John M. O'Quinn Foundation Grant

The John M. O'Quinn Foundation Grant, established in 1986, has contributed over $192 million to various charitable activities, focusing primarily on Houston and its surrounding areas. The Foundation supports tax-exempt organizations and governmental units, emphasizing conservation, education, healthcare, and programs for underprivileged youth. Grants are not available for type III supporting organizations, individuals, or foreign charities, ensuring a targeted impact within the local community.

Background
John M. O’Quinn established The John M. O’Quinn Foundation in 1986. With his death in 2009, Mr. O’Quinn willed his entire estate to The Foundation. As of December 31, 2024, the Foundation has awarded more than $192 million in grants. Most of the funds have been given within the state of Texas with a special emphasis on Houston, Mr. O’Quinn’s home since his youth. Although The Foundation supports a wide variety of charitable activities, in honoring Mr. O’Quinn’s legacy, the Board of Trustees focuses on Houston and its surrounding areas for conservation, education, healthcare, and programs benefitting underprivileged youth.

Eligibility

Grant requests will be considered only from (i) tax exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and further classified as a public charity, that is, an organization which is not a “private foundation” within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, or (ii) governmental units described in Section 170 of the Code.

Ineligibility

Grants will not be made to any public charity classified as a type III supporting organization which is “not a functionally integrated type III supporting organization” within the meaning of Section 4942(g)(4)(A)(i) of the Code.The Foundation does not make grants to individuals or foreign charities or to directly or indirectly support candidates for political office or influence legislation.