The Shiner Gazette
Don Kaspar Foundation

Don G. Kaspar Foundation seeks partners to help make a difference, together with you

  • The late Don Kaspar had spirit of giving that lives on through his foundation by the same name.
    The late Don Kaspar had spirit of giving that lives on through his foundation by the same name.

    When the Don G. Kaspar Foundation formed in 2017 with the mission of “transforming lives together by serving families, developing faith and bringing communities together,” they sought to make available some needed grant dollars for organizations while partnering with those institutions to enact some meaningful changes in Lavaca County.

    The Foundation’s namesake, Don G. Kaspar, lived a life of service, first in the military receiving many honors including a Bronze Star, followed by heavy involvement in various foundations and serving on boards of local community organizations for the people of his town. 

    Born in Shiner in 1928 to Josephine and Arthur Kaspar, he was the grandson of August Kaspar, the original founder of Kaspar Wireworks in 1898. Don Kaspar served his home community, building Kaspar Wire Works into an international company, which became the largest employer in Shiner and Lavaca County, and stabilized the local community resulting in growth and prosperity in this rural county. 

    Several local institutions have already partnered with The Don G. Kaspar Foundation. They include:

    • The Shiner Volunteer Fire Department received a $10,000 grant that helped to fund equipment and facility improvements for the fire department (see related story).

    • The Shiner Police Department partnered with the Don. G. Kaspar Foundation and received $16,300 to fund three separate projects: 1) Acquiring new police equipment, 2) High-tech surveillance cameras for higher crime areas, and 3) Fostering a safer community for Shiner families. 

    • The Gaslight Theater received a grant, approved earlier this year, that will donate $25,000 to provide a new stage lighting system, which will provide entertainment and appreciation of the arts for families in Shiner. 

    • The Foster Tree received a $1,000 donation.

    • The Miss Shiner Pageant received $2,000 to assist in revamping their parade float used to represent the City of Shiner at area festivals and parades. 

    • The Vysehrad PTO received $10,000 to fund playground equipment for the younger students. 

    • In addition, the Don G. Kaspar Foundation donated $5,000 to Outdoor Adventures, which directly impacts five fatherless boys from the community providing them with suits, headshots, and support to set up LinkedIn pages to attract potential job opportunities to better their futures. 

    Please visit their webpage to make a financial donation to support their fostering of community, faith, and family in the Shiner area, or apply for a grant for your organization by filling out our online application and let us know how we can help to make a difference, together with you, in our community. 

    Visit www.donkaspar.org for more information.