Strake Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,877,400 (2023)
• Total Assets: $44,824,735
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $900 - $160,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Houston, TX; also Texas, Virginia, and District of Columbia

Contact Details

Email: foundation@strake.org Location: Houston, TX EIN: 76-0041524

To access the online grant application portal, applicants must email foundation@strake.org to request a link.

Overview

The Strake Foundation is the successor to Strake Charities Trust, created in 1952 by George W. Strake and his wife, Susan K. Strake. When Mr. Strake, an oilman and philanthropist who discovered the Conroe Oil Field in Montgomery County, TX, died in 1969, he left the majority of his estate to the trust. On January 1, 1983, Strake Charitable Trust was dissolved and all assets were distributed to the newly-created Strake Foundation, a Texas nonprofit corporation. With assets of approximately $44.8 million, the foundation distributed $2,877,400 through 205 grants in 2023. The foundation focuses primarily on secondary and higher educational institutions, cultural and social services, and programs for youth, with a strong emphasis on Catholic institutions and conservative values.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a rolling application basis through an online portal. Organizations must email foundation@strake.org to receive access to the application system.

• Grant Range: $900 - $160,000
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Application Cycle: Rolling basis; maximum of 1 application per calendar year

Priority Areas

The Strake Foundation's primary giving categories include:

• Catholic Institutions: Significant support for Catholic schools, churches, and religious organizations
• Youth Education: High school and higher education institutions
• Women's Health (Pro-Life): Organizations supporting pro-life causes and women's healthcare
• Free Markets and Individual Liberty: Organizations promoting conservative economic and political values
• Houston Civic and Community: Local community organizations and civic initiatives
• Houston Homeless and Low Income: Services for underserved populations in Houston

Recent grant recipients (2023) include:

• St. Pius X High School: $120,000 for pledge payment
• Strake Jesuit College Preparatory: $100,000 for pledge payment
• Boy Scouts of America: $75,000 for growing sustainable scouting in underserved communities
• Covenant House Texas: $50,000 for Building for Life Campaign Phase III
• Dominican Sisters Mary Immaculate Province: $50,000 for education, formation, and healthcare

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the foundation's focus areas suggest alignment with Catholic and conservative values. The foundation emphasizes:

• 501(c)(3) organizations only
• Local Houston organizations (though some grants extend to other areas of Texas, Virginia, and DC)
• Maximum of one application per organization per calendar year

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Randall K. Woodruff (Compensation: $143,685) President/Treasurer: George W. Strake III

The foundation is governed by a board of directors, each contributing hours monthly to oversee the foundation's grantmaking activities. The Strake family has a long history of philanthropy in Houston, with the founder serving on the boards of numerous social service, youth, and Catholic organizations throughout his life.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Grant applications are processed online. To begin the application process:

1. Email foundation@strake.org to request access to the online application portal
2. Complete the online application through the portal link provided
3. Organizations are limited to a maximum of 1 grant application per calendar year

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations, with emphasis on local Houston organizations

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for information about when decisions will be communicated.

Success Rates

The foundation made 205 grants in 2023, 224 grants in 2022, and 293 grants in 2021. However, the total number of applications received is not publicly available, so a success rate percentage cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year. Specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants and waiting periods before reapplication are not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns and priorities:

• Mission Alignment: Strong alignment with Catholic values and conservative principles appears critical. The foundation has deep roots in Catholic philanthropy and explicitly prioritizes Catholic institutions.

• Houston Focus: While the foundation does make grants outside Houston, there is a clear preference for local organizations. The foundation states that emphasis is "local to Houston."

• Education and Youth: The foundation shows particular interest in secondary and higher education institutions and youth programs, as evidenced by major grants to schools like St. Pius X High School ($120,000) and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory ($100,000).

• Multi-Year Relationships: The presence of "pledge payments" among recent grants suggests the foundation makes multi-year commitments to organizations, indicating value placed on longer-term partnerships.

• Conservative Values: Support for free markets, individual liberty, and pro-life causes indicates alignment with conservative political and social values is important.

• Established Organizations: Given the foundation's focus on Catholic institutions and established educational institutions, demonstrated organizational stability and track record appear valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• One Shot Per Year: With only one application allowed per calendar year, ensure your proposal is thoroughly prepared and aligned with the foundation's priorities before submitting
• Email First: Access to the application portal requires emailing foundation@strake.org, so initiate contact well before any internal deadlines
• Houston Priority: Emphasize local Houston impact and presence if applicable; the foundation's emphasis is clearly local
• Catholic and Conservative Alignment: Strong alignment with Catholic values and conservative principles appears essential for funding consideration
• Education and Youth Focus: Programs serving high school and college-aged youth, particularly in educational settings, align well with historical grantmaking patterns
• Build for Long-Term: The presence of pledge payments and multi-year grants suggests the foundation values sustained partnerships with organizations
• Range Widely: Grant sizes vary significantly from $900 to $160,000, with a median of $10,000, so organizations of various sizes and budget needs may find appropriate funding levels

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Strake Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/760041524-strake-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Strake Foundation | The Grantsmanship Center: https://www.tgci.com/funder/strake-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• Strake Foundation - GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/76-0041524 (Accessed January 2026)
• Strake Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760041524 (Accessed January 2026)
• Strake Foundation | Houston, TX | 990 Report | Instrumentl: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/strake-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• Strake Foundation | Cause IQ: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/strake-foundation,760041524/ (Accessed January 2026)