Rockwell Fund Inc
Rockwell Fund Inc is a Houston-based private foundation, founded in 1931, that supports nonprofits in the Greater Houston area. Its grantmaking is focused on community development and on improving outcomes for low-income individuals, families, and communities.
Key facts about Rockwell Fund Inc
In short: Rockwell Fund Inc gave $4.2M across 58 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), mostly in Texas. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 74-6040258
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,207,785
- Grants made (2024)
- 58
- Average grant
- $72,548
- Median grant
- $67,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (16 of 55, 2024)
- Total assets
- $90,731,700
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- Rockwell Fund accepts unsolicited requests through its open application process, though some opportunities are by invitation only. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The foundation’s filing states rolling deadlines; applicants should consult its grant review schedule for submission…
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$90.7M
+1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.2M
-4.8% YoY
Grant Count
58
+9.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
-13.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rockwell Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Rockwell Fund Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 55 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $56K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $90K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Rockwell Fund says it seeks to promote positive community change by supporting Greater Houston nonprofits. Its current issue area is Community Development. The docket’s stated focus areas include community leadership, nonprofit capacity building, flood resilience, housing, food access, health and wellness, mobility, parks and infrastructure, and education. The foundation primarily targets organizations providing services in or to SN52 and considers requests aligned with recognized community plans for the area.
Rockwell Fund makes grants for general operations, programs or projects, capacity building, planning, and evaluation. Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported: Communities in Schools of Houston said its mission is to connect students and families with community resources to help students stay in school and succeed; Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment said it works to build and preserve an inclusive Fifth Ward; and Houston Habitat for Humanity said it brings people together to build homes and communities. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Rockwell Fund reported 58 grants totaling **$4,207,785**. Grant amounts ranged from **$2,500 to $235,000**, with a median of **$67,500**. The largest award was **$235,000** to Communities in Schools of Houston for dropout prevention. Other notable awards included **$125,000** each to Agape Development Ministries for general operating support, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment for general operating support, Houston Habitat for Humanity for general operating support, and Teen and Family Services for its Urban Core Behavioral Health Program.
Review Cycle
The foundation’s filing states rolling deadlines; applicants should consult its grant review schedule for submission periods.
Invitation Only
, though some opportunities are by invitation only. Applicants request an application and submit it through the foundation’s online grants management system; the foundation no longer accepts letters of inquiry. Required materials include proof of tax-exempt status, current and previous fiscal-year financial statements, the organization’s current budget, a project budget if applicable, revenue sources, a board list, and available reports or analyses of the organization’s work. The foundation generally grants to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations and does not fund individuals, among other stated exclusions. Neither an invitation nor an application assures funding.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Rockwell Fund Inc
Ready to take the next step with Rockwell Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily targets grant partners providing services in or to Super Neighborhood 52 in Houston. It considers requests aligned with recognized community planning for the area, such as the Complete Communities Action Plan for Kashmere Gardens. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.7M (2021) to $4.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 58 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Univ of TX Health Science Center ($270K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
268 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 106 grants of 268 (40%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Communities in Schools of Houston Houston, TX | Dropout Prevention | $235,000 |
| Agape Development Ministries Houston, TX | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Center for Public Policy Priorities Austin, TX | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Earl Carl Institute for Legal Houston, TX | Safe and Supportive Schools Coll | $125,000 |
| Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Houston, TX | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc Houston, TX | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Hype Freedom School Inc Pearland, TX | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Teen and Family Services Houston, TX | Urban Core Behavioral Health Program | $125,000 |
| Univ of TX Health Science Center Houston, TX | Hie/CIE Demonstration Project | $125,000 |
| Houston Revision Houston, TX | Keeping Kids in School Program | $120,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $90,731,700 | $7,481,732 | $6,066,748 | $4,207,785 |
| 2023 | $89,444,579 | $1,929,971 | $6,155,104 | $4,421,352 |
| 2022 | $93,966,901 | $18,792,934 | $6,541,146 | $4,854,148 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $90,731,700 | $89,444,579 | $93,966,901 |
| Revenue | $7,481,732 | $1,929,971 | $18,792,934 |
| Expenses | $6,066,748 | $6,155,104 | $6,541,146 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,114,177 | $5,319,442 | $5,664,066 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,873,257 | $1,807,225 | $18,521,678 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,509,859 | $5,192,100 | $5,246,902 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ronald C. Lewis as president, CEO and trustee; Tantri Erlinawati-Emo as vice president; Domingo Barrios as secretary; Donna F. Cole as assistant treasurer and trustee; Marvalette F. Hunter, Kelly S. Opot, and Sharon Edwards as trustees; T. Kelly Dowe as chairman and trustee; and Whitney Randolph as treasurer.
Rockwell Fund Inc is led by Ronald C. Lewis, President CEO & T since 2023 (on filings since 2021); all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ronald C. Lewis
President CEO & T
President CEO Secretary → President CEO, 2022
President CEO → President CEO & T, 2023
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$315K (2021) → $315K (2024)
T. Kelly Dowe
Chairman & T
Trustee → Chairman & T, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $20K (2024)
Sharon L. Edwards
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
$20K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Kelly S. Opot
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$17K (2024)
Marvalette F. Hunter
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$17K (2024)
Domingo Barrios
Secretary
Chairman & T → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Donna F. Cole
Assistant Tr
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Whitney Randolph
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Tantri Erlinawati-Emo
Vice President
Vice President & CFO Trustee → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$105K (2022) → $252K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Margaret E. McConn (2020–2021) — Vice President, CFO & CIO
- Former: R. Terry Bell (2020) — President CEO Se
- Former: Ron C. Lewis (2020) — Trustee
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 $315K, to Ronald C Lewis (Pres CEO & T). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Ronald C Lewis
Mailing address: 3555 Timmons Lane Ste 950, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 629-9022
Email: grantsinfo@rockfund.org
Website: https://rockfund.org
Frequently asked questions about Rockwell Fund Inc
How much does Rockwell Fund Inc give each year?
Rockwell Fund Inc gave $4.2M across 58 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 53 grants.
What is Rockwell Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Rockwell Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $67,500, and its average grant was $72,548, across 58 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rockwell Fund Inc that year got $56K on average.
Where does Rockwell Fund Inc give grants?
Rockwell Fund Inc 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 Houston, TX (47 grants), Dallas, TX (3 grants) and Austin, TX (2 grants).
Does Rockwell Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 28% of Rockwell Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 58) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Rockwell Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Rockwell Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Univ of TX Health Science Center ($270,000 across 3 grants), Communities in Schools of Houston ($235,000) and Agape Development Ministries ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Rockwell Fund Inc?
Rockwell Fund Inc reported $90.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.5M (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 Rockwell Fund Inc fund?
Rockwell Fund says it seeks to promote positive community change by supporting Greater Houston nonprofits. Its current issue area is Community Development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rockwell Fund Inc?
Rockwell Fund accepts unsolicited requests through its open application process, though some opportunities are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Rockwell Fund Inc's EIN?
Rockwell Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6040258. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Rockwell Fund Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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