C T Bauer Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.4 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,843,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Houston/Texas, also MA and IN

Contact Details

Address: 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2600, Houston, TX 77046

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The C T Bauer Foundation was established in 2014 as a private independent foundation in Houston, Texas, with assets exceeding $58 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $3.4 million. The foundation honors the legacy of Charles T. "Ted" Bauer, co-founder of AIM Management Group and prominent Houston philanthropist who passed away in 2004. The foundation continues his philanthropic vision, focusing primarily on business education, healthcare, and general philanthropy. The foundation has invested over $7.6 million to support 280 students through scholarship programs at Houston-area universities. In 2000, Ted Bauer made a transformational $40 million gift to the University of Houston that led to the naming of the C. T. Bauer College of Business.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking:

• Ted Bauer Undergraduate Business Scholarships at UH-Downtown: $635,000+ multi-year grants supporting 45 students with $9,000 per year for two years
• Ted Bauer Undergraduate Business Scholarships at University of Houston: Multi-year commitments exceeding $5.8 million total for undergraduate business students
• General Educational Support: $10,000 - $1.8 million for various educational institutions
• Healthcare and Philanthropy Support: Varying amounts to medical and charitable organizations

Priority Areas

• Business education (primary focus)
• Support for students with financial need
• Healthcare initiatives
• Philanthropic capacity building
• Programs serving Hispanic students

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations without established relationships with the foundation
• Unsolicited proposals
• International organizations

Governance and Leadership

• Darren Wolfman - President
• Lisa Laminack - Secretary/Trustee
• Bob Casey - Vice President
• James Stinson - Trustee

The foundation operates with minimal staff (1 employee) and makes grant decisions through trustee selection.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant decisions are made by the board of trustees based on their own identification of charitable organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

While no public application exists, organizations in priority areas may increase visibility through:

• Building connections in Houston's business education community
• Partnering with UH-Downtown's Marilyn Davies College of Business or UH's C. T. Bauer College of Business
• Demonstrating impact in undergraduate business education for students with financial need
• Engaging with Houston business and philanthropic circles where trustees are active

Decision Timeline

Annual grantmaking cycle suggested by November Form 990-PF filing pattern. Specific timelines not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation doesn't accept applications, success patterns from existing grants reveal priorities:

• Legacy alignment: Organizations continuing Ted Bauer's vision for business education and Hispanic student advancement
• Multi-year proven programs: Sustained investment in established programs over one-time grants
• Merit plus need: Scholarship programs combining financial need with 3.0+ GPA requirements
• Houston-based impact: Strong preference for Houston-area organizations, especially University of Houston system
• General operating support: Trust in organizational leadership to deploy funds effectively

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public applications - This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals
• Business education is core - Over $7.6 million invested in business student scholarships
• Multi-year commitments preferred - Substantial, sustained investments from $10,000 to $1.8 million
• Houston-centric with exceptions - Primary focus on Houston/Texas, with some grants to MA and IN
• Financial need + academic merit - Scholarship programs require both demonstrated need and 3.0+ GPA
• Relationship-based grantmaking - Support only through trustee networks and existing connections

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - C T Bauer Foundation (EIN: 46-3354831). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/463354831 (Accessed February 4, 2026)
• University of Houston-Downtown. "Grant from The C.T. Bauer Foundation to Fund Scholarships for Business Students." (Accessed February 4, 2026)
• University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business. "C. T. Bauer Foundation Invests In Students with Scholarship Program." (Accessed February 4, 2026)
• Cause IQ - The CT Bauer Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-ct-bauer-foundation,463354831/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
• Houston Chronicle. "Deaths: Ted Bauer, Aim Group co-founder." (Accessed February 4, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory. "The Ct Bauer Foundation." (Accessed February 4, 2026)