The Wortham Foundation Inc
The Wortham Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, established as a trust in 1958 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since March 1961. It operates as an independent foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving within Texas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$252.6M
+4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
-72.8% YoY
Grant Count
19
+1800.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$157K
-98.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wortham Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is to support the arts, including performing arts and museums, as well as community improvement initiatives. Specific funding priorities include civic beautification projects that benefit the citizens of Houston and Harris County, Texas. The foundation also supports education and voluntarism.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants ranging from $5,000 to $2,000,000, with an average grant size of approximately $37,000. Recent annual giving totals approximately $8.4 million to $13.1 million in expenses. The foundation awarded 294 grants in the previous year and funds approximately 12% of new applicants. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
of approximately $37,000. Recent annual giving totals approximately $8.4 million to $13.1 million in expenses. The foundation awarded 294 grants in the previous year and funds approximately 12% of new applicants. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Average Grant
of approximately $37,000. Recent annual giving totals approximately $8.4 million to $13.1 million in expenses. The foundation awarded 294 grants in the previous year and funds approximately 12% of new applicants. The foundation is open to new applicants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects in Texas, with a specific emphasis on Houston and Harris County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $242-$252.6 million (as of most recent filings)
Annual Revenue: $10.1 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $13.1 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $266,000 (2023)
Total Giving: $2.9-$11 million annually
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $252,581,069 | $242,390,216 | $245,124,483 |
| Revenue | $13,678,799 | $10,138,659 | $30,146,606 |
| Expenses | $3,675,921 | $13,135,006 | $14,383,290 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,195,591 | $11,569,367 | $12,814,649 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,198,468 | $8,573,020 | $28,577,965 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,309,485 | $12,024,525 | $12,639,371 |
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
23 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Houston Symphony Society ($1,000,000), Houston Grand Opera ($850,000), San Jacinto Girl Scouts ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARMAND BAYOU HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| ASIA SOCIETY ASIA HOUSE HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $175,000 |
| CLASSICAL THEATRE COMPANY HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| DA CAMERA SOCIETY HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $150,000 |
| DIVERSE WORKS HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION GALVESTON, TX | ANNUAL PRESERVATION | $40,000 |
| HEALTH MUSEUM HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
| HOBBY CENTER HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $100,000 |
| HOUSTON BOYCHOIR INC HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- R.W. Wortham III — Chairman and Assistant Treasurer
- Brady F. Carruth — President and Assistant Treasurer
- Fred C. Burns — Secretary Treasurer
- Thomas E. Smith — Trustee Assistant Treasurer
- Brady Carruth Jr. — Trustee Assistant Treasurer
- Barbara J. Snyder — Contact Person
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| R W WORTHAM III | CHAIRMAN, ASST TREASURER | 10 | $13,200 |
| BRADY F CARRUTH | PRESIDENT, ASST TREASURER | 10 | $13,200 |
| THOMAS E SMITH | TRUSTEE, ASST TREASURER | 10 | $13,200 |
| BRADY CARRUTH JR | TRUSTEE, ASST TREASURER | 10 | $12,100 |
| THOMAS R RYAN | TRUSTEE, ASST TREASURER | 10 | $5,500 |
| FRED C BURNS | SECRETARY TREASURER | 10 | $6,600 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made recent grants supporting various causes including affordable housing initiatives, arts and culture organizations, and museum collection care. Notable recent pledges include a $3 million commitment to the Nau Center and support for Discovery Green's operations in Houston.
WORTH Announces $10,000 Grant For Affordable Housing - North Texas CommunityContact Information
Address: 2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1570, Houston, TX 77019-2167
Phone: 713-526-8849
EIN: 74-1334356
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Wortham Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is to support the arts, including performing arts and museums, as well as community improvement initiatives. Specific funding priorities include civic beautification projects that benefit the citizens of Houston and Harris County, Texas. The foundation also supports education and voluntarism.
How do I apply for a grant from The Wortham Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants ranging from $5,000 to $2,000,000, with an average grant size of approximately $37,000. Recent annual giving totals approximately $8.4 million to $13.1 million in expenses. The foundation awarded 294 grants in the previous year and funds approximately 12% of new applicants. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Where does The Wortham Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects in Texas, with a specific emphasis on Houston and Harris County.
What size grants does The Wortham Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Wortham Foundation Inc awarded 19 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $157K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Wortham Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Wortham Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wortham Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Wortham Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1334356. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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