Cullen Foundation Grants

The Cullen Foundation, established in 1947, supports cultural arts, education, healthcare, and public service primarily in the Greater Houston area. With over $500 million in grants distributed, the Foundation emphasizes initiatives that enhance community quality of life. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities. The Foundation does not fund businesses, individuals, or operational support, ensuring that its contributions directly impact the community. For more information on eligibility and grant history, please visit their website.

Established in 1947 by Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen, The Cullen Foundation has a history of giving generously to support cultural arts, education, health care and public service in Texas, primarily in the greater Houston area. Cullen Family members still take active roles as Directors of the Foundation continuing the legacy of giving initiated by Mr. and Mrs. Cullen during their lives.
The original gift from Mr. and Mrs. Cullen to establish the Foundation consisted of working interests in oil and gas properties. Over the ensuing years the working interests, later converted into royalty interests, were gradually depleted and the residual holdings were disposed of in 2000. As the Foundation reduced its dependence on oil and gas income, its portfolio of marketable securities and other investments began to grow. As of December 31, 2017 the portfolio had a market value of $320 million.
The list of organizations receiving grants from the Foundation is long and diverse, covering a wide range of needs. The Foundation has distributed over $500 million in grants since inception. Please visit our Grant History page for funding details for the most recent years and grant payment amounts by program area since inception.
Dedicated to improving the quality of life of all people in Houston through sustained investments in high-performing education, healthcare, public service and arts organizations.
Grant Program
The Foundation supports a variety of charitable activities, including cultural arts, education, health care and public service programs.

Eligibility

The Foundation focuses on initiatives that impact the Greater Houston area.Submitting organizations must be a 501(c)(3) organization described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes public charities, governmental organizations and eligible supporting organizations. Organizations will be reviewed throughout the process to verify eligibility.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals nor does it make loans of any type.
The Board prefers not to consider:General operational support to an organization’s budget.Galas, testimonials, and various other types of fund-raising events.Organizations that in turn make grants to others.Activities whose sole purpose is the promotion or support of a specific religion, denomination or church.Purchase of uniforms, equipment, or trips for school-related organizations or amateur sports teams.Applications from an organization more frequently than once every twelve months. The twelve-month period starts on the date of the last grant payment if approved or the date the last grant was declined.Applications from an organization that has received a multi-year grant from the Foundation until twelve months after all payments of that grant have been made.