Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc
Simón Bolívar Foundation Inc. is a Houston, Texas-based private foundation founded by CITGO Petroleum Corporation. It supports charitable programs addressing health needs among vulnerable people, with particular attention to children and mothers in and from Venezuela.
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc gave $6.7M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $171K), top state Florida. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,650,944
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- -4.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $170,537
- -0.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $4,767,339
- +32.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (8 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (28% 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 Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its materials describe an invitation-based process in which selected organizations submit project proposals for review.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1293 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77077
Website: https://simonbolivarfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pan American Development Foundation ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $4.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($653,905), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
181 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 181 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated mission gives particular attention to vulnerable people in and from Venezuela. Its website describes outreach across Latin America and the United States. In 2024, 28% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida and 28% to recipients in Texas; New York received 10%, while Oregon and Maryland each received 7%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 29 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $114K; repeat grants $240K. How we count
Medians: $84K first-time, $156K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 209% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 $2.2M (2021) to $7.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 39 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pan American Development Foundation Coconut Creek, FL | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $1,470,000 |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $745,500 |
| Medical Teams International Tigard, OR | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $437,500 |
| Project Hope-The People-To-People Bethesda, MD | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $437,500 |
| 6 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $653,905 |
| GlobalGiving Foundation Washington, DC | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $295,000 |
| Fundahigado America Foundation Richmond, VA | Donation of Equipment, supplies and services to hospitals | $281,598 |
| Scalabrini Intl Migration Network Inc New York, NY | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $270,000 |
| International Federation of Red Cross | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $250,000 |
| International Medical Corps Los Angeles, CA | Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc?
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 | $4,767,339 | $7,560,163 | $7,037,931 | $6,650,944 | 39 | $6,745,556 | $52,863 | $250,033 |
| 2023 | $3,591,933 | $7,817,067 | $8,188,294 | $7,021,536 | 41 | $7,115,316 | $34,750 | $94,136 |
| 2022 | $2,781,022 | $3,907,429 | $4,063,935 | $4,975,963 | 42 | $5,119,513 | $3,751 | $70,678 |
| 2021 | $3,996,776 | $2,050,041 | $3,401,238 | $2,150,888 | 31 | $2,310,641 | — | $107,446 |
| 2020 | $4,220,209 | $4,500,892 | $3,745,911 | $3,359,305 | 28 | — | $306 | $135,959 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $250K 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’s stated mission is to “improve the health of vulnerable individuals affected by disaster, conflict and poverty, with special attention to children and mothers in and from Venezuela.” Its objectives are to increase access to medicine and nutrition, strengthen medical professionals’ and caregivers’ capacity through education and support, and empower community organizations to serve vulnerable people.
Its program materials describe support for qualified charitable organizations with the capacity to carry out projects aligned with these objectives. Examples of 2024 recipients illustrate the range of organizations supported: Texas Children’s Hospital says its mission is to create a healthier future for children and women through patient care, education and research; Fundahigado America Foundation says it works to train healthcare professionals to provide liver-disease treatment in underserved areas of the Americas and Caribbean; and International Medical Corps says it provides health interventions to save lives and relieve suffering in communities affected by conflict, disasters and disease outbreaks. These are the grantees’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 39 grants totaling $6,650,944. Grants ranged from $3,500 to $1,470,000, with a median of $100,000. The largest awards included $1,470,000 to Pan American Development Foundation, $745,500 to Texas Children’s Hospital, and $437,500 each to Medical Teams International and Project Hope-The People-To-People. Other notable grants included $295,000 to GlobalGiving Foundation, $281,598 to Fundahigado America Foundation, $270,000 to Scalabrini International Migration Network, and $250,000 each to the International Federation of Red Cross and International Medical Corps.
The Foundation’s program materials describe selective grantmaking to charitable organizations. For its Humanitarian Health Program, the materials describe inviting selected organizations with a longstanding presence in Venezuela or the region and demonstrated project capacity to submit proposals. The Foundation evaluates proposals with a Community Advisory Team. The materials specify U.S. 501(c)(3) registration or fiscal equivalency as an eligibility route. The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mariela Poleo as president; Stephen McNabb as treasurer; Yollyfrancis Castellanos as assistant secretary; Bob Shoemaker as controller and assistant treasurer; Steve Scarpino as chief compliance and ethics officer; and Andres Padilla, Pablo Perez and David Weaver as directors.
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc is led by Mariela Poleo, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mariela Poleo
President
President Fr → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andres Padilla
Director
Director Fr → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Weaver
Director
Cntrl & Ast. Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pablo Perez
Director
Director Fr → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Shoemaker
Controller & Ast. Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen McNabb
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yollyfrancis Castellanos
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Scarpino
Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Holly Chastain Nini (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Danny Rodriguez (2020–2022) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Julie Okwara (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Oscar Montenegro (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Gina Renee Coon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Imgard Carolina Molleda (2020–2021) — External Director
- Former: Luisa Palacios (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alejandra Viloria Rincon (2020) — Director to
- Former: Jennifer Moos (2020) — Director to
- Former: Kate Robbins (2020) — Vice President to
- Former: Larry Elizondo (2020) — President to
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.
Frequently asked questions about Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc
How much does Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc give each year?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc gave $6.7M across 39 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.0M across 41 grants.
What is Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $170,537, across 39 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc that year got $114K on average.
Where does Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc give grants?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's top state is Florida, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (28%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (11 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Richmond, VA (2 grants) and Miami, FL (2 grants).
Does Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 39 grants with a stated purpose on Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medium/large grants program of Humanitarian Health" (17 grants), "Networking and educational program" (12 grants) and "Medical assistance for liver transplant" (6 grants).
Who are Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Pan American Development Foundation ($1,470,000), Texas Children's Hospital ($745,500) and Medical Teams International ($437,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($653,905), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc reported $4.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $250K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to “improve the health of vulnerable individuals affected by disaster, conflict and poverty, with special attention to children and mothers in and from Venezuela.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc?
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 Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's EIN?
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5787382. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Simon Bolivar Foundation 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 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
Live grants for the work Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/simon-bolivar-foundation-inc-morg_3cd193e78cce4258b8bc5e5fd549345e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205787382_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/simon-bolivar-foundation-inc-morg_3cd193e78cce4258b8bc5e5fd549345e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Simon Bolivar Foundation 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.
Simon Bolivar Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?