The Underwood Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is not the route it describes, and an introduction or existing relationship is the only approach its information points to.
- Its recorded grants have mostly been for scholarships, with some operating and expansion support, so an education-linked request fits its grant pattern most closely, though the filings state no geographic focus.
- Its median grant was $225,000, and half of its eight grants to organisations were $225,000 or less, so a modest, well-costed request sits within its record.
- All of its grant dollars to organisations in the latest filing went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, so the foundation appears relationship-led and rewards continuity.
Overview
The Underwood Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, TX.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation's recorded organisational grants have mainly been described as scholarships, with a smaller portion supporting operations and expansion plans. Its recipients include secondary schools, a theological seminary, a leadership forum and a community centre. The record therefore shows scholarship support channelled through educational institutions and charitable organisations, alongside operating and expansion support. All recorded organisation grants went to recipients in Texas. The filings do not state a broader set of funding fields, applicant eligibility criteria or a formal geographic policy; nor do they describe a public application process. The foundation's grant pattern is what is reflected here, rather than a stated programme focus.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Scholarships
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Texas.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 100% 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 8 grants to organisations were $225,000 or less.
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 73% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations The Underwood Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Episcopal High School · Scholarship$950,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Duncan K Underwood — Director
- David M Underwood JR — Director
- M Patric Mascorro — Assistant Secretary / Treasurer
- Lynda K Underwood — VP / Secretary / Director
- Catherine Underwood Murray — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,015,419 | $925,000 | $17,309,394 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $936,534 | $875,000 | $18,591,519 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,010,143 | $950,000 | $19,633,041 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to The Underwood Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Houston, TX
Applying to The Underwood Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Houston, TX