The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation's mission is to bring relief to sufferers, globally, who are afflicted with debilitating headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches, by funding research focused on finding a cure.
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation at a glance
In short: The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation gave $400K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $400K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $400,000
- -1.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $400,000
- +96.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $400,000
- Total assets
- $104,867
- -57.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Memorial Hermann Foundation ($400K).
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 9 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation gives
- Giving fell 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $400K (2024) to $858K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $400K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Hermann Foundation Houston, TX | To provide funding to open the will erwin headache research center for those suffering from debilitating headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches. To create a database of symptoms for those suffering from migraine and cluster headaches. To fund research by neurologists for those suffering from debilitating headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches. | $400,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $104,867 | $382,577 | $523,763 | $400,000 | 1 | $484 |
| 2023 | $247,053 | $540,326 | $538,712 | $407,500 | 2 | $623 |
| 2022 | $244,439 | $599,387 | $645,722 | $525,000 | 1 | $255 |
| 2021 | $290,774 | $953,351 | $992,252 | $857,500 | 3 | $7 |
| 2020 | $359,382 | $704,733 | $637,085 | $505,205 | 2 | $18 |
About The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Houston, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $105K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $400K. Net investment income was $484.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation is led by James Erwin - Voting, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Erwin - Voting
Director & President
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam C. Ross - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bette Malone - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Murphy - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Knaus - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Frank - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Bedell - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Adams - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Beckworth - Nonvoting
Director
Director - Emeritus Dec'd & Director → Director - Emeritus Dec'd, 2022
Director - Emeritus Dec'd → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Robins - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margot Trevino Rosson - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Melody - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Erwin - Nonvoting
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Charles R. Epps - Voting (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeff Love - Nonvoting (2020–2023) — Director - Emeritus Dec'd
- Former: Mark L. Steinbauer - Voting (2020–2023) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation
How much does The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation give each year?
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation gave $400K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $408K across 2 grants.
How large is The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation?
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation reported $105K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $383K.
What is The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation?
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Houston, TX. It holds $105K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation operate?
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation has awarded grants in Texas.
What is The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation's EIN?
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4886305. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Taub Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$10.5M
Grants
6
Total Given
$551K
The Shepard Family Private Foundation
Baltimore, MD
The Shepard Family Private Foundation funds health care, public policy, community, and other charitable organizations, with recent grants concentrated in Texas and also reaching Maryland, New York, Washington, DC, and other states. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $252,481, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
31
Total Given
$1.2M
The Glassell Family Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Glassell Family Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations across arts and science, health, education, camps, and environmental causes, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Texas and others to Florida and a few other states. In 2024, grants ranged from $287 to $1.25 million, with a median of about $55,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$36.7M
Grants
22
Total Given
$4.1M
The Vanderhider Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$9.9M
Grants
6
Total Given
$369K
Beirne Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$115K
Grants
4
Total Given
$45K
Vivian L Smith Foundation
Houston, TX
The Vivian L Smith Foundation supports qualifying nonprofit organizations across charitable fields, including education, health care, youth services, and family support; it does not fund individuals. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000, and nearly all grant dollars went to Texas, though it reports no geographic restrictions. It accepts requests without a required form; applicants must state the purpose and provide proof of qualifying status.
Assets
$69.1M
Grants
189
Total Given
$4.5M
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 Will Erwin Headache Research 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.
The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?