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M D Anderson Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo

M D Anderson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,189,500 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 83 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant: ~$75,000
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Total Assets: $107,025,002 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Houston and Harris County, Texas
  • Application Method: Online application portal

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 2558, Houston, TX 77252-2558

Telephone: 713-216-3773

Email: M_D_Anderson_Foundation@jpmorgan.com

Website: https://mdandersonfoundation.org

Online Application Portal: https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=828&fid=36463

Overview

The M D Anderson Foundation was established in the late 1930s by Monroe Dunaway Anderson, co-founder of Anderson, Clayton & Co. The current foundation was established in 2003 as a successor foundation to the original. After Anderson's death in 1939, $19 million of his estate went to the foundation. Over its lifetime, the foundation has distributed more than $276 million in grants, with $81 million to Texas Medical Center institutions and $63 million to other educational institutions.

The foundation played a crucial role in establishing the Texas Medical Center, including the creation of M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute (now UT MD Anderson Cancer Center), supporting Baylor College of Medicine's relocation to Houston, and establishing the Texas Medical Center Corporation in 1945. Today, the foundation continues to support charitable organizations primarily in Houston and Harris County across four key focus areas: medical and health, education, culture and arts (including greenspaces), and improving lives of the underserved.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants across four key focus areas:

1. Medical and Health (with emphasis on Texas Medical Center)

  • Support for hospitals, homes, and institutions for care of the sick
  • Medical research and innovation
  • Healthcare access for underserved populations

2. Education

  • Higher education institutions
  • Early learning through high school programs
  • Educational advancement and diffusion of knowledge

3. Culture and Arts

  • Arts organizations and programs
  • Greenspaces and public parks
  • Cultural institutions serving Houston communities

4. Improving Lives of the Underserved

  • Programs benefiting working-class conditions
  • Support for the young, aged, incompetent, and helpless
  • Community development initiatives

Priority Areas

According to the foundation's charter, major purposes include:

  • The establishment, support and maintenance of hospitals, homes and institutions for the care of the sick
  • The promotion of health, science, education and advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding among people
  • The improvement of working class conditions among workers generally
  • The improvement of living conditions among people generally

The foundation primarily supports organizations in Houston and Harris County, Texas, and only reviews applications from tax-exempt organizations.

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation rarely funds organizations that make further grants (e.g., endowments)
  • Organizations outside Houston and Harris County (with rare exceptions)
  • Non-tax-exempt organizations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

James W. Crownover - President Current president leading the foundation's strategic direction.

Carter Crow - Director Active board member involved in grant review decisions.

Kevin O'Gorman - Director Board member participating in foundation governance.

Charles W. Hall - Director and Former President Long-time trustee who previously served as president. In historical records, Hall has noted that while the foundation shares the Anderson name with MD Anderson Cancer Center, they are separate entities with no direct operational connection beyond their common founder.

Historical Leadership Context

As of 1993, trustees included Charles Hall, Uriel Dutton, Jack Trotter, and Gibson Gayle, Jr. The foundation has maintained a small, focused board structure throughout its history.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Portal: Applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant request system at https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=828&fid=36463

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a tax-exempt organization under IRS code
  • Must primarily serve Houston and Harris County
  • Should align with one or more of the foundation's four focus areas

Application Materials: Submit complete applications through the online portal with all required documentation.

No Meetings Policy: The foundation does not accept oral presentations or meetings unless initiated by the foundation itself.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Directors review proposals after applicable deadlines

Notification Timeline: Decisions typically communicated following review meetings. Based on comparable foundations' timelines, applicants should expect notification approximately 2-4 months after submission, though this may extend to 5 months depending on where applications fall in the grant cycle.

Communication Method: Decisions are communicated directly to applicants following board review meetings.

Success Rates

With 83 grants awarded in 2023 from total giving of $6,189,500, the foundation maintains an active grant-making program. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication eligibility and timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and mission, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Strong Houston/Harris County Focus The foundation has maintained an unwavering commitment to serving Houston and Harris County since its inception. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit these communities.

2. Alignment with Founder's Vision Monroe Dunaway Anderson focused on benefiting "working men and women in Houston." Projects that improve conditions for working-class populations or address fundamental needs (health, education, quality of life) align with the founder's original intent.

3. Clear Tax-Exempt Status The foundation explicitly states it only reviews applications from tax-exempt organizations. Ensure your IRS determination letter is current and included with application materials.

4. Direct Service Delivery Given the foundation "rarely funds organizations that make further grants," applications should focus on direct program delivery rather than regranting or endowment building.

5. Connection to Foundation's Four Focus Areas Clearly articulate how your project fits within medical/health, education, culture/arts, or improving lives of underserved populations. The strongest applications may touch multiple focus areas.

6. Historical Impact The foundation has a legacy of making transformational investments (such as establishing the Texas Medical Center). While not all grants need to be institution-building, demonstrating potential for lasting community impact is valuable.

7. Realistic Budget Requests With grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 and a median of $50,000, budget requests should be appropriate to the organization's size and the project scope. Average grants around $75,000 suggest most successful applications fall in this range.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Houston and Harris County organizations should apply; this is a firm requirement rooted in the founder's vision
  • Use the online portal: All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online system - no paper applications or meetings accepted
  • Connect to founder's vision: Emphasize how your work benefits working men and women or addresses fundamental needs in health, education, or quality of life
  • Avoid regranting proposals: Direct service delivery is strongly preferred over intermediary grantmaking or endowment requests
  • Be patient with timeline: Allow 2-5 months for application review and board consideration
  • Tax-exempt status is required: Ensure your organization's 501(c)(3) status is current before applying
  • Consider grant size carefully: With a median grant of $50,000 and range of $5,000-$500,000, calibrate your request appropriately to your organization's capacity and project scope

References

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