General Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Preference given to Houston area and State of Texas organizations

Mission Focus: The Foundation prioritizes harness education's transformative power to strengthen communities, empower individuals overcoming adversity, preserve the heritage of Texas and the United States, and help every person realize their full potential.

Core Values:

• Free Enterprise
• Limited Government
• Individual Freedom
• Equality of Opportunity
• Self-sufficiency
• Hard Work
• Resourcefulness

Eligibility:

• Qualified non-profit organizations only
• Grants are NOT made to individuals
• Only one proposal per grantee per twelve-month period
• Prior grantees include education, youth development, historical preservation, and policy organizations

What They Fund:

• Educational initiatives and programs
• Youth development and character building
• Capital campaigns and facility construction
• Financial aid and scholarship programs
• Research and policy work aligned with foundation values

What They Don't Fund:

• Individual grants
• Multiple proposals from same organization within 12 months
• Organizations where applicants lobby individual directors

Application Restrictions:

• Lobbying of individual directors by grant applicants may result in adverse consideration

Contact Information:

• Address: 6131 Westview Drive, Houston, Texas 77055
• Phone: 713-681-7868
• Email: mail@herzsteinfoundation.org

Background:

• Celebrating 60 years of giving (1965–2025)
• Has supported more than 1,300 organizations
• Recent annual grants total approximately $5 million
• 2024 grant distribution: $5,876,300
• Board reviews grant proposals on a quarterly basis

Grant Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Access the online application portal on YourCause using the "Apply here" button on the Grant Applications page
2. Note: The legacy system will no longer be accessible after December 23, 2025. Any applications not submitted by that date will be permanently lost and must be restarted in the new system.

Application Timeline:

• Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis year-round
• No specific deadlines
• Only one proposal per grantee per twelve-month period

Evaluation Process:

1. Financial assessment of the organization
2. Evaluation of potential impact
3. Collaborative discussions
4. Site visits and meetings with grantees (scheduled based on availability)
5. Board review on a quarterly basis throughout the year

Notification Process:

• Applicants receive email confirmation of proposal receipt
• All further status changes communicated by email
• Status updates available on Online Application "Dashboard" by logging into applicant account

Required Materials:

• Proposal must demonstrate alignment with Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation's donor intent and mission
• Proposals should highlight how the project or work supports the Foundation's mission
• Limit request to no more than one in any twelve-month period

Grant Reports:

• Grantees must furnish brief written reports at the end of their grant periods
• Use appropriate form (standard or capital campaign version)
• Email reports to mail@herzsteinfoundation.org
• May include links to photos, articles, YouTube videos, or audio clips demonstrating work achieved

Technical Support:

• If experiencing issues with portal submission, contact mail@herzsteinfoundation.org