The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts is a Houston, Texas–based public charity formed in 1979. It operates for the benefit of performing arts institutions in Texas, primarily those in the Greater Metropolitan Houston area.
Key facts about The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
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 filing.
- EIN
- 74-2060976
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,907,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $90,860
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (2 of 41, 2024)
- Total assets
- $132,390,547
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$132.4M
+27.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+0.6% YoY
Grant Count
43
+4.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$91K
-4.1% YoY
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.
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 included theatre, ballet, opera, orchestral music, chamber music, and other performing arts support.
Grantees describe their work in their own terms: Alley Theatre says it aims to inspire and enchant through theatrical experiences; Houston Ballet Foundation emphasizes dance performances, choreography, and education; Houston Grand Opera says its mission is to enrich its diverse community through opera; and Houston Symphony Society focuses on orchestral performances, education, and community activities. Da Camera Society of Texas describes its work as musical experiences that include jazz and chamber music concerts, artist training, school programs, and free community concerts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust reported 43 grants totaling $3,907,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $1,715,000, with a median of $25,000.
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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 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 43 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $132,390,547 | $32,863,579 | $4,753,507 | $3,907,000 | 43 |
| 2023 | $104,280,475 | $9,784,297 | $4,867,637 | $3,884,500 | 41 |
| 2022 | $99,363,815 | $18,721,495 | $4,092,087 | $3,245,500 | 39 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $132,390,547 | $104,280,475 | $99,363,815 |
| Revenue | $32,863,579 | $9,784,297 | $18,721,495 |
| Expenses | $4,753,507 | $4,867,637 | $4,092,087 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $32,863,579 | $9,784,297 | $18,721,495 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 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.
Contact
Mailing address: 515 Post Oak Blvd 1000, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 333-2239
Website: https://cullenfdn.org
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 filing. 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 filing. 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 filing 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 filing. 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 filing. 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 filing. 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. Its 2024 grants included theatre, ballet, opera, orchestral music, chamber music, and other performing arts support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts?
In 2024, the trust reported 43 grants totaling $3,907,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $1,715,000, with a median of $25,000.
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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts by hand.
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