Kinder Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Kinder Foundation is a private foundation in Houston, Texas. In tax year 2025 it gave $67.1 million in 78 grants; the typical grant was $94,658 and the largest $19.4 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$67.1 million
- Number of grants78
- Typical grant$94,658
- Largest grant$19.4 million
- Assets$331 million
- New grantees24%
Giving in 2025 was up from $58.5 million the year before.
24% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $55.7 million | 80 | $258 million |
| 2024 | $58.5 million | 83 | $293 million |
| 2025 | $67.1 million | 78 | $331 million |
How to apply
Kinder Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Kinder Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Texas.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 72 | $59.5 million |
| Missouri | 4 | $4.9 million |
| Virginia | 2 | $2.5 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bayou Partnership | Park design & construction - 10 year master plan | $19.4 million |
| Rice University | Enhancement and expansion of the kinder institute for urban research | $11.9 million |
| Memorial Park Conservancy | Park design & construction - 10 year master plan & memorial groves | $5.4 million |
| Houston Parks Board | Macgregor park design & construction | $5.2 million |
| University of Missouri | Enhancement and expansion of the kinder institute for constitutional democracy | $4.7 million |
| University of Virginia | Endowed chair in landscape architecture | $2.4 million |
| Emancipation Park Conservancy | Stage and endowmenet | $2.4 million |
| Coalition for the Homeless of Houstonharris County | Mayor whitmire's homelessness plan | $1.4 million |
| Depelchin Children's Center | Texas foster care transition to the cbc model | $1.4 million |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit | Capital campaign/steam building | $1.4 million |
| Emancipation Park Conservancy | Stage and endowment | $1.0 million |
| Harris Health Strategic Fund | Campaign for harris health 2025 | $1.0 million |
| United Way | General fund | $1.0 million |
| Discovery Green Conservancy | Endowment fund | $938,233 |
| Buffalo Bayou Partnership | Park design & construction - 10 year master plan | $695,053 |
| Good Reason Houston | Hisd strategic fund | $650,000 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Houston next (5 year strategic plan) | $500,000 |
| Rice University | Enhancement and expansion of the kinder institute for urban research | $454,515 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation | Center for health and nature | $333,333 |
| KIPP | Postsecondary gift | $300,000 |
| Yes Prep Public Schools | Postsecondary gift | $300,000 |
| Discovery Green Conservancy | Spring 2026 jazzy sundays series | $277,500 |
| Houston Parks Board | Macgregor park design & construction | $263,286 |
| Memorial Park Conservancy | Park design & construction - 10 year master plan & memorial groves | $253,804 |
| Teach for America | 50% of stipend - 2024-2026 houston core members | $202,100 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Director's donor advised funds | $200,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Exhibitions | $200,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Exhibitions | $200,000 |
| University of Missouri | Enhancement and expansion of the kinder institute for constitutional democracy | $183,054 |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit | Postsecondary gift | $150,000 |
| Discovery Green Conservancy | Endowment fund | $150,000 |
| KIPP | Teacher awards | $120,000 |
| Yes Prep Public Schools | Teacher awards | $120,000 |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit | Corporate work study program | $114,000 |
| Depelchin Children's Center | Foster care | $100,000 |
| Discovery Green Conservancy | General fund | $100,000 |
| Discovery Green Conservancy | Endowment fund | $100,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | General fund | $100,000 |
| Coalition for the Homeless of Houstonharris County | Mayor whitmire's homelessness plan | $98,762 |
| Emancipation Park Conservancy | Stage and endowmenet | $90,554 |
Officers and trustees
- Richard D Kinder
- Nancy G Kinder
- Kara K Vidal
- David D Kinder
- Gary C Dudley
- Roxann S Neumann
- James V Derrick Jr
- Ginger A Corley
- Todd V Adam
- Polly K Whittle
- Kathryn Dollins
- Sabrina W Kirwin
- Aarti K Garehgrat
- Sarah Newbery
- Guy Hagstette
Questions people ask
Does Kinder Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Kinder Foundation give?
$67.1 million in tax year 2025, across 78 grants, with a typical grant of $94,658.
Who runs Kinder Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Richard D Kinder (Chairman), Nancy G Kinder (President/Ceo/Treasurer), Kara K Vidal (Board Member) and David D Kinder (Board Member) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does Kinder Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and science and research.