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Greater Houston Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$259.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.2M
Decision Time
9mo

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $1.45 billion
  • Annual Giving: $259 million (2024)
  • Grant Type: Primarily donor-advised funds; High-Impact Grantmaking initiative: $500,000 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Houston region, Texas
  • Application Method: Primarily invitation/donor-directed; Limited competitive High-Impact Grantmaking program

Contact Details

Address: 515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-333-2200
Email: donorservices@ghcf.org
Website: https://ghcf.org/
High-Impact Grantmaking Inquiries: impact@ghcf.org

Overview

Founded in 1995, the Greater Houston Community Foundation has grown to become one of Houston's largest grantmakers, managing approximately $1.45 billion in assets through some 900 donor-advised funds. In 2024, the Foundation distributed over $259 million in grants on behalf of its donors, with cumulative giving exceeding $2.7 billion over 30 years. The Foundation's mission centers on expanding philanthropic impact by connecting donors to causes they care about and convening resources to address important community needs. While most grantmaking occurs through donor-directed funds, the Foundation launched a High-Impact Grantmaking initiative in 2023 focused on economic mobility, representing its first strategic discretionary grantmaking program. The Foundation has played a pivotal role in disaster relief, including administering the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund which raised $114 million from over 126,000 donors. The Foundation also administers scholarship programs distributing over $5.7 million annually to more than 1,000 students through 60+ different scholarship funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Donor-Advised Funds (Primary grantmaking vehicle)

  • Grants awarded at the specific direction of individual donors who establish funds
  • No public application process for donor-advised grants
  • Grants distributed to 501(c)(3) public charities
  • In 2023: 596 grants for public benefit, 972 for educational programs, 1,116 for human services, 378 for health programs, 635 for religious programs, 351 for environmental efforts, 326 for arts programs, 96 for international activities

High-Impact Grantmaking Initiative (Competitive program)

  • Annual focus on economic mobility
  • $500,000 total annual investment
  • Grants range from $100,000 to $200,000
  • Application includes Good Fit Assessment, virtual office hours (May-July), semi-finalist site visits (October), finalist presentations (January), board approval
  • Open to organizations and collaboratives advancing economic mobility for Houston-area families

Scholarship Programs

  • 60+ different scholarship funds administered
  • $5.7 million+ distributed annually to 1,000+ students
  • Each program has unique eligibility criteria
  • Applications through GHCF Scholar portal at apply-ghcf.smapply.io

Disaster Relief Grantmaking

  • Rolling basis during declared disasters
  • Partner in Greater Houston Disaster Alliance
  • Historical examples: Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, COVID-19 Recovery Fund, Winter Storm Uri relief
  • Employee disaster relief programs administered for 70+ corporate partners ($20 million+ total)

Priority Areas

High-Impact Grantmaking Focus:

  • Economic mobility and intergenerational poverty
  • Programs serving families in the bottom 20th percentile of income
  • Microenterprise and financial literacy
  • Reentry support and workforce development
  • Public benefits access

Community Impact Fund Pillars:

  • Understanding Houston (data and research)
  • Greater Houston Disaster Alliance
  • High-Impact Grantmaking Initiative

Broad Funding Through Donor-Advised Funds:

  • Education
  • Human services
  • Healthcare
  • Arts and culture
  • Environment
  • Religious organizations
  • International causes

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not have discretionary funds for general grantmaking outside of the High-Impact Grantmaking initiative. All other grants must be directed by donors who establish funds with the Foundation. Organizations cannot apply directly for donor-advised fund grants.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Stephen D. Maislin, President & CEO
Maislin has emphasized the Foundation's role in fighting intergenerational poverty, stating: "Our aim is to create a Houston where every child, no matter where they start, can dream, contribute, and succeed." On the Foundation's donor-advised fund model, he notes: "The core of our business is donor-advised funds, working with people based in Houston who want to give back and make a real difference in the community." Regarding the High-Impact Grantmaking initiative, Maislin shared: "This is the ideal moment for an investment in these nonprofits, as they stand on the precipice of scaling their impactful work. True transformation occurs when resources are coupled with strategic support and collaboration. The Foundation is committed to adding value beyond the check."

Other Senior Leadership:

  • Pooja Amin, General Counsel
  • Rebecca Hove, Managing Director of Strategic Philanthropy
  • Mike Pawson, Chief Operating Officer
  • Kevin Pickett, Chief Advancement Officer
  • Jennifer Touchet, Vice President of Personal & Family Philanthropy
  • Diana Zarzuelo, Vice President of Community Impact
  • Sara Martinez, Senior Director of Community Impact

Governing Board

Current Board Chair: Bob Harvey (Chair Elect), Former President & CEO, Greater Houston Partnership
Immediate Past Chair: Chris Weekley, President, David Weekley Homes (served April 2022-January 2025)

Additional Board Members:

  • Gregory L. Ebel, President and CEO, Enbridge Inc.
  • Kate Fowler, Executive Director, Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation
  • Cullen Geiselman, Ph.D., Chair of the Board, Cullen Trust for Health Care
  • Philip J. Hawk, Retired Executive
  • Douglas C. Kelly, President, Hilcorp Ventures, Inc.
  • Cody McGregor, Next Gen Representative, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Avani Narang, Next Gen Representative, Managing Director of Marketing & Digital Communications, Indus Communities
  • Brandon Simmons, Chairman of the Board of Regents, Texas Southern University
  • Y. Ping Sun, Of Counsel, Yetter Coleman LLP
  • Thomas M. Wright, Retired Partner, RSM US LLP

The Governing Board selected economic mobility as the High-Impact Grantmaking initiative's priority in Fall 2023.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For High-Impact Grantmaking Initiative: The Foundation operates a competitive annual grant cycle for its High-Impact Grantmaking program focused on economic mobility. Organizations should contact impact@ghcf.org to inquire about current funding opportunities.

Typical Timeline:

  • Open application with Good Fit Assessment of eligibility requirements
  • Virtual office hours (May-July)
  • Applicant Q&A during review period
  • Semi-finalist site visits (October)
  • Finalist presentations to donors and stakeholders (late January)
  • Board approval and award announcement

For Donor-Advised Fund Grants: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for donor-advised fund grants. Grants are awarded at the specific direction of donors who establish funds with the Foundation. There is no public application process for these grants.

For Scholarship Programs: Students should visit the GHCF Scholar portal at apply-ghcf.smapply.io to view available scholarships and their specific eligibility requirements. Over 60 different scholarship programs are available, each with unique criteria.

For Disaster Relief: During declared disasters, the Foundation works through the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance to coordinate relief efforts. Organizations should monitor the Foundation's website and news announcements during disaster events.

Getting on Their Radar

For Organizations Seeking Donor-Advised Fund Support:

The Foundation explicitly states it does not have discretionary funds for grantmaking outside of the High-Impact initiative. However, organizations can position themselves to receive support from the Foundation's 900+ donor-advised funds through these funder-specific approaches:

  1. Connect with the Donor Services Team: Contact donorservices@ghcf.org to learn about how the Foundation works with nonprofits. The Foundation provides due diligence services for donor-advised fund holders who are considering grants to specific organizations.

  2. Foundation Services Program: The Foundation offers comprehensive services to private foundations and nonprofits throughout the region, helping them navigate foundation operations and grant administration. This creates networking opportunities with donors in the Foundation's community.

  3. Community Impact Initiatives: Organizations working on economic mobility, disaster resilience, or other community priorities may gain visibility through the Foundation's Community Impact Fund work, including "Understanding Houston" data initiatives and the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance.

  4. Demonstrate Excellence: The Foundation conducts due diligence on behalf of donor-advised fund holders. Maintaining strong organizational capacity, financial transparency, and measurable impact increases the likelihood donors will direct grants to your organization.

Decision Timeline

High-Impact Grantmaking: Approximately 8-9 months from application opening to board approval and award announcement (typically starting spring with awards announced late January of the following year)

Donor-Advised Fund Grants: Timeline varies based on individual donor decisions; the Foundation processes grants and mails checks once donors make their recommendations

Scholarships: Varies by individual scholarship fund; check specific deadlines in the GHCF Scholar portal

Success Rates

High-Impact Grantmaking Inaugural Cycle (2024): Three organizations received funding totaling $500,000. Specific application numbers were not disclosed.

Inaugural Recipients:

  • Connective - $200,000 for Public Benefits Hub serving low-income Harris County families
  • Grameen America - $100,000 for microloans and financial literacy for underserved women entrepreneurs
  • Prison Entrepreneurship Program - $200,000 for reentry support and economic pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals

Reapplication Policy

High-Impact Grantmaking operates on an annual cycle. Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants was not specified. Organizations should contact impact@ghcf.org for guidance.

Application Success Factors

For High-Impact Grantmaking Applicants

Focus on Economic Mobility: The Foundation's Governing Board specifically selected economic mobility as the priority, with emphasis on helping families in the bottom 20th percentile of income. The Foundation recognizes that "children born into families in the bottom 20th percentile of income are twice as likely to stay in this income bracket as adults" compared to those from middle-income families.

Demonstrate Scalability: President & CEO Stephen Maislin stated the Foundation targets "nonprofits, as they stand on the precipice of scaling their impactful work." Applications should show readiness to expand impact with strategic support.

Value Beyond the Check: Maislin emphasized that "True transformation occurs when resources are coupled with strategic support and collaboration. The Foundation is committed to adding value beyond the check." Organizations should be prepared to engage in collaborative relationships beyond just receiving funding.

Show Collaborative Capacity: The High-Impact Grantmaking initiative explicitly welcomes both individual organizations and collaboratives. The Foundation values partnerships and collective impact approaches.

Examples of Successful Projects: The inaugural grant recipients demonstrate the types of programs the Foundation values:

  • Direct service delivery to low-income families (Connective's Public Benefits Hub)
  • Financial empowerment for underserved entrepreneurs (Grameen America's microloans)
  • Comprehensive reentry support creating pathways to economic stability (Prison Entrepreneurship Program)

Community Grantmaking Committee Leadership: The grantmaking is "led by a Community Grantmaking Committee that represents a diverse group of community leaders that will guide the investment strategy to support upward economic mobility." Applications will be evaluated by community leaders with deep knowledge of Houston's needs.

Engage Throughout the Process: The Foundation offers virtual office hours (May-July) and applicant Q&A periods. Organizations should take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen applications and demonstrate engagement.

For Organizations Seeking Donor Support

Maintain Strong Infrastructure: Since the Foundation conducts due diligence on behalf of donor-advised fund holders, organizations should maintain transparent governance, sound financial management, and clear impact measurement.

Build Relationships in the Houston Philanthropic Community: With 900+ donor-advised funds managed by the Foundation, many Houston donors work through GHCF. Building authentic relationships with Houston's philanthropic community can lead to donor-directed grants.

Align with Donor Interests: The Foundation helps donors "connect to the causes they care about" across education, human services, health, arts, environment, religious organizations, and international causes. Organizations should articulate their mission clearly to attract aligned donors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two Distinct Pathways: Understand the difference between the competitive High-Impact Grantmaking program (limited funding, specific focus on economic mobility) and the much larger donor-advised fund system (no public application, donor-directed).

  • High-Impact Focus: For the competitive program, demonstrate how your work directly advances economic mobility, particularly for families in the bottom 20th percentile of income, with clear scalability potential.

  • Beyond Transactional Funding: The Foundation emphasizes collaborative partnerships and adding "value beyond the check." Show readiness to engage in strategic relationships, not just receive funding.

  • Houston-Centric: The Foundation's mission centers on Greater Houston. Applications should demonstrate deep understanding of Houston's specific challenges, particularly around economic mobility and intergenerational poverty.

  • Timing Matters: High-Impact Grantmaking operates on an annual cycle with a lengthy process (8-9 months). Plan accordingly and engage early through office hours and inquiries to impact@ghcf.org.

  • Leverage Multiple Programs: Organizations may benefit from multiple Foundation programs (High-Impact Grantmaking, disaster relief, scholarship administration, foundation services) depending on their mission and timing.

  • Relationship Building for DAF Support: While there's no public application for donor-advised funds, demonstrating organizational excellence and building relationships within Houston's philanthropic community can position organizations to receive donor-directed grants from GHCF's 900+ funds.

References

  1. Greater Houston Community Foundation official website. https://ghcf.org/ (Accessed December 2025)

  2. Greater Houston Community Foundation staff and leadership page. https://ghcf.org/about/people/ (Accessed December 2025)

  3. Greater Houston Community Foundation High-Impact Grantmaking program page. https://ghcf.org/community-impact/high-impact-grantmaking/ (Accessed December 2025)

  4. Greater Houston Community Foundation GuideStar Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7160400 (Accessed December 2025)

  5. Greater Houston Community Foundation profile on Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/greater-houston-community-foundation,237160400/ (Accessed December 2025)

  6. "Greater Houston Community Foundation Turns 30, Thanks to Living Donors and DAFs." Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/greater-houston-community-foundation-turns-30-thanks-to-living-donors-and-dafs (Accessed December 2025)

  7. "Greater Houston Community Foundation Launches New Grantmaking Initiative to Address Intergenerational Poverty." GHCF News. https://ghcf.org/news/greater-houston-community-foundation-launches-new-grantmaking-initiative-to-address-intergenerational-poverty/ (Accessed December 2025)

  8. "Greater Houston Community Foundation Announces Recipients of Inaugural High-Impact Grantmaking Initiative." GHCF News. https://ghcf.org/news/greater-houston-community-foundation-announces-recipients-of-inaugural-high-impact-grantmaking-initiative/ (Accessed December 2025)

  9. "30 Years of Amplified Giving: Insights from the CEO." GHCF Articles. https://ghcf.org/articles/30-years-of-amplified-giving-insights-from-the-ceo/ (Accessed December 2025)

  10. "Greater Houston Community Foundation 2024 Annual Report." GHCF News. https://ghcf.org/news/greater-houston-community-foundation-2024-annual-report/ (Accessed December 2025)

  11. Greater Houston Community Foundation contact page. https://ghcf.org/contact/ (Accessed December 2025)

  12. "About Greater Houston Community Foundation." Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund. https://www.greaterhoustonrecovery.org/about-ghcf/ (Accessed December 2025)

  13. "How We Help Houston Foundations and Nonprofits." GHCF. https://ghcf.org/who-we-serve/foundations/ (Accessed December 2025)

  14. Greater Houston Community Foundation - Greater Houston Disaster Alliance profile. https://disasteralliance.org/greater-houston-community-foundation/ (Accessed December 2025)

  15. "Welcome: Our New 2025 Governing Board Members." GHCF. https://ghcf.org/articles/welcome-our-new-2025-governing-board-members/ (Accessed December 2025)

  16. GHCF Scholar scholarship portal. https://apply-ghcf.smapply.io/ (Accessed December 2025)

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