Wayne Duddlesten Foundation
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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wayne Duddlesten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $353K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
States
Cities
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
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
183 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Wayne Duddlesten Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Turning Point Usa ($4,098,000), Prageru ($500,000), Chinquapin Preparatory School ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS FOR RURAL TEXAS AKA ART GUILD OF FAYETTEVILLE FAYETTEVILLE, TX | GENERAL USE | $25,000 |
| BLINN COLLEGE FOUNDATION BRENHAM, TX | GENERAL USE | $100,000 |
| CARRY THE LOAD DALLAS, TX | GENERAL USE | $30,000 |
| CHINQUAPIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL HIGHLANDS, TX | GENERAL USE | $300,000 |
| CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL USE | $100,000 |
| COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS POINT LOOKOUT, MO | GENERAL USE | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS HOUSTON HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL USE | $300,000 |
| CONSTITUTING AMERICA INC COLLEYVILLE, TX | GENERAL USE | $200,000 |
| DEPELCHIN CHILDREN'S CENTER HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL USE | $100,000 |
| EMERGE FELLOWSHIP HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL USE | $100,000 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN DUDDLESTEN | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 1 | $5,000 |
| CHARLES MCMAHEN | DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $5,000 |
| ROBERT PADDOCK | DIRECTOR,VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 1 | $5,000 |
| DAVID KANTORCZYK | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1 | $5,000 |
| WILLIAM RANDALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
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 ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wayne Duddlesten Foundation fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from Wayne Duddlesten Foundation?
**Grant Range:** $5,000 to $5,000,000 **Recent Activity:** • In 2024, the foundation awarded $7,418,000 to 36 nonprofit organizations • Made 32 grants in the most recent reporting period • Over $45 million distributed in the past decade **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Chinquapin Preparatory School: $300,000 • Communities in Schools of Houston: $300,000 • Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness: $200,000 **Application Process:** The foundation previously operated a rolling application …
Where does Wayne Duddlesten Foundation make grants?
The foundation has primarily focused on Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida, with particular emphasis on Texas-based organizations.
What size grants does Wayne Duddlesten Foundation award?
In 2024, Wayne Duddlesten Foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $7.4M — an average of about $212K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wayne Duddlesten Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wayne Duddlesten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $353K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wayne Duddlesten Foundation's EIN?
Wayne Duddlesten Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0003093. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wayne Duddlesten Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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