The Cullen Foundation
The Cullen Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, that supports work to improve quality of life in Houston and the Greater Houston area. Its giving includes cultural arts, education, health care, and public service.
The Cullen Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cullen Foundation gave $17.9M across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $543K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,910,000
- +4.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $542,727
- +10.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $271,509,542
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Cullen Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its Letter of Intent process, while preferring to make grants by invitation. Applications are online, and the foundation asks applicants and their representatives not to contact board members about pending or anticipated requests.
- Review Cycle
- There are no general deadlines stated. The board meets on a rolling basis, and deadlines for invited full applications are communicated to invitees.
- Deadline
- There are no general deadlines stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Grant Administrator Cullen Foundati
Mailing address: 2727 Allen Parkway Suite 1050, Houston, TX 77019-2115
Phone: (713) 651-8837
Email: grants@cullenfdn.org
Website: https://cullenfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cullen Foundation
Who The Cullen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $13.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 50 grants of 151 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it focuses on initiatives that impact Greater Houston. Its 2024 filing states that awards are restricted to Texas-based charitable organizations for programs in Texas, primarily in the Houston area. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Cullen Foundation gives
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% 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 (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 $14.1M (2020) to $19.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $17.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Baylor College of Medicines Health Sciences Tower | $3,000,000 |
| University of Houston System Houston, TX | Centennial Project: Transforming Houston's Campus - Centennial Plaza Naming | $2,500,000 |
| Armand Bayou Nature Center Houston, TX | Upper Armand Bayou Protection Project | $1,500,000 |
| DePelchin Children's Center Houston, TX | Toward Transitioning Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Region 6 to Community Based Care | $1,000,000 |
| Good Reason Houston Inc Houston, TX | HISD Supports for External Engagement | $1,000,000 |
| Harris Health Strategic Fund Bellaire, TX | Investing in a Healthier Houston - A Campaign for Harris Health | $1,000,000 |
| Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc Houston, TX | Robins Landing Housing Development: Phase 1B | $1,000,000 |
| BridgeYear Houston, TX | BridgeYear 3-Year Growth and Innovation Fund | $750,000 |
| EMERGE Fellowship Houston, TX | Transition EMERGE HISD Program to the EMERGE Non-Profit | $750,000 |
| Beta Foundation dba Beta Academy Houston, TX | Joy Campaign Phase II | $500,000 |
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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 | $271,509,542 | $25,038,826 | $22,207,659 | $17,910,000 | 33 | $19,365,266 | $23,436,248 | $19,844,758 |
| 2023 | $268,666,951 | $9,343,682 | $20,696,530 | $17,160,000 | 35 | $18,533,720 | $7,994,888 | $19,432,784 |
| 2022 | $279,962,236 | $18,825,483 | $21,727,506 | $17,900,000 | 36 | $18,976,121 | $16,287,587 | $17,456,615 |
| 2021 | $282,864,259 | $27,571,613 | $22,713,119 | $19,010,000 | 46 | $19,987,731 | $23,316,572 | $19,917,549 |
| 2020 | $278,005,765 | $19,628,625 | $18,127,577 | $14,145,000 | 1 | — | $16,346,015 | $17,412,870 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cullen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of all people in Houston through sustained investments in high-performing education, health care, public service, and arts organizations. Its guiding principles include increasing access to opportunities for underserved people, supporting innovative approaches, and acting as a collaborative community partner.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Baylor College of Medicine describes its mission as advancing human health through patient care, research, education, and community services. Armand Bayou Nature Center says it works to preserve habitats and help people experience and understand local ecosystems. Good Reason Houston says it works to grow and sustain great schools while advocating for families and communities. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $17,910,000. Grant amounts ranged from $40,000 to $3,000,000, with a median of $250,000. The largest awards included $3,000,000 to Baylor College of Medicine for its Health Sciences Tower; $2,500,000 to the University of Houston System for Centennial Plaza naming; and $1,500,000 to Armand Bayou Nature Center for the Upper Armand Bayou Protection Project. Other notable grants were $1,000,000 each to DePelchin Children’s Center, Good Reason Houston, Harris Health Strategic Fund, and Houston Habitat for Humanity.
The foundation accepts online applications throughout the year. It prefers to grant by invitation, but organizations without an invitation may submit a Letter of Intent describing their organization and initiative. A Letter of Intent is not an application; the foundation may contact an organization for more information if its work aligns with the foundation’s priorities. Invited applicants receive a link to a full application, and an invitation does not guarantee funding. Applicants must be eligible 501(c)(3) organizations described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3); the foundation does not fund businesses or individuals and does not make loans. It prefers not to consider general operating support, fundraising events, organizations that regrant funds, and applications from an organization more than once in a 12-month period, among other stated exclusions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wilhelmina E. Robertson as chair and director; Carla Knobloch as vice chair and director; Meredith T. Cullen as secretary and director; and Isaac Arnold III, Marvin E. Odum, and Nina Zilkha as directors. It lists Scott W. Wise as president, CEO, and CIO; Laura Chapman as COO and vice president of investments; and Peggy Reid as CAO and controller.
The Cullen Foundation is led by Scott W Wise, President, CEO & CIO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott W Wise
President, CEO & CIO
President & Treasurer → President, CEO & CIO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$446K (2020) → $618K (2024)
Wilhelmina E Robertson
Chairman & Director
Vc, Secretary, A.t. & Director → Chair & Director, 2021
Chair & Director → Chairman & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carla Knobloch
Vice Chairman & Director
Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2021
Vice Chair & Director → Vice Chairman & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meredith T Cullen
Secretary & Director
A. Secretary, A.t. & Director → Secretary & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Isaac Arnold III
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marvin E Odum
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nina Zilkha
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Chapman
COO & Vice President Investments
Vice President → COO & Vice President Investments, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$236K (2020) → $381K (2024)
Peggy Reid
CAO & Controller
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$217K (2022) → $265K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Bert L Campbell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Isaac Arnold Jr. (2020) — Chairman & Director
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 $618K, to Scott W Wise (President/CEO/CIO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Cullen Foundation
How much does The Cullen Foundation give each year?
The Cullen Foundation gave $17.9M across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17.2M across 35 grants.
What is The Cullen Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cullen Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $250,000, and its average grant was $542,727, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Cullen Foundation give grants?
The Cullen Foundation 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 (32 grants).
Does The Cullen Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on The Cullen Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Giving Grant" (15 grants).
Who are The Cullen Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cullen Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($3,000,000), University of Houston System ($2,500,000) and Armand Bayou Nature Center ($1,500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cullen Foundation?
The Cullen Foundation reported $271.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $19.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.8M (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 The Cullen Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of all people in Houston through sustained investments in high-performing education, health care, public service, and arts organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cullen Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its Letter of Intent process, while preferring to make grants by invitation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cullen Foundation's EIN?
The Cullen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0647361. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Cullen Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cullen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cullen Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cullen-foundation-morg_8ee803d2ac164ce897477010f84f7ef2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760647361_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cullen Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cullen-foundation-morg_8ee803d2ac164ce897477010f84f7ef2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 The Cullen Foundation'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.
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