The Welch Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This funder only supports fundamental chemical research at universities, colleges and other educational institutions in Texas, so it will suit chemistry departments and research teams based there rather than nonprofits working in other fields or places.
- A realistic request should be modest: about 8 in 10 of its 191 grants fall between $35,000 and $1,550,000, with a median of $105,000, though its named programmes set their own ceilings, such as $117,000 for Research Grants, $100,000 for Pilot Grants and up to $5,000,000 for Catalyst for Discovery.
- Applications are accepted but the method varies by programme, with Research Grants submitted through ProposalCentral by noon CST on 31 January each year, Departmental Grant proposals due by noon on 15 September, and Equipment Grant proposals due by noon on 28 February, so plan well ahead of these fixed dates.
- The high share of grant dollars going to previously funded organisations suggests this is a funder that favours institutions it already knows, so first-time Texas applicants should read the specific programme rules closely, especially the exclusions on institution type, location and accreditation for Research, Departmental and Equipment Grants.
- Institutions outside Texas, or those not meeting the stated educational-institution and accreditation conditions for the relevant programme, should not apply to that programme.
Overview
The Welch Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, TX.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Welch Foundation supports fundamental chemical research at universities, colleges and other educational institutions in Texas. Its Research Grants back chemistry research led by full-time regular faculty with tenure or on tenure track. Departmental Grants support chemistry and closely related research by departmental faculty, while giving students laboratory research experience and supporting scholarships, laboratory equipment and chemicals. Equipment Grants add equipment for laboratory research to Departmental Grants. The Catalyst for Discovery programme supports Texas research teams addressing significant problems at the leading edge of chemistry. WelchX brings Texas researchers together for focused chemistry meetings, collaboration and growth in basic research in the chemical sciences. Across these programmes, its emphasis is on advancing chemical research and research capacity in Texas institutions.
Themes
- Fundamental chemical research
- Student laboratory research
Geographic Focus
Texas.
What They Don't Fund
- Research Grants only: institutions other than universities, colleges, or other educational institutions located within the state of Texas and listed as an educational institution by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Departmental Grants only: colleges and universities outside the state of Texas, that do not offer undergraduate degree programs in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering, or that are not an authorized educational institution by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Equipment Grants only: colleges and universities that are not receiving funding under the Departmental Grant Program
How to apply
For Research Grants, proposals are submitted through ProposalCentral by noon CST on 31 January each year.
Deadlines:
- Research Grants proposals are due by noon CST on January 31 each year.
- Departmental Grant proposals are due by noon on September 15 each year.
- Equipment Grant proposals are due by noon on February 28 each year.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 98% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 191 grants to organisations were $105,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Catalyst invitations favour Texas institutions with substantial chemical research programmes, assessed by their chemistry research funding, Welch grants and chairs, and chemistry or related-field PhD programmes.
- The Scientific Advisory Board reviews proposals, and top-scoring investigator teams are invited to a secondary review by videoconference.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 19% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to organisations The Welch Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 67 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $105k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- University of Texas at Austin · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$7,964,0002024 tax year
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$6,170,0002024 tax year
- Rice University · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$4,167,7402024 tax year
- University of Houston · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$3,300,0002024 tax year
- Texas A&M University · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$2,945,0002024 tax year
- Baylor College of Medicine · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$2,600,0002024 tax year
- University of Texas at Dallas · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$1,503,0002024 tax year
- Baylor University · Basic research in chemistry and related fields$720,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Loan Kieu — Chief Financial Officer
- Adam Kuspa — President
- Gina A Luna — Vice Chair and Director
- Fred W Brazelton — Chair and Director
- Douglas L Foshee — Director
- Carolyn C Sabat — Secretary and Director
- Carin M Barth — Treasurer and Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $68,810,256 | $41,180,687 | $845,736,517 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $64,302,362 | $39,330,990 | $892,023,762 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $41,889,702 | $38,348,669 | $927,658,048 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Welch Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 961-9884
- gu@welch1.org
- Houston, TX
- welch1.org
Applying to The Welch Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 961-9884
- gu@welch1.org
- Houston, TX
- welch1.org