The John M O'Quinn Foundation
The John M. O’Quinn Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Established by John M. O’Quinn in 1986, it supports charitable activities, with a predominant focus on Houston and surrounding areas.
The John M O'Quinn Foundation at a glance
In short: The John M O'Quinn Foundation gave $15.0M across 78 grants in 2024 (avg $192K), mostly in Texas. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,010,000
- +28.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- +16.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $192,436
- +10.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $280,555,766
- +6.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (13 of 68, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The John M O'Quinn Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s guidelines say requests are considered from qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental units. Applicants should consult the foundation’s grant guidelines for application forms and required materials. The foundation does not make grants to individuals or foreign charities, or to support political candidates or influence legislation. It also excludes public charities classified as non-functionally integrated type III supporting organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 submission deadlines are February 6, April 30, July 30, and October 30. The corresponding trustee meetings are scheduled for March 31, June 23, September 29, and December 15, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 submission deadlines are February 6, April 30, July 30, and October 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert C Wilson Iii President
Mailing address: 19 Briar Hollow Lane Suite 100, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 871-5860
Website: https://www.oquinnfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The John M O'Quinn Foundation
Who The John M O'Quinn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Harris Health Strategic Fund ($3.0M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $10.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
369 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 191 grants of 369 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that most of its grants have been awarded in Texas, with special emphasis on Houston and surrounding areas. In 2024, 99% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Texas; the listed recipient-state shares for New York, Maryland, and North Carolina were each 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The John M O'Quinn Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 68 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $85K; repeat grants $253K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $6.1M (2020) to $15.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 78 grants totaling $15.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harris Health Strategic Fund Bellaire, TX | Support 10-Year Strategic Facilities Plan | $2,000,000 |
| Harris Health Strategic Fund Bellaire, TX | Support 10-Year Strategic Facilities Plan | $1,000,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | To Support Stanley Appel Dept. of Neurology | $1,000,000 |
| Memorial Hermann Foundation Houston, TX | To Support the Expansion of Life Flight Fleet | $1,000,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | To establish four permanent endowments in stanley appel dept. Of neurology | $1,000,000 |
| Memorial Hermann Foundation Houston, TX | To Support the Expansion of Life Flight Fleet | $1,000,000 |
| Crime Stoppers of Houston Inc Houston, TX | To Support Safe School Institute | $500,000 |
| The Houston Museum of Natural Science Houston, TX | To Create the Jmoqf Endowment for Youth Programming | $500,000 |
| The Kinkaid School Houston, TX | To endow the dir. Of center for wellbeing and success | $500,000 |
| The Texas Heart Institute Houston, TX | To Support Research to Develop a Wireless Pacemaker | $300,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $280,555,766 | $35,223,304 | $17,204,850 | $15,010,000 | 78 | $15,647,716 | $13,951,296 | $15,249,370 |
| 2023 | $262,821,610 | $32,688,300 | $13,437,355 | $11,674,000 | 67 | $12,149,415 | $6,100,895 | $13,426,269 |
| 2022 | $243,567,790 | $26,976,940 | $14,060,231 | $12,293,925 | 46 | $12,763,637 | $3,375,592 | $12,170,192 |
| 2021 | $230,630,949 | $36,118,070 | $11,711,446 | $10,044,996 | 91 | $10,478,875 | $8,204,680 | $12,341,297 |
| 2020 | $206,221,016 | $26,874,027 | $7,525,201 | $6,071,857 | 87 | — | $2,815,237 | $10,033,063 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John M O'Quinn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its grantmaking as honoring O’Quinn’s legacy, with a focus on Houston and surrounding areas. Its stated areas of support include conservation, education, healthcare, medical-related projects, and programs benefiting underprivileged youth.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Harris Health Strategic Fund says it mobilizes philanthropy to improve access to care for Harris County residents. Memorial Hermann Foundation describes its health system as dedicated to improving health and creating healthier communities. Crime Stoppers of Houston says its mission is to solve and prevent crime in the Greater Houston area. The University of Texas Foundation describes its work as advancing education across the University of Texas System.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 78 grants totaling $15,010,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $2,000,000, with a median grant of $50,000.
Among the largest reported 2024 awards were $2,000,000 to Harris Health Strategic Fund for its 10-year strategic facilities plan; two $1,000,000 awards to Memorial Hermann Foundation for expansion of the Life Flight fleet; and two $1,000,000 awards to Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation for the Stanley Appel Department of Neurology. Other reported grants included $500,000 to Crime Stoppers of Houston for its Safe School Institute and $500,000 to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to create an endowment for youth programming.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert C. Wilson III as president/treasurer and trustee; David A. Ott, M.D., and Michael J. Lowenberg as vice presidents and trustees; and Robert C. Wilson IV and W. Jeffrey Paine as trustees.
The John M O'Quinn Foundation is led by Robert C. Wilson III, President, Treasurer & Trustee since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert C. Wilson III
President, Treasurer & Trustee
President & Trustee → President & Treasurer, 2022
President & Treasurer → President, Treasurer & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$350K (2020) → $435K (2024)
David A. Ott MD
Vice President & Trustee
Vice President & Trustee → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Vice President & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Michael J. Lowenberg
Vice President & Trustee
Treasurer & Trustee → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Vice President & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Robert C. Wilson IV
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2024)
W. Jeffrey Paine
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Anette Edens (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $435K, to Robert C Wilson III (President/Treasurer, Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The John M O'Quinn Foundation
How much does The John M O'Quinn Foundation give each year?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation gave $15.0M across 78 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11.7M across 67 grants.
What is The John M O'Quinn Foundation's typical grant size?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $192,436, across 78 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The John M O'Quinn Foundation that year got $85K on average.
Where does The John M O'Quinn Foundation give grants?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (55 grants), Austin, TX (8 grants), Bellaire, TX (4 grants) and Dallas, TX (3 grants).
Does The John M O'Quinn Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The John M O'Quinn Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 78) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "To Support Operations" (11 grants).
Who are The John M O'Quinn Foundation's largest grantees?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Harris Health Strategic Fund ($3,000,000 across 2 grants), Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation ($2,000,000 across 2 grants) and Memorial Hermann Foundation ($2,000,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The John M O'Quinn Foundation?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation reported $280.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $15.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The John M O'Quinn Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its grantmaking as honoring O’Quinn’s legacy, with a focus on Houston and surrounding areas. Its stated areas of support include conservation, education, healthcare, medical-related projects, and programs benefiting underprivileged youth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John M O'Quinn Foundation?
The foundation’s guidelines say requests are considered from qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental units. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The John M O'Quinn Foundation's EIN?
The John M O'Quinn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0206844. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The John M O'Quinn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-m-o-quinn-foundation-morg_c74ebd3cc5e04107bb10de8a9fd1a436
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760206844_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The John M O'Quinn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-m-o-quinn-foundation-morg_c74ebd3cc5e04107bb10de8a9fd1a436},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 John M O'Quinn Foundation'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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