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Robert & Janice McNair Foundation

Annual Giving
$14.5M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $14,532,443 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Grants reviewed twice yearly (Spring/Fall)
  • Grant Range: Not specified
  • Geographic Focus: Houston, Texas

Contact Details

Overview

The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, established in 1988 by Janice McNair and her late husband Bob McNair, is a private grantmaking foundation based in Houston, Texas. With total assets of $330.6 million and annual charitable disbursements of $14.5 million (2024), the foundation supports education, medical research, Christian stewardship, and the founding principles of America. The foundation operates primarily through an invitation-only grant process, focusing on Houston-area organizations that demonstrate financial stability and align with the McNairs' philanthropic vision of helping others through mission, vision, and values.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports initiatives through several key programs:

  • McNair Medical Institute - Medical research and healthcare advancement
  • McNair Centers for Entrepreneurism & Free Enterprise - Business education and leadership development
  • McNair Scholars Program - Educational opportunities for students
  • Community Impact Initiatives - Local Houston community programs

Priority Areas

  • Education and student support programs
  • Medical research and healthcare advancement
  • Christian stewardship initiatives
  • Programs supporting founding American principles
  • Civic engagement and community development
  • "People and programs" preferred over capital projects

What They Don't Fund

  • Endowments
  • Fundraising event tickets or sponsorships
  • School uniforms or equipment
  • Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
  • Public policy or advocacy projects
  • Debt reduction
  • Business investments or loans
  • International organizations
  • Private foundations or governmental units

Governance and Leadership

  • Chair: Janice S. McNair (Founder)
  • Vice Chair: Holly Alvis
  • President: Meghan Blanton
  • Executive Director: Kristi S Cooper

The foundation was founded by Janice McNair and her late husband Bob McNair in 1988, with a commitment to "helping others through mission, vision and values."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation operates by invitation only. There is no public application process. Organizations must be invited to submit grant proposals. To be considered for an invitation, organizations must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) public charity
  • Be based in or serving the Houston area
  • Demonstrate financial stability
  • Align with the foundation's mission areas

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation operates by invitation only, organizations can potentially get noticed by:

  • Building a strong reputation in Houston's nonprofit community in their focus areas
  • Demonstrating measurable impact in education, medical research, or community development
  • Establishing connections with Houston philanthropic networks
  • Sending introductory information to info@mcnairfoundation.org (though unsolicited requests may not receive responses)

Decision Timeline

  • Grants reviewed twice yearly: Spring and Fall cycles
  • Organizations should submit invited proposals 4-6 months before funding is needed
  • Single-year grants do not guarantee future funding
  • Renewal consideration requires submission of annual progress reports

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available as this is an invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations receiving grants may be considered for renewal
  • Must submit annual progress reports for renewal consideration
  • Single-year grants do not guarantee future funding
  • Each grant cycle is evaluated independently

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences:

  • Financial Stability: The foundation explicitly prefers financially stable organizations
  • Budget Alignment: Grants cannot exceed 10% of an organization's operating budget or 20% of a campaign/project budget
  • CEO/Board Support: A letter of support from the CEO and board chair is recommended
  • Focus on Impact: Preference for "people and programs" over capital projects
  • Houston Connection: Strong preference for Houston-based organizations serving local community
  • Mission Alignment: Clear connection to education, medical research, Christian stewardship, or founding American principles
  • One-Year Use: Ability to utilize grant funds within one year of receipt
  • Proper Acknowledgment: Organizations must obtain written approval before making public announcements about grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only foundation - no unsolicited applications are accepted
  • Focus on building organizational reputation in Houston's nonprofit sector first
  • Emphasize programs serving people directly rather than capital campaigns
  • Ensure your organization's financial stability before seeking an invitation
  • Grant amounts are limited to 10% of operating budget or 20% of project budget
  • Plan for 4-6 month lead time between invited proposal submission and funding
  • Single-year grants require strong annual progress reports for renewal consideration

References

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