The Wortham Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker Houston, TX EIN: 74-1334356

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.

Key facts about The Wortham Foundation Inc

EIN: 74-1334356
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $2,977,000
Grants made (2024): 19
Average grant: $156,684
Median grant: $40,000
Total assets: $252,581,069
Primary geography: Texas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who The Wortham Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Wortham Foundation Inc's 19 itemized 2024 grants were Texas (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (18 grants). 95% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How The Wortham Foundation Inc gives

Giving fell 76% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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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

+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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

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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

Texas $3.0M (100%)

Share of all 19 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Texas

Cities

HoustonGalveston

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

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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 recipients include Houston Symphony Society ($1,000,000), Houston Grand Opera ($850,000), San Jacinto Girl Scouts ($250,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
HOUSTON SYMPHONY SOCIETY Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$1,000,000
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$850,000
SAN JACINTO GIRL SCOUTS Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$250,000
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$175,000
DA CAMERA SOCIETY Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$150,000
HOBBY CENTER Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$100,000
HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA FOUNDATION Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$100,000
STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$100,000
MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY Houston, TX	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$50,000
GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION Galveston, TX	ANNUAL PRESERVATION	$40,000

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

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 Community

Contact 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?

How do I apply for a grant from The Wortham Foundation Inc?

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.