The Credence Foundation
The Credence Foundation is a private foundation based in Bellaire, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants to individuals and charitable organizations, including support for housing and auto expenses, disaster relief, and services for vulnerable people.
Key facts about The Credence Foundation
In short: The Credence Foundation gave $271K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 27-2931971
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $271,392
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- Average grant
- $11,800
- Median grant
- $1,780
- Total assets
- $936,470
- Primary geography
- Texas (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. 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
$936K
-11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$271K
+304.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
-11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+357.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Credence Foundation reported a distributable amount of $61K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Credence Foundation gives
- Giving grew 455% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 448% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include assistance with housing, vehicle expenses, and disaster relief. Among the charitable organizations it supported, Moving Waters describes its mission as restoring dignity and fostering positive change among homeless individuals through hygiene services. Dalit Solidarity says it provides healthcare and educational development for poor families who cannot afford them. Catherine’s House describes its work as providing transitional housing and programs for women and children experiencing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $271,392. Grant amounts ranged from $58 to $181,320, with a median grant of $1,780.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 4% to Virginia, and 1% to Oklahoma. The filing also lists recipients in North Carolina and California, each accounting for 0% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2020) to $271K (2024). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $271K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Catholic Charities USA ($10K). Together the top 9 received $22K.
Organizations only. It also paid 14 grants to individuals ($249,392), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 142 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 14 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $249,392 |
| Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, VA | Provide disaster relief funds for victims of hurricanes helene and milton | $10,000 |
| Congregation of the Sisters Charity of the Incarnate Word Houston, TX | Provide funds to serve the most vulnerable in the sick, the elderly, and children with food, housing, and healthcare | $5,000 |
| Catherine's House Inc Belmont, NC | Provide funds for transitional housing for homeless women and children | $1,000 |
| Moving Waters Inc Cypress, TX | Provide funds to improve the quality of life for homeless people by providing showers, via a mobile shower service, hygiene products, & essential clothing | $1,000 |
| Angelmira's Center for Women with Advanced Cancer Bellaire, TX | Provide funds to care for women diagnosed with advanced metastatic cancer to improve their quality of life | $1,000 |
| Center of Family Love Okarche, OK | Provide funds to house and care for developmentally challenged adults | $1,000 |
| Dalit Solidarity San Diego, CA | Provide funds to construct water facilities for impoverished disadvantaged families | $1,000 |
| Gospel of Life Association Moore, OK | Provide funds to house and care for poor elderly and terminally ill adults | $1,000 |
| Houston Food Bank Houston, TX | Provide funds for food for children, families, and senions in southeast Texas who face hunger | $1,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $936,470 | $164,790 | $279,254 | $271,392 | 23 |
| 2023 | $1,054,483 | $123,707 | $74,174 | $67,021 | 26 |
| 2022 | $1,010,817 | $220,770 | $97,823 | $90,755 | 32 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $936,470 | $1,054,483 | $1,010,817 |
| Revenue | $164,790 | $123,707 | $220,770 |
| Expenses | $279,254 | $74,174 | $97,823 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $271,392 | $67,021 | $90,755 |
| Net Investment Income | $156,469 | $116,621 | $114,405 |
| Distributable Amount | $60,623 | $55,273 | $56,162 |
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 Cynthia L. Ruder as president and Terrence L. Ruder as secretary/treasurer.
The Credence Foundation is led by Cynthia L. Ruder, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cynthia L. Ruder
President
On filings since 2020
2.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terrence L. Ruder
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 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.
Contact
Mailing address: 5323 Pocahontas Street, Bellaire, TX 77401-4822
Phone: (405) 823-7249
Frequently asked questions about The Credence Foundation
How much does The Credence Foundation give each year?
The Credence Foundation gave $271K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $67K across 26 grants.
What is The Credence Foundation's typical grant size?
The Credence Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,780, and its average grant was $11,800, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Credence Foundation give grants?
The Credence Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (2 grants).
Does The Credence Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on The Credence Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Payment for Housing" (8 grants).
Who are The Credence Foundation's largest grantees?
The Credence Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Catholic Charities USA ($10,000), Congregation of the Sisters Charity of the Incarnate Word ($5,000) and Catherine's House Inc ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 14 grants to individuals ($249,392), which are not listed by name. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Credence Foundation?
The Credence Foundation reported $936K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $271K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $61K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Credence Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include assistance with housing, vehicle expenses, and disaster relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Credence Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Credence Foundation's EIN?
The Credence Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2931971. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Credence Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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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