The Search Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HOUSTON, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $10.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 17 grants totaling $699K. Net investment income was $1.2M.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.5M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$699K
+33.7% YoY
Grant Count
17
+13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+18.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Search Foundation reported a distributable amount of $549K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Search Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Search Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HOUSTON, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $10.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 17 grants totaling $699K. Net investment income was $1.2M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,463,406 | $9,930,948 | $9,960,111 |
| Revenue | $1,356,818 | $602,029 | $382,115 |
| Expenses | $824,360 | $631,192 | $511,733 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $699,312 | $523,101 | $420,207 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,244,070 | $499,963 | $296,386 |
| Distributable Amount | $548,895 | $561,831 | $521,076 |
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
75 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fondation De France ($120,796), Fondation Nationale Des Sciences Politiques ($110,030), La Petite Bibliotheque Ronde ($76,537).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION DES OEUVRES DE SAINT JEAN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $21,970 |
| ASSOCIATION MUSIQUE A FLAINE | CURRENT OPERATING EXPENSES, GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,454 |
| BUMI SEHAT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL BARRE, VT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| EPIC FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | BLUE VENTURE | $18,000 |
| EPIC FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | COMMON JUSTICE | $30,000 |
| EPIC FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | NIGHTLINE | $12,000 |
| FONDATION DE FRANCE | SEARCH PROJECT | $120,796 |
| FONDATION MUSEE SCHLUMBERGER | GENERAL SUPPORT | $28,196 |
| FONDATION NATIONALE DES SCIENCES POLITIQUES | GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR FEMINIST TRANSFORMATION | $110,030 |
| GRACE COMMUNITY BIRTH CENTER TRAVERSE CITY, MI | FENCE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATHERINE COSTE | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MATHILDE COSTE | SR. VICE PRES. & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BERTRAND COSTE | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHANE COSTE | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MOLLY K WURZER | SECRETARY-TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DENISE M STONER | ASST. SECRETARY-TREAS-STARTING 12/6/24 | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Search Foundation?
The Search Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HOUSTON, TX. It holds $10.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Search Foundation?
As of 2024, The Search Foundation holds $10.5M in total assets with $1.4M in annual revenue. It awarded 17 grants totaling $699K in 2024.
Where does The Search Foundation operate?
The Search Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Michigan, New York, Texas, Vermont, Washington.
What size grants does The Search Foundation award?
In 2024, The Search Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $699K — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Search Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Search Foundation reported a distributable amount of $549K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Search Foundation's EIN?
The Search Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0520202. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Search Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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