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The Fondren Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.8M
Grant Range
Up to $15.0M
Decision Time
4mo

The Fondren Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,800,000
  • Total Assets: $199,200,000
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (individual grants vary widely; recent major grant of $15 million)
  • Geographic Focus: Houston, TX and Texas
  • Application Deadlines: Quarterly (February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 2558, TX2-N305, Houston, TX 77252

Phone: (713) 216-4386 or (713) 216-4995

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or public email address.

Overview

Established in 1948 by Ella Florence Fondren, widow of Walter W. Fondren (one of the founders of Humble Oil and Refining Company, which later became Exxon), The Fondren Foundation has supported Houston and Texas for over 75 years. The foundation operates with approximately $199.2 million in assets and distributed $10.8 million in grants in 2023. The foundation is a private family foundation with the chair of the board of governors rotating among family members. Its mission focuses on supporting education, health, human services, and cultural organizations that benefit the Houston community. The Fondren family has demonstrated multi-generational commitment to their grantees, with some relationships spanning nearly a century—for example, their contributions to Houston Methodist have continued for essentially 100 consecutive years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle with deadlines in February, May, August, and November. Applications are accepted as letter proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year, reviewed quarterly by the board.

Priority Areas

  • Higher and Secondary Education: The foundation has a strong history of supporting educational institutions, including the historic $1 million grant for the Walter W. Fondren Library at Rice University in 1946 and ongoing support for educational fellowships (such as the Inprint Fondren Foundation Fellows at the University of Houston)

  • Health and Medical Services: Significant support for healthcare institutions, particularly Houston Methodist, including a recent $15 million commitment to support the Food and Health Alliance, the Immunology Center, and to create the Fondren Inflammation Collaborative

  • Social Services and Youth Agencies: Support for organizations serving the community's social service needs

  • Cultural Organizations: Funding for arts and cultural institutions in the Houston area

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's focus is strictly on Houston and Texas-based nonprofit organizations. The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation with funding decisions made by family trustees.

Governance and Leadership

The Fondren Foundation is governed by an extensive Board of Governors and Trustees comprised of family members descended from Walter and Ella Fondren. The board structure reflects the foundation's private family foundation status.

Leadership:

  • Chairman: Robert E. Fondren
  • Secretary: David M. Underwood Jr.

Board of Governors and Trustees (partial list): The board includes numerous family members including Adelaide Beard, Amelia Crank Simmons, Anah Hanson Witter, Ann Gordon Trammell, Ashley Fondren Tuck, Bentley B Fondren, Berkley Fondren, Blake Allday, Bradley Beard, Brittany Fondren, Burton M Hanson, Cara Hall, Carrie Trammell Scarborough, Catherine M Fondren, Celia Whitfield Crank, Charlotte Baird, Chase Fondren, Christina Fondren Thurmond, David M. Underwood III, and others.

The chair of the board of governors rotates among family members, ensuring continued family involvement in the foundation's direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Format: Letter proposal (no formal application form required)

Required Materials:

  • One copy of proposal submitted as a letter
  • Copy of IRS Determination Letter

Deadlines: Quarterly deadlines are:

  • February 1 (for March board meeting)
  • May 1 (for June board meeting)
  • August 1 (for September board meeting)
  • November 1 (for December board meeting)

Initial Approach: Submit proposal letter to the address listed in Contact Details section.

Note: No formal application form is required. Applicants should contact the foundation directly at the phone numbers provided for current application procedures and guidelines.

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings: Quarterly in March, June, September, and December

Notification Timeline: 3 to 6 months from submission

Applications submitted by the quarterly deadlines are reviewed at the subsequent board meeting. The review and notification process typically takes between three and six months, though this may vary depending on the proposal's complexity and the board's schedule.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation made 1 grant with a median of $10.8 million in 2024 according to public filings, though this may reflect a single large grant in that reporting period rather than the foundation's typical grantmaking pattern.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication procedures for declined proposals.

Application Success Factors

Long-term Community Impact: The Fondren Foundation demonstrates a preference for organizations with which they can build long-term relationships. Their century-long relationship with Houston Methodist exemplifies their commitment to sustained partnerships with trusted institutions.

Houston and Texas Focus: The foundation's grant criteria strictly prioritize Houston-area organizations and Texas-based nonprofits. Organizations outside this geographic area should not apply.

Alignment with Core Areas: Proposals that clearly align with the foundation's focus areas—education (particularly higher and secondary education), health and medical services, social services and youth agencies, and cultural organizations—are most likely to receive consideration.

Institutional Credibility: The foundation's history of supporting major institutions (Rice University, Houston Methodist, University of Houston) suggests they value working with established organizations that have demonstrated track records of community impact.

Clear Community Benefit: Given the foundation's mission to benefit the Houston community, proposals should clearly articulate how the funding will serve Houston residents.

Multi-year Commitments: Recent grants, such as the $15 million commitment to Houston Methodist, suggest the foundation is willing to make substantial multi-year commitments to projects that align with their mission and demonstrate significant community impact.

Family Foundation Dynamics: As a private family foundation with rotating family leadership, building relationships and demonstrating trustworthiness over time may be particularly important.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Requirement is Absolute: Only Houston and Texas-based organizations should apply; this is a non-negotiable criterion for this foundation.

  • Think Long-term Partnership: The foundation values sustained relationships spanning decades—frame your proposal as the beginning of a potential long-term partnership rather than a one-time grant.

  • Emphasize one of the Four Core Areas: Ensure your proposal clearly fits within education, health, social services/youth, or cultural programming.

  • Simple Application Process: The letter proposal format is straightforward—focus on clear, compelling writing rather than elaborate application materials.

  • Plan for Extended Timeline: With a 3-6 month decision timeline, factor this into your funding timeline and cash flow planning.

  • Major Institutions Receive Significant Funding: While the foundation supports various organizations, recent evidence shows they're willing to make multi-million dollar commitments to established institutions with transformative projects.

  • No Website Means Direct Contact is Essential: Since the foundation operates without a website, phone contact at (713) 216-4386 or (713) 216-4995 is the primary way to confirm current application procedures and discuss potential fit.

References

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