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Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation

Annual Giving
$14.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.9M
Decision Time
5mo

The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $14,000,000
  • Total Assets: $272,600,000
  • Decision Time: Usually within 5 months
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,900,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Richmond, Texas area (primary); Fort Bend County; Texas statewide for mental health/spirituality programs
  • Total Grants (2024): 110 grants awarded

Contact Details

Address: Wessendorff Building, 611 Morton Street, Richmond, Texas 77469

Phone: (281) 342-2044

Website: www.hw-foundation.com

Email: Contact via online form at hw-foundation.com/contact

Inquiries: The foundation invites inquiries by phone or email for questions regarding grants and scholarships

Overview

The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation was established in 1958, though it traces its roots to 1972 when it was created as a successor to the Robert W. Henderson Foundation, founded by Loise H. Wessendorff's father. With assets of approximately $272.6 million, the foundation has awarded 1,161 individual grants totaling over $197 million since 2014. The foundation's mission is to support people in leading more productive and satisfying lives, enhance their spirituality and well-being, and preserve and celebrate nature. The foundation operates primarily through grantmaking to organizations serving the greater Richmond, Texas area, with particular emphasis on mental health care and substance abuse services in Fort Bend County. The foundation also operates Well Spring Center in Blanco, Texas (a Christian retreat environment) and Long Acres Ranch (a nature center for outdoor educational activities). Leadership includes Charles Pat McDonald as President and Joe D. Robinson as Chairman of the Board.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines for previous grantees. All applications must be submitted through their online grants system.

Types of Support Considered:

  • General operating support
  • Program grants
  • Project grants
  • Capital grants

Grant Amounts: The minimum grant is typically $10,000, with grants ranging up to $1.9 million. The median grant is $50,000. Organizations should request the amount needed to accomplish their specific objectives.

Multi-Year Grants: Considered case-by-case, must be discussed in advance with a Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation Program Officer, and are typically limited to two or three years.

Priority Areas

  1. Place-Based Richmond Area Support: Funding to enhance or support efforts to improve the quality of life for present and future generations of the people of the greater Richmond, Texas area

  2. Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Advancing the quality, availability, and accessibility of mental health care, including substance abuse treatment, in Fort Bend County with a primary focus on the greater Richmond, Texas area

  3. Mental Health Research and Higher Education: Support for research and higher education in the areas of mental health and spirituality within the State of Texas

What They Don't Fund

Under most circumstances, the foundation does not consider:

  • Grants to individuals
  • Fine or performing arts
  • Underwriting or sponsorship of fund-raising events
  • Loans
  • Organizations that re-grant
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Political organizations

Governance and Leadership

President: Charles Pat McDonald

Chairman of the Board: Joe D. Robinson

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors who set strategic priorities. In recent years, the Directors have emphasized advancing mental health care and substance abuse services in Fort Bend County, as well as continuing the foundation's historic commitment to improving quality of life in the greater Richmond area.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: New organizations are considered by invitation only. Previous grantees may apply year-round.

All grant requests must be submitted through the foundation's online Grants System—paper and email applications are not accepted. Organizations can save their progress and complete applications in multiple sessions. Unsubmitted applications will be abandoned after 90 days.

Application Requirements:

  • Detailed project budget
  • Board member list
  • Financial statements
  • Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and further classified as a public charity under Section 509(a), a government entity or instrumentality as described in Section 170(c)(1), or a religious organization as described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(i)

Rolling Applications: There are no application deadlines as requests are reviewed as received. The foundation accepts grant requests year-round.

Before Applying: The foundation recommends reviewing document previews and having all answers and supporting documents ready before starting the application process.

Decision Timeline

Applications are usually considered within 5 months from submission through board decision. Grant agreements are issued within three weeks of approval.

Success Rates

With 110 grants awarded in 2024 totaling $14,022,782, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Previous grantees may apply year-round with no restrictions mentioned for reapplication. Multi-year funding requests must be discussed in advance with a Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation Program Officer.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented guidelines and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Geographic Alignment: Strong connection to the greater Richmond, Texas area or Fort Bend County. Recent major grants have gone to local organizations like the City of Richmond ($1.9M for hike and bike trail and drainage improvements), TSTC Foundation ($1.1M for education building), and OakBend Medical Center ($1.0M for healthcare to the indigent).

  2. Clear Budget and Objectives: The foundation explicitly states applicants should "request the amount needed for your organization to accomplish the objectives" of the grant, indicating they value specific, well-justified budget requests aligned with concrete goals.

  3. Mental Health and Spirituality Focus: Significant funding goes to mental health initiatives, as evidenced by the $4.85 million five-year grant to Seminary of the Southwest to establish the Loise Henderson Wessendorff Chair of Latinx Counselor Education.

  4. Quality of Life Improvements: Projects that tangibly improve the lives of Richmond-area residents, such as infrastructure improvements, healthcare access, and educational facilities.

  5. Complete Documentation: Have all required supporting documents ready, including detailed budgets, board lists, and financial statements before beginning the online application.

  6. Multi-Year Considerations: For multi-year requests, engage early with a Program Officer to discuss the foundation's interest before submitting a formal application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only for New Applicants: If you are not a previous grantee, focus on building relationships and getting invited to apply—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from new organizations.

  • Geographic Focus is Critical: The foundation's primary commitment is to the greater Richmond, Texas area and Fort Bend County. Organizations outside this area should have compelling reasons for alignment with the foundation's mission.

  • Mental Health Priority: With a specific strategic focus on mental health and substance abuse services, organizations in this sector have strong opportunities if serving Fort Bend County.

  • Request What You Need: The foundation values appropriate budget requests tied to specific objectives rather than arbitrary amounts.

  • Patient Timeline: Plan for a 5-month decision process, plus up to 3 weeks for grant agreements after approval.

  • Wide Grant Range: With grants from $10,000 to $1.9 million and a median of $50,000, the foundation funds both modest projects and major capital initiatives.

  • Rolling Review is an Advantage: Previous grantees can apply anytime rather than waiting for specific deadlines, allowing strategic timing of requests.

References

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