Dedicated to improving the quality of life of all people in Houston through sustained investments in high-performing education, healthcare, public service and arts organizations.
Cullen Trust for Higher Education consistently gives at the $500,000 level, with repeated support for university capital projects and health-science initiatives across Texas. In the recent grants list, Baylor College of Medicine received $500,000 in 2025 toward construction of the Health Sciences Tower as part of the expansion of the McNair Campus, following the same amount in 2024 and a $400,000 grant in 2023 for the same project. The trust also backed Southwestern University with $500,000 in 2025 for the renovation of Mood Bridwell Hall, a continuation of prior support at the same level in 2024 and 2023. That pattern points to a funder that favors sustained, multi-year investments rather than scattered small awards. Its support extends beyond buildings into endowed positions, translational research, and student-facing programs, with grants tied to higher education, health care, public service, and cultural arts in the Greater Houston area. The latest 990 year on file is 2025, and the trust is led by Corbin J Robertson Jr.
Higher education infrastructure is a central theme. The trust gave $500,000 in 2024 to Houston Christian University for construction of its new science, engineering and nursing building, and repeated that support with another $500,000 in 2025. It also awarded $500,000 in 2023 to Houston Baptist University for the same type of building project. Health sciences capacity is another clear line of giving: the University of Texas at Austin received $500,000 in 2024 for an endowed chair for the executive director of the Value Institute for Health and Care at Dell Medical School, with the same grant repeated in 2023 and 2025. Programmatic support appears as well, including $250,000 to the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2025 for the Cullen Trust for Higher Education Fellowship Symposium on Translational Research and the fellowship program. Student support shows up through $100,000 to University of St Thomas for the CELT Community Scholars.
The typical grant size is $500,000, with p25, median, and p75 all at that level, showing a tightly clustered distribution. Grants in the recent list repeat across multiple years and often at the same amount, including several annual awards from 2023 through 2025. The trust gives through named grant programs, including the Cullen Foundation General Grant Program and General Grantmaking for education, health care, public service, and cultural arts. It accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry under its general grantmaking program, though it prefers invited full applications. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$3M
$66.5M
-$21K
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $500K and $500K, with a median of $500K.
25th Percentile
$500K
Median
$500K
75th Percentile
$500K
CORBIN J ROBERTSON JR
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Giving is local and entirely in Texas: 22 of 22 recent grants went to recipients in the US, and 100% of grants were awarded in the HQ state. Houston is the main recipient city, with additional grants reaching Georgetown and Austin. Recent recipients include Baylor College of Medicine, University of St Thomas, Houston Christian University, and University of Texas at Austin in Houston and Austin, plus Southwestern University in Georgetown. The grant geography aligns with Greater Houston-focused programming while still extending to select Texas institutions.
The trust funds nonprofit organizations, government entities, and eligible supporting organizations. Its active programs center on high-performing education, health care, public service, and cultural arts organizations that impact the Greater Houston area.
The recent grant pattern is tightly clustered at $500,000. The p25, median, and p75 are all $500,000, and several grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 were awarded at that level.
Yes. Its general grant program accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry, although the foundation prefers invited full applications.
Its grantmaking is local and centered on the Greater Houston area, with all 22 recent grants going to recipients in Texas.
The recent record shows support for education, health care, public service, and cultural arts, with especially visible activity in higher education facilities, health sciences capacity, translational research, early literacy, and student mentorship.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Cullen Trust for Higher Education that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicant organizations must be 501(c)(3) organizations described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including public charities, governmental organizations, and eligible supporting organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals.
Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Who can apply: Applicant organizations must be 501(c)(3) organizations described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including public charities, governmental organizations, and eligible supporting organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals.
Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Who can apply: Applicant organizations must be 501(c)(3) organizations described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including public charities, governmental organizations, and eligible supporting organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals.
Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including public charities, governmental organizations, and eligible supporting organizations. The foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals and does not make loans.
Deadline: Accepted throughout the year; reviewed on a rolling basis.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HCU'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND NURSING BUILDING |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES. |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF MOOD BRIDWELL HALL |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL. |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CULLEN TRUST FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP SYMPOSIUM ON TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND THE CULLEN TRUST FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM |
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-2025 EARLY LITERACY |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-2025 CELT COMMUNITY SCHOLARS |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $81,710 | 2025 | TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-25 STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES. |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF MOOD BRIDWELL HALL |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL. |
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HCU'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND NURSING BUIDLING |
| HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND NURSING BUILDING. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES. |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $500,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF MOOD BRIDWELL HALL |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $500,000 | 2023 | TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL. |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2023 | TOWARD UH ENERGY AND UH CCME STUDY OF CARBON NEUTRAL OPTIONS |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $400,000 | 2023 | TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2023 | TOWARD UH ENERGY AND UH CCME STUDY OF CARBON NEUTRAL OPTIONS |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2023 | TOWARD IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH SCIENCE, SCHOLARSHIP AND INNOVATION. |
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HCU'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND NURSING BUILDING
TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$500,000TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL.
TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
$250,000TO SUPPORT THE CULLEN TRUST FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP SYMPOSIUM ON TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND THE CULLEN TRUST FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$100,000TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-2025 EARLY LITERACY
TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-2025 CELT COMMUNITY SCHOLARS
TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING FOR 2024-25 STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES.
TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$500,000TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL.
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HCU'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND NURSING BUIDLING
HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S NEW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND NURSING BUILDING.
TO SUPPORT UST'S INNOVATION AND ATHLETICS INITIATIVES.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$500,000TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALUE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
$500,000TOWARD UH ENERGY AND UH CCME STUDY OF CARBON NEUTRAL OPTIONS
TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES TOWER AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF THE MCNAIR CAMPUS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
$200,000TOWARD UH ENERGY AND UH CCME STUDY OF CARBON NEUTRAL OPTIONS
TOWARD IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH SCIENCE, SCHOLARSHIP AND INNOVATION.
