The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation
The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1956 and tax-exempt since March 1958. Located in Richmond, Texas, the foundation operates as an independent organization with a mission to support productive and satisfying lives, enhance spirituality and well-being, and preserve nature. The foundation maintains two significant operational facilities: the Well Spring Center, a Christian retreat facility in Blanco, Texas, and Long Acres Ranch, a nature center and outdoor educational facility near Richmond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$293.7M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.0M
-0.5% YoY
Grant Count
119
+8.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$117K
-8.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated mission is to support and encourage people to lead more productive and satisfying lives, to experience and enhance their spirituality and well-being, and to preserve and celebrate nature.
Primary funding areas include:
- Spirituality and Well-Being: Support for spiritual development and mental health initiatives
- Mental Health: Grants for mental health quality, access, and research in Texas
- Education: Support for educational institutions and programs
- Nature Preservation: Creation and operation of nature centers and outdoor educational facilities
- Local Community Support: Grants to organizations in the greater Richmond, Texas area
- Healthcare: Support for healthcare access and quality in the region
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a demonstrated commitment to regional philanthropy. Recent grants include:
Grant Range
of $40,000 and an average grant size of $99,000. Total annual giving has reached $11.4 million in recent years.
Average Grant
of $99,000. Total annual giving has reached $11.4 million in recent years.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses on Texas, with particular emphasis on:
- Greater Richmond, Texas area
- Fort Bend County
- Blanco, Texas (Well Spring Center location)
- Statewide mental health and healthcare initiatives
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $293,692,185
- Total Revenue: $44,288,793
- Total Expenses: $23,193,068
- Net Income: $21,095,725
- Total Liabilities: $0
Staff: 18 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $293,692,185 | $272,596,460 | $262,741,551 |
| Revenue | $44,288,793 | $32,777,923 | $44,748,196 |
| Expenses | $23,193,068 | $22,923,014 | $20,321,661 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,915,331 | $19,238,538 | $15,737,833 |
| Net Investment Income | $40,851,857 | $29,005,070 | $40,373,249 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,224,104 | $17,390,527 | $16,021,142 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Richmond ($1,100,000), Fort Bend Family Health Center (dba Accesshealth) ($750,000), Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-houston ($440,330).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVE FORT BEND COUNTY SUGAR LAND, TX | SUMMER READING PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUNG READERS IN FORT BEND CTY, INCLUDING LAMAR CISD & NEEDVILLE ISD | $41,250 |
| ARMS WIDE ADOPTION SERVICES HOUSTON, TX | TO SUPPORT FORT BEND POST ADOPTION PROGRAM, INCLUDING RICHMOND AND ROSENBERG | $30,000 |
| ATTACK POVERTY RICHMOND, TX | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS | $128,000 |
| ATTACK POVERTY RICHMOND, TX | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS | $120,000 |
| ATTACK POVERTY RICHMOND, TX | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS | $95,000 |
| AVDA (AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE) HOUSTON, TX | TO SUPPORT THE LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAM IN FORT BEND COUNTY | $45,000 |
| BLANCO COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AUXILIARY BLANCO, TX | TO PURCHASE A UTILITY TASK VEHICLE | $28,000 |
| BLESSED BE HOPE FOR THREE INC SUGAR LAND, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS & RICHMOND-AREA FAMILIES SERVED BY FAMILY ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES SUPPORT PROGRAM | $80,000 |
| BLOOM FITNESS CORPORATION HOUSTON, TX | FIT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - RICHMOND /ROSENBERG | $15,000 |
| BO'S PLACE HOUSTON, TX | FOR GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Joe D Robinson - Chairman of Board
- Charles Pat McDonald - President
- Jack H Moore - Secretary/Legal
The foundation maintains a staff of 18 employees as of 2024.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J ROBINSON | CHAIRMAN OF BOARD | 3 | $24,000 |
| C MCDONALD | PRESIDENT | 40 | $482,604 |
| J MOORE | SECRETARY / LEGAL | 5 | $45,520 |
| B JONES | CFO | 40 | $333,565 |
| L WARD | DIRECTOR | 3 | $23,000 |
| B BLEIL | DIRECTOR | 2 | $23,000 |
| S DELEERY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $23,000 |
| W ROBERTSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | $23,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been recognized for its long-term partnership with The Institute for Spirituality and Health, celebrating collaborative work in spirituality and health initiatives. The foundation was honored at the Institute's 70th Anniversary Celebration in 2025.
Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation Grant to establish Loise Henderson WessendorffThe Well Spring Center served 5,175 attendees from 73 events in 2024, while Long Acres Ranch hosted 28,100 attendees across multiple events throughout the same year, demonstrating significant community engagement through the foundation's operational facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated mission is to support and encourage people to lead more productive and satisfying lives, to experience and enhance their spirituality and well-being, and to preserve and celebrate nature. Primary funding areas include: • **Spirituality and Well-Being**: Support for spiritual development and mental health initiatives • **Mental Health**: Grants for mental health quality, access, and research in Texas • **Education**: Support for educational institutions and programs • **N…
How do I apply for a grant from The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a demonstrated commitment to regional philanthropy. Recent grants include: • **The TSTC Foundation**: $1,255,397 to construct an education building for TSTC Fort Bend (2024) • **Oakbend Medical Center**: $1,000,000 to provide quality healthcare to Fort Bend County indigent populations and purchase equipment (2024) The foundation has made approximately 115 grants with a median grant size of $40,000 and an average grant size of $99,000. Total annual giv…
Where does The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses on Texas, with particular emphasis on: • Greater Richmond, Texas area • Fort Bend County • Blanco, Texas (Well Spring Center location) • Statewide mental health and healthcare initiatives
What size grants does The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation award?
In 2024, The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation awarded 119 grants totaling $14.0M — an average of about $117K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation's EIN?
The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6047149. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Henderson-wessendorff Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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