The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation
The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation is a Texas-based philanthropic organization established in 1978 and headquartered in The Woodlands, with an additional office in Austin. The foundation is a mission-driven grantmaking organization that seeks innovative, sustainable solutions for human and environmental problems, functioning as an engine of change in both policy and practice.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$420.0M
+8.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.1M
-7.4% YoY
Grant Count
398
+0.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-7.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation works at the nexus of environmental protection, social equity, and economic vibrancy. Issues related to sustainability represent the foundation's core focus, identified as both a process and a goal to ensure long-term human and ecosystem well-being.
The foundation currently supports several sustainability-related grantmaking programs focused primarily in Texas:
- Clean Energy
- Galveston
- Land Conservation
- Mitchell Innovation Lab
- Sustainability Education
- Subsurface Energy
- Water
The foundation also operates Cook's Branch Conservancy, an almost 7,000-acre ecological preserve in the East Texas Piney Woods, and makes grants to Galveston—the hometown of the late George P. Mitchell—and other issues and organizations reflecting the legacy, values, and vision of Cynthia and George Mitchell.
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$115
Average Grant
$115
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a broad funding reach across the United States, with involvement in funding initiatives across multiple cities and states including New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. Primary grantmaking programs are focused in the state of Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $420 million
- Revenue: $50,009,442
- Expenses: $18,667,468
- Total Liabilities: $0
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $388.6 million
- Annual Expenses: $18.4 million
- Revenue: $28.4 million
Historical Context: Since its incorporation in 1978, the foundation and its founders have distributed or pledged an estimated $800 million in grants to various causes, programs, and institutions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $419,986,359 | $388,623,760 | $378,544,831 |
| Revenue | $50,009,442 | $28,428,897 | $18,959,177 |
| Expenses | $18,667,468 | $18,359,968 | $19,681,521 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,237,765 | $18,296,959 | $18,988,311 |
| Net Investment Income | $49,699,340 | $19,999,951 | $6,873,151 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,082,335 | $17,263,199 | $17,591,120 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Katherine Lorenz serves as President of the foundation. The organization is led by a diverse board of members who oversee its operations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Lorenz | President | 40 | $264,992 |
| C Grant Mitchell | Chair | 2 | — |
| M Kent Mitchell | Vice Chair | 1 | $16,000 |
| Nichelle Bielinski | Secretary | 40 | $106,528 |
| Spiros Vassilakis | Treasurer | 3 | — |
| Graham Mitchell | Board member | 1 | $9,000 |
| Christine Mitchell | Board member | 1 | $4,000 |
| Sarah Mitchell | Board member | 0.5 | $4,000 |
| Cody Mitchell | Board member | 1 | $3,000 |
| Sheridan Lorenz | Board member | 1 | — |
| Mark D Mitchell | Board member | 1 | $6,000 |
| Katina Mitchell | Board member | 1 | $9,000 |
| J Kirk Mitchell | Board member | 1 | — |
| Adrienne Dreiss Ropp | Board member | 2 | $60,424 |
| Meredith Heimburger | Board member | 1 | — |
| Skye Tellen | Board member | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
University of Houston received a $1.1 million gift from the foundation for Usher Syndrome research
UH receives $1.1M gift from Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation for UsherThe National Science Foundation awarded $1 million to the Permian Energy Development Lab, with which the foundation is involved
UH receives $1.1M gift from Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation for UsherUniversity of Texas Permian Basin serves as co-principal investigator in NSF grant work supported by the foundation
University of Texas Permian Basin co-principal investigator in NSF grantData last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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