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Still Water Foundation
Still Water Foundation was established in 1982 by Julia "Jill" Matthews Wilkinson as an independent private foundation, branching from a multi-generational...
Still Water Foundation
Still Water Foundation was established in 1982 by Julia "Jill" Matthews Wilkinson as an independent private foundation, branching from a multi-generational philanthropic legacy. The family's giving roots trace to 1954, when Ruth Jones and her daughters created the Dodge Jones Foundation in honor of Ruth's late husband and son. By the time Wilkinson founded Still Water, each of Julia "Judy" Jones Matthews' children had formed their own foundations — Still Water remains the vehicle through which Wilkinson and her board direct focused philanthropic capital across Texas. Rather than a pure grant distributor, the foundation operates as a strategic partner and coalition architect. Its deployment spans arts and culture, education, environmental stewardship, spirituality, and community-focused social services. The foundation has funded major civic and cultural landmarks including Landmarks, the public art program at the University of Texas at Austin, the Waterloo Greenway park project, and the Hill Country Conservancy for land preservation. It also co-founded or leads initiatives like Texas Rural Funders — a coalition of over 45 philanthropies mobilizing resources for rural Texas — and MINDPOP, an organization expanding creative learning in Austin classrooms. These vehicles reflect a strategy of aggregating resources across funders to amplify impact, rather than operating solely through individual grants. Ellen Ray has served as CEO for over two decades, guiding both the foundation's grantmaking and its role in building multi-funder coalitions. The foundation is headquartered in Austin at 1606 San Antonio Street and maintains no additional offices. In February 2023, Still Water marked its 40th anniversary with a community event that highlighted partnerships as the foundation's core operating principle. Its team includes a Program Officer, Grants Manager, and financial and executive support staff, with a board led by Wilkinson. Still Water's architecture is structurally unusual for a family foundation: it prioritizes permanent, coalition-based funding initiatives over one-time grants. Through vehicles like Texas Rural Funders and Digital Texas, the foundation embeds its capital inside networks designed to outlast individual grant cycles, creating durable funding infrastructure for rural and creative communities across Texas.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1982
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Austin
Corporate office
1606 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Principals
Julia Matthews Wilkinson
Founder, Board President
Ellen Ray
CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Still Water Foundation?
CEO Ellen Ray provides strategic oversight for all operations, grantmaking, and investments, according to the foundation's own website. Founder Julia "Jill" Matthews Wilkinson serves as Board President and director. The foundation does not separately disclose an internal CIO or external OCIO arrangement, but its investment function supports a grantmaking program focused exclusively on Texas nonprofits.
How does Still Water Foundation source and make grants?
Rather than open application cycles, Still Water works through relationship-based partnerships and coalitions. CEO Ellen Ray co-founded Texas Rural Funders and MINDPOP, and the foundation uses these networks — along with direct staff relationships — to identify grantees. Katy Sauer, the Program Officer, builds relationships with grant partners to execute grants responsive to community needs.
What investment stages or asset classes does Still Water Foundation target?
The Altss research record notes a strategy under 'Venture Capital (General)' and identifies private real estate fund investments in North America as part of the foundation's portfolio. Still Water's website emphasizes direct grantmaking and strategic partnerships as its primary deployment mechanism. It does not publicly disclose a separate venture or private equity investment program, suggesting the endowment's market exposure may be managed through pooled funds.
Which geographic areas does Still Water Foundation serve?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated exclusively in Texas, with a specific focus on Central Texas and rural West Texas. It funds organizations and projects within the state, such as the Hill Country Conservancy, Waterloo Greenway in Austin, and the historic Martin County Convent in West Texas. Its founding coalition, Texas Rural Funders, is explicitly designed to bring resources to rural Texas communities.
How is Still Water Foundation related to the Dodge Jones Foundation and the broader Jones family philanthropy?
Still Water Foundation is one of several foundations created by descendants of Ruth and Percy Jones. The Dodge Jones Foundation was established in 1954 by Ruth Jones and her daughters. Jill Matthews Wilkinson, daughter of Julia 'Judy' Jones Matthews, founded Still Water in 1982 as her own family's philanthropic entity. Wilkinson's siblings also created separate foundations, making Still Water one branch of a multi-generational, multi-foundation philanthropic family.
Does Still Water Foundation maintain operational or philanthropic structures beyond grantmaking?
Yes. The foundation maintains the Still Water Foundation Art Collection in Austin and has directly supported real estate and capital projects, including the Byrne-Reed House renovation and McFarland House preservation. It also acts as a founding board member and anchor funder for operating coalitions like Texas Rural Funders, MINDPOP, and Digital Texas, which function as independent initiatives rather than one-time grantees.
What is Still Water Foundation's known posture on co-investing alongside other funders?
Co-investment and coalition-based funding is central to the foundation's model. It actively pools resources with other philanthropies through vehicles like Texas Rural Funders, a 45-member coalition, and Digital Texas. The foundation describes its approach as 'building visionary coalitions with fellow funders to maximize resources for greater impact,' signaling a preference for collaborative funding over isolated grantmaking.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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