Hobby Family Foundation
Hobby Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Houston, Texas, established in 1995. The foundation was founded by W.P. Hobby, Jr., a former Lieutenant Governor of Texas (1973), former president of The Houston Post, and chair of H&C Communications. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation has been tax-exempt since March 1996.
Key facts about Hobby Family Foundation
- EIN
- 76-0489862
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $412,183
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- Average grant
- $17,921
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (5 of 23, 2024)
- Total assets
- $4,879,796
- Primary geography
- Texas (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Hobby Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Hobby Family Foundation's 23 itemized 2024 grants were Texas (74%), New York (12%) and Indiana (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (9 grants), Austin, TX (4 grants) and Charlottesville, VA (2 grants). 48% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Hobby Family Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 23 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Hobby Family Foundation
- How to evaluate Hobby Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.9M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$412K
-96.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
-70.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
-89.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hobby Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $443K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on:
- Education
- Environment
- Hospitals
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
The foundation indicates broad philanthropic interests across multiple subject areas and geographic regions.
Grantmaking
The foundation appears open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Grant Range
$500 to $6,228,721
Average Grant
amount: $650
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of geographic areas across the United States, including:
- Primary funding states: Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia
- Additional states supported: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
- Major cities funded: New York, Chicago, Dallas
- Smaller communities: Blowing Rock, Bokeelia
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 23 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Assets: $4,666,707
- Total Revenue: $1,104,680
- Total Expenses: $13,653,020
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $415,661
Giving Rate: 169.2% (expenses exceed assets, indicating the foundation is drawing down reserves)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,879,796 | $4,666,707 | $11,289,388 |
| Revenue | $699,077 | $1,104,680 | $1,039,179 |
| Expenses | $491,862 | $13,653,020 | $904,623 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $415,137 | $13,495,100 | $761,927 |
| Net Investment Income | $635,352 | $978,196 | $896,483 |
| Distributable Amount | $442,736 | $900,059 | $1,071,995 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
291 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Menil Foundation Inc - the Menil Collection ($70,000), The Hobby Center Foundation ($55,000), The Center for New American Media ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MENIL FOUNDATION INC - THE MENIL COLLECTION Houston, TX | CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $70,000 |
| THE HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION Houston, TX | PARKING GARAGE PLANTERS/CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $55,000 |
| THE CENTER FOR NEW AMERICAN MEDIA Brooklyn, NY | MCDONALD OBSERVATORY DOCUMENTARY | $50,000 |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Houston, TX | BBP CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $45,000 |
| UATX Austin, TX | CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $33,333 |
| BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP Houston, TX | CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $30,000 |
| KAPPA ALPHA THETA FOUNDATION Indianapolis, IN | CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $25,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Austin, TX | MCCOMBS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS/CONTINUING OPERATING EXPENSES | $20,000 |
| MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY Houston, TX | ANNUAL GALA SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| HOPE CITY LIVE INC Houston, TX | DISASTER RELIEF | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees:
- Paul W. Hobby – Trustee & President (0.5 hours/week, uncompensated)
- Grace H. Grundy – Trustee, Secretary and Treasurer (0.5 hours/week, uncompensated)
- Janet M. Hobby – Trustee (uncompensated)
Staff:
- Cathy Leeson – Listed as in care of name
- The foundation operates with 0 employees
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul W Hobby | Trustee & President | 0.5 | — |
| Grace H Grundy | Trustee, Secretary and Treasurer | 0.5 | — |
| Janet M Hobby | Trustee | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation's most recent tax filing was submitted in December 2023. The foundation profile was last updated in June 2025. The foundation continues to actively award grants across its designated program areas and geographic regions.
HOF Awards Grants to Fund Six More Projects - The Bass Fishing Hall Of FameSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hobby Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on: • Education • Environment • Hospitals • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism The foundation indicates broad philanthropic interests across multiple subject areas and geographic regions.
How do I apply for a grant from Hobby Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $13,494,943 • Total grants awarded: 132 grants • Grant range: $500 to $6,228,721 • Median grant amount: $35,167 • Average grant amount: $650 **Grant Programs:** • General purpose grants to further the exempt purpose of the organization (73 recipients, averaging $14,446) • Continuing operating expenses (51 recipients, averaging $9,053) • Capital campaigns (3 recipients, averaging $50,333) • The Beckworth Family Charitable Fund ($6,153,890 average) • Ma…
Where does Hobby Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports a wide range of geographic areas across the United States, including: • Primary funding states: Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia • Additional states supported: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island • Major cities funded: New York, Chicago, Dallas • Smaller communities: Blowing Rock, Bokeelia
What size grants does Hobby Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Hobby Family Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $412K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Hobby Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Hobby Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $443K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Hobby Family Foundation's EIN?
Hobby Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0489862. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.