The Junior League of Houston Inc
The Junior League of Houston, Inc. is a Houston-based public charity formed in 1925. It advances women’s leadership through volunteer action, collaboration, and training, and supports community work through both volunteers and financial assistance.
The Junior League of Houston Inc at a glance
In short: The Junior League of Houston Inc gave $798K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Texas. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $797,543
- +22.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +15.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,555
- +6.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $24,963,689
- +18.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (14 of 36, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Junior League of Houston Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Community Assistance program has a two-step application process, and the published 2026–2027 deadlines have passed. Emergency/Contingency requests may be submitted on an ongoing basis with the materials listed above.
- Review Cycle
- The Community Assistance LOI deadline of June 1, 2026, and second-stage application deadline of August 7, 2026, are past. Emergency/Contingency requests are accepted on an ongoing basis.
- Deadline
- The Community Assistance LOI deadline of June 1, 2026, and second-stage application deadline of August 7, 2026, are…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 622-4191
Website: https://jlh.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Junior League of Houston Inc
Community Assistance Grants
The Junior League of Houston Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Emergency/Contingency Grants
The Junior League of Houston Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
JLH: Community Assistance Grant
The Junior League of Houston Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Junior League of Houston Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc ($73K). Together the top 10 received $489K.
Grant Size Distribution
156 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 140 grants of 156 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The League’s Community Assistance Grants serve the greater Houston community. Emergency/Contingency Grants are restricted to agencies in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller counties that benefit residents of those counties. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Junior League of Houston Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 36 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $17K 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 $558K (2020) to $2.6M (2023). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $798K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc Houston, TX | External project support | $72,500 |
| Kids' Meals Houston, TX | External project support | $70,199 |
| Ronald McDonald House of Houston Inc Houston, TX | External project support | $64,934 |
| BEAR-BE A Resource CPS Kids Houston, TX | External project support | $51,000 |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX | External project support | $48,735 |
| Children's Museum of Houston Houston, TX | External project support | $40,057 |
| Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos Houston, TX | External project support | $38,172 |
| Star of Hope Houston, TX | External project support | $32,855 |
| Child Advocates Inc Houston, TX | External project support | $30,653 |
| Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston, TX | Community assistance | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Junior League of Houston Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports 37 grants; the 2024 filing reports 32, and the 2023 filing reports 29.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,963,689 | $11,395,594 | $7,025,932 | $797,543 | 37 | $263,084 |
| 2024 | $21,151,028 | $9,844,418 | $6,723,023 | $649,038 | 32 | $299,576 |
| 2023 | $18,271,409 | $6,469,247 | $8,364,698 | $2,638,227 | 29 | $196,320 |
| 2022 | $19,202,618 | $7,024,666 | $5,455,509 | $627,220 | 27 | $561,264 |
| 2021 | $26,123,736 | $4,171,478 | $4,434,837 | $608,890 | 31 | $725,513 |
| 2020 | $24,182,598 | $5,462,486 | $5,755,315 | $557,515 | 32 | $406,142 |
| 2019 | $24,180,154 | $7,000,486 | $6,484,828 | $600,971 | 30 | $484,001 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The League’s mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its stated focus areas are children’s education; children’s and women’s health and well-being; and family basic needs. It also describes its charitable work as addressing needs including abuse of women and children, healthcare, education, and cultural enrichment.
Community Assistance Grants support projects in the greater Houston community that do not currently receive League volunteer support. The League considers requests addressing a critical or basic need, funding a pilot program, or expanding a significant community service. Its 2023 filing describes ongoing external project support as going to agencies receiving both volunteer and financial support from the League, while Community Assistance recipients do not receive ongoing volunteer support or financial assistance through existing League projects.
Among 2025 recipients, Houston Habitat for Humanity reported that it brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Ronald McDonald House of Houston described its work providing a home away from home and support for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at Texas Medical Center member institutions. The Children’s Museum described its child-centered learning, parenting, literacy, and STEM programs. Casa de Esperanza de los Niños reported providing residential and family support programs for at-risk children and families. Other recipients included Star of Hope, which serves people facing homelessness; Child Advocates, which mobilizes court-appointed volunteers for abused children; the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, which works to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy; and the Houston Area Women’s Center, which works to end domestic and sexual violence and provides related support services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the League reported 37 grants totaling $797,543. Awards ranged from $6,600 to $72,500, with a median of $15,000. Its largest reported grants included $72,500 to Houston Habitat for Humanity, $70,199 to Kids’ Meals, $64,934 to Ronald McDonald House of Houston, $51,000 to BEAR–Be A Resource for CPS Kids, and $48,735 to Texas Children’s Hospital. These grants were listed as external project support. The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas received $20,000 for community assistance.
Community Assistance Grants use a two-step process. The published 2026–2027 cycle called for a Letter of Intent by June 1, 2026, with selected applicants invited to submit a second application by August 7, 2026; both dates have passed. Eligible recipients can receive a Community Assistance Grant only once every three years. The program is funded in part by the Barbara and Roy Adams Endowed Community Grant Fund held by the Junior League of Houston Foundation.
Emergency/Contingency Grants address emergency or short-term needs of tax-exempt agencies. Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) status, operate within Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, or Waller counties, and benefit residents of those counties. Requests may be submitted on an ongoing basis. The League requests a written application with the agency’s board listing, operating budget, most recent Form 990, most recent audited financial statements, IRS determination letter, and current W-9. Preference is given to requests addressing critical human needs, possible temporary service disruptions, and agencies that have not received a Community Assistance grant in the current year. Fundraising drives, capital campaigns, building funds, sectarian religious projects, tuition, and seminars are generally not considered.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Lee Wilkens as President; Katherine Doyle as President-Elect; Kelly Hickman as Community Vice President; Judy Peterson as Development Vice President; Kaitlyn Zapalac as Financial Vice President; Michelle Esparza as Membership Vice President; Jennifer Williams as Recording Secretary; and Alyssa Bisson, Deborah Boone, and Lauren Brown as directors.
The Junior League of Houston Inc is led by Mary Lee Hackedorn Wilkens, President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 3 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Lee Hackedorn Wilkens
President
Director → President-Elect, 2024
President-Elect → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Pivec
Administrative Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$113K (2019) → $166K (2025)
Lauren Brown
Director-At-Large
Director → Development Vice President, 2021
Development Vice President → Director-At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Kendrick
Director
Director → Development Vice President, 2024
Development Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Natalie Irvin
Director
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Jochetz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Bisson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Renz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brianna TenBrink
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Reynolds
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Boone
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Walter
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erika Naquin
Director-At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Pierce Milton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Falconer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Pinckney
Director-At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Malcolm Rowland
Tea Room General Manager
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$190K (2019) → $159K (2025)
Pedro Sanchez
Tea Room Assistant Manager
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$108K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Katherine Doyle
President-Elect
Director at Large → Director, 2024
Director → President-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Esparza
Membership Vice President
Director → Membership Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Williams
Recording Secretary
Director-At-Large → Director, 2023
Director → Recording Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Hickman
Community Vice President
Director → Community Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaitlyn Zapalac
Financial Vice President
Director-At-Large → Financial Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Peterson
Development Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (82)
- Former: Marie Newton (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Courtney Durham (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Amanda Hanks Bayles (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Laura Thompson (2023–2024) — Financial Vice President
- Former: Laura Whitten (2023–2024) — Community Vice President
- Former: Margie Sutton (2023–2024) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Brandy Pugh (2024) — Director
- Former: Cari Collins (2024) — Director
- Former: Carson Kelley (2024) — Director
- Former: Dionella Martinez (2024) — Membership Vice President
- Former: Lisa Houssiere (2024) — Recording Secretary
- Former: Mary Beth Black (2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Ann Young Singleton (2024) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Olayemi Brown (2024) — Director
- Former: Terria Hutchinson (2024) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Tiffany Echevarria (2024) — Director
- Former: Anne Sears (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Tara Merla Hinton (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Shems Blomberg (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Emily Shushtari (2022–2023) — Membership Vice President
- Former: Megan Anson (2022–2023) — Development Vice President
- Former: Sydney Goss (2022–2023) — Financial Vice President
- Former: Tamra Wilkerson Politte (2022–2023) — Community Vice President
- Former: Adrianna Williams (2023) — Director
- Former: Dena Washington (2023) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Jacqueline Gerber (2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica Essalih (2023) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Jordan McPhail (2023) — Director
- Former: Judith Peterson (2023) — Director
- Former: Shine George (2023) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Elizabeth Garcia (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Megan Ryan (2020–2022) — Financial Vice President
- Former: Sameka Wood (2020–2022) — Community Vice President
- Former: Jennifer Scheifley Roberts (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Wendy Lewis Armstrong (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Diana Martinez (2022) — Director-At-Large
- Former: Jennifer Stewart (2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Weinstock (2022) — Development Vice President
- Former: Jenny Childers (2022) — Director
- Former: Kathleen Hays (2022) — Director
- Former: Sara-Nell Van Lant (2022) — Membership Vice President
- Former: Tonyel Edwards (2022) — Director
- Former: Caroline Kennedy (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Helyna Bledsoe (2020–2021) — Membership Vice President
- Former: Rachel Regan (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Alexandra Spencer (2021) — Director
- Former: Alyssa Rains Merryman (2021) — Director
- Former: Amanda Pritchett (2021) — Director at Large
- Former: Amy Keith (2021) — Director
- Former: Courtney Baker (2021) — Director at Large
- Former: Emily-Francis McAdams (2021) — Director at Large
- Former: Kristen Schlatre (2021) — Director
- Former: Laura Carter (2021) — Recording Secretary
- Former: Melissa Schuck (2021) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Muff Randolph (2021) — Director
- Former: Sally Anne Schmidt (2021) — Director
- Former: Amanda Hanks (2019–2020) — Membership Vice President
- Former: Jayne Johnston (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Leslie Keyes (2019–2020) — Recording Secretary
- Former: Vanessa Stabler (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Abbey Roberson (2020) — Director
- Former: Amanda Boffone (2020) — Director at Large
- Former: Casey Jo Chapman (2020) — Director
- Former: Catherine Watkins (2020) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Smith (2020) — Director at Large
- Former: Gere Cole (2020) — Director
- Former: JeNeika Boone (2020) — Director
- Former: Julie Baughman (2020) — Development Vice President
- Former: Kalinda Campbell (2020) — Community Vice President
- Former: Katherine Grahmann (2020) — Financial Vice President
- Former: Sarah Brents (2020) — Director
- Former: Alicia Lee (2019) — Community Vice President
- Former: Amy Dunn (2019) — Director
- Former: Ellen Toranzo (2019) — Financial Vice President
- Former: Irene Giannakakis (2019) — Director
- Former: Jaclyn Luke (2019) — Director at Large
- Former: Julie Danvers (2019) — Director at Large
- Former: Lia Vallone (2019) — Director
- Former: Mariaha Pedder (2019) — Director
- Former: Mary Itz (2019) — Director at Large
- Former: Semmes Burns (2019) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Magers (2019) — President
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 $166K, to Rebecca Pivec (Administrative Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Junior League of Houston Inc
How much does The Junior League of Houston Inc give each year?
The Junior League of Houston Inc gave $798K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $649K across 32 grants.
What is The Junior League of Houston Inc's typical grant size?
The Junior League of Houston Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $21,555, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Junior League of Houston Inc that year got $17K on average.
Where does The Junior League of Houston Inc give grants?
The Junior League of Houston Inc gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (35 grants).
Does The Junior League of Houston Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on The Junior League of Houston Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "External project support" (21 grants) and "Community assistance" (16 grants).
Who are The Junior League of Houston Inc's largest grantees?
The Junior League of Houston Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc ($72,500), Kids' Meals ($70,199) and Texas Children's Hospital ($68,735 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Junior League of Houston Inc?
The Junior League of Houston Inc reported $25.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.4M.
What does The Junior League of Houston Inc fund?
The League’s mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its stated focus areas are children’s education; children’s and women’s health and well-being; and family basic needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Junior League of Houston Inc?
The Community Assistance program has a two-step application process, and the published 2026–2027 deadlines have passed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Junior League of Houston Inc's EIN?
The Junior League of Houston Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1185659. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 3, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 18, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Junior League of Houston Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-junior-league-of-houston-inc-morg_3efe981a07f54788b41487dca72889ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_741185659_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Junior League of Houston Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-junior-league-of-houston-inc-morg_3efe981a07f54788b41487dca72889ae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Junior League of Houston Inc'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 Junior League of Houston Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?