The Robertson-Finley Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1999 and based in Houston, Texas. The foundation operates as a private foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including scientific research, education, public policy, conservation, and civil society support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$193K
-5.3% YoY
Grant Count
57
-3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-1.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robertson-Finley Foundation reported a distributable amount of $212K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of funding priorities:
- Scientific Research Support — Including Alzheimer's research and research at specialized institutes
- General Support — Broad charitable giving across multiple sectors
- Public Policy Research Support — Funding for policy-focused research and advocacy
- Education Support — Educational initiatives and institutions
- Conservation Support — Environmental conservation and wildlife conservation efforts
- Civil Society Support — General purpose support for civil society organizations
The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in supporting research institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin and the Institute for Fusion Studies.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$500–$12,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Houston, Texas and primarily funds organizations within the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,052,919–$3.11 million
- Total Revenue: $299,403
- Total Expenses: $214,597
- Total Giving: $202,000–$207,110
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $3.11 million
- Revenue: $260,000
- Expenses: $204,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,109,277 | $3,052,919 | $2,968,113 |
| Revenue | $260,428 | $299,403 | $267,184 |
| Expenses | $204,070 | $214,597 | $209,714 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $196,557 | $207,110 | $202,188 |
| Net Investment Income | $156,007 | $193,671 | $162,218 |
| Distributable Amount | $211,642 | $194,262 | $207,851 |
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 Amazing Place ($10,000), Institute for Justice ($10,000), Pacific Legal Foundation ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing Place Houston, TX | Civil Society Support | $10,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston Houston, TX | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Christian Solidarity International West Lake, CA | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Houston Food Bank Houston, TX | Civil Society Support | $5,000 |
| Knights of Columbus Charities New Haven, CT | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Pathways Child & Family Services Kerrville, TX | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Philanthropy Roundtable Washington, DC | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Prison Fellowship Merrifield, VA | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
| Salvation Army of Greater Houston Houston, TX | Civil Society Support | $5,000 |
| Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts Houston, TX | Civil Society Support | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Daniel R. Finley — Trustee (2.5 hours per week)
- J H McMillian — Executive Director (5 hours per week)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel R Finley | Trustee | 2.5 | — |
| J H McMillian | Exec Dir | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 967 Houston, TX 77001-0967
Phone: (713) 759-0450
EIN: 76-0598999
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robertson-Finley Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of funding priorities: • **Scientific Research Support** — Including Alzheimer's research and research at specialized institutes • **General Support** — Broad charitable giving across multiple sectors • **Public Policy Research Support** — Funding for policy-focused research and advocacy • **Education Support** — Educational initiatives and institutions • **Conservation Support** — Environmental conservation and wildlife conservation efforts • **Civil Soc…
How do I apply for a grant from The Robertson-Finley Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $200,000–$207,000 • Number of grants: 57–59 grants annually • Grant range: $500–$12,000 • Median grant size: $2,767–$3,000 • Giving rate: 6.6–6.9% of assets **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Baylor Medical Foundation — $12,000 (Scientific Research Support) • Children's Research Institute at UT Southwestern — $12,000 (Scientific Research Support) • Pacific Legal Foundation — $10,000 (Public Policy Research Support) **Application Policy:** The founda…
Where does The Robertson-Finley Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Houston, Texas and primarily funds organizations within the United States.
What size grants does The Robertson-Finley Foundation award?
In 2024, The Robertson-Finley Foundation awarded 57 grants totaling $193K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robertson-Finley Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robertson-Finley Foundation reported a distributable amount of $212K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robertson-Finley Foundation's EIN?
The Robertson-Finley Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0598999. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robertson-Finley 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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