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The Cockrell Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $4.4M
Decision Time
2mo

The Cockrell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,517,833 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks
  • Grant Range: $500 - $4,400,000
  • Median Grant: $9,000
  • Number of Grants: 24-28 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Houston, TX (primarily)

Contact Details

Address: 3737 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77098

Website: www.cockrellfoundation.org

Application Method: Online applications only through foundation website

Overview

The Cockrell Foundation was created in 1957 by Ernest Cockrell, Jr., an oilman, investor, and Houston civic leader. Originally established as the Cockrell Trust, it was converted into a charitable corporation in 1966 and became known as The Cockrell Foundation. The major gift to the foundation came through a bequest in Ernest Cockrell, Jr.'s will in 1972. With assets of approximately $157 million, the foundation has continued its philanthropic mission focused on institutions important to the Cockrell family's history and the history of Houston and Texas. The foundation provides financial support for charitable organizations primarily in the Houston area, focusing on higher education, health care, medical research, youth activities, and cultural institutions. Over the past 50 years, the foundation's giving has surpassed $100 million to the University of Texas at Austin alone (valued at $250 million), honoring Ernest Cockrell, Jr.'s will specification that a major portion of available funds be given to UT Austin's College of Engineering.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cockrell Foundation operates on a rolling application basis with no specific deadlines. Applications are reviewed twice annually at board meetings held in late spring and late fall.

Grant Range: $500 - $4,400,000 (based on 2022-2023 data)

  • Median grant: $9,000
  • Total annual distribution: approximately $10.5 million
  • Number of grants: 24-28 per year

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on:

  • Higher Education: The foundation gives only one higher education grant annually to the University of Texas Engineering Foundation, consistent with the founder's will
  • Healthcare and Medical Research: Support for medical institutions and research organizations in the Houston area
  • Youth Activities: Programs and organizations serving young people
  • Cultural Institutions: Museums, performing arts, and cultural organizations
  • Religious Organizations: Churches and faith-based institutions
  • Community Organizations: Various charitable organizations serving Houston

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • No grants are made to organizations outside of the United States or Texas unless the purpose of the grant is to benefit a Houston, Texas project
  • Limited funds are available for grants outside of Houston, and such grant requests are discouraged
  • Primary focus is Houston-area organizations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Leadership Team:

  • Ernest H. Cockrell - President and Director
  • M. Nancy Williams - Executive Vice President
  • Milton T. Graves - Vice President and Director
  • Ernest D. Cockrell II - Director
  • David A. Cockrell - Director
  • Stephanie Cockrell - Executive Director

The foundation is led by the Cockrell family, continuing the legacy of founder Ernest Cockrell, Jr.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Cockrell Foundation accepts online grant applications only. There are no application deadlines; applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Required Application Materials:

  • Complete online application form (available at www.cockrellfoundation.org)
  • How the project will be sustained once grantmaker support is completed
  • Results expected from the proposed grant
  • Statement of the problem the project will address
  • Copy of IRS Determination Letter
  • Copy of most recent annual report/audited financial statement/Form 990
  • Listing of board of directors and key people
  • Detailed description of project and funding amount requested
  • Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meetings: Held in late spring and late fall
  • Notification Timeline: Final notification typically provided within 6 weeks of board meeting
  • Application Method: Online only via foundation website

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. The foundation awards 24-28 grants annually from the applications received.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. Applicants should consult the foundation's website or contact foundation staff for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's focus and history, successful applicants should consider:

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for Houston-based organizations. Projects outside Houston are discouraged unless they specifically benefit Houston. Organizations should clearly demonstrate their Houston connection and impact.

Mission Alignment: The foundation has specific focus areas - higher education (primarily UT Austin Engineering), healthcare and medical research, youth activities, and cultural institutions. Applications should clearly align with one or more of these priority areas.

UT Austin Engineering Exception: Organizations should be aware that the foundation gives only one higher education grant annually to the University of Texas Engineering Foundation, fulfilling the founder's will. Other higher education institutions seeking support should not expect consideration.

Project Sustainability: The application specifically asks how the project will be sustained once foundation support ends. Successful applications likely demonstrate long-term viability and clear sustainability plans.

Clear Problem Statement: Applications must include a clear statement of the problem the project addresses. Foundations typically favor applications that identify specific, measurable problems with concrete solutions.

Financial Transparency: The foundation requires extensive financial documentation including audited statements, budgets, and Form 990s. Organizations should ensure their financial house is in order before applying.

Grant Size Considerations: With a median grant of $9,000 and a wide range ($500-$4.4M), applicants should carefully consider the appropriate request amount. The foundation appears to make a few large grants (likely to major institutions) and many smaller grants to community organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Houston focus is paramount - the foundation strongly discourages applications from organizations outside Houston unless the project directly benefits Houston
  • Rolling deadlines with bi-annual decisions - submit applications any time, but expect decisions only twice per year (late spring and late fall board meetings) with notification within 6 weeks
  • Wide grant range suggests varied giving strategy - median grant of $9,000 indicates many smaller community grants, while maximum grants over $4 million go to major institutions; tailor request to organization size and project scope
  • UT Austin Engineering is essentially off-limits - the foundation fulfills founder's wishes with one annual grant to UT Engineering; other higher education institutions should look elsewhere
  • Sustainability matters - demonstrate how your project will continue after foundation support ends; one-time funding requests should show long-term impact
  • Complete financial documentation required - ensure Form 990s, audited statements, and budgets are current and readily available before starting application
  • Family foundation values - as a family foundation honoring the Cockrell legacy, applications that align with traditional Houston civic priorities (healthcare, youth, culture) and demonstrate responsible stewardship likely resonate

References

Information accessed December 2025

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