Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,399,700 (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: $500 - $670,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas, with some national grants

Contact Details

Website: No public website
Address: 300 Jackson Hill Street, Houston, TX 77007-7430
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Note: This is a private family foundation without public application process

Overview

The Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation is a Houston-based private independent foundation established in 2013 with current assets exceeding $152 million. Founded by S. Reed Morian (1946-2024) and Laurie N. Morian, the foundation reflects their deep commitment to environmental conservation, cultural institutions, and education. The foundation has grown dramatically from $10 million in assets in 2012 to over $152 million in 2024, distributing approximately $1.4 million annually in grants. As a private family foundation, it operates through trustee discretion and personal relationships rather than public applications, focusing heavily on Texas-based initiatives, particularly coastal conservation and Houston's major cultural institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes strategic grants in the following areas:

Conservation Initiatives: $10,000 - $670,000 (environmental protection, wildlife conservation, coastal ecosystem preservation)
Cultural Institutions: $5,000 - $500,000 (museums, arts organizations)
Education: $1,000 - $250,000 (schools, educational programs)
Human Services: $500 - $100,000 (community support organizations)

Priority Areas

Environmental conservation, particularly Texas coastal ecosystems and wildlife
Major Houston cultural institutions (museums, arts organizations)
Education at all levels
Philanthropy and voluntarism
Human services
Health organizations

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on grant patterns, unlikely to fund:

Individual requests
Political organizations
Religious activities
Organizations outside their established network
Projects without connection to Texas or trustee interests

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Laurie N. Morian (Trustee) - Former private wealth advisor with extensive financial background from Texas Commerce Bank, Chemical Bank New York, Northern Trust, and Avalon Advisors. Current Director at Houston Museum of Natural Science, board member of Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and advisor for YES Prep.
S. Reed Morian (Trustee, deceased 2024) - Former CEO of DPC, former Chairman of Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, Houston Parks Board, and Houston Museum of Natural Science Board.

Advisory Trustees:

William L. Hixon (compensated $30,000 annually)
Earl Dyke
William C. Montgomery
Thomas Roupe

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion, typically to organizations where trustees have existing relationships or board involvement. The foundation operates as a private family foundation making invitation-only grants.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's patterns and trustee involvement, organizations can increase visibility through:

Houston Museum of Natural Science events and initiatives - Laurie Morian serves as Director and has deep involvement
Museum of Fine Arts Houston programs - Laurie Morian serves on the board
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation events - Both founders had extensive involvement with conservation initiatives
YES Prep Public Schools network - Laurie Morian serves as an advisor
Houston cultural and conservation community events where trustees are active participants
Junior League of Houston activities - Laurie Morian is a member

The foundation has documented partnerships with organizations like the Coastal Conservation Association and Brown Foundation for conservation initiatives, suggesting collaboration with other major Texas funders may provide introduction opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - operates on trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns and trustee involvement:

Direct trustee connection is essential - Nearly all known grants go to organizations where Morian family members serve in leadership roles
Texas-focused initiatives have highest priority - Particularly Houston-based cultural institutions and Texas coastal conservation
Environmental conservation projects align with founder's legacy - The S. Reed Morian Oyster Buyback Program demonstrates the foundation's commitment to innovative conservation partnerships
Cultural institutions receive consistent support - The Morian Hall of Paleontology and Morian Cabinet of Curiosities at Houston Museum of Natural Science show preference for transformative, named initiatives
Collaborative approaches valued - The foundation partners with other major funders like Brown Foundation on large-scale initiatives
Educational components strengthen proposals - Support spans from public schools to museum education programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is a relationship-based funder requiring personal connections through board service or professional networks - cold applications will not succeed
Focus on Texas, particularly Houston - out-of-state grants are rare and typically have strong personal connections
Environmental conservation and cultural institutions are the strongest funding priorities, reflecting the founders' personal passions
Large, transformative gifts are possible for organizations with deep trustee involvement (evidenced by major museum naming opportunities)
Partnership opportunities exist through collaborative initiatives with other Texas foundations
The foundation's growth to $152 million in assets suggests expanding grantmaking capacity in coming years
Without public contact information or application process, networking through Houston philanthropic circles is essential

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for EIN 46-1580212 (accessed January 2026)
Candid Foundation Directory profile for Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation (accessed January 2026)
GuideStar Profile EIN: 46-1580212 (accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ Database - Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation profile (accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl 990 Report Analysis for Morian Foundation (accessed January 2026)
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Press Release: "CCA Texas, partners complete historic oyster license buyback" (December 2024)
Houston Museum of Natural Science website - Board of Directors listing (accessed January 2026)
Humanities Texas - "Laurie Morian Joins Humanities Texas Board" announcement (accessed January 2026)
Legacy.com - S. Reed Morian obituary (April 2024)
National Fisherman - "Texas completes historic oyster license buyback" (January 2025)