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
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.
Ready to take the next step with The Wortham Foundation Inc?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
William Z Hayes Foundation
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$629K
Grants
4
Total Given
$28K
Tr Uw Jane James Cook Item 19
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$861K
Grants
11
Total Given
$41K
Forsyth Fbo Leonard Wood Memorial
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$320K
Grants
1
Total Given
$18K
Teas Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$138K
Harold D Miller Endowment Fund
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$890K
Grants
1
Total Given
$44K
Amarillo Business Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
13
Total Given
$222K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Wortham Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities