Gordon a Cain Foundation
The Gordon A. Cain Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, that supports charitable organizations through grants. Established in 2007 using remaining assets of the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation, it continues Gordon A. Cain’s philanthropic legacy.
Gordon a Cain Foundation at a glance
In short: Gordon a Cain Foundation gave $2.8M across 52 grants in 2024 (avg $54K), top state Texas. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,822,500
- +13.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 52
- +13.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,279
- -0.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $68,822,371
- +12.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (12 of 52, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (42% 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 Gordon a Cain Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. It welcomes inquiries and proposals from nonprofit organizations and asks applicants to submit a concise formal proposal. The proposal should explain the project’s purpose and objectives, the organization’s history and the community need; include the most recent audited financial statement, current itemized annual budget, and project budget if applicable; and provide major sources of support, staff information, a board list, the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter, and an evaluation plan. The foundation states there are no restrictions on awards. Proposals should not be faxed or emailed.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists April 1 for spring consideration and November 1 for fall consideration. Proposals received after a deadline are held for the next board meeting. The website says the board makes final decisions at meetings in May and December.
- Deadline
- The website lists April 1 for spring consideration and November 1 for fall consideration.
- Contact
Application contact: James D Weaver
Mailing address: 8 Greenway Plaza Suite 606, Houston, TX 77046
Phone: (713) 840-7896
Website: https://gordonacainfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Gordon a Cain Foundation
Who Gordon a Cain Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Infantry Foundation ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 197 grants of 225 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Houston. In 2024, 42% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 39% to Georgia, 9% to California, 6% to Virginia, and 2% to North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Gordon a Cain Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 52 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 178% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% 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 $977K (2020) to $2.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 52 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Infantry Foundation Columbus, GA | Unrestricted | $1,100,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston Houston, TX | Unrestricted | $450,000 |
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | Unrestricted | $285,000 |
| St Matthew's Parish School Pacific Palisades, CA | Unrestricted | $180,000 |
| Media Research Center Inc Alexandria, VA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research Dallas, TX | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| American Heritage Education Society Houston, TX | Unrestricted | $45,000 |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science Houston, TX | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| National Rifle Assocation of America Fairfax, VA | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| Project 8P New York, NY | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gordon a Cain 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 | $68,822,371 | $10,865,216 | $3,394,273 | $2,822,500 | 52 | $2,927,024 | $6,628,641 | $3,338,791 |
| 2023 | $61,236,709 | $3,186,975 | $2,943,381 | $2,498,500 | 46 | $2,498,500 | $2,257,490 | $3,094,569 |
| 2022 | $59,712,536 | $45,747,295 | $1,577,237 | $1,325,500 | 43 | $1,325,500 | $578,174 | $1,030,798 |
| 2021 | $16,686,880 | $3,319,296 | $1,259,419 | $1,014,500 | 41 | $1,014,500 | $3,070,953 | $1,010,826 |
| 2020 | $14,626,181 | $522,523 | $1,142,768 | $977,200 | 43 | — | $376,579 | $891,569 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gordon a Cain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.3M 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 describes its work as supporting nonprofits that provide valuable services and research. Its 2024 grants included arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, public-policy organizations, and service-oriented organizations. These examples describe the grantees’ work, not a stated list of the foundation’s funding priorities.
For example, Alley Theatre says its mission is to inspire and enchant lives through theatrical experiences. Good Samaritan Foundation of Texas says it is dedicated to Texas nursing and to improving nurse education and training. The Houston Museum of Natural Science says it works to advance knowledge of natural science and maintain a first-class museum.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 52 grants totaling $2,822,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $1,100,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
The largest 2024 grants included $1,100,000 to the National Infantry Foundation, $450,000 to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, $285,000 to Alley Theatre, and $180,000 to St Matthew’s Parish School. Each was listed as unrestricted. Other recipients included Media Research Center ($100,000), Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research ($50,000), and Houston Museum of Natural Science ($35,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James D. Weaver as chairman, president, and director; Sharyn A. Weaver as secretary, treasurer, and director; and Alyson A. Nicholas and James K. Weaver as directors.
Gordon a Cain Foundation is led by James K. Weaver, Charmain, President, Director & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James K. Weaver
Charmain, President, Director & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $110K (2024)
Alyson A. Nicholas
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sharyn A. Weaver
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
Director → Secretary, Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John M. Sullivan (2020–2021) — Secretary, Treasurer & Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $110K, to James D Weaver (Charmain, President, Direc).
Frequently asked questions about Gordon a Cain Foundation
How much does Gordon a Cain Foundation give each year?
Gordon a Cain Foundation gave $2.8M across 52 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 46 grants.
What is Gordon a Cain Foundation's typical grant size?
Gordon a Cain Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $54,279, across 52 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gordon a Cain Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Gordon a Cain Foundation give grants?
Gordon a Cain Foundation's top state is Texas, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (39%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (30 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Gordon a Cain Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Gordon a Cain Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 52) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gordon a Cain Foundation's largest grantees?
Gordon a Cain Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Infantry Foundation ($1,100,000), Museum of Fine Arts Houston ($450,000) and Alley Theatre ($285,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gordon a Cain Foundation?
Gordon a Cain Foundation reported $68.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.3M (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 Gordon a Cain Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its work as supporting nonprofits that provide valuable services and research. Its 2024 grants included arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, public-policy organizations, and service-oriented organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gordon a Cain Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gordon a Cain Foundation's EIN?
Gordon a Cain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8483773. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Gordon a Cain Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gordon a Cain Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gordon a Cain Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gordon-a-cain-foundation-morg_5da2b60eaca9487ba852f423bf176961
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208483773_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gordon a Cain Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gordon-a-cain-foundation-morg_5da2b60eaca9487ba852f423bf176961},
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 Gordon a Cain 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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