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Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Educational Fund

Annual Giving
$30.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $28-30 million (2025-2026)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed for organizational grants
  • Grant Range: Individual grant amounts not disclosed; total organizational grants pool: $3-3.4 million annually distributed among 82 organizations
  • Geographic Focus: Texas statewide

Contact Details

Website: https://www.rodeohouston.com/scholarships-and-grants/

Email: scholarships@rodeohouston.com

Physical Address: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Programs Office NRG Center 3 NRG Park Houston, Texas 77054

Overview

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund was established in June 1989 as the charitable arm of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (founded in 1932). The fund is organized for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including the distribution of scholarships, grants, and awards to students and organizations qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Since 1932, the organization has committed over $660 million to Texas youth and education, making it one of the nation's largest scholarship providers. In 2026, the organization announced a landmark commitment of $30.3 million for educational programs, representing the largest single-year commitment in its history. The fund distributes approximately $15 million in individual scholarships, $11 million to junior show exhibitors, $3.4 million in organizational grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships annually. Under the leadership of Chairman Pat Mann Phillips—the first woman to lead the organization in its history—the Rodeo has focused on expanding its educational mission while maintaining its commitment to promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Organizational Grants: $3-3.4 million annually distributed among 82 Texas organizations and institutions. Individual grant amounts are not publicly disclosed. Grants support educational programs aligned with the Rodeo's mission.

Graduate Assistantships: $481,000-$523,000 annually distributed to 14 graduate-level programs at 11 Texas universities including Angelo State University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sul Ross State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University – Commerce, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, and West Texas A&M University. Programs support agriculture-related fields including wildlife conservation, horticultural science, and meat science. Since the 1970s, over $16 million has been awarded to graduate assistantship programs.

Individual Scholarships: $5,000 per year (renewable up to $20,000 over four years) for graduating Texas high school seniors attending accredited, not-for-profit Texas universities. Over 800 scholarships awarded annually. Application method: online portal with fixed deadline (typically early February).

Junior Show Exhibitor Funding: $11 million annually to support young participants in livestock shows and related agricultural programs.

Priority Areas

  • Texas youth education and academic achievement
  • Agriculture, animal husbandry, and related fields
  • Educational programs supporting youth development
  • Graduate-level research in agriculture and related sciences
  • Organizations promoting agricultural education and youth leadership
  • Arts and cultural programs with educational missions
  • Community organizations aligned with educational advancement

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the fund focuses exclusively on:

  • Texas-based organizations and Texas residents only
  • Educational missions related to youth, agriculture, and community development
  • 501(c)(3) charities and accredited institutions of higher education

Organizations outside Texas or those not aligned with educational missions would not be eligible.

Governance and Leadership

Chairman of the Board: Pat Mann Phillips (2024-2026, serving third and final year). Phillips became the first woman chair in the Rodeo's history since its founding in 1932. She has stated: "I am excited to bring my passion for the rodeo, my dedication to education, and my commitment to the community to this role." Her primary goal is to collaborate with the Executive Committee to lead the Rodeo, focusing on its core mission of promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth and education.

Chairman-Elect: Wesley Sinor, who will assume leadership following the 2026 season.

Executive Committee: Includes the chairman of the board, past chairmen from the immediately preceding nine years, and at least five members elected at large from the board of directors. The committee is responsible for carrying out the purposes and policies of the Board of Directors and ensuring orderly operation and management of the Rodeo.

Organizational Structure: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund was initially funded by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc. The organization operates with a large volunteer base and professional staff managing educational programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizational Grants: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund does not have a publicly disclosed application process for organizational grants. There is no online portal or published application guidelines for organizations seeking grants.

Based on available information, grants appear to be awarded through internal selection processes rather than open application cycles. Organizations are selected by the Rodeo's leadership and committees based on alignment with the educational mission.

For Individual Scholarships: Online application system with fixed annual deadline (typically early February). Students complete one application and are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they meet eligibility requirements.

For Graduate Assistantships: Each participating university administers its own application and selection process for graduate assistantship funding provided by the Rodeo.

Decision Timeline

For Organizational Grants: Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

For Individual Scholarships: Final approval and notification of scholarship recipients is made by the Office of Educational Programs in May, with notifications sent via email. Applications close in early February, with approximately a 3-month decision timeline.

Success Rates

Success rates for organizational grants are not publicly disclosed. The fund awards grants to 82 organizations annually from its pool of over 100 organizations and institutions that have received funding since 1990.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies for organizational grants are not publicly disclosed. However, the fund maintains ongoing relationships with many organizations, suggesting that recipients may receive continued support over multiple years.

Application Success Factors

Since the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund does not maintain a public application process for organizational grants, success in receiving funding appears to depend on:

Alignment with Core Mission: Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with the Rodeo's educational mission focused on Texas youth, agriculture, and community development. The fund's commitment is explicitly stated: promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth and education.

501(c)(3) Status and Texas Focus: All organizational grant recipients must be 501(c)(3) charities or accredited institutions of higher education operating in Texas. Geographic restriction to Texas is absolute.

Educational Impact: Organizations should demonstrate measurable impact on educational outcomes, youth development, or agricultural advancement. The fund has awarded over $92 million to research, grants, and educational programs since 1990, indicating a preference for substantive, long-term educational impact.

Types of Organizations Funded: Recent grant recipients provide insight into the fund's priorities. Recipients include:

  • Educational institutions and university foundations (Texas State University Development Foundation, University of St. Thomas at Houston)
  • Youth development organizations (Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston)
  • Arts and cultural education (Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Arts for Rural Texas, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts)
  • Agricultural and environmental education (Texas Wildlife Association Foundation, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management)
  • Literacy and educational foundations (Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation)
  • Museums and educational centers (Space Center Houston, The Children's Museum of Houston, The Bryan Museum)
  • Community organizations (Camp for All, Brookwood Community, YMCA of Greater Houston)
  • Animal-related educational programs (Houston SPCA, Houston Zoo)

New Recipients in 2026: Nine organizations were added to the grant recipient list in 2026, demonstrating that the fund does expand its portfolio to include new organizations that align with its mission: Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee and committee discretion rather than competitive application processes.
  • Invitation or Relationship-Based: Organizations seeking funding should focus on building relationships and visibility within the Houston/Texas educational and agricultural communities rather than submitting formal grant proposals.
  • Texas-Only Focus: Geographic restriction is absolute—only Texas-based organizations receive funding.
  • Educational Mission Alignment Critical: Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with youth education, agricultural education, or community educational development.
  • Long-Term Relationships: The fund maintains ongoing relationships with many organizations, with 82 current recipients. New recipients are added periodically (9 in 2026), suggesting opportunities for new organizations.
  • Substantial Annual Commitment: With $3-3.4 million distributed annually to 82 organizations, average grants may range from approximately $40,000-$50,000, though individual amounts vary.
  • Leadership's Vision: Current Chairman Pat Mann Phillips emphasizes passion for education and community commitment. Organizations should align messaging with these priorities.

References

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