Florence and William K Mcgee Jr Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,635,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: 12% for new applicants
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Varies widely; average $53,333; documented grants from $100,000 to $500,000
• Total Assets: $28.4 million
• Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily Houston area, including Austin, Bellaire, La Porte, and League City)

Contact Details

Address: 931 Old Lake Road, Houston, TX 77057-1105

Note: The foundation does not publicly list phone or email contact information. Inquiries should be directed to the mailing address above.

Overview

The Florence and William K. McGee Jr. Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in January 1999 and based in Houston, Texas. With assets of approximately $28.4 million, the foundation distributes around $1.6 million annually in grants to Texas-based organizations. Led by Florence W. McGee as President, along with family members Thomas Wells McGee (Vice President) and William Wells McGee (Secretary/Treasurer), all leadership serves without compensation. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on three core areas: education, health, and human services, primarily supporting organizations in the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding Texas communities. The foundation awarded 33 grants in 2024, representing a consistent grantmaking pattern that has averaged between 19 and 33 grants annually over recent years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with an annual application deadline of September 1. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project needs and organizational capacity:

• Large Capital/Program Grants: $200,000 - $500,000 for major capital campaigns and significant program initiatives
• Mid-Range Grants: $100,000 - $200,000 for established programs and capital projects
• Smaller Grants: Below $100,000 for specific programmatic needs

Grant awards are made across the foundation's three priority areas, with no restriction to specific sub-categories within those areas.

Priority Areas

Education

• Private schools and educational institutions
• Educational facilities and capital campaigns
• Student support programs and classroom initiatives

Health

• Children's hospitals and pediatric care
• Behavioral health services
• Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative disease research
• Medical facilities and equipment

Human Services

• Child welfare organizations
• Family support services
• Youth development programs
• Community support organizations

Geographic Focus

• Primary focus: Houston, TX and immediate surrounding areas (Bellaire, La Porte, League City)
• Secondary consideration: Other Texas cities including Austin
• No grants awarded outside of Texas

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Organizations outside of Texas
• Projects outside the three core priority areas (education, health, human services)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Florence W. McGee, President
• Thomas Wells McGee, Vice President
• William Wells McGee, Secretary/Treasurer

All board members serve without compensation, reflecting the family foundation's commitment to maximizing charitable impact. Florence Wells McGee has deep roots in Houston philanthropy, having previously served as president of the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, co-chairman of two capital campaigns for that organization, and board chairman of DePelchin Children's Center. Her personal involvement in the organizations the foundation supports demonstrates a hands-on approach to philanthropy and suggests that board members' personal knowledge of and connections to organizations may influence funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications from new and returning applicants. The application process requires submission by mail to the foundation's Houston address by the September 1 annual deadline.

Required Application Materials:

• Copy of IRS Determination Letter (501(c)(3) status)
• Listing of board of directors, trustees, officers and other key people and their affiliations
• Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested
• Contact person information
• Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget

Application Method: Written proposals submitted by mail to 931 Old Lake Road, Houston, TX 77057-1105

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle with a September 1 deadline. Specific decision timelines and notification methods are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should expect the review process to take several months following the deadline as the board evaluates proposals and makes funding determinations.

Success Rates

According to available data, the foundation accepts approximately 12% of new applicants for funding. In 2024, the foundation made 33 grant awards from the pool of applications received. This relatively low success rate for new applicants suggests that establishing a connection to the foundation's mission and demonstrating strong organizational capacity are critical factors for consideration.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication timelines and any restrictions.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, the following factors appear to influence funding decisions:

Alignment with Priority Areas The foundation makes targeted grants in its three core areas. Successful applicants demonstrate clear alignment with education, health, or human services missions. Recent grants show particular interest in:

• Capital campaigns for facility expansion or renovation
• Programs serving children and families
• Healthcare initiatives, especially pediatric and behavioral health
• Educational institutions and student support programs

Documented Recipients and Project Types Recent successful grants provide insight into the foundation's priorities:

• Texas Children's Hospital received $500,000 (2023) for Behavioral Health Services and $200,000 (2024) for Alzheimer's/Neurodegenerative Research
• Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council received $250,000 (2024) for a Capital Campaign
• DePelchin Children's Center received $250,000 (2024) for Capital Campaign for New Facility
• Ronald McDonald House received $342,000 (2022) for Challenge Grant-General Support and $100,000 (2024) for Educator for RMH Houston Classroom
• The Kinkaid School received $250,000 (2023) for Construction of New Upper School Building

Organizational Characteristics Analysis of grant recipients suggests the foundation favors:

• Established organizations with strong track records
• Capital projects with clear deliverables and impact
• Programs serving vulnerable populations (children, families in need, patients with serious health conditions)
• Organizations with strong governance and financial management

Geographic Proximity The vast majority of grants support Houston-area organizations, with strong preference for projects in communities where the foundation and its leadership have direct connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target the September 1 deadline: This is an annual grant cycle with a single application deadline. Plan ahead and submit materials well in advance.

• Demonstrate strong organizational capacity: With only 12% of new applicants funded, you must show exceptional governance, financial management, and program track record.

• Focus on capital or significant programmatic initiatives: Recent grants show the foundation makes substantial awards ($100,000+) for capital campaigns and major program development, not typically small operational grants.

• Emphasize impact on children and families: Many successful grants serve pediatric populations, youth development, or family support services.

• Highlight Houston connections: The foundation shows strong preference for Houston-area organizations where leadership may have direct knowledge or involvement.

• Provide comprehensive documentation: The foundation requires detailed financial and governance information—prepare thorough budgets and leadership rosters.

• Consider multi-year or challenge grant structures: Recent awards include challenge grants and capital campaigns, suggesting openness to strategic, leveraged funding models.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Florence And William K Mcgee Jr Family Foundation (EIN 76-0585804). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760585804 [Accessed January 2026]

• Grantable - Florence and William K McGee Jr Foundation Profile & Grants. Available at: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/florence-and-william-k-mcgee-jr-us-foundation-760585804 [Accessed January 2026]

• Candid Foundation Directory - Florence and William K Mcgee Jr Family Foundation. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MCGE016 [Accessed January 2026]

• Cause IQ - Florence and William K Mcgee JR Family Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/florence-and-william-k-mcgee-jr-family-foundation,760585804/ [Accessed January 2026]

• Instrumentl - Florence And William K Mcgee Jr Family Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/florence-and-william-k-mcgee-jr-family-foundation [Accessed January 2026]

• GuideStar Profile - Florence and William K McGee Jr Family Foundation. Available at: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/76-0585804 [Accessed January 2026]