer-on-death deeds. We value and welcome discussions with donors about how they plan their charitable legacies.
Still Water Foundation
James Flieller, Ellen Ray, Jill Wilkinson, Duncan E. Osborne
One of the many privileges we have enjoyed as a community foundation is partnering with private foundations with shared purposes. These connections often bring new and greater opportunities to the communities we serve. Austin-based Still Water Foundation introduced their leadership to Foundation staff in 2014. Their interests are primarily to support organizations that serve rural communities with limited resources. As of this printing, we have collaborated on ten excursions with the Still Water folks, introducing them to scores of nonprofits and school districts doing great work in serving people of their communities, and they have generously joined in our grantmaking programs. We treasure our alliance with the Still Water Foundation and welcome others as we advance our mission in West Texas.
“PBAF has been an incredible resource to our work in rural west Texas.” -Ellen Ray, Chief Executive Officer, Still Water Foundation, Austin
Camp Mitre Peak Endowment
Among the Davis Mountains northwest of Alpine, Mitre Peak rises more than a mile above sea level. Beneath this volcanic intrusion is Camp Mitre Peak, which has hosted generations of Girl Scouts for camping and developing outdoor skills since 1947. Memories of their times there motivated several past campers to make gifts to establish the Camp Mitre Peak Endowment, designated to permanently provide for maintenance and improvements to the camp for future generations. Donors make periodic contributions to the Endowment, including gifts of appreciated stock and required minimum distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts, to support its growth while enjoying capital gains or income tax savings.
Gifts of appreciated assets
Donating appreciated assets, like stocks, can be a smart way to give – and avoid capital gains tax – while providing a charitable deduction.
Memorial Christian Church Legacy Endowment
Memorial Christian Church was built in Midland in 1954 on the corner of Andrews Highway and Cuthbert Avenue. After more than six decades of worship, in 2016, Church leaders decided to vacate the property given the decline in its membership and the age of the building. The Church, including the surrounding property, was conveyed to the Foundation’s real estate supporting organization, West Texas Heritage Holdings, Inc. In 2018, the real estate was sold, and proceeds were used to establish the Memorial Christian Church Legacy Endowment. This Endowment makes grants annually to organizations that had been supported through the Church’s mission outreach over the years. Among these are Brite Divinity School for scholarships to support pastors of the Christian faith, Christmas in Action, and Family Promise of Midland.
Juanita Sue “Babe” and Adrian L. “Bud” Lindsey Charitable Fund
Jimmy Stallings, Juanita Sue “Babe” Lindsey, Adrian L. “Bud” Lindsey
Adrian Lynn “Bud” Lindsey had only recently graduated from high school in Brady when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He left behind his soda fountain job and was bussed off for basic training. After shipping out across the Atlantic, Bud’s unit deployed to the front lines and immediately engaged with the German army. A few weeks later, Bud was captured and spent the winter of 1944-1945 as a prisoner of war before liberation by advancing U.S. Army troops. A Soda Jerk Goes to War, written over 50 years later, recounts his personal experience in World War II. Back in the States, Bud passed his Broadcast Radio Engineer test and worked in Brady, Brownwood, and eventually Midland at KCRS. He met Juanita Sue Anderson on a blind date, and they began a marriage that lasted 65 years until ’Nita’s death in 2017. Among Bud’s moonlighting activities, he filmed Midland High School football games for over 35 years and wrote Stanton’s Old Sorehead Gazette and a self-published book about the Stanton community. His generosity was manifested in many ways as a longtime supporter of the Foundation. His last gift was a life insurance policy, which we learned about only after Bud died at age 99 in late 2024.
Life Insurance
Designating Permian Basin Area Foundation as beneficiary of a life insurance policy is a simple way of creating a charitable legacy. Donors are encouraged to confirm beneficiaries named in any policies or accounts periodically, as these named beneficiaries will supersede intentions expressed in a will.
Trans Pecos Endowment
In 2017, the Foundation sold a small portion of our oil-and-gas mineral and surface interests in the northern Trans Pecos region, which added significant value to the Foundation’s asset base. Our Board of Governors designated a portion of the proceeds from this sale to support grantmaking in this area, which no other community foundation was serving. The Trans Pecos Endowment has given the Foundation new opportunities for building relationships with nonprofits serving the rural communities in Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, and Terrell counties. Just as importantly, this Endowment has opened doors to many new relationships with generous donors.
“The folks at PBAF are so welcoming, respectful, and responsive. They make volunteers feel like they are ‘one of us’ and that they’re always on our side!” -Alice Duersken, retired educator and community worker, Fort Stockton
A New Building
In 2015, the Foundation’s Board of Governors determined to construct a stand-alone building for the Foundation’s office needs in a more convenient location offering improved access and ample parking for visitors and meetings. Improving visibility to the community was another objective. Jason Dean was selected as the architect and Fehrs Construction as general contractor. Construction began in early 2017. Thanks to an unrestricted bequest, no outside fundraising was was required for construction costs. Foundation staff moved to our current location in May 2018.
QEP Legacy Endowment
QEP Resources, Inc., was a publicly traded exploration and production company with interests primarily in the Permian Basin. To advance its support of education, the company established a corporate charitable foundation to provide scholarships for higher education to students in its areas of operations. Diamondback Energy acquired QEP in 2021. Before that transaction, the assets of the QEP Education Foundation were merged with the Foundation, and the QEP Legacy Endowment now supports higher education and other charitable endeavors in West Texas.
Corporate Giving
Businesses can invest in their communities by establishing funds at Permian Basin Area Foundation, supporting education, health, and more while reinforcing their commitment to local well-being.
Olga Banks Scholarship Endowment
Olga Banks
The Wall of Honor at Midland’s Legacy High School recognizes Olga Banks for her decades of service as a public-school teacher. Born in 1915, Olga Lucille Trammell graduated from Midland High in 1933 and entered Texas State College for Women. She taught in Midland schools beginning in 1952 after serving as a hospital dietitian and teaching in other communities. Over the years, Olga received various forms of recognition from schools, professional organizations and, most importantly to her, from her students. One student remembers, “She was special, and I will always remember how she taught us more than subjects, but also character, discipline, and integrity. I will always remember her.” Olga became a great friend of the Foundation, and when she died in 2018 at age 102, the Foundation was named the beneficiary of Olga’s assets. Her resources support education programs and scholarships for students pursuing college education through the Olga Banks Scholarship Endowment.
“I want to think that I have helped students along the way gain an education and develop traits of character and integrity.” -Olga Banks
Allie and Arthur Roden Endowment
Arthur and Allie Roden
In 2022, Odessan Frank Deaderick transferred assets in his grandparents’ charitable trust to the Foundation for perpetual management. The Allie and Arthur Roden Endowment supports causes in Somervell County, Texas, where Allie and Arthur spent most of their lives and raised their six children. The Endowment will benefit the community’s Food Bank and Committee on Aging and provide scholarships for Glen Rose High School graduates. We are honored to sustain the Rodens’ family legacy of giving.
Charitable Trust
Charitable trusts are estate-planning tools offering tax advantages. In a charitable lead trust, Permian Basin Area Foundation receives distributions for a set period before the balance goes to other beneficiaries, usually family members. In a charitable remainder trust, family members receive income first, with the remainder benefiting the Foundation later.
Alpine Education Fund
Permian Basin Area Foundation, Alpine ISD, Prentice Farrar Brown and Alline Ford Brown Foundation
The Alpine Education Fund was developed at the request of an anonymous donor who wanted to support Alpine ISD and help fund projects that public funding would not provide for. Many rural districts in West Texas are deprived of adequate funding for schools because of nuances within the state’s public education funding formula. The Foundation is pleased to be in a position to connect generous donors who wish to be a resource to help local students be successful.