Wayne Duddlesten Foundation logo

Wayne Duddlesten Foundation

HOUSTON, TX EIN: 76-0003093 Website

The Wayne Duddlesten Foundation is a private foundation established in 1983 by Wayne Duddlesten, a Houston native and University of Houston graduate who was a pioneer in commercial real estate across the United States. His general contracting firm was featured in Fortune Magazine's prestigious list of the top 200 construction companies in the country. Duddlesten was instrumental in leading a group of Houston investors to purchase the NBA's San Diego Rockets and relocate them to Houston in 1971. The foundation is based in Houston, Texas.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.2M

-57.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$7.4M

-40.8% YoY

Grant Count

35

-20.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$212K

-25.6% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation has been a consistent supporter of education, human services, and programs serving underserved populations, particularly in Texas. The foundation operates on a rolling application basis and has historically focused on nonprofit organizations addressing these priority areas.

Grantmaking

Grant Range

** $5,000 to $5,000,000

How to Apply

** The foundation previously operated a rolling application basis through an online portal on their website. However, as the foundation is closing, no new applications are being accepted.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation has primarily focused on Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida, with particular emphasis on Texas-based organizations.

Grant Distribution by State

12states
+4 more states

Cities

AnnapolisBeaumontBellaireBrenhamBrookshireColleyvilleDallasEnglewoodFayettevilleGrove CityHighlandsHockleyHollywoodHoustonKingsvilleLehiLemontPasadenaPhoenixPoint Lookout

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year 2024:

  • Total Assets: $5,193,280
  • Total Revenues: $1,616,123
  • Total Expenses: $7,806,962
  • Annual Giving: $7,418,000
  • Number of Employees: 1 full-time staff member

Historical Context:

  • Over $45 million awarded in the past 10 years
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$4M$7M$11M$14M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$5,193,280$12,121,132$23,373,701
Revenue$1,616,123$2,848,957$4,505,319
Expenses$7,806,962$13,034,161$8,465,076
Qualifying Distributions$7,893,553$12,863,408$8,128,670
Net Investment Income$1,522,714$2,051,142$2,215,488
Distributable Amount$352,829$828,654$1,160,049

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$3M$6M$9M$13M32 grants202034 grants202138 grants202244 grants202335 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

TURNING POINT USA$4.1MPRAGERU$500KCHINQUAPIN PREPARATORY S…$300KCOMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS H…$300KCONSTITUTING AMERICA INC$200KFOUNDATION FOR LIBERTY &…$200KTHE HONOR FOUNDATION$150KSPRING SPIRIT$105KBLINN COLLEGE FOUNDATION$100KCHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL$100K

Grant Size Distribution

183 grants across all recorded years

71<$50K42$50–100K58$100–250K3$250–500K2$500K–1M5$1–5M2$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Wayne Duddlesten Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Karen Duddlesten – Director and President (daughter of Wayne Duddlesten, 2001 University of Houston graduate)
  • Charles McMahen – Director, Vice President
  • Robert Paddock – Director, Vice President, Treasurer
  • David Kantorczyk – Director, Secretary
  • William Randall – Director
  • Charlene Slack – Executive Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

KAREN DUDDLESTENDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT$5KCHARLES MCMAHENDIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT$5KROBERT PADDOCKDIRECTOR,VICE PRESIDENT, TRE…$5KDAVID KANTORCZYKDIRECTOR, SECRETARY$5KWILLIAM RANDALLDIRECTOR$5K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
KAREN DUDDLESTENDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT1$5,000
CHARLES MCMAHENDIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT1$5,000
ROBERT PADDOCKDIRECTOR,VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER1$5,000
DAVID KANTORCZYKDIRECTOR, SECRETARY1$5,000
WILLIAM RANDALLDIRECTOR1$5,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2010

Following Wayne Duddlesten's death in 2010, the foundation has been led by his daughter, Karen Duddlesten. The foundation has continued its commitment to education and community development in Texas, with significant grants to educational institutions and community service organizations. The foundation's closure is scheduled for December 31, 2026.

Wayne Duddlesten Foundation - Grant Information & Application ...

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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