The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts is a public charity based in Houston, Texas, formed in 1979. It is a public charitable trust that supports performing arts institutions in Texas, primarily in the Greater Metropolitan Houston area.
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts at a glance
In short: The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts gave $3.9M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $91K), mostly in Texas. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,907,000
- +0.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $90,860
- -4.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $132,390,547
- +27.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (2 of 41, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
- Contact
Mailing address: 515 Post Oak Blvd 1000, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 333-2239
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Alley Theatre ($1.7M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 136 grants of 188 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s stated focus is performing arts institutions in Texas, primarily in the Greater Metropolitan Houston area. All grant dollars in 2024 went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 41 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $98K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $2.9M (2021) to $3.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | Toward general operating support and future campaign. | $1,715,000 |
| Houston Ballet Foundation Houston, TX | Support for the 2024-2025 season and The Little Mermaid | $400,000 |
| Houston Grand Opera Association Houston, TX | To support the production of The Sound of Music and HGO-HPB Collaboration on Public Performances | $300,000 |
| Houston Symphony Society Houston, TX | Toward general operating support and to support Music Directors | $300,000 |
| Stages Houston, TX | To support the 2024-2025 season and underwrite The Ripple, the Wave that carried me home | $100,000 |
| University of Houston Houston, TX | Support: "A Midsummer Nights Dream", Opera Discovery Project, New Operas, Live Composers | $80,000 |
| Da Camera Society of Texas Houston, TX | Support for the 2024-2025 season | $75,000 |
| Da Camera Society of Texas Houston, TX | Supporting the Rising Jazz concert series; DaCamera at the Eldorado | $50,000 |
| Main Street Theater Houston Houston, TX | Support for the 2024-2025 season | $50,000 |
| Mercury Chamber Orchestra Houston, TX | Support for the 2024-2025 season | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $132,390,547 | $32,863,579 | $4,753,507 | $3,907,000 | 43 | $32,863,579 |
| 2023 | $104,280,475 | $9,784,297 | $4,867,637 | $3,884,500 | 41 | $9,784,297 |
| 2022 | $99,363,815 | $18,721,495 | $4,092,087 | $3,245,500 | 39 | $18,721,495 |
| 2021 | $84,734,407 | $8,559,059 | $3,914,874 | $2,915,000 | 35 | $8,559,059 |
| 2020 | $80,090,222 | $9,332,537 | $4,346,435 | $3,497,000 | 30 | $9,332,447 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s stated mission is to benefit performing arts institutions within Texas, primarily those in the Greater Metropolitan Houston area.
Its 2024 grants supported organizations including theatres, ballet and opera companies, orchestras, and music organizations. Grantee missions illustrate this range: Alley Theatre says it seeks to inspire and enchant audiences through theatrical experiences, while Houston Ballet Foundation describes its work as presenting dance performances and providing dance education. Houston Symphony Society says its mission is to engage audiences through orchestral performances, education, and community activities. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Trust’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Trust reported 43 grants totaling $3,907,000. Grants ranged from $7,000 to $1,715,000, with a median grant of $25,000.
The largest 2024 grants included $1,715,000 to Alley Theatre for general operating support and a future campaign; $400,000 to Houston Ballet Foundation for its 2024–2025 season and *The Little Mermaid*; and $300,000 each to Houston Grand Opera Association and Houston Symphony Society. The Houston Grand Opera grant supported *The Sound of Music* and public performances with Houston Ballet; the Symphony grant supported general operations and music directors. Other grants included $100,000 to Stages and $80,000 to the University of Houston.
The filing says grantees must complete a questionnaire relating to the requested grant and enter into an agreement that includes representations, a commitment to provide information such as a report on use of funds, and compliance with other Trust requirements. A grant is not funded until the grantee has satisfied all requirements imposed by the Trust.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cornelia Zilkha as Chair, Carroll R Ray as Vice Chair, Louisa Sarofim as Secretary, and Daniel Zilkha as Treasurer. It also lists Chris Joseph, Kathryn Ketelson, Cornelia C Long, Isabel Lummis, and Rose Hochner Nelson as trustees.
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts is led by Cornelia Zilkha, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cornelia Zilkha
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cornelia C Long
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Hochner Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isabel Lummis
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Joseph
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Ketelson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carroll R Ray
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louisa Sarofim
Secretary
Secretary From Oct → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Zilkha
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Micajah Stude (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Tony Arnold (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Patricia P Hubbard (2020) — Secretary to June
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 Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
How much does The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts give each year?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts gave $3.9M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.9M across 41 grants.
What is The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's typical grant size?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $90,860, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts that year got $45K on average.
Where does The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts give grants?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (42 grants).
Does The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Support for the 2024-2025 season" (26 grants).
Who are The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's largest grantees?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's largest 2024 grantees include Alley Theatre ($1,715,000), Houston Ballet Foundation ($400,000) and Houston Grand Opera Association ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts reported $132.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $32.9M.
What does The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts fund?
The Trust’s stated mission is to benefit performing arts institutions within Texas, primarily those in the Greater Metropolitan Houston area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cullenfdn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's EIN?
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2060976. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cullen-trust-for-the-performing-arts-morg_6f63a18d04e047bc8b65ca306225b463
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742060976_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cullen-trust-for-the-performing-arts-morg_6f63a18d04e047bc8b65ca306225b463},
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 The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts'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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