The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation prioritises the Greater Richmond, Texas area, Fort Bend County and the State of Texas, so work should sit within that geographic focus, or within its Texas-wide remit for mental health and spirituality research, before applying.
- It is a relationship-led funder: in its latest filing, 98% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in the two prior filings, and organisations that have not previously received a grant are considered by invitation only, following an introductory meeting the foundation itself arranges; previous grantees can apply year-round through its online Grants System, and there are no deadlines.
- On size, grants start from $10,000, and across its three most recent filings half of its 344 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less, though applicants are told to request the amount needed to accomplish the grant's objectives.
- The foundation does not fund grants to individuals, fine or performing arts, underwriting or sponsorship of fund-raising events, loans, organisations that re-grant, or fraternal or political organisations, so applicants falling into these categories should not apply.
- Those considering a multi-year request should discuss this in advance with the Program Officer, and be aware a site visit may be arranged if needed.
Overview
The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation is a US private foundation based in Richmond, TX.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s grantmaking is place-based: it funds charitable organisations to improve quality of life for present and future generations in the greater Richmond, Texas area. It also supports work advancing the quality, availability and accessibility of mental health care, including substance abuse, in its county area of focus, with a primary focus on greater Richmond, and research and higher education in mental health and spirituality within Texas. Its stated purposes include encouraging productive and satisfying lives, spirituality and well-being, and preserving and celebrating nature. The foundation usually considers general operating, programme, project and capital grants. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt public charities, government entities or instrumentalities, and qualifying religious organisations.
Themes
- Greater Richmond quality of life
- Mental health care
- Mental health and spirituality research
- Nature preservation
- Spirituality and well-being
Geographic Focus
Priority: Greater Richmond, Texas area; Fort Bend County; State of Texas.
What They Don't Fund
- Grants to individuals
- Grants for fine or performing arts
- Underwriting or sponsorship of fund-raising events
- Loans
- Organizations that re-grant
- Fraternal or political organizations
How to apply
Organisations that have not previously received a grant are considered by invitation only; previous grantees may submit requests year-round through the online Grants System. The Foundation contacts organisations it identifies as potential partners for an introductory meeting, which may lead to an invitation to apply.
Deadlines: Requests are reviewed as received, and grant requests are accepted all year with no application deadlines.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 98% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 344 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- For a new organisation, the foundation may arrange an introductory meeting if it identifies the organisation as a potential partner; the meeting may or may not lead to an invitation to apply.
- Applicants should request the amount needed to accomplish the objectives of the grant.
- Multi-year requests must be discussed in advance with the HWF Program Officer.
- Grant staff may arrange a site visit if needed.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to organisations The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 119 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- TSTC Foundation · To construct an education building for tstc fort bend$1,255,3972024 tax year
- City of Richmond · Hike & bike trail & drainage improvements along clay street & second street in north richmond$1,100,0002024 tax year
- OakBend Medical Center · Provide quality healthcare to fort bend cty indigent & purchase equipment to provide quality care$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Fort Bend Family Health Center · For general operating support$750,0002024 tax year
- YMCA of Greater Houston · To renovate and expand the t.w. davis ymca located in richmond$500,0002024 tax year
- San Jose Clinic · To open a class-a pharmacy in richmond to serve those who are uninsured$484,0002024 tax year
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston · Mamie george community ctr operations for low-income families & vulnerable populations in fort bend cty$440,3302024 tax year
- Houston Galveston Institute · Mental health counseling programs in richmond and lamar cisd$403,4002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- W Robertson — Director
- S Deleery — Director
- B Bleil — Director
- L Ward — Director
- B Jones — CFO
- J Moore — Secretary / Legal
- C McDonald — President
- J Robinson — Chairman of Board
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $20,321,661 | $11,385,370 | $354,321,941 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $22,923,014 | $14,022,782 | $395,584,461 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $23,193,068 | $13,950,355 | $432,317,516 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (281) 633-3202
- jgaston@hwfdn.org
- administrator@grantinterface.com
- Richmond, TX
- hw-foundation.com
Applying to The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (281) 633-3202
- jgaston@hwfdn.org
- administrator@grantinterface.com
- Richmond, TX
- hw-foundation.com