Dan L Duncan Foundation
The Dan L Duncan Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in Texas, including organizations focused on education, natural science, wildlife conservation, and medical programs.
Dan L Duncan Foundation at a glance
In short: Dan L Duncan Foundation gave $39.5M across 79 grants in 2024 (avg $500K), mostly in Texas. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $39,519,544
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 79
- +21.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $500,247
- -19.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $700,533,532
- +1.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (23 of 79, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dan L Duncan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4735, Houston, TX 77210
Phone: (713) 381-5200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dan L Duncan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Houston Community Foundation ($19.8M). Together the top 10 received $31.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
310 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 310 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Texas. Listed recipients include organizations in Houston, San Antonio, Bellaire, Mont Belvieu, and Kemah.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 79 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Dan L Duncan Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 79 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $144K; repeat grants $647K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $80K repeat.
- 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30.1M (2020) to $42.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 79 grants totaling $39.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Houston Community Foundation Houston, TX | Education and Support of the Houston Community | $19,759,772 |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science Houston, TX | Education and Historical Preservation | $2,388,366 |
| Houston Zoo Inc Houston, TX | Animal and Wildlife Habitat Conservation | $1,514,112 |
| Diamond Bar Conservation San Antonio, TX | Animal and Wildlife Habitat Conservation | $1,500,000 |
| University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX | Medical Programs | $1,454,000 |
| San Antonio Area Foundation San Antonio, TX | Educational Services | $1,323,500 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Medical Programs | $1,071,378 |
| River Oaks Baptist School Houston, TX | Educational Services | $1,000,000 |
| University of Houston Houston, TX | Educational Services | $1,000,000 |
| Episcopal High School Bellaire, TX | Educational Services | $714,286 |
Ready to take the next step with Dan L Duncan Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $700,533,532 | $50,455,224 | $40,608,636 | $39,519,544 | 79 | $39,555,996 | $48,093,839 | $42,343,438 |
| 2023 | $690,686,944 | $23,092,984 | $41,627,989 | $40,536,108 | 65 | $40,565,579 | $22,425,266 | $39,549,015 |
| 2022 | $709,221,949 | $40,529,455 | $44,603,183 | $42,916,516 | 56 | $42,944,943 | $39,964,642 | $40,564,535 |
| 2021 | $732,128,909 | $77,916,929 | $37,098,426 | $35,866,832 | 54 | $35,885,998 | $77,134,125 | $42,935,682 |
| 2020 | $672,995,411 | $27,292,814 | $31,518,779 | $30,108,558 | 56 | — | $26,672,225 | $35,901,824 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dan L Duncan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $42.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not stated here. Its 2024 grants supported a range of organizations. The Houston Museum of Natural Science says its mission is to preserve and advance knowledge of natural science. Houston Zoo describes its mission as connecting communities with animals and inspiring action to save wildlife. Baylor College of Medicine says it advances human health through patient care, research, education, and community services. Other recipients include educational organizations, such as YES Prep Public Schools, which says it prepares low-income youth to enter a four-year college or university, and the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, whose stated mission is to build girls’ courage, confidence, and character.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 79 grants totaling $39,519,544. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $19,759,772, with a median of $50,000.
The largest grant listed was $19,759,772 to Greater Houston Community Foundation, whose stated work includes helping donors create philanthropic legacies through giving vehicles, consulting, and community partnerships. Other large grants included $2,388,366 to the Houston Museum of Natural Science; $1,514,112 to Houston Zoo; $1,500,000 to Diamond Bar Conservation; $1,454,000 to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; and $1,323,500 to San Antonio Area Foundation. The filing lists purposes including education and support of the Houston community, education and historical preservation, animal and wildlife habitat conservation, medical programs, and educational services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Randa Duncan Williams as chair, president, and director. Other listed officers and directors are Richard H. Bachmann, vice chair and director; Dannine Gale Duncan, vice president and director; Milane Duncan Frantz, vice president and director; Scott D. Duncan, vice president and director; and W. Randall Fowler, CFO and director. Gregg Hammer is listed as CIO, and Laura Liang as CGO and secretary.
Dan L Duncan Foundation is led by Randa Duncan Williams, Chair, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Randa Duncan Williams
Chair, President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dannine Gale Duncan
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Milane Duncan Frantz
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard H. Bachmann
Vice Chairman & Director
Vice President & Director → Vice Chairman & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott D. Duncan
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Randall Fowler
CFO & Director
Executive Vice President & CFO → CFO & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregg Hammer
CIO
Senior Vice President & CIO → Executive Vice President & CIO, 2021
Executive Vice President & CIO → CIO, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Liang
Cgo & Secretary
Vice President, Cgo & Assistant Secretary → Senior Vice President, Cgo & Assistant Secretary, 2021
Senior Vice President, Cgo & Assistant Secretary → Cgo & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Harry P. Weitzel (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Dan L Duncan Foundation
How much does Dan L Duncan Foundation give each year?
Dan L Duncan Foundation gave $39.5M across 79 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $40.5M across 65 grants.
What is Dan L Duncan Foundation's typical grant size?
Dan L Duncan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $500,247, across 79 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dan L Duncan Foundation that year got $144K on average.
Where does Dan L Duncan Foundation give grants?
Dan L Duncan Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (48 grants), San Antonio, TX (4 grants), Bellaire, TX (4 grants) and Galveston, TX (4 grants).
Does Dan L Duncan Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 79 grants with a stated purpose on Dan L Duncan Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational Services" (26 grants), "Social Services" (24 grants) and "Animal Protection and Welfare" (9 grants).
Who are Dan L Duncan Foundation's largest grantees?
Dan L Duncan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Houston Community Foundation ($19,759,772), Houston Museum of Natural Science ($2,388,366) and Houston Zoo Inc ($1,514,112), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dan L Duncan Foundation?
Dan L Duncan Foundation reported $700.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $39.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $42.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Dan L Duncan Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated here. Its 2024 grants supported a range of organizations. The Houston Museum of Natural Science says its mission is to preserve and advance knowledge of natural science. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dan L Duncan Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dan L Duncan Foundation's EIN?
Dan L Duncan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0265572. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Dan L Duncan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dan L Duncan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dan-l-duncan-foundation-morg_58483cc2da8246b6841cbe717df534da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200265572_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dan L Duncan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dan-l-duncan-foundation-morg_58483cc2da8246b6841cbe717df534da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Dan L Duncan Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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