The Cavnar Foundation
The Cavnar Foundation is a private foundation, based in Houston, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $212K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $15K. Net investment income was $42K.
The Cavnar Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cavnar Foundation gave $15K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,460
- +112.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,577
- -29.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,880
- Total assets
- $212,461
- +13.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Cavnar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Space Center Houston ($5K). Together the top 6 received $15K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Cavnar Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2023) to $15K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Space Center Houston Houston, TX | General Support | $5,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston Houston, TX | General Support | $4,700 |
| Association for Growth Chicago, IL | General Support | $2,000 |
| Hermann Park Conservancy Houston, TX | General Support | $1,760 |
| Everyday Zen Foundations Oakland, CA | General Support | $1,000 |
| Houston Zen Center Houston, TX | General Support | $1,000 |
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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 | $212,461 | $48,717 | $23,661 | $15,460 | 6 | $15,460 | $42,116 | $16,141 |
| 2023 | $187,405 | $13,623 | $19,533 | $7,280 | 2 | $7,280 | $5,499 | $14,075 |
| 2022 | $193,315 | $23,677 | $20,629 | $12,500 | 4 | $12,500 | $17,191 | $13,957 |
| 2021 | $190,265 | $39,160 | $22,135 | $14,000 | 4 | $14,000 | $32,775 | $15,349 |
| 2020 | $173,240 | $22,810 | $17,549 | $14,000 | 3 | — | $19,261 | $12,242 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cavnar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Cavnar Foundation is led by Robert L. Cavnar, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert L. Cavnar
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina L. Cavnar
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Cavnar
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin T. Hamilton
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Cavnar Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 The Cavnar Foundation
How much does The Cavnar Foundation give each year?
The Cavnar Foundation gave $15K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7K across 2 grants.
What is The Cavnar Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cavnar Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,880, and its average grant was $2,577, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Cavnar Foundation give grants?
The Cavnar Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (13%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (4 grants).
Does The Cavnar Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Cavnar Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Cavnar Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cavnar Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Space Center Houston ($5,000), Museum of Fine Arts Houston ($4,700) and Association for Growth ($2,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cavnar Foundation?
The Cavnar Foundation reported $212K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16K (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 is The Cavnar Foundation's EIN?
The Cavnar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-1860686. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 The Cavnar Foundation funds
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