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George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.6M
Grant Range
$1215K - $4.4M

George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,620,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $83,859,024
  • Grant Range: $1,215,000 - $4,405,000
  • Average Grant: $2,810,000
  • Grants Awarded Annually: 2 institutional grants
  • Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily Houston area)
  • Founded: May 20, 1954

Contact Details

Address: 3336 Richmond, Suite 310, Houston, Texas 77098

Phone: (713) 522-9891

Fax: (713) 522-9693

Email: HammanFdn@AOL.com

Website: https://hammanfoundation.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Overview

The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation was established on May 20, 1954 under the direction of Mary Josephine Hamman. Over its 70 years of operation, the foundation has awarded $132.2 million in grants and scholarships to the community. With current assets of approximately $83.9 million, the foundation distributed $5.62 million in grants during 2023. The foundation makes highly selective institutional grants—typically only 2 per year—ranging from $1.2 million to $4.4 million each, focusing on major capital and operational needs of established Texas institutions. In addition to institutional grants, the foundation awards 70 undergraduate scholarships of $25,000 each annually to Houston-area high school seniors, demonstrating a dual commitment to both institutional capacity building and individual educational opportunity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Institutional Grants: $1,215,000 - $4,405,000

  • The foundation awards approximately 2 large institutional grants per year
  • Typical grants support major capital projects, operational needs, or significant programmatic initiatives
  • Applications must be completed online via the foundation's grant portal

Scholarship Program: $25,000 per student (disbursed over four years)

  • 70 scholarships awarded annually
  • Available to graduating seniors from high schools in Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties
  • Based on academic merit and financial need
  • Minimum SAT composite score of 1000 or ACT composite score of 21 required
  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Applications accepted September 15 - February 16

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five core sectors within Texas:

Education

  • Colleges and universities (both operating and capital needs)
  • Building programs and special educational projects
  • Preference for local Houston-area institutions

Medical & Health

  • Hospitals (construction and operations)
  • Medical colleges and research institutions
  • Organizations focused on study, treatment, and cure of disease
  • Medical treatment and research programs

Arts & Culture

  • Arts promotion
  • Cultural programs
  • Support for established cultural institutions

Religion

  • Churches, associations, and conventions of churches
  • Nondenominational religious organizations
  • Support for advancement of religion

Human Services & Science

  • Aid for the needy
  • Scientific research projects at qualified institutions
  • Social services and youth agencies
  • Ecological and conservation causes

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving patterns indicate:

  • Organizations outside of Texas
  • Small grants (under $1 million for institutional support)
  • Individual assistance (outside of scholarship program)
  • Short-term or pilot projects (given large grant sizes)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Anne L. Hamman, President
  • Charles D. Milby Jr., Treasurer
  • Mary J. Milby, Secretary
  • Russell R. Hamman, Trustee
  • Kendall H. Connors, Trustee

Executive Leadership

  • Bradley S. Elgin, CPA, Executive Director

Foundation History

The foundation was established by George and Mary Josephine Hamman, prominent Houston civic leaders. George Hamman (1874-1954) was born in Calvert, Texas, son of Confederate General William H. Hamman. He graduated from the University of the South and built a distinguished banking career, becoming President of Union National Bank in 1943. Mary Josephine Hamman (1882-1954) was born in Harrisburg, Texas, daughter of prominent Houston businessman Charles H. Milby and granddaughter of John Grant Tod, Commodore of the Texas Navy during the Republic era. The couple married in 1906 and remained active in civic and religious endeavors throughout their lives.

The foundation continues to be governed by family members, maintaining the founders' vision across multiple generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code
  • Must be located within the State of Texas
  • Organization name on application must match the IRS Determination Letter and Form 990

Application Method: Applications must be completed online at: https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_5867?SA=SNA&FID=35001

Returning applicants can access incomplete applications at: https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_5867?SA=AM

Required Documentation:

  • Copy of most recent 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter
  • Current balance sheet and income statement
  • Most recent Form 990 with Schedule A
  • Recent financial audit with management letter
  • Budget for the requested grant year or project
  • List of foundation and corporate supporters from prior fiscal year
  • Board of Directors roster
  • For prior grant recipients: completed one-page "Follow-up Report"

Application Deadline: The foundation operates on a rolling basis. Specific deadlines are not publicly disclosed.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given that the foundation awards only 2 grants per year, applicants should expect an extended review process as the board evaluates a limited number of major grants from among all applications received.

Success Rates

The foundation is highly selective, awarding only 2 institutional grants annually. The total number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, making it difficult to calculate a precise success rate. However, given the limited number of awards and large grant sizes, competition is extremely competitive.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have previously received grants from the foundation are required to submit a one-page "Follow-up Report" on their prior grant with any new application. The foundation does not specify restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

The Hamman Foundation makes very large, strategic investments in established Texas institutions. With only 2 grants awarded annually, the foundation clearly prioritizes:

Institutional Significance: The foundation supports major institutions with proven track records—hospitals, universities, museums, and well-established social service organizations. Grant amounts averaging $2.8 million suggest support for transformational projects rather than incremental improvements.

Geographic Commitment: The foundation has remained deeply committed to Houston and surrounding areas for 70 years. Local institutions, particularly those with historical ties to the Houston community, appear to receive priority consideration.

Capital and Major Operational Needs: Typical grant ranges ($1.2M - $4.4M) indicate the foundation funds significant capital projects, major programmatic expansions, or substantial operational support rather than smaller programmatic grants.

Multi-Generational Impact: As a family foundation now in its third generation of leadership, the Hamman Foundation appears to value projects with lasting, transformational impact on the community.

Application Best Practices

Follow Instructions Precisely: The foundation emphasizes that "instructions must be followed accurately to make certain that your application is considered." Attention to detail in following application requirements is essential.

Keep Follow-Up Reports Concise: For prior grantees, the foundation specifically requests a one-page follow-up report and instructs applicants to "not expand beyond their one-page report." This suggests the foundation values concise, focused communication.

Demonstrate Financial Stability: Required documentation (audits, balance sheets, Form 990) indicates the foundation carefully evaluates organizational financial health before making major investments.

Show Broad Support: The requirement to list foundation and corporate supporters from the prior fiscal year suggests the foundation values organizations with diversified funding sources.

Align with Core Mission: Successful applications will clearly align with the foundation's five focus areas and demonstrate how the project advances education, health, arts, religion, or human services in Texas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Extremely competitive: With only 2 institutional grants awarded annually, this is one of the most selective foundations in Texas. Only apply if your project represents a major, transformational initiative for an established institution.

  • Think big: Average grants of $2.8 million indicate the foundation funds significant capital projects or major programmatic expansions. Small or pilot projects are unlikely to be competitive.

  • Texas-focused: The foundation exclusively funds Texas organizations with a strong preference for Houston-area institutions. Out-of-state organizations should not apply.

  • Institutional credibility matters: Required documentation and grant patterns suggest the foundation favors established organizations with strong financial management, broad community support, and proven track records.

  • Precision counts: The foundation's emphasis on following instructions accurately and providing concise follow-up reports indicates attention to detail is valued throughout the application process.

  • Family foundation values: As a multi-generational family foundation, demonstrating alignment with the founders' original vision—supporting education, health, arts, religion, and service to those in need—may strengthen applications.

  • Relationship building: Given the highly selective nature of the foundation and its long-term commitment to Houston institutions, building authentic relationships with foundation leadership over time may be important for success.

References

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