Four Lee Foundation
Four Lee Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports charitable grants to organizations in several states, including Texas and North Carolina.
Four Lee Foundation at a glance
In short: Four Lee Foundation gave $3.7M across 32 grants in 2024 (avg $117K), top state Texas. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,747,080
- +143.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $117,096
- +151.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $35,012,503
- +11.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (5 of 32, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (44% 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 Four Lee Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1885 St James Place 950, Houston, TX 77056
Phone: (713) 548-2621
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Four Lee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Brother Wolf Animal Rescue ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
144 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 99 grants of 144 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in these states: Texas, 44%; North Carolina, 35%; New York, 10%; Georgia, 4%; and Virginia, 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Four Lee Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 32 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $137K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 78% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 234% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 190% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2019) to $3.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 32 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Asheville, NC | Charitable | $1,150,000 |
| Memorial Herman Foundation Houston, TX | Charitable | $902,080 |
| National Ms Socety New York, NY | Charitable | $375,000 |
| Council of Recovery Houston, TX | Charitable | $200,000 |
| Legionaries of Christ Rosewell, GA | Charitable | $150,000 |
| Houston Zoo Houston, TX | Charitable | $100,000 |
| March of Dimes Arlington, VA | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Unbroken Spirit Arden, NC | Charitable | $100,000 |
| United Way Kennebunk, ME | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Houston, TX | Charitable | $90,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Four Lee 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 | $35,012,503 | $7,372,042 | $4,033,936 | $3,747,080 | 32 | $3,814,080 | $3,342,103 | $2,006,760 |
| 2023 | $31,387,898 | $3,535,470 | $1,807,514 | $1,538,248 | 33 | $1,599,748 | $2,672,865 | $1,638,533 |
| 2022 | $29,619,748 | $5,649,562 | $1,600,580 | $1,318,194 | 27 | $1,319,194 | $2,813,065 | $1,416,882 |
| 2021 | $25,092,562 | $1,794,330 | $1,359,910 | $1,122,415 | 29 | $1,125,665 | $1,960,686 | $1,325,310 |
| 2020 | $24,637,764 | $479,194 | $1,520,372 | $1,225,000 | 23 | — | $193,322 | $1,121,749 |
| 2019 | $25,683,544 | $2,721,988 | $1,349,364 | $1,071,180 | 22 | — | $456,408 | $1,351,416 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Four Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M 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
No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s 2024 grants went to charitable organizations with varied missions. For example, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue says its mission is to improve the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. Unbroken Spirit says it empowers veterans’ wellbeing through programs focused on meaning, purpose, and impact. Houston Zoo describes its mission as connecting communities with animals and inspiring action to save wildlife; Houston Arboretum & Nature Center says it provides environmental education and protects and enhances the Arboretum.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 32 grants totaling $3,747,080. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,150,000, with a median of $25,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,150,000 to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, $902,080 to Memorial Hermann Foundation, $375,000 to National MS Society, and $200,000 to Council of Recovery. Other grants included $150,000 to Legionaries of Christ; $100,000 each to Houston Zoo, March of Dimes, Unbroken Spirit, and United Way; and $90,000 to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gregory L. Armstrong, Melinda L. Armstrong, and Tylon L. Armstrong as directors.
Four Lee Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gregory L. Armstrong
Director
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Melinda L. Armstrong
Director
V.p. & Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tylon L. Armstrong
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Four Lee Foundation
How much does Four Lee Foundation give each year?
Four Lee Foundation gave $3.7M across 32 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 33 grants.
What is Four Lee Foundation's typical grant size?
Four Lee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $117,096, across 32 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Four Lee Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Four Lee Foundation give grants?
Four Lee Foundation's top state is Texas, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (35%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (16 grants), Asheville, NC (2 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Four Lee Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 32 grants with a stated purpose on Four Lee Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (32 grants).
Who are Four Lee Foundation's largest grantees?
Four Lee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Brother Wolf Animal Rescue ($1,150,000), Memorial Herman Foundation ($902,080) and National Ms Socety ($375,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Four Lee Foundation?
Four Lee Foundation reported $35.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Four Lee Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s 2024 grants went to charitable organizations with varied missions. For example, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue says its mission is to improve the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Four Lee Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it 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 Four Lee Foundation's EIN?
Four Lee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2055080. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Four Lee 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Four Lee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
The Brown Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Brown Foundation funds education, arts and culture, healthcare, human services, and civic assets, with education and the arts as top priorities and public education giving focused almost exclusively on greater Houston. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20,000 to $11 million, with a median of $50,000; it primarily supports Houston organizations and selectively funds distinctive opportunities elsewhere in Texas and beyond.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
222
Total Given
$84.3M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$252K
Grants
252
Total Given
$770K
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Four Lee Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/four-lee-foundation-morg_7096dece0fab453d9bae54e18b079eae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472055080_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Four Lee Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/four-lee-foundation-morg_7096dece0fab453d9bae54e18b079eae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Four Lee 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.
Four Lee Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?