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The Fondren Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Fondren Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$14M
Granted FY2021
74
Grants FY2021
3
States reached
$2.6M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0195% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Health$7.6MEducation$4.4MArts & Culture$2.7MHuman Services$1.6MRecreation & Sports$1.2MAnimals$609kHousing & Shelter$571kReligion$409kOther$0
02FY2021 · 74 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 74 grants below total $12,559,361, the rows itemized in this filing. The $13,630,193 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $1,070,832 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2021

  • $10k–50k15 grants · $503k
  • $50k–250k49 grants · $5.3M
  • $250k+10 grants · $6.8M
$100,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$217M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION$2,600,000
THE CENTER FOR PURSUIT$750,000
ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL$650,000
YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY INC.$500,000
ASIA SOCIETY TEXAS CENTER$500,000
NEW HOPE HOUSING, INC.$458,334
THE COUNCIL ON RECOVERY$375,000
THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON$350,000
CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON$300,000
THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON$270,000
THE MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY, INC$200,000
TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL$200,000
MEMORIAL HERMANN HEALTH SYSTEM$200,000
HOUSTON ZOO, INC$200,000
KIPP TEXAS, INC$200,000
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

68%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$14M · 40 repeat orgs$6.7M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +51% since the first grant, against +45% for those funded once.

40 repeat relationships: 40 still active in FY2021, 0 since wound down; 33 grantees were first funded in FY2021 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

40
29

Total granted

$14M
$2.4M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+51%
+45%

Still filing today

80%
79%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2021, 66% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $4.3M went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21
EducationHuman ServicesArts & CultureHealthEnvironmentHousing & ShelterOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • TM
    THE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
    2× · 2020–2021 · $4.1M · revenue +129%
  • TM
    THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
    2× · 2020–2021 · $890k · revenue +51%
  • NH
    New Hope Housing Inc
    2× · 2020–2021 · $500k · revenue +23%

Funded once

  • RO
    RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL
    one grant, 2020 · $250k
  • KI
    KIPP, INC.
    one grant, 2020 · $200k
  • UO
    UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - DOWNTOWN
    one grant, 2020 · $200k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

03Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Trees for Houston

Plant, protect and promote trees all over the greater Houston area.

—
2
St John's School

See Schedule OSt. John's School is an independent, co-educational day school presenting a 13-year sequence of college preparatory training. A non-profit institution, it was founded in 1946 to provide the community with a school of exacting…

—
3
The Awty International School

See Schedule OThe purpose of Awty International School (Awty) is to create an environment where students experience excellence every day to make their mark on the world alongside their community, in a spirit of curiosity, courage and…

—
4
Breakthrough Houston

The mission of Breakthrough Houston (BTH) is to work with highly motivated students to achieve post-secondary success and empower aspiring leaders to become the next generation of educational advocates.

Education
5
Houston Independent School District Foundation

The HISD Foundation is dedicated to mobilizing the local community to support innovative priorities in HISD to improve outcomes for all students in the district. Our mission is to fund projects and programs of merit that fall outside of…

—
6
Houston Local Information Initiative Inc

The Houston Local Information Initiative, Inc. provides public service journalism that reflects the civic needs of the diverse communities comprising Greater Houston.

Arts & Culture
7
The Fay School

See Schedule O. The Fay School ("the School") is a nonsectarian, not-for-profit, co-educational school in which children of diverse talents and backgrounds with strong academic abilities are offered a high-quality education in a secure,…

—
8
Harris County Medical Society

Our mission is to be the leading advocate for our member physicians, their patients and our community, in promoting the highest standards of ethical medical practice, access to quality medical care, medical education, research, and…

—
9
The Woodlands Christian Academy

TWCA is an independent, Christ-centered college preparatory school that integrates learning with biblical faith and challenges our students to reach their highest potential - intellectually, creatively, physically, and socially - for the…

—
10
John P McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science

The Health Museum is an innovative science center that provides an interactive and entertaining experience for all ages, promotes understanding and appreciation of the human body, mind, and spirit, and inspires a lifelong commitment to…

Arts & Culture
11
Made Houston

MADE Houston was formed to create a school community focused on nurturing and developing the unique academic and social needs of students with learning differences and to successfully transition students into mainstream schools.

Education
12
The Heritage Society

The Heritage Society (THS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1954 whose mission is to tell the stories of the diverse history of Houston and Texas through collections, exhibits, the arts, educational programs, film, video, and other…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Houston Achievement Place; the most unlike its peers is Fort Bend Ramps Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

89 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 89 of the 102 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

2
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
19
Early backer (in before they grew)
86/89
Grantees still filing
61/89
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $4,100,000 · HealthTHE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATI…Texas Children's Hospital: $400,000 · HealthTexas Children's HospitalThe Council on Recovery: $375,000 · HealthThe Council on RecoveryMemorial Hermann Health System: $350,000 · HealthMemorial Hermann Health SystemASIAN AMERICAN HEALTH COALITION OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA: $218,750 · Health+5 more: $287,500 · HealthST FRANCIS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL: $900,000 · OtherST FRANCIS EPISCOPAL DAY SCH…ST MARTINS EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL: $318,184 · OtherST MARTINS EPISCOPAL PRESCHO…RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL: $250,000 · OtherUPBRING: $233,336 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH: $200,000 · OtherKIPP, INC.: $200,000 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - DOWNTOWN: $200,000 · OtherHouston Zoo Inc: $400,000 · OtherHouston Zoo IncASTROS GOLF FOUNDATION: $333,328 · OtherASTROS GOLF FOUNDATIONCENTRAL HOUSTON CIVIC IMPROVEMENT INC: $175,000 · OtherSTONEY CREEK FOUNDATION: $187,500 · Other+22 more: $1,847,329 · Other+22 moreYELLOWSTONE ACADEMY INC DBA YELLOWSTONE SCHOOLS: $500,000 · EducationYELLOWSTONE ACAD…IDEA Public Schools: $333,328 · EducationIDEA Public Scho…THE CENTER FOR HEARING AND SPEECH: $266,668 · EducationTHE CENTER FOR H…KIPP Texas Inc: $200,000 · EducationKIPP Texas IncYES Prep Public Schools Inc: $170,835 · EducationYES Prep Public …Small Steps Nurturing Center: $150,000 · EducationJoy Development School: $150,000 · EducationGulf Offshore Research Institute: $125,000 · EducationTHE BETA FOUNDATION: $116,664 · EducationWilliam Marsh Rice University: $108,000 · EducationThe Kinkaid School Inc: $100,000 · EducationWashington and Lee University: $100,000 · EducationAgape Development Ministries: $100,000 · Education+8 more: $532,497 · Education+8 moreTHE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON: $890,000 · Arts & CultureTHE MUSEUM OF F…ASIA SOCIETY TEXAS CENTER: $500,000 · Arts & CultureASIA SOCIETY TE…GLENWOOD CEMETERY HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION: $333,328 · Arts & CultureGLENWOOD CEMETE…ALLEY THEATRE: $318,184 · Arts & CultureALLEY THEATREContemporary Arts Museum Houston: $300,000 · Arts & CultureContemporary Ar…Houston Museum of Natural Science: $100,000 · Arts & Culture+6 more: $364,964 · Arts & Culture+6 moreTHE CENTER FOR PURSUIT: $750,000 · Human ServicesTHE CENTER FOR…Christian Community Service Center Inc: $320,000 · Human ServicesChristian Comm…Young Men's Christian Association of the Greater Houston Area: $320,000 · Human ServicesYoung Men's Ch…Houston's Amazing Place Inc: $200,000 · Human ServicesHouston's Amaz…COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS: $150,000 · Human ServicesCOVENANT HOUSE…INSPIRATION RANCH INC: $150,000 · Human ServicesINSPIRATION RA…DEPELCHIN CHILDREN'S CENTER: $100,000 · Human ServicesThe Sanctuary Foster Care Services: $100,000 · Human ServicesWonders & Worries Inc: $87,500 · Human Services+8 more: $384,169 · Human Services+8 moreMemorial Park Conservancy Inc: $400,000 · EnvironmentHouston Botanic Garden: $141,672 · EnvironmentSWITCH ENERGY ALLIANCE: $100,000 · EnvironmentGalveston Bay Foundation Inc: $100,000 · EnvironmentThe Houston Audubon Society: $42,000 · Environment+1 more: $10,000 · EnvironmentNew Hope Housing Inc: $500,000 · Housing & ShelterAvenue Community Development Corporation: $41,670 · Housing & ShelterFORT BEND RAMPS INC: $25,000 · Housing & Shelter
Health$5,731,250Other$5,244,677Education$2,952,992Arts & Culture$2,806,476Human Services$2,561,669Environment$793,672Housing & Shelter$566,670

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTHE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $4,100,000 over 2y, 2.6% of budgetTHE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON: $890,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR PURSUIT: $750,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetASIA SOCIETY TEXAS CENTER: $500,000 over 1y, 6.0% of budgetYELLOWSTONE ACADEMY INC DBA YELLOWSTONE SCHOOLS: $500,000 over 1y, 3.0% of budgetNew Hope Housing Inc: $500,000 over 2y, 6.8% of budgetTexas Children's Hospital: $400,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHouston Zoo Inc: $400,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetMemorial Park Conservancy Inc: $400,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetThe Council on Recovery: $375,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetMemorial Hermann Health System: $350,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetASTROS GOLF FOUNDATION: $333,328 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetIDEA Public Schools: $333,328 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGLENWOOD CEMETERY HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION: $333,328 over 2y, 11% of budgetChristian Community Service Center Inc: $320,000 over 2y, 3.2% of budgetYoung Men's Christian Association of the Greater Houston Area: $320,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetALLEY THEATRE: $318,184 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetContemporary Arts Museum Houston: $300,000 over 1y, 9.0% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR HEARING AND SPEECH: $266,668 over 2y, 3.0% of budgetASIAN AMERICAN HEALTH COALITION OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA: $218,750 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetHouston's Amazing Place Inc: $200,000 over 2y, 2.5% of budgetKIPP Texas Inc: $200,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSTONEY CREEK FOUNDATION: $187,500 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetCENTRAL HOUSTON CIVIC IMPROVEMENT INC: $175,000 over 2y, 9.0% of budgetYES Prep Public Schools Inc: $170,835 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetHOUSTON SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $166,664 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetCOVENANT HOUSE TEXAS: $150,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetSmall Steps Nurturing Center: $150,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetINSPIRATION RANCH INC: $150,000 over 1y, 7.5% of budgetJoy Development School: $150,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetHouston Botanic Garden: $141,672 over 1y, 3.5% of budgetCamp Allen Camp & Conference Center: $125,000 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetEvelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston: $125,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetHouston Golf Association Inc: $125,000 over 2y, 56% of budgetFt Bend County Child Advocates Inc: $125,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetGulf Offshore Research Institute: $125,000 over 2y, 28% of budgetTHE BETA FOUNDATION: $116,664 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetSER-JOBS FOR PROGRESS OF THE TEXAS GULF COAST INC: $112,500 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetWilliam Marsh Rice University: $108,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDEPELCHIN CHILDREN'S CENTER: $100,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetHouston Museum of Natural Science: $100,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetNextOp Inc: $100,000 over 2y, 6.3% of budgetThe Sanctuary Foster Care Services: $100,000 over 1y, 5.1% of budgetThe Kinkaid School Inc: $100,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSWITCH ENERGY ALLIANCE: $100,000 over 1y, 6.2% of budgetWashington and Lee University: $100,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAgape Development Ministries: $100,000 over 1y, 3.9% of budgetLEGACY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES INC: $100,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Greater Houston Commu…Albert & Ethel Herzst…The Brown Foundation …Houston Endowment IncMD Anderson FoundationStrake FoundationVivian L Smith Founda…The Elkins FoundationThe William Stamps Fa…Shell USA Company Fou…The Methodist HospitalThe Powell Foundation
Greater Houston Community FoundationTX77.8× affinity57 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Greater Houston Community Foundation · Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation · The Brown Foundation Inc · Houston Endowment Inc · MD Anderson Foundation · Strake Foundation · Vivian L Smith Foundation · The Elkins Foundation · The William Stamps Farish Fund · Shell USA Company Foundation · The Methodist Hospital · The Powell Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 102 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2021, released 2021. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2025) is on record and reports $13M of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2021, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Fondren’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home