The Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank is a public charity based in Houston, Texas. It distributes food through community partners and supports programs addressing hunger and related needs across 18 counties in Southeast Texas.
The Houston Food Bank at a glance
In short: The Houston Food Bank gave $210.7M across 1,128 grants in 2025 (avg $187K), mostly in Texas. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $210,724,189
- -25.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,128
- +30.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $186,812
- -42.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $33,403
- Total assets
- $164,441,136
- +4.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (472 of 1,113, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Houston Food Bank
- How to Apply
-
The Summer Meal Program listing directs potential sites to the Houston Food Bank’s website for more information. The listed eligibility criteria include nonprofit status, recurring daily participation by at least 15 children, and compliance with program operating requirements.
- Review Cycle
- The Summer Meal Program listing gives April 30 for service in June and May 31 for service in July, and states that applications close July 19.
- Deadline
- The Summer Meal Program listing gives April 30 for service in June and May 31 for service in July, and states that…
- Contact
Mailing address: 535 Portwall Street, Houston, TX 77029
Phone: (713) 223-3700
Website: https://houstonfoodbank.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Houston Food Bank
Houston Food Bank: Kids Cafe Grant Program
The Houston Food Bank
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Houston Food Bank: School Market Program Grant
The Houston Food Bank
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Houston Food Bank: Summer Meal Program Grant
The Houston Food Bank
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Houston Food Bank funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Montgomery County Food Bank (Sb) ($12.7M). Together the top 10 received $49.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 16 grants to individuals ($1,136,478), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
4,613 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,182 grants of 4,613 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Houston Food Bank reports serving 18 counties in Southeast Texas. Its 2025 grant dollars were reported as going to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 1,128 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Houston Food Bank open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 472 of 1,113 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $143K; repeat grants $224K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $73K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $137.2M (2019) to $383.7M (2021). In 2025 it made 1,128 grants totaling $210.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Food Bank (Sb) Conroe, TX | Food Distribution Program | $12,745,760 |
| Galveston County Food Bank (Sb) Texas City, TX | Food Distribution Program | $10,288,993 |
| Bethel'S Heavenly Hands Pantry (Ps) Houston, TX | Food Distribution Program | $5,022,278 |
| Brazos Valley Food Bank (Fb) Bryan, TX | Food Distribution Program | $4,223,524 |
| Second Mile Mission Center (Ps) Houston, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,936,108 |
| Impact Houston Resource Center - Impact Houston Church Of Christ (Ps) Houston, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,875,109 |
| Rccg - The King'S Palace (Ps) Katy, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,862,829 |
| Hearts And Hands Of Baytown (Sb) Baytown, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,745,441 |
| Joseph House Community Outreach Center (Ps) Houston, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,739,951 |
| Annam Community Development Corporation At Vietnamese American Center (Ps) Houston, TX | Food Distribution Program | $2,633,238 |
Ready to take the next step with The Houston Food Bank?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $164,441,136 | $435,363,433 | $429,808,230 | $210,724,189 | 1,128 | $726,041 |
| 2024 | $156,837,283 | $366,329,444 | $358,419,910 | $282,576,225 | 866 | $2,645,252 |
| 2023 | $154,916,055 | $298,504,285 | $314,899,919 | $238,617,841 | 847 | $-308,130 |
| 2022 | $160,263,387 | $376,356,914 | $364,898,828 | $341,185,374 | 955 | $3,053,807 |
| 2021 | $174,736,730 | $452,622,380 | $427,475,898 | $383,687,042 | 817 | $58,700 |
| 2020 | $138,990,726 | $321,020,841 | $293,506,374 | $246,040,038 | 890 | $-214,307 |
| 2019 | $96,909,840 | $208,517,475 | $216,457,290 | $137,214,524 | 691 | $-206,161 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Houston Food Bank’s mission is “food for better lives,” and its vision is “a world that doesn’t need food banks.” Its core function is food distribution, including fresh produce and other selected foods to hunger-relief agencies and community service organizations. The organization also describes child hunger initiatives, community assistance, nutrition education, senior food distribution, and programs that connect food support with education, workforce, and health services.
Its 2025 filing lists grants for food distribution. Recipients included food banks, food pantries, and other community organizations. The organization describes its community partners as entities such as food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and multi-service centers that provide direct services to people in need.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Houston Food Bank reported 1,128 grants totaling $210,724,189. Grant amounts ranged from $161 to $12,745,760, with a median of $33,402. The largest listed awards were $12,745,760 to Montgomery County Food Bank and $10,288,993 to Galveston County Food Bank, both for food distribution programs. Other listed awards included $5,022,278 to Bethel’s Heavenly Hands Pantry and $4,223,524 to Brazos Valley Food Bank, also for food distribution programs.
The organization’s program listings describe active School Market, Kids Cafe, and Summer Meal opportunities offering in-kind support in unspecified amounts. The School Market program serves students and families at middle and high schools. Kids Cafe provides meals through childcare, after-school, and summer meal sites. For Summer Meal sites, the listing specifies that applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving at least 15 children on a recurring daily basis; meals must be eaten at the program location, and sites must meet other operating criteria.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian Greene as President/CEO; Michael Harris as Board Chair; Lisa Helfman as Vice Chair; and Steve Retzloff as Board Treasurer. It also lists Cathy Easter, Charles Davidson, Farah Ahmed, James Bell, Jesse Avelar, and Jim Chapman as board members.
The Houston Food Bank is led by Brian Greene, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 11 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Greene
President & CEO
President & CEO → President, 2020
President → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$394K (2019) → $352K (2025)
Michael Harris
Board Chair
Board Member → Board of Directors Vice Chair, 2024
Board of Directors Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula McKenzie
Director of Donor Engagement
Capital Campaign Director → Director of Major Gifts, 2024
Director of Major Gifts → Director of Donor Engagement, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$107K (2019) → $129K (2025)
Laura Garcia
Director of Hr Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2025)
Melanie J McGuire
Senior Director of Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2025)
Pearl K Cajoles
Director of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Samantha F Andrews
Director of Logistics
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Amy Ragan
Executive Gift Officer
Chief Development Officer → Executive Gift Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$177K (2019) → $210K (2025)
Nicole Lander
Chief Impact Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$120K (2019) → $224K (2025)
Kendace Culbreth
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Human Resource Officer → Chief Human Resources Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $206K (2025)
Chinelo Aralu
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$66K (2025)
Banh Hai Duong
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2025)
Charles Davidson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Helfman
Vice Chair
Director → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miguel Calatayud
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Vaught
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Retzloff
Board Treasurer
Director → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maredith Duncan
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Bell
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Troy Harding
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Easter
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Farah Ahmed
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Avelar
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Chapman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael DeLorenzo
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Lopez Turley
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (42)
- Former: Ben Samuels (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Casey Ferrell (2019–2024) — Senior Director of Data & Tech
- Former: Greg Grissom (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Dodson (2019–2024) — Board of Directors Chair
- Former: Laura Juliano (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Marcela Donadio (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Eve McFadden (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Bernardo Martins (2023–2024) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Eimear Bonner (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Katherine Howard Byers (2024) — Government Relations Officer
- Former: Kenia M. Way (2024) — Data Director
- Former: Terence Franklin (2024) — Director of Staff Engagement
- Former: Darryl Montgomery (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mathew Toomes (2019–2023) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Mayra Vazquez (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kathy Fountain (2020–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Daryl Gardner (2021–2023) — Senior Director of Operations
- Former: James Day (2021–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Jose Campuzano (2022–2023) — Senior Director of Logistic
- Former: Serene Coleman (2022–2023) — Director of Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Barbara Green (2019–2022) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Jim Guilfoyle (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Phil Hawk (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Santos Hinojosa (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jon Young (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Larry Wyche (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: T. Ryder Booth (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Eby Smual (2021) — Network Engineer
- Former: Reginal Young (2021) — Director
- Former: Manu Asthana (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Alan Craft (2019) — Director
- Former: Betsy Ballard (2019) — Chief Communication Officer
- Former: Curtis Huff (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Klaudia Brace (2019) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Louise Duble (2019) — Director
- Former: Mayerland Harris (2019) — Director
- Former: Michael Cordua (2019) — Chairman
- Former: Oleg Sladoljev-Jolic (2019) — Chief Services Officer
- Former: Rachel Rose (2019) — Director
- Former: Robert Sawchuk (2019) — Director
- Former: Scott Fortin (2019) — Director of Logistics
- Former: Stan Edde (2019) — Chief Operating Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $352K, to Brian Greene (President/CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Houston Food Bank
How much does The Houston Food Bank give each year?
The Houston Food Bank gave $210.7M across 1,128 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $282.6M across 866 grants.
What is The Houston Food Bank's typical grant size?
The Houston Food Bank's median grant in 2025 was $33,403, and its average grant was $186,812, across 1,128 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Houston Food Bank that year got $143K on average.
Where does The Houston Food Bank give grants?
The Houston Food Bank gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (714 grants), Pasadena, TX (49 grants), Baytown, TX (48 grants) and Pearland, TX (23 grants).
Does The Houston Food Bank give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 1,128 grants with a stated purpose on The Houston Food Bank's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food Distribution Program" (1128 grants).
Who are The Houston Food Bank's largest grantees?
The Houston Food Bank's largest 2025 grantees include Montgomery County Food Bank (Sb) ($12,745,760), Galveston County Food Bank (Sb) ($10,288,993) and Bethel'S Heavenly Hands Pantry (Ps) ($5,022,278), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 16 grants to individuals ($1,136,478), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Houston Food Bank?
The Houston Food Bank reported $164.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $435.4M.
What does The Houston Food Bank fund?
The Houston Food Bank’s mission is “food for better lives,” and its vision is “a world that doesn’t need food banks.” Its core function is food distribution, including fresh produce and other selected foods to hunger-relief agencies and community service organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Houston Food Bank?
The Summer Meal Program listing directs potential sites to the Houston Food Bank’s website for more information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Houston Food Bank's EIN?
The Houston Food Bank's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2181456. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Houston Food Bank's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Texas
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
Baker Hughes Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic, cultural, education, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, including operating costs and specific projects. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged from $100 to $500,000; it supports eligible organizations serving communities near BNSF rail lines across its 28 operating states. The foundation provides an online application process, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Community Foundation of North Texas (Tax
Fort Worth, TX
The foundation supports nonprofits and community projects in areas including animal welfare, nonprofit capacity building, first responders, land conservation, neighborhood development, opportunity and access, and scholarships. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,100 to $1.5 million, with a median of $14,250; its service area covers 11 North Texas counties. It accepts applications for some competitive grant programs through its online portal, but donor-advised grants are not open to nonprofit applications.
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Austin, TX
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds education, health, jobs and livelihoods, and family economic stability, with its deepest U.S. focus in Texas and additional work across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024 it awarded 835 grants totaling about $164.6 million; grants ranged from $75 to $50 million, with a median of $19,324. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
835
Total Given
$164.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Houston Food Bank'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.
The Houston Food Bank down — hundreds of funders to go?