GHS Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,679,900 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies by recipient
• Geographic Focus: Texas, with emphasis on education institutions
• Total Assets: $32.5 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 131405, Houston, TX 77219-1405
Phone: (713) 624-9444
EIN: 76-0628970

Overview

The GHS Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2000 and based in Houston, Texas. Founded and supported by Gerald H. Smith, the foundation has grown to hold approximately $32.5 million in total assets as of 2024, with annual revenues of $6.4 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $3.7 million. The foundation employs three staff members to manage its operations. The foundation appears to be closely connected to the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program, which provides substantial four-year and two-year scholarships to students across multiple Texas universities. Leadership includes President Gerald H. Smith, Vice President Dawn Wesneski (who also serves as Scholarship Coordinator for Smith-Hutson Scholarships), Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Nancy Hamlin Cooke, and Vice President Robert E. Hutson. The foundation focuses primarily on educational support across all levels, from elementary through graduate education, with additional support for human services, mental health care, youth services, and emergency medical services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The GHS Foundation made 9 grants in 2024, totaling $3,679,900. The foundation appears to operate primarily through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than competitive application processes.

Known Grant Recipients:

• Stephen F. Austin State University
• Groveton Ex-Students Association ($1,000 for General Funds)
• Sam Houston State University (through Smith-Hutson Scholarship connection)
• Lamar University (through Smith-Hutson Scholarship connection)
• Lamar Institute of Technology (through Smith-Hutson Scholarship connection)
• Angelina College (through Smith-Hutson Scholarship connection)

Priority Areas

The foundation supports:

• Education (primary focus):

  • Elementary and secondary education
  • Community college education
  • Higher education, university education
  • Graduate and professional education
  • Student retention programs
  • Equal opportunity in education
  • Scholarships for first-generation and low-income students

• Human Services:

  • Youth services
  • Mental health care
  • Emergency medical services

• Technology and Innovation:

  • Internet access initiatives
  • Educational technology

• Other Areas:

  • Zoos

Priority Populations: The foundation prioritizes academics, low-income individuals, and students, with particular emphasis on first-generation college students (77% of Smith-Hutson recipients are first-generation students).

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's focus appears concentrated on Texas educational institutions and related services.

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Leadership (as of most recent filings):

• Gerald H. Smith - President and Founder
• Dawn Wesneski - Vice President (also serves as Scholarship Coordinator for Smith-Hutson Scholarships; compensation: $267,583 in 2025)
• Nancy Hamlin Cooke - Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer (compensation: $173,985 in 2025)
• Robert E. Hutson - Vice President (compensation: $125,008 plus $9,600 other compensation in 2025; retired Houston banker and 1965 SHSU graduate who serves as administrator for the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program)

Connection to Smith-Hutson Scholarship Program

The foundation appears to be the entity behind the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program, which was established in 1996 at Sam Houston State University. Robert Hutson manages the program on behalf of the donor, who has remained anonymous to the public and universities. The program has expanded from business students at SHSU to students across all academic colleges (since 2014) and multiple Texas institutions, awarding 668 scholarships over 25+ years.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The GHS Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a private foundation with grants determined by trustee discretion. The foundation identifies grant recipients through the board's discretion and pre-existing relationships rather than through open solicitation.

Most of the foundation's grantmaking appears to flow through the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program, which has its own application process at participating universities (Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, and Angelina College). Students interested in Smith-Hutson Scholarships should apply directly through their university's financial aid or scholarship office.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed, as grants are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to the invitation-only/trustee-discretion nature of grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the GHS Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding from this foundation depends on:

For Educational Institutions:

• Alignment with existing priorities: The foundation has a demonstrated track record of supporting Texas universities and colleges, particularly those serving first-generation and low-income students.

• Connection to Smith-Hutson program: Institutions participating in or interested in joining the Smith-Hutson Scholarship network appear to be primary recipients.

• Focus on student retention and completion: The Smith-Hutson model emphasizes "completer scholarships" that support students through degree completion rather than single-year awards.

• Service to underserved populations: 77% of Smith-Hutson scholars are first-generation college students, indicating the foundation's commitment to expanding educational access.

For Individual Students:

Students cannot apply directly to the GHS Foundation but should explore Smith-Hutson Scholarship opportunities at participating institutions:

• Smith-Hutson Freshman Scholarship: Up to $20,000 per year for four years
• Smith-Hutson Transfer Scholarship: Up to $20,000 per year for two years

These are competitive "completer scholarships" available to students across all academic disciplines at participating institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - The GHS Foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than competitive applications
• Focus is heavily on education - Particularly Texas universities and scholarship programs supporting first-generation and low-income students
• Smith-Hutson connection is central - The foundation appears to channel significant resources through this established scholarship program
• Relationship-based grantmaking - Success depends on pre-existing connections and alignment with trustees' strategic vision
• Emphasis on completion, not just access - Multi-year "completer scholarships" that support students through degree completion
• Anonymous donor philosophy - The foundation operates with minimal public profile, preferring impact over recognition
• Small number of grants - With only 9 grants made in 2024, the foundation is highly selective and strategic in its giving

References

1. Cause IQ - GHS Foundation Profile, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ghs-foundation,760628970/ (Accessed January 2026)
2. Charity Navigator - GHS Foundation Profile, https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/760628970 (Accessed January 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - GHS Foundation, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760628970 (Accessed January 2026)
4. GuideStar - GHS Foundation Profile, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/76-0628970 (Accessed January 2026)
5. Sam Houston State University - "Transforming Lives for 25 Years", https://www.shsu.edu/today@sam/heritage-online/spring-2022/transforming-lives-for-25-years (Accessed January 2026)
6. Sam Houston State University - The Smith-Hutson Scholars, https://www.shsu.edu/dept/academic-affairs/smith-hutson/ (Accessed January 2026)
7. Stephen F. Austin State University - Smith-Hutson Scholarship, https://www.sfasu.edu/ssc/admissions-aid/smith-hutson (Accessed January 2026)
8. Lamar University - Welcome to the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program, https://www.lamar.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/smith-hutson-scholarship.html (Accessed January 2026)