Wolff Family Foundation
The Wolff Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, established in November 1988. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on supporting educational, civic, religious, and health-related initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.8M
-25.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$726K
+366.9% YoY
Grant Count
29
+11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+318.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wolff Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $172K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Health care
- Civic and religious organizations
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with Wolff Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $1,799,060
- Total revenues: $103,381
- Total expenses: $727,428
- Investment income and dividends: $105,324
- Total liabilities: $3,440
Staffing:
- 0 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,799,060 | $2,420,773 | $2,482,173 |
| Revenue | $103,381 | $73,095 | $-86,616 |
| Expenses | $727,428 | $160,028 | $176,684 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $726,408 | $155,578 | $171,423 |
| Net Investment Income | $105,324 | $73,095 | $80,967 |
| Distributable Amount | $171,584 | $171,261 | $177,214 |
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
155 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Stephens Episcopal ($500,000), Baylor College of Medicine ($100,500), Museum of Fine Arts Houston ($44,737).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMHERST COLLEGE AMHERST, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. | $1,000 |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE HOUSTON, TX | FOR PATIENT CARE ENDOWMENT FUND | $100,500 |
| BORDERLANDS RESEARCH FOUNDATION ALPINE, TX | FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH AND WORK | $1,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON HOUSTON, TX | CIVIC | $1,000 |
| CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. | $10,000 |
| CONGREGATION SHIRAT HAYAM NANTUCKET, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. | $600 |
| GLOBAL CAMPS AFRICA LYNCHBURG, VA | CIVIC | $2,500 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NANTUCKET NANTUCKET, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS | $250 |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. | $5,000 |
| HOUSTONIANS FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS HOUSTON, TX | CIVIC | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID S WOLFF | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DAVID L LANE | VP | 1 | — |
| DAVID V GAFFNEY | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| MARY C WOLFF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN W DORROS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH W ROGERS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD J BRAEMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Houston's C.T. Bauer College of Business, which is ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. The center was founded in 1991 and has received significant support from the Wolff family for its educational mission.
Transformative Team for Houston: Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Family FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does Wolff Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy and grantmaking • Health care • Civic and religious organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Wolff Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $726,408 • Made 35 grants in the most recent reporting year • Typical grant awards range from $26,000 to $500,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Baylor College of Medicine: $100,500 (Patient Care Endowment Fund) • The Endowment for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston: $44,737 (Art Exhibit contribution) • Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation: $25,000 (Preservation of State Historic Site)
Where does Wolff Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
What size grants does Wolff Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Wolff Family Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $726K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wolff Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wolff Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $172K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wolff Family Foundation's EIN?
Wolff Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0236381. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wolff Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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
Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$13.5M
Grants
41
Total Given
$3.9M
Nelson & Debbie Fox Charitable Fdtn
LUBBOCK, TX
Assets
$329K
Grants
9
Total Given
$90K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Wolff Family Foundation 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
Go from researching Wolff Family Foundation to a real strategy.