Hough Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12,876,391 (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $495,246
• Total Assets: $82.3 million
• Number of Grants: 26 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: St. Petersburg, Florida (exclusively)
• Application Method: Online application via hffoundation.paperform.co

Contact Details

Online Application Portal: hffoundation.paperform.co

Mailing Address: St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Note: The foundation does not appear to provide a public phone number or email address. Applications are submitted through their online portal.

Overview

The Hough Family Foundation Inc was established in 1996 by William R. Hough and his wife Hazel to continue their charitable giving legacy in St. Petersburg, Florida. With assets totaling $82.3 million and annual giving of approximately $12.9 million, the foundation represents one of the most significant philanthropic forces in the St. Petersburg community. The foundation is led by the Hough children—Susan H. Henry (President), W. Robb Hough Jr. (Secretary), and Helen H. Feinberg (Treasurer)—all of whom serve without compensation. William Hough's guiding principle was "Philanthropy is good business," and he established the foundation to bring together his belief in family and service to community. The foundation's strategic approach is highly selective, supporting only causes that every board member believes in. Major recent commitments include a $5 million challenge grant for the Palladium Theater renovation campaign, continuing a legacy that includes the $2 million gift to the Museum of Fine Arts in 2012.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs but rather makes strategic investments in organizations that improve St. Petersburg. Grants are awarded through an online application process, though the foundation has also indicated it primarily makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Grant Range: While average grants are approximately $495,246, the foundation has made grants ranging from smaller amounts to multi-million dollar commitments (such as the $5 million Palladium Theater challenge grant).

Geographic Restriction: The foundation exclusively funds organizations benefiting St. Petersburg, Florida. While some grants may go to organizations headquartered in nearby cities (such as Clearwater, Tampa, Largo, Seminole, or Tierra Verde), all funding must ultimately benefit St. Petersburg.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture: The foundation has a strong track record of supporting cultural institutions, including:

• Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (including the Hazel Hough Wing and $2 million for curatorial positions)
• The Palladium Theater (original lead gift and $5 million challenge grant for renovation)
• Salvador Dalí Museum (William Hough spearheaded fundraising for the $36 million museum building)

Education: The foundation supports educational institutions that serve the St. Petersburg community, including:

• Canterbury School
• St. Petersburg College (particularly the Palladium Theater)
• University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Community Enhancement: The foundation funds charities that "improve St. Petersburg, Florida, and enhance all aspects of the community," indicating openness to projects beyond arts and education when they serve the community's broader needs.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside of St. Petersburg, Florida
• Grants are focused on capital projects and endowed positions rather than general operating support (based on giving patterns)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by the three children of founders William and Hazel Hough, ensuring the family's philanthropic values continue into the next generation:

Susan H. Henry - President
Dr. Susan Henry leads the foundation and serves on the board alongside her siblings. Each board member must support a cause for it to receive funding, demonstrating the family's collaborative decision-making approach.

W. Robb Hough Jr. - Secretary
Robb Hough previously served as president of William R. Hough & Co. before it was purchased by RBC Dain Rauscher in 2004, continuing to oversee the Florida business post-acquisition.

Helen H. Feinberg - Treasurer
Helen Feinberg continued her work with RBC Capital Markets after the family company was sold in 2004.

All three officers serve without compensation and collectively received the Regional Chancellor's Award for Civic Leadership, recognizing their continued commitment to St. Petersburg.

Family Giving Philosophy: William Hough's guiding principle was that "philanthropy is good business." The foundation operates on consensus, supporting only causes that all board members believe in. This ensures focused, strategic giving aligned with the family's values.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through an online portal at hffoundation.paperform.co. However, applicants should note that the foundation has indicated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This suggests a hybrid approach where the foundation:

1. Identifies organizations through its board members' community connections
2. Accepts applications through the online portal, which may serve as an initial screening mechanism
3. Makes final decisions based on board consensus

Organizations seeking funding should:

• Demonstrate clear benefits to St. Petersburg, Florida
• Align with the foundation's priority areas (arts, education, community enhancement)
• Present significant, transformative projects rather than routine operating expenses
• Be prepared to build relationships over time rather than expecting immediate funding

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given that the foundation made 26 grants in 2023, decision-making appears to occur throughout the year rather than in fixed funding cycles.

Success Rates

With 26 grants awarded from $12.9 million in total giving, the foundation makes a relatively small number of large, strategic investments. The highly selective nature and "preselected organizations" approach suggests a low success rate for first-time, unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly available. Organizations should be prepared for relationship-building over multiple years before receiving consideration.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and giving patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Transformative Community Impact
The foundation favors projects that will have lasting significance for St. Petersburg. Recent examples include the $5 million challenge grant for the Palladium Theater renovation, designed to "allow the Palladium to remain a vital part of the Tampa Bay performing arts ecosystem for the next 25 years," and the Hazel Hough Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts, which represents a permanent expansion of the museum's capacity.

2. Capital Projects and Endowed Positions
Rather than funding operational expenses, the foundation's giving pattern shows preference for:

• Capital campaigns (Palladium Theater, Museum of Fine Arts wing)
• Endowed positions ($2 million for curatorial positions at Museum of Fine Arts)
• Major infrastructure improvements

3. Alignment with Family Values
Remember that the foundation requires unanimous board support. William Hough's philosophy that "philanthropy is good business" suggests the family looks for investments that strengthen St. Petersburg's competitive position and quality of life.

4. Prior Relationships
The foundation describes itself as supporting "preselected" organizations, and has been "one of the Palladium's strongest supporters since its establishment." Building visibility and relationships with board members through community engagement appears critical.

5. Demonstrated Excellence
The foundation supports established institutions with track records of excellence (Museum of Fine Arts, Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg College). New or unproven organizations may face higher barriers to entry.

6. Matching Fund Opportunities
The $5 million Palladium challenge grant demonstrates willingness to provide matching funds that catalyze broader community support for major projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Focus is Absolute: Only projects benefiting St. Petersburg, Florida, will be considered. Do not apply if your primary impact is elsewhere.

• Think Big: With average grants of nearly $500,000, the foundation is interested in significant, transformative projects rather than small grants.

• Capital Over Operating: Focus proposals on capital campaigns, endowments, and permanent improvements rather than annual operating support.

• Build Relationships First: The "preselected organizations" approach means cold applications face significant barriers. Cultivate relationships with board members through community engagement.

• Consensus is Required: All three board members must support your project. Broad appeal across arts, education, and community benefit may be advantageous.

• Demonstrate Legacy Impact: Frame proposals around lasting community benefit that extends decades into the future, consistent with the family's multi-generational commitment to St. Petersburg.

• Consider Challenge Grant Structure: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to provide challenge grants that leverage additional community support for major initiatives.

References

1. CauseIQ Profile - Hough Family Foundation Inc. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/hough-family-foundation-inc,593395491/ (Accessed January 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hough Family Foundation Inc Form 990-PF filings for 2023 and 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/593395491 (Accessed January 2026)

3. Instrumentl 990 Report - Hough Family Foundation Inc. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/hough-family-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)

4. Tampa Bay Times, "St. Petersburg philanthropist, businessman William R. Hough dies" (April 13, 2020). https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/04/13/st-petersburg-philanthropist-businessman-william-r-hough-dies/

5. Tampa Bay Times, "William and Hazel Hough give $2 million to Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg" (June 26, 2012). https://www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/william-and-hazel-hough-give-2-million-to-museum-of-fine-arts-st-petersburg/1234819/

6. St Pete Catalyst, "Palladium capital campaign opens with a challenge grant" (October 27, 2023). https://stpetecatalyst.com/palladium-capital-campaign-opwns-with-a-5m-challenge-grant/

7. St. Petersburg College Foundation, "$10 Million Renovation Campaign Announced for The Palladium Theater." https://www.spcollege.edu/foundation/foundation-newsroom/10-million-renovation-campaign-announced-for-the-palladium-theater (Accessed January 2026)

8. USF St. Petersburg, "William and Hazel Hough, Robb Hough, Susan Henry and Helen Feinberg." https://www.usfsp.edu/root/community-connections/civic-leadership/hough-family/ (Accessed January 2026)

9. Registry Tampa Bay, "The Benefactors: Remembering Hazel Hough." https://registrytampabay.com/the-benefactors-remembering-hazel-hough/ (Accessed January 2026)