Gulf Coast Medical Foundation
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation is a private foundation based in Damon, Texas, that awards grants to improve quality of life in Wharton, Fort Bend, and Matagorda Counties. Its grants primarily support health, education, and human services, with priority given to health-related projects.
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation at a glance
In short: Gulf Coast Medical Foundation gave $868K across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Texas. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $868,371
- +39.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +24.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,121
- +12.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,500
- Total assets
- $11,806,011
- -0.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (11 of 27, 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 Gulf Coast Medical Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts online applications only. The process has two steps: submit a qualification page for foundation approval, then complete and submit the grant application by the deadline. Required materials include proof of tax-exempt status; year-end balance sheets and statements of activities for the previous two years; a year-end cash flow statement; the most recent interim balance sheet and year-to-date statement of account; and the most recent fiscal-year audited financial statements. Applicants must generally show 501(c)(3) exempt status and that they are not private foundations under Section 509(a); an organization may also qualify under Section 170(c)(1) when the request is for public purposes. The foundation does not make grants to individuals or loans, generally does not consider national charitable organizations or their local chapters, and prefers not to fund galas or similar fundraising, promotional, or testimonial events. Medical research applications are considered only in April; the April 2026 review cycle has passed.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation lists March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, with applications considered at meetings in the following months. The March, June, and September 2026 deadlines have passed; December 1, 2026, is the next listed deadline. If a deadline falls on a weekend, the following Monday is treated as the deadline.
- Deadline
- The foundation lists March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, with applications considered at meetings in the…
- Contact
Application contact: Online Submissions Only At Wwwgulfc
Mailing address: 21702 Lake View Rd, Damon, TX 77430
Phone: (979) 532-0904
Website: https://www.gulfcmf.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 Gulf Coast Medical Foundation
Who Gulf Coast Medical Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northside Education Center ($125K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $639K.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 132 grants of 152 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is Wharton, Fort Bend, and Matagorda Counties in Texas. Its guidelines say it has sometimes considered projects outside those counties when the specific project benefits residents of the service area. Its 2024 filing reports that all grant dollars went to Texas recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gulf Coast Medical Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 27 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $452K (2020) to $868K (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $868K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northside Education Center El Campo, TX | Auditorium Renovation Project | $100,000 |
| Oakbend Medical Center Richmond, TX | Elevator Replacement Project at Wharton Campus | $71,500 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston Houston, TX | Operating Support for Wharton Clubs | $65,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of El Campo & Palacios El Campo, TX | Operating Support for El Campo & Palacios Clubs | $60,000 |
| Hesed House Wharton, TX | Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Boling District Improvement Asso Boling, TX | Renovation Project - Boling Community Center | $40,000 |
| Blessing Cup Storehouse El Campo, TX | Operating Support for Thrift Shop and Food Pantry | $30,000 |
| El Campo Memorial Hospital El Campo, TX | Toward Purchase of 3D Mammography Equipment | $25,000 |
| Just Do It Now Wharton, TX | 1ST of 4 Installments for Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Just Do It Now Wharton, TX | 2ND of 4 Installments for Operating Support | $25,000 |
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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 | $11,806,011 | $1,003,998 | $1,116,184 | $868,371 | 36 | $951,236 | $845,437 | $847,853 |
| 2023 | $11,918,197 | $875,310 | $900,232 | $620,562 | 29 | $710,437 | $635,680 | $764,188 |
| 2022 | $11,943,119 | $3,117,081 | $982,927 | $755,579 | 31 | $844,386 | $2,982,244 | $760,839 |
| 2021 | $9,808,965 | $848,635 | $987,539 | $699,155 | 30 | $798,842 | $652,870 | $919,652 |
| 2020 | $9,947,869 | $231,066 | $627,332 | $451,788 | 26 | — | $77,680 | $715,481 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gulf Coast Medical Foundation reported a distributable amount of $848K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it aims to make a meaningful and significant difference in the quality of life for residents of Wharton, Fort Bend, and Matagorda Counties. Its guidelines identify health, education, human services, civic, and cultural purposes, with priority for health-related projects and current initiatives.
It considers applications from 501(c)(3) organizations and public charities in those counties. It has also considered projects outside the area when they benefit residents of the specified counties. Its grants include operating and capital support, as well as support for specific, identifiable projects.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. El Campo Memorial Hospital says it provides a broad range of care to El Campo and surrounding areas. Just Do It Now Inc. describes its mission as building a strong community through education, advocacy, and compassionate support. Palacios Community Hub says it strengthens families through literacy and community services, while Friends of Elder Citizens says it provides meals and transportation assistance to older residents in its local area.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $868,371. Grant amounts ranged from $171 to $100,000, with a median of $20,500. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $100,000 to Northside Education Center for an auditorium renovation, $71,500 to OakBend Medical Center for an elevator replacement at its Wharton campus, and $65,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston for operating support for Wharton clubs. Other notable awards included $60,000 to Boys & Girls Club of El Campo & Palacios for operating support, $50,000 to Hesed House for operating support, and $40,000 to Boling District Improvement Association for a community center renovation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists Samuel Golden as president; Robert M. Taylor Jr. as vice president; Melissa Burnham as executive vice president; Jack Moore as secretary; and Laurance H. Armour III as treasurer. It also lists Jeffrey D. Blair, Janet Peden, Charles Davis, Clive Runnells III, and Michael R. Farrell as directors.
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation is led by Samuel Golden, President on every filing since 2022; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samuel Golden
President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Davis
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clive Runnells III
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Peden
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey D. Blair
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael R. Farrell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Faye Watson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anisa Vasquez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bradley Westmoreland
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Burnham
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$84K (2020) → $84K (2024)
Jack Moore
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurance H. Armour III
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Taylor Jr.
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joe Gurecky (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sam Golden (2020–2021) — Vice President
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 $84K, to Melissa Burnham (Executive Vice President).
Frequently asked questions about Gulf Coast Medical Foundation
How much does Gulf Coast Medical Foundation give each year?
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation gave $868K across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $621K across 29 grants.
What is Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's typical grant size?
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,500, and its average grant was $24,121, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gulf Coast Medical Foundation that year got $28K on average.
Where does Gulf Coast Medical Foundation give grants?
Gulf Coast Medical 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 Wharton, TX (14 grants), Houston, TX (7 grants), El Campo, TX (5 grants) and Palacios, TX (2 grants).
Does Gulf Coast Medical Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 36% of Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's largest grantees?
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northside Education Center ($125,000 across 2 grants), Just Do It Now ($104,000 across 5 grants) and Hesed House ($74,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gulf Coast Medical Foundation?
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation reported $11.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $951K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $848K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gulf Coast Medical Foundation fund?
The foundation says it aims to make a meaningful and significant difference in the quality of life for residents of Wharton, Fort Bend, and Matagorda Counties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gulf Coast Medical Foundation?
The foundation accepts online applications only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's EIN?
Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1285242. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 Gulf Coast Medical Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gulf Coast Medical Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gulf-coast-medical-foundation-morg_72c2c82db82342bfae7bcde6e6b6f7b5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_741285242_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gulf Coast Medical Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gulf-coast-medical-foundation-morg_72c2c82db82342bfae7bcde6e6b6f7b5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Gulf Coast Medical 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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