Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,930,750 (2023)
- Success Rate: N/A (Invitation-only)
- Decision Time: N/A (Preselected organizations)
- Grant Range: Average ~$25,400 per grant
- Geographic Focus: Houston, TX area
Contact Details
- Phone: 713-627-1101
- Address: 3900 Essex Lane, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77027
- Website: Not available
- Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1992 in Texas. Named after Willard Marion Johnson and Ruth Mayer Johnson, the foundation operates as a traditional private grantmaking organization with approximately $1.9 million in annual giving. The foundation maintains a consistent giving pattern, awarding between 60-77 grants annually over the past five years. As a family-run operation, the foundation is managed by the Johnson family descendants and operates on an invitation-only basis, focusing primarily on organizations within the Houston metropolitan area.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but provides general charitable support averaging $25,400 per grant based on 2023 data.
Priority Areas
- Education initiatives
- Children and youth services
- Social services organizations
- United Methodist churches and affiliated organizations
- Community support services in the Houston area
What They Don't Fund
As an invitation-only funder, the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals from organizations outside their pre-established network.
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by members of the Johnson family. Historical trustees have included:
- Mary Anne Johnson Lindley (deceased 2005) - Former Chairman, daughter of founders
- David M. Johnson - Trustee, son of founders
- John W. Johnson - Trustee, son of founders
- Christopher Johnson - Listed as having custody of books
The foundation was established by Willard Marion Johnson and Ruth Mayer Johnson, with their children continuing the philanthropic legacy.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Getting on Their Radar
As a private family foundation operating on an invitation-only basis, organizations typically come to the foundation's attention through:
- Existing relationships with trustees and their networks
- Established presence in the Houston philanthropic community
- Connections through United Methodist congregations in the area
- Visibility in education and youth services sectors in Houston
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations at the trustees' discretion.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - the foundation works with preselected organizations only.
Application Success Factors
Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations receiving support from the foundation typically:
- Have established relationships with foundation trustees
- Demonstrate strong community presence in Houston
- Align with the foundation's focus on education, youth services, and faith-based initiatives
- Maintain consistent programmatic excellence that attracts trustee attention
- Often have connections through the United Methodist community
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a relationship-based funder - no public application process exists
- Focus on building visibility in Houston's philanthropic community rather than preparing applications
- The foundation maintains consistent annual giving (~$1.9M) across 70+ organizations
- Average grant size of approximately $25,400 suggests support for operational and program funding
- Strong preference for Houston-area organizations, particularly in education and youth services
- United Methodist connections appear to be significant in the foundation's giving patterns
- Building relationships with current grantees may provide networking opportunities
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation. Accessed February 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760386599
- Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Willard And Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation. Accessed February 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/willard-and-ruth-johnson-charitable-foundation
- Foundation Directory/Candid - Willard and Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2025. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=JOHN254
- Legacy.com - Mary Anne Johnson Lindley Obituary, Houston Chronicle, July 2005. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/mary-lindley-obituary?pid=14678160
- Cause IQ - Willard And Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation organizational profile. Accessed February 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/willard-and-ruth-johnson-charitable-foundation,760386599/
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