The Cullen Foundation
Accepts applications
The Cullen Foundation is a private foundation in Houston, Texas. In tax year 2024 it gave $17.9 million in 33 grants; the typical grant was $250,000 and the largest $3.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$17.9 million
- Number of grants33
- Typical grant$250,000
- Largest grant$3.0 million
- Assets$412 million
- New grantees42%
Giving in 2024 was up from $17.2 million the year before.
42% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $17.2 million | 35 | $390 million |
| 2024 | $17.9 million | 33 | $412 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Grant Administrator Cullen Foundati 2727 Allen Parkway Suite 1050, Houston, TX 77019-2115 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (713) 651-8837, grants@cullenfdn.org |
| What to submit | See www.cullenfdn.org for online application and information. |
| Restrictions | Restricted to Texas-based charitable organizations for programs in Texas, primarily in the Houston area. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Cullen Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Texas.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 33 | $17.9 million |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine | Baylor College of Medicines Health Sciences Tower | $3.0 million |
| University of Houston System | Centennial Project: Transforming Houston's Campus - Centennial Plaza Naming | $2.5 million |
| Armand Bayou Nature Center | Upper Armand Bayou Protection Project | $1.5 million |
| DePelchin Children's Center | Toward Transitioning Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Region 6 to Community Based Care | $1.0 million |
| Good Reason Houston Inc | HISD Supports for External Engagement | $1.0 million |
| Harris Health Strategic Fund | Investing in a Healthier Houston - A Campaign for Harris Health | $1.0 million |
| Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc | Robins Landing Housing Development: Phase 1B | $1.0 million |
| BridgeYear | BridgeYear 3-Year Growth and Innovation Fund | $750,000 |
| EMERGE Fellowship | Transition EMERGE HISD Program to the EMERGE Non-Profit | $750,000 |
| Beta Foundation dba Beta Academy | Joy Campaign Phase II | $500,000 |
| Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | CampHER: Empowering Girls in Nature -- Camp Agnes Arnold Improvements | $500,000 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Houston Charter Seed Fund II - Start-up and Accelerator Grant Funding | $500,000 |
| My Connect Community | Connect Community's Textile Lab & Entrepreneurship Center - Capital Campaign | $500,000 |
| Rebuilding Together Houston | Hurricane Beryl Disaster Home Repair for Low-Income Families | $500,000 |
| Teach For America Inc - Houston | Expanding the Houston Corps as Part of Strategic Plan | $500,000 |
| ProUnitas Inc | Building a Shared Student Support Infrastructure for Smaller Charter Schools in Houston | $450,000 |
| United Way of Greater Houston | Annual Giving Grant | $250,000 |
| Alley Theatre | Annual Giving Grant | $175,000 |
| Houston Ballet Foundation | Annual Giving Grant | $175,000 |
| Houston Grand Opera Association Inc | Annual Giving Grant | $175,000 |
| Houston Symphony Society | Annual Giving Grant | $175,000 |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science | Annual Giving Grant | $150,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Annual Giving Grant | $150,000 |
| Menil Foundation Inc | Annual Giving Grant | $125,000 |
| Friends of Pumpkin Park | Opening the Doors to Children's Dreams - Capital Campaign | $100,000 |
| Children's Museum Inc | Annual Giving Grant | $75,000 |
| Da Camera Society of Texas | Annual Giving Grant | $75,000 |
| Houston Public Media Foundation | Annual Giving Grant | $75,000 |
| Kinkaid School Inc | Annual Giving Grant | $70,000 |
| W Oscar Neuhaus Memorial Foundation | Annual Giving Grant | $60,000 |
| Chinquapin Preparatory School | Completion of campaign to purchase a new bus fleet | $50,000 |
| Council on Recovery | Annual Giving Grant | $40,000 |
| Houston Arboretum & Nature Center | Annual Giving Grant | $40,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Wilhelmina E Robertson
- Carla Knobloch
- Meredith T Cullen
- Isaac Arnold III
- Marvin E Odum
- Nina Zilkha
- Scott W Wise
- Laura Chapman
- Peggy Reid
Questions people ask
Does The Cullen Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The Cullen Foundation give?
$17.9 million in tax year 2024, across 33 grants, with a typical grant of $250,000.
Who runs The Cullen Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Wilhelmina E Robertson (Chairman/Dir), Carla Knobloch (Vice Chairman/Dir), Meredith T Cullen (Secretary/Dir) and Isaac Arnold III (Director) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does The Cullen Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and science and research.