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Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.5M
Grant Range
$2K - $2.7M

Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,521,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $101 million
  • Grant Range: $1,500 - $2,700,000
  • Number of Awards: 55 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas
  • Application Method: No unsolicited proposals accepted

Contact Details

Executive Director: Lynn Fowler

Address: 4131 Spicewood Springs Rd., Ste. A-1, Austin, TX 78759

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website and does not provide a public contact method for prospective grantseekers.

Overview

The Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation was established in 1952 by Dallas oilman R. Wofford Cain, a 1913 graduate of Texas A&M University, and his wife, Effie Marie. With assets totaling $101 million, this private family foundation distributed $5,521,500 in grants during 2023 across 55 awards. The foundation honors the Cains' legacy by primarily supporting universities and medical schools in Texas, along with public charities, civic organizations, and medical research programs. The foundation has been particularly generous to UT Southwestern Medical Center and other Texas educational institutions, funding cutting-edge research and clinical care in diverse fields. The foundation operates with minimal public transparency, maintaining established funding relationships rather than seeking new applicants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with named streams. Instead, it makes discretionary grants across its priority areas through trustee decisions and established relationships.

Priority Areas

Medical and Scientific Research

  • Universities and medical schools in Texas, especially UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Mobility disorders research (multiple sclerosis, spinal-cord injury, stroke)
  • Women's urology and bladder health
  • Alzheimer's research
  • Cancer therapy research
  • Bone and joint disease research
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Speech-language pathology (stuttering research and treatment)

Educational Institutions

  • University of Texas at Austin (over $3 million in 2018)
  • Support for academic centers, endowed chairs, and research facilities
  • Student and professional training programs

Human Services

  • Healthcare organizations (e.g., Hospice Austin)
  • Community service organizations

Religious Organizations

  • Faith-based institutions (e.g., First Presbyterian Church)

Arts and Culture

  • Botanical gardens and arboretums (e.g., East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society)
  • Historical preservation and documentation projects

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's track record indicates:

  • Organizations outside of Texas
  • Causes outside their established priority areas
  • Organizations without pre-existing relationships or connections to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Lynn Fowler has served as Executive Director for over 25 years, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to long-term relationships and stability.

Board Members: Historical documentation indicates James Cain and Frank Denius have served as board members, suggesting family involvement in foundation governance.

The foundation operates with minimal public disclosure about its full governance structure, consistent with its private family foundation status.

Philanthropic Philosophy

The Cain family demonstrates a multi-generational commitment to Texas institutions, with giving often motivated by personal experience and long-term relationships. As Felecia Cain (a family member involved in foundation giving) expressed regarding women's urology support: "We knew there were lots of women who badly needed help but didn't have the luxury of living close to UT Southwestern." This quote illustrates the foundation's approach of identifying specific needs and providing targeted, substantial support to address them.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications. The foundation does not maintain a public website, application portal, or formal application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations within the foundation's established funding interests.

The foundation "primarily stays with its established funding interests" and "does not provide a clear way for grantseekers to get in touch to discuss support," according to nonprofit research databases.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. The foundation makes discretionary grants on its own timeline through trustee decisions.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, examining the foundation's documented giving patterns reveals key insights:

Established Relationships Are Essential The foundation works exclusively with organizations within its existing network. All successful grants appear to come from pre-existing connections to the foundation, its trustees, or the Cain family.

Long-Term Commitment to Specific Institutions The foundation demonstrates sustained support over decades. For example, UT Southwestern Medical Center has received support for over 20 years, with multiple endowed chairs, research centers, and programs funded progressively. Similarly, the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering received a $500,000 endowment in 2024 after previous relationships.

Substantial, Transformative Gifts Rather than distributing many small grants, the foundation tends to make significant investments that create lasting impact. As Dr. Philippe Zimmern of UT Southwestern noted about Cain Foundation support: "The Cains' generosity has totally changed my professional life. When I wake up in the morning, I realize I've been given an opportunity to do some really good work."

Focus on Medical Research Excellence The foundation has consistently funded specialized medical research centers and programs, including:

  • 2006: $5 million for the Cain/Denius Comprehensive Center in Mobility Research
  • 2024: $500,000 Lynn Ferguson Fowler Dream. Speak. Live. Endowed Excellence Fund at the Blank Center for Stuttering
  • Multiple endowed chairs in specialized medical fields

Personal Connections and Motivations The Cain family's giving is often inspired by personal experiences and connections. Support for women's urology came from Felecia Cain's own successful treatment, while the stuttering center endowment honored Lynn Fowler's 25+ years as the foundation's executive director.

Texas-Focused Philanthropy All documented grants support Texas-based organizations, particularly in the Austin and Dallas areas, reflecting the Cains' roots and commitment to their home state.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. Do not attempt to submit unsolicited proposals.

  • Relationship-Based Giving: The foundation works exclusively through established relationships with trustees, family members, and long-standing institutional partners.

  • Major Medical Research Focus: The strongest pattern in giving is support for Texas medical schools and research institutions, particularly UT Southwestern Medical Center and UT Austin.

  • Substantial Grant Amounts: When the foundation does give, grants tend to be significant—ranging from thousands to millions of dollars—with a preference for endowments and capital projects that create lasting impact.

  • Multi-Year Commitment: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to beneficiaries, often supporting the same organizations repeatedly over many years or decades.

  • Limited Transparency: The foundation does not maintain a website, publish guidelines, or provide public communication channels, reflecting its private, discretionary approach to philanthropy.

  • Executive Director Stability: Lynn Fowler's 25+ year tenure suggests the foundation values long-term relationships and institutional knowledge in its operations.

References

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