The Calpine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation based in Houston, Texas, established in 2002. It operates as a company-sponsored foundation dedicated to providing meaningful support to local communities through philanthropic giving and grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
+2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$302K
+3.1% YoY
Grant Count
13
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
-4.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Calpine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $231K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's philanthropic mission is to continually enhance the quality of life in the communities where Calpine employees live and work through ongoing support of organizations focused on:
- Improving education and workforce development
- Environmental and community issues
- Social justice initiatives
- Economic opportunity for all
- Arts and culture
- Housing and human services
- Community development
- Lung disease prevention
The Foundation places particular emphasis on giving to organizations where employees volunteer their time and resources.
Grantmaking
Applications for grants are provided internally.
Grant Range
$22,000–$43,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and Florida, with particular emphasis on communities where Calpine employees live and work.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2024):
- Total assets: $4,792,360
- Total giving: $301,560
- Total revenues: $1,536,554 (2023)
- Total expenses: $440,980 (2023)
- Total assets: $4,695,077 (2023)
The Foundation has no paid employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,792,360 | $4,695,077 | $3,599,182 |
| Revenue | $536,810 | $1,536,554 | $504,314 |
| Expenses | $441,651 | $440,980 | $143,166 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $439,656 | $440,980 | $143,166 |
| Net Investment Income | $163,244 | $143,520 | $33,841 |
| Distributable Amount | $230,868 | $178,052 | $165,779 |
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
78 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hill County Child Protective Services Board ($43,080), Casa De Esperanza De Los Ninos Inc ($21,540), Cure Rtd Foundation ($21,540).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CASA DE ESPERANZA DE LOS NINOS INC HOUSTON, TX | YOUTH/HEALTH | $21,540 |
| CURE RTD FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES | $21,540 |
| KIDS MEALS INC HOUSTON, TX | YOUTH/HEALTH | $21,540 |
| PLEASANT HILL CHILDREN'S HOME OAKWOOD, TX | YOUTH COMMUNITY/ EDUCATION | $21,540 |
| SHAPE COMMUNITY CENTER HOUSTON, TX | COMMUNITY & CIVIC | $21,540 |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN TAMPA, FL | YOUTH/HEALTH | $21,540 |
| THE BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS INC PASADENA, TX | COMMUNITY & CIVIC | $21,540 |
| THE LAUREL'S ARMY FOUNDATION CYPRESS, TX | YOUTH/HEALTH | $21,540 |
| THE RAY E MARTIN MEMORIAL FUND SAN ANTONIO, TX | GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS | $21,540 |
| THE ROSE BELLAIRE, TX | HEALTH/WOMEN'S SERVICES | $21,540 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and leadership include:
- Denise Straka (Director & President)
- Zamir Rauf (Director & Treasurer)
- Heather Benjamin Brown (Director & Vice President)
- Kevin McMahon (Director & Vice President)
- Rick Pena (Director & Vice President)
- Rosemary Antonopoulos (Vice President)
- Diana Woodman Hammett (Director and Secretary)
All board members serve with minimal time commitment (0.1 hours per week) and receive no compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HETHER BENJAMIN BROWN | DIRECTOR & VICE PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
| DIANA WOODMAN HAMMETT | DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY | 0.1 | — |
| KEVIN MCMAHON | DIRECTOR & VICE PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
| ROSEMARY ANTONOPOULOS | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
| RICK PENA | DIRECTOR & VICE PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
| ZAMIR RAUF | DIRECTOR & TREASURER | 0.1 | — |
| DENISE STRAKA | DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT | 0.1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Signature Program:**
The Foundation's largest philanthropic effort is the Annual Texas Regional Charity Golf Tournament, now in its 22nd year. This event serves as the primary means by which the Foundation accomplishes its mission.
**Community Engagement:**
The Foundation supports Calpine's annual "Calpine in Our Communities Day" — a companywide tradition where employees at each Calpine location choose community outreach activities to work on together as a team.
Calpine Community Benefits Grants Awarded to Three Local Nonprofits - Orange**Recent Donations:**
The Foundation has made recent donations to organizations including Shriners Children's and provided disaster relief support through food and supply distribution efforts.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Calpine Foundation fund?
The Foundation's philanthropic mission is to continually enhance the quality of life in the communities where Calpine employees live and work through ongoing support of organizations focused on: • Improving education and workforce development • Environmental and community issues • Social justice initiatives • Economic opportunity for all • Arts and culture • Housing and human services • Community development • Lung disease prevention The Foundation places particular emphasis on giving to organi…
How do I apply for a grant from Calpine Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The Foundation made 13 grants in its most recent filing period • Median grant amount: $22,000 • Grant range: $22,000–$43,000 • Typical awards: $17,500–$43,080 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Laurels Army Foundation ($25,000) • Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos ($25,000) • Shriners Hospitals for Children Employee Disaster Relief Fund ($25,000) **Application Process:** Applications for grants are provided internally.
Where does Calpine Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas and Florida, with particular emphasis on communities where Calpine employees live and work.
What size grants does Calpine Foundation award?
In 2024, Calpine Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $302K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Calpine Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Calpine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $231K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Calpine Foundation's EIN?
Calpine Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0025038. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Calpine 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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