Houston Endowment Inc
Houston Endowment Inc is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, that serves the people of Greater Houston. Its mission is to improve quality of life in the region, with grantmaking focused on public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces.
Houston Endowment Inc at a glance
In short: Houston Endowment Inc gave $99.6M across 355 grants in 2024 (avg $281K), mostly in Texas. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $99,578,383
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 355
- +40.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $280,502
- -33.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $125,000
- Total assets
- $2,503,355,968
- +5.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (28 of 220, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (77% 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 Houston Endowment Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Grants are awarded by invitation, and the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligible organizations are invited to apply when the foundation’s team sees significant potential to advance its priorities. Invited applicants are asked to provide information specific to their request; the foundation provides application previews for general operating support, project support, and fiscally sponsored projects or programs. Eligibility is reviewed during the application and payment process.
- Contact
Application contact: See Supplemental Info On Page 18
Mailing address: 3683 Willia Street, Houston, TX 77007-7427
Phone: (713) 238-8100
Website: https://houstonendowment.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 Houston Endowment Inc
Who Houston Endowment Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Houston Community Foundation ($6.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $32.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 10 grants to individuals ($4,238,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 792 grants of 2,111 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Houston Endowment funds organizations and projects benefiting people in Greater Houston, including Harris County and Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. In 2024, 77% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas; other leading recipient states were New York (7%), California (5%), and Illinois (2%), with 5% going to recipients in the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 355 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Houston Endowment Inc open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 220 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $291K; repeat grants $476K. How we count
Medians: $200K first-time, $200K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% 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 $77.6M (2021) to $106.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 355 grants totaling $99.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Houston Community Foundation Houston, TX | Program Support for Houston Charter Seed Fund | $5,000,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC New York, NY | In support of the Charitable Activities of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors' Sponsored Project the Greater Houston Voter Engagement Project | $5,000,000 |
| Harmony Public Schools Houston, TX | Project Support for Phase Two of Houston Expansion | $3,000,000 |
| United Way of Greater Houston Houston, TX | Project Support for the Building Possibilities Campaign for United Way to Assist Houston's Nonprofit Sector Pursue Public Grants | $3,000,000 |
| Houston Local Information Initiative Inc DBA Houston Landing Houston, TX | General Operating Support | $2,325,000 |
| Pacific Charter School Development Inc Los Angeles, CA | Project Support for Expansion of the Texas Charter School Development Facilities Fund | $2,000,000 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation Houston, TX | 2024 Houston Endowment Directed Grant Program Administered by GHCF | $1,502,090 |
| Texas Immigration Law Council Austin, TX | General Operating Support | $1,400,000 |
| EMERGE Fellowship Houston, TX | Project Support for Transitioning Program Staff from HISD to EMERGE | $1,250,000 |
| Harris County Public Library Harris County Library, TX | Program Support for Harris County Public Library to Expand Citizenship Services | $1,169,800 |
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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 | $2,503,355,968 | $160,328,117 | $122,463,869 | $99,578,383 | 355 | $120,053,966 | $150,928,536 | $120,158,294 |
| 2023 | $2,370,195,483 | $122,609,629 | $130,622,259 | $106,590,942 | 253 | $121,839,855 | $67,282,375 | $116,365,531 |
| 2022 | $2,334,442,325 | $188,440,163 | $146,020,688 | $97,834,255 | 509 | $136,890,805 | $150,014,877 | $112,747,567 |
| 2021 | $2,683,938,862 | $265,655,014 | $82,670,209 | $77,562,413 | 448 | $100,031,974 | $260,878,034 | $126,187,207 |
| 2020 | $1,408,878,900 | $117,039,074 | $130,980,920 | $80,933,829 | 546 | — | $73,192,975 | $108,207,930 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Houston Endowment Inc reported a distributable amount of $120.2M 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
Houston Endowment’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Greater Houston. Its current priorities are public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces. The foundation also says it may address emerging opportunities and challenges that could significantly advance its mission. Learning and evaluation guide its work.
The foundation generally funds eligible charitable and governmental organizations, including public charities, governmental organizations, fiscally sponsored groups and projects, and eligible supporting organizations. Examples among its 2024 grantees include Harmony Public Schools, which says it prepares students for college and careers through a student-centered program emphasizing STEM; the Texas Immigration Law Council, whose mission is to protect and promote immigrants’ and refugees’ basic rights in Texas; and Collective Action for Youth, which says it centers youth voices and community power to develop equitable, systemic solutions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Houston Endowment reported 355 grants totaling $99,578,383. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $5 million, with a median of $125,000. Notable grants included $5 million to Greater Houston Community Foundation for program support for the Houston Charter Seed Fund; $5 million to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for the Greater Houston Voter Engagement Project; $3 million to Harmony Public Schools for the second phase of its Houston expansion; and $3 million to United Way of Greater Houston for a campaign to help Houston nonprofits pursue public grants.
Other 2024 awards included $2,325,000 to Houston Landing for general operating support, $1.4 million to the Texas Immigration Law Council for general operating support, and $1.25 million to EMERGE Fellowship to transition program staff from HISD to EMERGE. The filing also describes the foundation’s direct charitable activities as research, evaluation, media campaigns, and technical assistance related to naturalization, electoral participation, and grantee capacity building.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ann B. Stern as director, president, and CEO; Melanie M. Trent as director and chair; and Steven A. Hartman as vice president of finance. Directors listed on the filing were Arshad Matin, John M. Esquivel, Pedro JJ Alvarez, Ann Barnes, Anthony R. Chase, Darryl L. Wilson, and George Levan.
Houston Endowment Inc is led by Ann B. Stern, Director, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ann B. Stern
Director, President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$640K (2020) → $904K (2024)
Melanie M Trent
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Barnes
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony R. Chase
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arshad Matin
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Esquivel
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph C Dilg
Director
Director → Director & Chair, 2023
Director & Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pedro JJ Alvarez
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darryl L Wilson
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Levan
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven A Hartman
Vice President & Finance
Vice President for Finance → Vice President & Finance, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$200K (2020) → $402K (2024)
Tabitha Rice
Vice President & Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$200K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lisa A. Hall (2020–2023) — Vice President & Program Strategy
- Former: Melanie M Edwards (2023) — Director
- Former: Douglas L. Foshee (2020–2022) — Director & Chair
- Former: Anne S. Chao (2020–2021) — 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 $904K, to Ann B Stern (Director, President, & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Houston Endowment Inc
How much does Houston Endowment Inc give each year?
Houston Endowment Inc gave $99.6M across 355 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $106.6M across 253 grants.
What is Houston Endowment Inc's typical grant size?
Houston Endowment Inc's median grant in 2024 was $125,000, and its average grant was $280,502, across 355 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Houston Endowment Inc that year got $291K on average.
Where does Houston Endowment Inc give grants?
Houston Endowment Inc gives mostly in Texas: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (200 grants), Austin, TX (29 grants), Washington, DC (23 grants) and Dallas, TX (9 grants).
Does Houston Endowment Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Houston Endowment Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (86 of 355) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project Support for Capacity Strengthening Activities" (56 grants) and "Program Support for Houston Operations" (9 grants).
Who are Houston Endowment Inc's largest grantees?
Houston Endowment Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Houston Community Foundation ($6,502,090 across 2 grants), Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC ($5,000,000) and Houston in Action Network ($4,550,000 across 5 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 10 grants to individuals ($4,238,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Houston Endowment Inc?
Houston Endowment Inc reported $2.5B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $120.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $120.2M (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 Houston Endowment Inc fund?
Houston Endowment’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Greater Houston. Its current priorities are public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Houston Endowment Inc?
Grants are awarded by invitation, and the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Houston Endowment Inc's EIN?
Houston Endowment Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6013920. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Houston Endowment Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 19, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Houston Endowment Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Houston Endowment Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/houston-endowment-inc-morg_e44a29dc15014a9aaa4bf6bb3a14302d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746013920_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Houston Endowment Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/houston-endowment-inc-morg_e44a29dc15014a9aaa4bf6bb3a14302d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Houston Endowment Inc'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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