The Cavnar Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Houston, TX EIN: 14-1860686

The Cavnar Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.

Key facts about The Cavnar Foundation

EIN: 14-1860686
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $15,460
Grants made (2024): 6
Average grant: $2,577
Median grant: $1,880
Total assets: $212,461
Primary geography: Texas (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who The Cavnar Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Cavnar Foundation's 6 itemized 2024 grants were Texas (81%), Illinois (13%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (4 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with The Cavnar Foundation

How to evaluate The Cavnar Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
Draft an LOI to The Cavnar Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$212K

+13.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$15K

+112.4% YoY

Grant Count

+200.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

-29.2% YoY

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.

About The Cavnar Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Cavnar Foundation?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Texas $12K (81%)

Illinois $2K (13%)

California $1K (6%)

Share of all 6 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Illinois New York Texas

Cities

HoustonChicagoNew YorkOaklandWilson

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$212,461	$187,405	$193,315
Revenue	$48,717	$13,623	$23,677
Expenses	$23,661	$19,533	$20,629
Qualifying Distributions	$15,460	$7,280	$12,500
Net Investment Income	$42,116	$5,499	$17,191
Distributable Amount	$16,141	$14,075	$13,957

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 1, 2026 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 6 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

19 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Space Center Houston ($5,000), Museum of Fine Arts Houston ($4,700), Association for Growth ($2,000).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Robert L Cavnar	Pres, Treas, Director	1	—
Grace Cavnar	VP, Sec, Director	1	—
Justin T Hamilton	Director	0.05	—
Robert L Cavnar Jr	Director	0.05	—
Gina L Cavnar	Director	0.05	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Cavnar Foundation?

The Cavnar Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Houston, TX. It holds $212K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Cavnar Foundation?

As of 2024, The Cavnar Foundation holds $212K in total assets with $49K in annual revenue. It awarded 6 grants totaling $15K in 2024.

Where does The Cavnar Foundation operate?

The Cavnar Foundation has awarded grants in California, Illinois, New York, Texas.

What size grants does The Cavnar Foundation award?

In 2024, The Cavnar Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $15K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Cavnar Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Cavnar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.