Celebrating a century of caring for Coleman County

The Coleman County Foundation (CCF) was established in 1999, but its origins date back 100 years.

In 1924, neither state nor local governments addressed local issues. The Welfare League was formed to assist residents with various needs, ultimately evolving into the assisted living facility known as Holiday Hill.

When Holiday Hill faced the possibility of being sold to a for-profit company, its board sought a way to protect the funds accumulated over the years and ensure they would continue to benefit the citizens of Coleman County.

Clyde D. “Tommy” Allen, CCF Founder who had also served on the Holiday Hill board for 55 years, and Nancy Jones, former president of the Community Foundation of Abilene (CFA), assembled a group of community leaders who shared this commitment to Coleman County.

These dedicated volunteers collaborated with the CFA to establish the Coleman County Foundation as an affiliate, managing and investing the funds in an endowment and overseeing the grantmaking process.

The CCF board worked to allocate grants based on the needs identified by nonprofits, churches, schools, and community groups. Bill Franklin, Joe Johnson, Bill Laws, Bill Sneed, Ted Triplitt, and John Walthall, served as the Foundation’s first board members.

Through decades of dedication and hard work, the Foundation is becoming a cornerstone of support for Coleman County.

Since CCF’s inception 25 years ago... Coleman County Foundation has significantly impacted the county’s needs, granting more than $1.3 million to various nonprofit organizations.

Its reach expanded further with the creation of the Friends of Coleman County in 2005.

Friends contribute a minimum of $100 annually, using these funds to make additional grants within the county. Since 2005, the Friends have granted more than $370,000.

Combined, these efforts have resulted in a total of $1.7 million awarded to support those in need and benefit the county, staying true to the original mission of the Welfare League established in 1924.

“It has been so rewarding to watch the progress of the Coleman County Foundation over the years,” said Nancy Jones. “The endowment has grown, and the opportunity to enrich people’s lives by granting funds to the myriad of needs has grown along with it. I’m proud of the Coleman Board of Directors – past and present. They do so much to protect and grow the endowment – just like Tommy Allen had hoped 25 years ago!”

This year, Coleman County Foundation celebrates 25 years of impact. And in 2025, the Friends of Coleman County Foundation will celebrate 20 years. These anniversaries celebrate a legacy of dedication and local philanthropy, but most importantly, they represent a century of caring for Coleman County.