Marvy Finger Family Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 76-0625865 · since 2001mf3.org·Houston·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$3.3M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$10,000 to $250k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$50,000

Typical grant (median)

33 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Rolling, no deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

Organisations working in Greater Houston, which the foundation gives priority to, in education, medicine, visual and performing arts or community investment are the best fit.
Half of its grants to organisations were $25,000 or less and the median was $25,000, so a request around that amount is realistic, though about 8 in 10 grants fall between $10,000 and $250,000, a typical band rather than a ceiling.
Before applying, ask a question or request a preliminary conversation, and define your specific need, a measurable outcome and an itemised use of funds, because applications without these are not funded; the online application accepts submissions on a rolling basis.
Relationships appear to matter, since 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in its two earlier filings, so it is worth reaching out early and building contact.
Individuals, for-profit ventures and political campaigns should not apply, and scholarship applicants cannot have transport, food or housing costs covered.

Overview

Marvy Finger Family 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 foundation makes charitable grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisations, giving priority to those aligned with its mission and funding priorities. Its strategic support focuses on Greater Houston and four areas: education, medicine, visual and performing arts, and community investment. It describes its approach as expanding educational opportunities, advancing health and healing through medicine, enriching lives through the arts, and directly empowering residents. Its community work includes residents, neighbourhoods, waterways, parks and pathways. Through its scholarship programme, it helps students with financial need pursue career and technical education, supporting workforce development and routes to skilled careers.

Themes

Education
Medicine
Visual and performing arts
Community investment

Geographic Focus

Priority: Greater Houston.

What They Don't Fund

Grants only: political campaigns; individuals; for-profit ventures; Applications that do not specify a defined purpose, measurable outcome, or itemized use of funds
Marvy Finger Scholarship only: transportation to and from school; food cost; housing

How to apply

Organisations apply to the foundation’s Grants programme through an online application.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 83% 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 82 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

It gives priority to organisations aligned with its mission and funding priorities.
It encourages prospective applicants to ask questions or request a preliminary conversation before applying.
Applicants should identify a specific need or project and define its purpose, measurable outcome and itemised use of funds.
Grantees must report how funds were used and the impact of the funded programme or initiative.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Texas98%

Arizona2%

The largest single recipient received 18% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations Marvy Finger Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
18% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

33 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $50,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 33 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$10k–$25k21%

$25k–$50k27%

$50k–$100k30%

$100k–$250k9%

$250k–$500k12%

Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Greater Houston Community Foundation · Houston community charitable initiatives
$400,0002024 tax year
Houston Zoo · Conservation educational programs in the Houston community
$250,0002024 tax year
Memorial Park Conservancy · Assistance with forestry conservation of Memorial Park
$250,0002024 tax year
Galveston Bay Foundation · Conservation, restoration and education programs aimed at Galveston Bay
$250,0002024 tax year
Hermann Park Conservancy · Improvement of Hermann Park, public park located in Houston, TX
$200,0002024 tax year
Houston Area Women's Center · Assistance of critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Houston area
$100,0002024 tax year
BridgeYear · Outreach for high school students from low-income families
$100,0002024 tax year
Briarwood School · Tuition assistance and professional development
$75,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Ramona Reddell — Treasurer
Jill F Jewett — Secretary
Edward A Finger — Vice President
Elaine W Finger — President

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$3,415,071	$2,815,440	$56,655,700	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$3,318,815	$2,628,940	$92,628,860	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$4,234,660	$3,291,145	$101,606,126	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.