← Back to US Funders Directory

Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation

Annual Giving
$13.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
10%

Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13,050,177 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $32,872
  • Total Assets: $388.6 million
  • Number of Grants: 397 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas only
  • Application Type: Primarily strategic/invitation-based

Contact Details

Website: https://cgmf.org

Office Locations:

  • Austin, Texas
  • The Woodlands, Texas

Application Portal: https://mitchell.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new

Note: Foundation staff contact information available on their leadership page at https://cgmf.org/p/leadership.html

Overview

Incorporated in 1978, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation has distributed or pledged an estimated $800-900 million in grants since inception. Named for George P. Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands and pioneering energy entrepreneur, and his wife Cynthia Woods Mitchell, the foundation seeks "innovative, sustainable solutions at the nexus of environmental protection, economic vibrancy, and human well-being." The foundation maintains a strategic, highly focused approach to grantmaking, concentrating exclusively on Texas-based projects. With $388.6 million in assets, the foundation distributed approximately $13 million across nearly 400 grants in 2023. The foundation operates as "an engine of change in both policy and practice," supporting forward-looking grantees and high-impact projects that align with the founders' legacy of innovation and responsible resource development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates eight active grantmaking programs, all focused exclusively in Texas:

  • Clean Energy - Supports clean energy transitions, emerging technologies, and low-carbon energy markets. Recent focus includes positioning Texas as a leader in geological carbon storage and addressing energy demand growth through diverse sources.

  • Subsurface Energy - Addresses responsible energy development including natural gas research and geothermal energy. Co-funded landmark research positioning Texas as a geothermal leader through initiatives like the Permian Energy Development Lab.

  • Water - Tackles water management, conservation, and the nexus of water resources and energy development. Focus on advancing "One Water" approaches in Texas.

  • Land Conservation - Preserves and protects natural landscapes and biodiversity in Texas, including support for regions like Big Bend.

  • Sustainability Education - Funds educational programs promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability principles.

  • Galveston - Regional philanthropic investment focused on Galveston area projects.

  • Mitchell Innovation Lab - Emerging initiative supporting innovative approaches to sustainability challenges.

  • Cook's Branch Conservancy - Operates a 7,000-acre field laboratory in East Texas for ecological research and conservation.

Application Method: Rolling basis via online portal, though the foundation notes they "rarely fund unsolicited grant applications."

Priority Areas

  • Projects at the intersection of environmental protection, social equity, and economic vibrancy
  • Research with explicit, practical policy applications or outcomes
  • Projects incorporating sophisticated communications strategies for disseminating results
  • Initiatives addressing climate change, carbon management, and energy transitions
  • Water-energy nexus challenges
  • Biodiversity conservation and land stewardship
  • Systemic approaches to sustainability challenges
  • Racial equity and structural change initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status
  • Research lacking explicit policy application or practical outcomes
  • Technology research, development, commercialization, or demonstration projects
  • Demonstration or local community projects
  • General operating support
  • Political campaigns or legislative lobbying efforts
  • Projects outside of Texas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (12 Members)

Leadership:

  • C. Grant Mitchell - Board Chair and President
  • M. Kent Mitchell - Board Vice Chair
  • Meredith Mitchell Dreiss - President Emeritus

Board Members: Meredith Heimburger, Christie Mitchell, Cody Mitchell, Graham Mitchell, Katina Mitchell, J. Kirk Mitchell, Mark D. Mitchell, J. Todd Mitchell, Skye Telleen, and Adrienne Dreiss Ropp

Executive Leadership

  • Katherine Lorenz - President (granddaughter of George Mitchell)
  • Marilu Hastings - Executive Vice President

The foundation announced a new dual leadership structure in February 2022 with Lorenz and Hastings at the helm.

Program Directors (Staff of 11)

  • David Monsma - Director, Clean Energy and Subsurface Energy Programs
  • Emily R. Warren - Director, Land Conservation and Water Programs
  • Marina Walne - Director, Galveston Program
  • Marita Mirzatuny - Director, Sustainability Education Program; MIL Manager
  • Sarah Mitchell - Director, Cook's Branch Conservancy
  • Brett Holmes - Director, Strategic Communications

Leadership Perspectives

Katherine Lorenz on George Mitchell's approach to energy development: "All the environmental complaints everyone was making about fracking, he felt strongly they were totally unnecessary, and you could do this right... He believed the problems are due to negligence, and he was outspoken on the greater need for regulation."

Marilu Hastings on strategic approach: "Instilling best practices is easier when you're still small," and emphasized the importance of ensuring "the foundation's existing strategies take a systemic approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Texas and our world."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The foundation operates primarily on a strategic, invitation-based model. They explicitly state: "We rarely fund unsolicited grant applications."

For those wishing to explore funding opportunities:

  1. Review Program Guidelines: Carefully examine the foundation's current grantmaking programs at https://cgmf.org/p/programs.html to determine alignment
  2. Submit Funding Request Summary (Letter of Inquiry): If your project fits within program specifications, complete the online Funding Request Summary at https://mitchell.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new
  3. Await Response: The foundation will notify you if a full grant application proposal is warranted
  4. Full Proposal: Only invited applicants may submit full proposals

Eligibility Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) public charity status required (determination letter must be obtained before proposal submission)
  • Texas-based projects only
  • Project must align with specific program strategies
  • Research projects must include explicit policy applications

Rolling Deadline: Applications accepted continuously, though funding is highly competitive and strategic.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the strategic nature of the foundation's work and the volume of applications (397 grants awarded from likely many more applications), applicants should expect a thorough review process.

Success Rates

With 397 grants awarded in 2023 from an undisclosed number of applications, and the foundation's explicit statement that they "rarely fund unsolicited grant applications," the success rate for unsolicited applications appears to be very low. The foundation's grantmaking is "highly strategic and specialized," with funded projects needing to "fit specifically within their integrated program strategies."

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's strategic approach and emphasis on integrated program strategies, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Strong Alignment with Program Strategies: Projects must fit specifically within the foundation's integrated program strategies, not just general focus areas. Review current priorities carefully and demonstrate explicit connections.

2. Policy Impact and Practical Outcomes: The foundation explicitly requires that research include "explicit and practical policy application or outcome." Applications should clearly articulate how findings will influence policy or practice in Texas.

3. Communications and Dissemination: Projects should incorporate "sophisticated communications strategies for disseminating results," indicating the foundation values work that influences broader dialogue and practice.

4. Systemic Approaches: As Marilu Hastings noted, the foundation seeks "strategies that take a systemic approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Texas and our world" rather than isolated interventions.

5. Nexus Thinking: The foundation emphasizes projects at the "nexus" of multiple issues - environmental protection, social equity, and economic vibrancy. Applications should demonstrate how work addresses multiple dimensions simultaneously.

6. George Mitchell's Legacy Values: Understanding the founder's philosophy matters. Katherine Lorenz emphasized that Mitchell believed environmental problems in energy development were "totally unnecessary" and could be solved through proper practices and regulation, reflecting a both/and approach rather than either/or thinking about energy and environment.

7. Texas Focus: All work must be Texas-based and demonstrate understanding of Texas-specific contexts, challenges, and opportunities.

8. Innovation and Forward-Thinking: The foundation describes itself as supporting "forward-looking grantees" and seeking "innovative, sustainable solutions," suggesting preference for novel approaches rather than conventional methods.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic fit is paramount: With average grants around $33,000 and explicit statements about rarely funding unsolicited applications, alignment with current program strategies is essential. Don't apply unless fit is clear and strong.

  • Build relationships before applying: Given the invitation-based nature of much of their funding, connecting with program directors in your area of focus before submitting may improve chances significantly.

  • Emphasize policy outcomes: This is not a funder for basic research or demonstration projects. Every proposal should articulate clear, practical policy implications for Texas.

  • Think systemically: The foundation values approaches that address root causes and create structural change rather than treating symptoms or supporting isolated projects.

  • Focus on Texas specifically: Generic national models won't work. Demonstrate deep understanding of Texas contexts, challenges, and opportunities.

  • Understand the Mitchell legacy: Projects aligning with George Mitchell's philosophy of marrying environmental responsibility with economic development will resonate more than those framing environmental and economic goals as competing.

  • Don't expect general operating support: The foundation explicitly doesn't fund general operations, so proposals must be project-specific with clear deliverables.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory