FundersTexas

The Elkins Foundation

Houston, TX · EIN 74-6051746. Reported 345 grants totalling $54.5M to 221 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$65,000median grant
$54.5Mgranted, 2020-2023
221organizations funded
38%of grantees funded again the next year
$367.6Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Elkins Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $65,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $30,000 and $197,000; the smallest was $3,870 and the largest $2,000,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
1 grant
$5,000 - $10,000
8 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
45 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
49 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
79 grants
$100,000 and Up
163 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Baylor College of MedicineHouston, TX$4,235,000442023
Texas Children's HospitalHouston, TX$3,500,000332023
Rice UniversityHouston, TX$2,500,000442023
The Salvation ArmyDallas, TX$2,500,000442023
Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, TX$2,000,000442023
MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX$2,000,000442023
University of Texas Mccombs SchoolAustin, TX$1,750,000332023
Buffalo Bayou PartnershipHouston, TX$1,500,000222023
Foundation for Jones HallHouston, TX$1,500,000332023
Episcopal High SchoolBellaire, TX$1,000,000112022
Friends of Pumpkin ParkHouston, TX$1,000,000112023
St John's SchoolHouston, TX$1,000,000112023
YMCA of Greater HoustonHouston, TX$1,000,000442023
Depelchin Children's CenterHouston, TX$850,000222022
Camp for AllBurton, TX$750,000222023
Houston Habitat for HumanityHouston, TX$600,000222023
Annunciation Orthodox SchoolHouston, TX$500,000112023
Asia Society Texas CenterHouston, TX$500,000222021
Battleship Texas FoundationHouston, TX$500,000112022
Buffalo Soldiers National MuseumHouston, TX$500,000112022
Houston Food BankHouston, TX$500,000222023
Kids' MealsHouston, TX$500,000112021
Museum of Fine ArtsHouston, TX$500,000112023
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ$500,000112020
St Luke's United Methodist ChurchHouston, TX$500,000112021
University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX$500,000222023
Washington and Lee UniversityLexington, VA$500,000222023
Society of St Vincent De PaulHouston, TX$450,000332023
University of Texas-HscAustin, TX$450,000332023
Camp AllenNavasota, TX$400,000332022
Hermann Park ConservancyHouston, TX$400,000442023
River Oaks Baptist SchoolHouston, TX$400,000212023
The Joy SchoolHouston, TX$400,000442023
The Menil CollectionHouston, TX$400,000112020
University of St ThomasHouston, TX$400,000222023
Covenant House TexasHouston, TX$375,000222023
University of HoustonHouston, TX$350,000212023
Amazing PlaceHouston, TX$325,000442023
Breakthrough HoustonHouston, TX$300,000222022
Combined ArmsHouston, TX$300,000222023
Houston Grand OperaHouston, TX$300,000222023
TutsHouston, TX$300,000222023
United Way of the Texas Gulf CoastHouston, TX$300,000332022
Houston SPCAHouston, TX$262,000222023
Communities in Schools - HoustonHouston, TX$250,000112023
Halo House FoundationHouston, TX$250,000112023
Houston Area Women's CenterHouston, TX$250,000112020
Houston Zoo IncHouston, TX$250,000112021
KIPP HoustonHouston, TX$250,000112022
Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyHouston, TX$250,000222023
Memorial Park ConvservancyHouston, TX$250,000112020
Rice ArchitectureHouston, TX$250,000112023
The Brookwood CommunityBrookshire, TX$250,000112023
The Menil FoundationHouston, TX$250,000112023
The Menninger ClinicHouston, TX$250,000112022
Washington on the Brazos HistoricWashington, TX$250,000112023
Willow Waterhole GreenspaceHouston, TX$250,000112022
Magnolia SchoolMagnolia, TX$230,000222022
Big Brothers Big SistersHouston, TX$200,000222022
Camp Aranzazu FoundationRockport, TX$200,000222021
CASA MateoHouston, TX$200,000112022
Girl Scouts of San JacintoHouston, TX$200,000112023
Greater Houston Community FoundationHouston, TX$200,000442023
Hobby Center FoundationHouston, TX$200,000222023
Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX$200,000112022
Kinkaid SchoolHouston, TX$200,000112023
Ronald Mcdonald House CharitiesHouston, TX$200,000112023
Rothko ChapelHouston, TX$200,000222023
WonderworksHouston, TX$200,000442023
Houston Botanic GardenHouston, TX$180,000442023
Houston SymphonyHouston, TX$175,000222022
Houston HospiceHouston, TX$167,500332022
Brookwod CommunityBrookshire, TX$150,000112020
Crime Stoppers of HoustonHouston, TX$150,000112023
Memorial Hermann FoundationHouston, TX$150,000222022
Springspirit BaseballHouston, TX$150,000222022
The Bridge Over Troubled WatersPasadena, TX$150,000222023
Children's Museum of HoustonHouston, TX$125,000222021
Performing Arts HoustonHouston, TX$125,000222022
Texas Parks & Wildlife FoundationDallas, TX$110,000222021
AIDS Foundation HoustonHouston, TX$100,000112021
Alley TheatreHouston, TX$100,000112020
Baker RipleyHouston, TX$100,000112020
Beta AcademyHouston, TX$100,000222023
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone StarHouston, TX$100,000112020
Catholic CharitiesHouston, TX$100,000112023
Children's Assessment CenterHouston, TX$100,000112022
Christus Foundation for HealthcareHouston, TX$100,000112022
Communities in SchoolsAustin, TX$100,000222021
DeliverfundDallas, TX$100,000112021
Edison Arts FoundationMissouri City, TX$100,000112023
Galveston Bay FoundationKemah, TX$100,000112020
Harris County Hospital DistrictHouston, TX$100,000112020
Hope Media GroupHumble, TX$100,000112022
Houston Classical Charter SchoolHouston, TX$100,000112023
Ibn Sina FoundationHouston, TX$100,000112023
Interfaith Ministries of GreaterHouston, TX$100,000112022
Lawndale Art & Performance CenterHouston, TX$100,000112021
Memorial Assistance Ministries (mam)Houston, TX$100,000112022
Miller Theatre Advisory BoardHouston, TX$100,000112021
Nature Discovery CenterBellaire, TX$100,000112022
Neuhaus Education CenterBellaire, TX$100,000112022
New Hope HousingHouston, TX$100,000112023
Pro-Vision IncHouston, TX$100,000222023
Project Row HousesHouston, TX$100,000222021
Ronald Mcdonald House HoustonHouston, TX$100,000112021
Small Steps Nurturing CenterHouston, TX$100,000112021
Star of HopeHouston, TX$100,000112022
Star of Hope MissionHouston, TX$100,000112020
Strake Jesuit College PreparatoryHouston, TX$100,000112020
The Junior League of HoustonHouston, TX$100,000112022
The Mission of YahwehHouston, TX$100,000222022
Tirr FoundationHouston, TX$100,000442023
True Light Christian AssemblyHouston, TX$100,000112022
United Against Human TraffickingHouston, TX$100,000112020
Uthealth Children's LearningHouston, TX$100,000112020
Virginia Theological SeminaryAlexandria, VA$100,000222021
Wonders & WorriesAustin, TX$100,000112023
Christ Church CathedralHouston, TX$90,000332022
Bo's PlaceHouston, TX$85,000332023
Kickstart KidsHouston, TX$80,000222022
Trees for HoustonHouston, TX$80,000442023
Urban HarvestHouston, TX$80,000222023
Children's Museum HoustonHouston, TX$75,000112023
Houston Arts AllianceHouston, TX$75,000222021
Houston Ballet FoundationHouston, TX$75,000222022
Houston Fire MuseumHouston, TX$75,000112020
Main Street Ministries HoustonHouston, TX$75,000332022
Planned Parenthood Gulf CoastHouston, TX$75,000222022
Stages Repertory TheatreHouston, TX$75,000222022
The Jung CenterHouston, TX$75,000112023
The New Day SchoolHouston, TX$75,000112023
The Shlenker SchoolHouston, TX$75,000112023
Christian Community Service CenterHouston, TX$60,000222022
Texas Hearing InstituteHouston, TX$60,000112023
Prison Entrepreneurship ProgramHouston, TX$55,000332022
Will Erwin HeadacheHouston, TX$55,000332022
Armand Bayou Nature CenterHouston, TX$50,000112022
BikehoustonHouston, TX$50,000112020
Bridge YearHouston, TX$50,000112021
Children's Safe Harbor (montgomery)Conroe, TX$50,000112022
Coalition for the HomelessHouston, TX$50,000112022
Crohn's & Colitis FoundationHouston, TX$50,000222022
Cullinan Park ConservancySugar Land, TX$50,000112021
Ducks UnlimitedHouston, TX$50,000112023
Emerge FellowshipHouston, TX$50,000112022
Emerging Grace MinistriesThe Woodlands, TX$50,000112022
Fort Bend Woman's CenterRichmond, TX$50,000112020
Galveston Urban MinistriesGalveston, TX$50,000112023
Glenwood Cemetery HistoricHouston, TX$50,000442023
Houston Maritime MuseumHouston, TX$50,000112023
Inspiration RanchMagnolia, TX$50,000112022
Just CommunityAustin, TX$50,000112020
Neighbors in ActionHouston, TX$50,000112022
Northwest Assistance MinistriesHouston, TX$50,000112022
Saint Constantine SchoolHouston, TX$50,000112022
Serenity Retreat for Healing and Spiritual RenewalHouston, TX$50,000112020
Sire IncHouston, TX$50,000112021
SpringspiritHouston, TX$50,000112023
The Arbor SchoolHouston, TX$50,000112020
The BeaconHouston, TX$50,000222023
The Ensemble TheatreHouston, TX$50,000112022
The Women's ResourceHouston, TX$50,000112022
Three Little Pitties RescueFriendswood, TX$50,000112023
Turtle Island Restoration NetworkGalveston, TX$50,000112023
Undies for EveryoneHouston, TX$50,000112023
Westchase District Community FundHouston, TX$50,000112020
Yes Prep Public SchoolsHouston, TX$50,000112021
Bay Area Turning PointWebster, TX$40,000112022
Houston RevisionHouston, TX$40,000112022
Mission Centers of HoustonHouston, TX$40,000112022
Mission SquashHouston, TX$40,000112021
Reach UnlimitedCypress, TX$40,000112023
Girls Inc of Greater HoustonHouston, TX$37,697222023
Orange Show Center for Visionary ArtHouston, TX$37,000112022
Main Street Theater HoustonHouston, TX$35,000112023
Nick Finnegan Counseling CenterHouston, TX$35,000112022
PRECINCT2GETHER IncHouston, TX$35,000112020
Cancare IncHouston, TX$30,000222023
Families EmpoweredHouston, TX$30,000112021
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on WheelsRosenberg, TX$30,000112023
FueledHouston, TX$30,000112022
Katy Prairie ConservancyHouston, TX$30,000112023
Sight Into SoundHouston, TX$30,000332023
Montgomery County Food BankConroe, TX$28,596112020
The Periwinkle FoundationHouston, TX$26,460222023
Institute for Spirituality & HealthHouston, TX$25,000112022
Legacy Community HealthHouston, TX$25,000112020
Magnificent Houses IncHouston, TX$25,000112021
Px ProjectHouston, TX$25,000112021
San Jose ClinicHouston, TX$25,000112020
Special Olympics TexasPflugerville, TX$25,000112020
Teach for AmericaHouston, TX$25,000112023
The RoseHouston, TX$23,235112020
Spring Branch Comm Health CenterHouston, TX$22,000112021
Wellsprings Village IncHouston, TX$21,400222023
Children at RiskHouston, TX$20,000112022
Have Shears Will TravelKingwood, TX$20,000112021
Small PlacesHouston, TX$20,000112021
The Village Learning CenterJersey Village, TX$20,000112022
Workfaith ConnectionHouston, TX$20,000112020
Barbara Bush Houston LiteracyHouston, TX$15,000112022
Emancipation Economic DevelopmentHouston, TX$15,000112020
Gateway AcademyHouston, TX$15,000112021
Nehemiah CenterHouston, TX$15,000222022
San Jacinto Museum of HistoryLa Porte, TX$15,000112022
Spark School Park ProgramHouston, TX$15,000112020
Lazarus HouseHouston, TX$13,000112023
Assistance League of HoustonHouston, TX$10,000112020
Cherish Our Children InternationalHouston, TX$10,000112021
Holly Hall Christian RetirementHouston, TX$10,000112022
Hope and Healing Center & InstituteHouston, TX$10,000112021
Operation WarmPhiladelphia, PA$10,000112020
Prayers of the PeopleHouston, TX$10,000112020
RemindHouston, TX$10,000112020
Retina Research FoundationHouston, TX$10,000222021
Vita LivingHouston, TX$10,000112020
Foundation for Autism CareCypress, TX$5,000112022
Momentum EducationHouston, TX$5,000112022
Palmer Drug Abuse ProgramHouston, TX$5,000112023
Gladney Center for AdoptionHouston, TX$3,870112020

78 of 221 (35%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 38%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 200 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Human Services
41 grants
Education
33 grants
Arts & Culture
32 grants
Environment
20 grants
Health Care
15 grants
Religion
10 grants
Diseases & Disorders
8 grants
Youth Development
7 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202081$10.6M$50,000
202175$13.6M$50,000
2022100$14.7M$100,000
202389$15.6M$100,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 98% of this one's giving went to organizations in Texas. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Texas
$53.4M
Virginia
$600K
New Jersey
$500K
Pennsylvania
$10K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Greater Houston Community Foundation132 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund128 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc104 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc102 shared recipientsAlbert & Ethel Herzstein91 shared recipientsThe Brown Foundation Inc90 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $65,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Texas.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding human services in TexasEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in TexasEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in TexasEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Elkins Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 3737 Buffalo Speedway 750, Houston, TX, 77098. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 74-6051746 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.