The John M. O'Quinn Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $11,674,000 (2023)
Total Grants Awarded: Over $227 million (as of December 2025)
Number of Awards: 67 grants in 2023
Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (approximately 6-12 weeks from deadline to trustee meeting)
Grant Range: $10,000 - $10,000,000+
Geographic Focus: Houston, Texas and surrounding areas (with emphasis on Texas)

Contact Details

Website: www.oquinnfoundation.org

Phone: (713) 871-5860

Email: mick@oquinnfoundation.org

Mailing Address: The John M. O'Quinn Foundation, 19 Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77027

Key Contacts:

Mick Pritchett, Executive Director: (713) 871-5860 | mick@oquinnfoundation.org
Shireen Wise, Director of Foundation Services: (713) 234-7601 | shireen@oquinnfoundation.org

Overview

The John M. O'Quinn Foundation was established in 1986 by prominent Texas trial lawyer John M. O'Quinn. Upon his death in 2009, O'Quinn bequeathed his entire estate to the foundation, significantly expanding its capacity for grant-making. As of December 2025, the foundation has distributed over $227 million in grants, primarily benefiting Houston and the surrounding Texas area. The foundation focuses its giving on four core areas: conservation, education, healthcare, and programs for underprivileged youth. With approximately 50-70 grants distributed annually across quarterly cycles, the foundation has established itself as a significant philanthropic force in the Houston region, supporting major institutions like Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist, and Houston Christian University, as well as smaller community-focused organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle with fixed deadlines. Applications are accepted via mail submission only (no electronic submissions). Grants range significantly based on project scope and organizational capacity:

Major institutional grants: $1,000,000 - $10,000,000+ (e.g., Houston Methodist neurodegenerative disorders research, HCU endowed chair)
Significant program support: $250,000 - $500,000 (e.g., Children's Assessment Center, Ronald McDonald House Houston)
Standard grants: $25,000 - $250,000 (typical range for many recipients)
Smaller project grants: $10,000 - $25,000

The foundation distributes up to 20 new grants per quarter and reviews all applications through quarterly trustee meetings.

Priority Areas

Conservation: Environmental protection, wildlife conservation, parks and natural spaces (e.g., Houston Botanic Garden, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation)

Education: K-12 education, higher education, endowed chairs, scholarship programs, educational programs for underserved youth (e.g., Houston Christian University, University of Houston, The Monarch School)

Healthcare: Medical research, hospital facilities and equipment, patient care programs, neurodegenerative disease research, pediatric healthcare (e.g., Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Heart Institute, Memorial Hermann Life Flight)

Programs for Underprivileged Youth: After-school programs, counseling services, child welfare organizations, family support services (e.g., Children's Assessment Center, The Joy School, Ronald McDonald House Houston)

What They Don't Fund

Individuals
Foreign charities
Organizations supporting political candidates or legislation
Type III supporting organizations that are not "functionally integrated"
Private foundations (only 501(c)(3) public charities or governmental units under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

R. Carson Wilson IV (current leadership position)
Michael J. Lowenberg, Trustee
David A. Ott, M.D., Trustee
W. Jeffrey Paine, Trustee
Mick C. Pritchett, Trustee and Executive Director
Corbin J. Robertson, III, Trustee Emeritus

Staff Leadership

Mick Pritchett, Executive Director
Shireen Wise, Director of Foundation Services

The foundation's board has been actively involved in strategic grant-making since John M. O'Quinn's death in 2009, when the foundation received his entire estate. The trustees focus on maintaining O'Quinn's legacy of supporting Houston-area organizations across the foundation's four priority areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications by mail only. Electronic submissions (including flash drives, DVDs, CDs) are not accepted. Avoid using folders or binders.

Required Documentation:

Cover Letter - On organization letterhead including mission statement, organizational history, description of need, and specific funding amount requested
Budgets - Current and next year organizational budgets plus project-specific budget
Support Documentation - Three-year funding sources breakdown (received, pledged, pending, and planned)
Board List - List of directors with their contribution percentages
IRS Form 990 - Most recent filing
Financial Statements - Latest audited financial statements plus interim reports
Institutional Proof - IRS exemption letter confirming 501(c)(3) public charity status
Support Letters (optional) - 2-3 letters from board members, volunteers, or donors

Submission Deadlines & Trustee Meetings

Applications operate on a quarterly cycle. Applications must arrive before 4:00 PM on the deadline date.

Quarter	Submission Deadline	Trustee Meeting
Q1	Early February	Late March
Q2	Late April	Late June
Q3	Late July	Late September
Q4	Late October	Mid-December

Note: Specific dates change annually. Check the foundation's website at www.oquinnfoundation.org/grants/ for current year deadlines.

Decision Timeline

The foundation follows a structured quarterly timeline:

Application deadline (4:00 PM on deadline date)
Staff review period (approximately 4-8 weeks)
Trustee meeting for final decisions (quarterly meetings as listed above)
Notification following trustee meetings

Total timeline from submission to decision: approximately 6-12 weeks depending on which quarter you apply in.

Success Rates

With 67 grants awarded in 2023 and approximately 50+ organizations receiving funding annually, the foundation distributes up to 20 new grants per quarter. While specific application volume data is not publicly available, the foundation appears to maintain selective but consistent grant-making patterns focused on established Houston-area organizations.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation accepts applications quarterly, and organizations may apply in subsequent quarters if not funded. Many of the foundation's grantees have received multiple grants over the years, indicating that the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with successful applicants. There is no published restriction on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant-making patterns and funded organizations, the following factors appear to increase application success:

Geographic alignment is critical: The foundation has an explicit focus on Houston and the surrounding Texas area. While some grants go to other parts of Texas, the vast majority support Houston-based organizations or programs serving Houston residents.

Established organizational track record: Recent major grants have gone to well-established institutions (Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist, Houston Christian University) as well as recognized community organizations. Financial stability and proven program effectiveness appear important.

Alignment with the four core priorities: Successful applications clearly demonstrate how they advance one or more of the foundation's priorities: conservation, education, healthcare, or programs for underprivileged youth. The foundation's largest grants often support healthcare and education initiatives.

Clear project articulation: The required cover letter must include mission statement, organizational history, description of need, and specific funding amount. Applications should clearly articulate how the grant will be used and what impact it will achieve.

Board engagement: The requirement to include board member contribution percentages suggests the foundation values organizations with strong board support and financial participation.

Multi-year funding potential: Many grant recipients have received multiple grants over time, suggesting that successful initial grants can lead to ongoing relationships. Examples include Texas Children's Hospital ($5.1 million cumulative), Memorial Hermann (ongoing support for Life Flight), and Houston Botanic Garden (multiple awards).

Complete and compliant applications: The foundation has specific submission requirements (mail only, specific documentation, deadline compliance). Following these requirements precisely demonstrates organizational professionalism.

Capacity for larger gifts: While the foundation funds organizations at various scales, its largest grants go to organizations with the infrastructure to manage multi-million dollar commitments for major projects (endowed chairs, research facilities, capital campaigns).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Houston focus is essential: This foundation is deeply committed to Houston and surrounding Texas areas. If your organization isn't serving this region, this is not the right funder.
Quarterly deadlines are firm: Applications must arrive before 4:00 PM on the deadline date. Plan to submit well in advance to account for mail delivery time.
Follow submission requirements exactly: Mail only, no electronic submissions, no binders/folders. Include all required documentation. Non-compliance likely results in rejection.
Think long-term relationships: Many recipients receive multiple grants over time. A successful first grant can open doors to ongoing support.
Scale your request appropriately: The foundation funds everything from $10,000 projects to $10 million+ commitments. Match your request to your organizational capacity and project scope.
Demonstrate board engagement: Include board contribution percentages as required and emphasize board support in your application materials.
Contact staff before applying: With two dedicated staff contacts provided, reach out to Mick Pritchett or Shireen Wise with questions about fit and application requirements before investing time in a full proposal.

References

Research compiled December 24, 2025