The Hamill Foundation is a Houston-focused funder that prioritizes local, faith-adjacent social service organizations and community institutions, with a strong emphasis on capital campaigns and facility expansion alongside operating support. They support a mix of homelessness and basic-needs providers, early childhood and K–8 schools serving low-income families, healthcare and medical research (including pediatric and specialty care), and camp/recreational programs for underserved populations. Many grants are repeated to the same organizations, indicating multi-year relationships and major investments in bricks-and-mortar projects that increase service capacity.
A defining feature of the Hamill Foundation is its repeated use of large capital grants to expand Houston institutions that serve children, families, and people facing homelessness or serious illness. The foundation pairs those bricks-and-mortar investments with operating support, but the recurring pattern is clear: it backs facilities, campuses, and program infrastructure that can widen service capacity over time. Among the largest recent awards is $1,000,000 to Camp for All for a capital campaign to build a second campus. The foundation also gave $750,000 to the Houston Zoo for the Galapagos Islands Exhibit, showing that its local giving includes major civic and community assets as well as human services. Other sizable awards point to the same approach: a $500,000 grant to Covenant House Texas for new campus construction and a $500,000 grant to Amazing Place for expansion of the Drexel Facility plus a new facility in Katy. Across the recent grants list, several organizations reappear in multiple years, suggesting sustained relationships rather than one-off support.
Capital projects are central to the Hamill Foundation’s giving. Houston Christian University received $400,000 for a new STEM & Nursing Building and scholarships, and $300,000 for the same project with operating programs that include scholarships and a counseling center. In early childhood education, Small Steps Nurturing Center was awarded $450,000 for operating support for two inner-city pre-school campuses and a capital campaign to add classrooms and administrative space. Housing stability and basic needs also appear often. Memorial Assistance Ministries got $400,000 for rent and utility assistance, ESL/GED and vocational training, plus a capital campaign for renovations and added classroom, office, and parking space. Christian Community Service Center received $300,000 for rent and utility assistance, a food pantry, GED/ESL classes, job counseling, and vocational training. In behavioral health, The Council on Recovery was supported with $500,000 for prevention, counseling, outpatient treatment, family therapy, and recovery support.
Typical grants are large: the p25 is $50,000, the median is $150,000, and the p75 is $225,000. The recent list shows a clear tilt toward major awards at the top end, with multiple grants at $300,000, $400,000, $500,000, and above. Giving also appears recurring. Camp for All, Houston Zoo, Covenant House Texas, Houston Methodist, St Martin's Episcopal Church, Star of Hope, and other recipients appear in more than one year, often tied to the same campaign or program area. The foundation makes grants rather than program-related investments and funds individuals. The pattern suggests a family-style philanthropic structure with multi-year relationships and support that mixes operating, capital, and reserve or endowment funding.
$14.9M
$212.4M
$26.5M
$18.4M
Most grants fall between $50K and $225K, with a median of $150K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$150K
75th Percentile
$225K
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Concentrated, large-dollar local giving with frequent repeat grants: multi-year commitments that combine significant capital gifts with operating support. Typical grants are substantial (often in the high-five- to seven-figure range for top grantees), and many recipients receive 2–3 grants over time, indicating long-term partnerships rather than one-off awards.
Notable grantees: Camp for All, Covenant House Texas, Houston Methodist, Small Steps Nurturing Center, Memorial Assistance Ministries
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Texas, with 86% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is overwhelmingly Houston-centered, including Houston, Katy, and other local sites tied to Houston-area institutions. Named recipient locations in the data are all in the United States, and the country distribution shows 255 grants, or 100.0%, to U.S. recipients. Within the Houston area, grants land at organizations such as Houston, TX-based Camp for All, Houston Zoo, Houston Methodist, and DePelchin Children's Center, plus Katy-related facility expansion at Amazing Place.
The foundation backs Houston-area organizations serving children, families, people experiencing homelessness, and patients with serious medical needs. Recent grants include support for camps, zoos, shelters, recovery services, early childhood education, medical research, and facility expansion for nonprofits and faith-based community institutions.
Both appear in the recent grants, but capital work is a major theme. The foundation repeatedly funds campaigns for new buildings, renovations, campus expansion, debt retirement, and facility upgrades, while also giving operating support for programs such as counseling, shelter services, education, and health services.
The grant-size distribution is relatively high: p25 is $50,000, median grant size is $150,000, and p75 is $225,000. Recent awards also include several grants of $300,000 to $1,000,000, showing a concentration in larger gifts.
Yes. The foundation’s geographic scope of giving is local, and 86% of grants go to recipients in Texas. The recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based, with many awards going to Houston organizations and a few to nearby Katy-linked projects.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Camp for All, Houston Zoo, Covenant House Texas, Houston Methodist, St Martin's Episcopal Church, and Star of Hope. In several cases, the grants support ongoing campaigns or multi-phase facility projects.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp for All | Houston, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign to build a second campus |
| Covenant House Texas | Houston, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for new campus construction. |
| Amazing Place | Houston, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for expansion of Drexel Facility plus a new facility in Katy. |
| The Council on Recovery | Houston, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | To support general operating programs including prevention, counseling, outpatient treatment, family therapy & recover support to those suffering from alcohol & substance abuse; and renovation of Hamill Conference Center |
| Houston Methodist | Houston, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | To support the Urology Robotics Fellowship, 3D Ultrasound for Urology Imagining Center, Women's Urology Clinic, ALS research & endowment to Oncology Department for cancer research innovation in lung & liver cancer. |
| St Martin's Episcopal Church | Houston, TX | $410,000 | 2025 | Operating Ministries & Building for the Ages Capital Campaign debt retirement. |
| Houston Christian University | Houston, TX | $400,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for new STEM & Nursing Building, Hamill Presidential & Nursing Scholarships |
| Memorial Assistance Ministries | Houston, TX | $400,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs to provide rent & utility assistance, ESL/GED & vocational training & Capital Campaign to renovate existing building & add a new building for classrooms & office space & add parking. |
| Houston Humane Society | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for spay/neuter program, pet adoption, free pet food "Pet Pantry" programs at low income assistance ministries plus management consultant & organizational review & Architect Master Plan costs. |
| DePelchin Children's Center | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs including foster care, adoption services & children's mental health services & Capital Campaign for new Volunteer Services Building on main campus. |
| Northwest Assistance Ministries | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Operating programs & Endowment/Reserve Fund |
| Open Door Mission Foundation | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs including housing, meals, clothing, GED, career guidance & Doorway Recovery Program for homeless men & Medical Respit Center. |
| Star of Hope | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for Men's Development Center & Women's Cornerstone Community |
| Christian Community Service Center | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | To support operating programs such as rent & utility assistance, GED/ESL classes, food pantry, job counseling & vocational training. |
| St Paul's Methodist Foundation | Houston, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for renovation of Jones Education Building, Operating programs to provide support for Building & Facilities, Landscaping, Security Improvements & General Operations |
| Mission of Yahweh | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for its residential programs to house low income women & children & Capital Campaign for a new Residence Building. |
| University of Houston | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Scholarships at College of Nursing, College of Medicine & Bauer College of Business |
| Houston Zoo | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for new Headquarters Building |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign to renovate Cullen Gem & Mineral Hall |
| The Beacon (Cathedral Health Ministries) | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for homeless services |
| Periwinkle Foundation | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Program Support for cancer patients at Texas Children's Hospital through arts, creative writing & photography as well as summer camps & weekend camps. |
| Small Steps Nuturing Center | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for 2 inner city pre-school campuses & Capital Campaign to add 4 classrooms & add'l adminitrative space to its Jensen Drive school. |
| Girl Scouts of America - San Jacinto Council | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for a new "Starboard" cabin at Camp Casa Mare sailing camp in Kemah. |
| The Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Houston, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign to build-out the Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation |
| St John the Divine Episcopal Church | Houston, TX | $235,000 | 2025 | Operating ministries or campus renovation projects & "Nau Matching Grant" initiative. |
| Houston Area Parkinson Society | Houston, TX | $225,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs to provide both virtual & in person exercise, dance & support groups for individuals suffering from Parkinson disease & their caretakers |
| McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church | Norman, OK | $225,000 | 2025 | Operating ministries or campus renovations |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Houston, TX | $225,000 | 2025 | For Medical Research for improving corneal surgical techniques, dry eye & ocular surface diseases & glaucoma & related diagnostic testing |
| Tallowood Baptist Church | Houston, TX | $225,000 | 2025 | Operating ministries or campus renovations |
| Camp Aranzazu | Houston, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for its summer camp operations |
| Women's Home | Houston, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | Operating Support to provide recovery programs & affordable apartments for homeless or vulnerable women & children & renovate bathrooms in recovery dorm & cottages. |
| The Hope and Healing Center | Houston, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for free mental health programs including education, training, clinical services & research, & training program to recognize mental health or suicide prevention |
| Brookwood Community | Brookshire, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs & Capital Campaign for 2 new residence halls & other campus renovations |
| reMind (Depression & Bipolar Support) | Houston, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs for its in person & virtual adult groups & in person school support groups for depression, bipolar disorder, mental health issues & suicidal thoughts |
| Healthcare for the Homeless | Houston, TX | $175,000 | 2025 | Operating programs to provide medical & dental care plus mental health counseling & case management for the homeless & for a mobile van for street outreach program. |
| Texas A&M Foundation | College Station, TX | $172,000 | 2025 | Scholarships & Library Programs |
| Emergency Aid Coalition | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for programs to assist the homeless & low income individuals with sack lunches, food pantry, clothing distribution & work boots |
| Boys and Girls Country of Houston Inc | Hockley, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Support to provide residential operating programs for children and youth in the College & Careers program |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs to provide positive adult role models/mentors to at risk youth |
| Bo's Place | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs for grief support for children & adults |
| Muscular Dystrophy Association | Chicago, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | Program Support for its Summer Camp in Texas |
| Ronald McDonald House of Houston Inc | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Support to house families with children as patients in the medical center & Capital Campaign for a new playground & security fence |
| YMCA of the Greater Houston Area | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for camperships & Equestrian operations at Camp Cullen & purchase of mountain bikes, paddle boards & pedal boats. |
| Alzheimer's Association - Houston & Southeast TX | Houston, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for core programs & services including Helpline, community presentations, care consultants, support groups for caregivers & individuals |
| Houston Recovery Center | Houston, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs for Sobering Center for Public Intoxication offenders. |
| Camp Allen Conference & Retreat Center | Navasota, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | Capital Campaign for new "Quiet House" |
| Teen & Family Services | Houston, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | Operating Programs to provide recovery support groups for teens suffering from addiction or substance abuse |
| Crime Stoppers of Houston Inc | Houston, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | Operating Support for Tip Line program to help law enforcement identify criminals, Victim Services Program & Safe School & Safe Community crime prevention presentations. |
| St John the Baptist Episcopal Church | Breckenridge, CO | $125,000 | 2025 | Rectory Renovation project & Capital Campaign debt retirement |
| Santa Maria Hostel | Houston, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | Program Support to provide recovery centers for women & children & provide residential & outpatient treatment & recovery services plus long term housing & recovery support & to renovate its HealthCare Clinic. |
Camp for All
$1,000,000Capital Campaign to build a second campus
Covenant House Texas
$500,000Capital Campaign for new campus construction.
Amazing Place
$500,000Capital Campaign for expansion of Drexel Facility plus a new facility in Katy.
To support general operating programs including prevention, counseling, outpatient treatment, family therapy & recover support to those suffering from alcohol & substance abuse; and renovation of Hamill Conference Center
Houston Methodist
$500,000To support the Urology Robotics Fellowship, 3D Ultrasound for Urology Imagining Center, Women's Urology Clinic, ALS research & endowment to Oncology Department for cancer research innovation in lung & liver cancer.
St Martin's Episcopal Church
$410,000Operating Ministries & Building for the Ages Capital Campaign debt retirement.
Houston Christian University
$400,000Capital Campaign for new STEM & Nursing Building, Hamill Presidential & Nursing Scholarships
Memorial Assistance Ministries
$400,000Operating Programs to provide rent & utility assistance, ESL/GED & vocational training & Capital Campaign to renovate existing building & add a new building for classrooms & office space & add parking.
Operating Support for spay/neuter program, pet adoption, free pet food "Pet Pantry" programs at low income assistance ministries plus management consultant & organizational review & Architect Master Plan costs.
Operating Programs including foster care, adoption services & children's mental health services & Capital Campaign for new Volunteer Services Building on main campus.
Open Door Mission Foundation
$300,000Operating Programs including housing, meals, clothing, GED, career guidance & Doorway Recovery Program for homeless men & Medical Respit Center.
Operating Support for Men's Development Center & Women's Cornerstone Community
To support operating programs such as rent & utility assistance, GED/ESL classes, food pantry, job counseling & vocational training.
St Paul's Methodist Foundation
$300,000Capital Campaign for renovation of Jones Education Building, Operating programs to provide support for Building & Facilities, Landscaping, Security Improvements & General Operations
Mission of Yahweh
$250,000Operating Support for its residential programs to house low income women & children & Capital Campaign for a new Residence Building.
University of Houston
$250,000Scholarships at College of Nursing, College of Medicine & Bauer College of Business
Houston Museum of Natural Science
$250,000Capital Campaign to renovate Cullen Gem & Mineral Hall
The Beacon (Cathedral Health Ministries)
$250,000Operating Support for homeless services
Program Support for cancer patients at Texas Children's Hospital through arts, creative writing & photography as well as summer camps & weekend camps.
Operating Support for 2 inner city pre-school campuses & Capital Campaign to add 4 classrooms & add'l adminitrative space to its Jensen Drive school.
Girl Scouts of America - San Jacinto Council
$250,000Capital Campaign for a new "Starboard" cabin at Camp Casa Mare sailing camp in Kemah.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
$250,000Capital Campaign to build-out the Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
St John the Divine Episcopal Church
$235,000Operating ministries or campus renovation projects & "Nau Matching Grant" initiative.
Houston Area Parkinson Society
$225,000Operating Programs to provide both virtual & in person exercise, dance & support groups for individuals suffering from Parkinson disease & their caretakers
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church
$225,000Operating ministries or campus renovations
For Medical Research for improving corneal surgical techniques, dry eye & ocular surface diseases & glaucoma & related diagnostic testing
Tallowood Baptist Church
$225,000Operating ministries or campus renovations
Operating Support to provide recovery programs & affordable apartments for homeless or vulnerable women & children & renovate bathrooms in recovery dorm & cottages.
The Hope and Healing Center
$200,000Operating Support for free mental health programs including education, training, clinical services & research, & training program to recognize mental health or suicide prevention
Operating Programs & Capital Campaign for 2 new residence halls & other campus renovations
reMind (Depression & Bipolar Support)
$200,000Operating Programs for its in person & virtual adult groups & in person school support groups for depression, bipolar disorder, mental health issues & suicidal thoughts
Healthcare for the Homeless
$175,000Operating programs to provide medical & dental care plus mental health counseling & case management for the homeless & for a mobile van for street outreach program.
Operating Support for programs to assist the homeless & low income individuals with sack lunches, food pantry, clothing distribution & work boots
Operating Support to provide residential operating programs for children and youth in the College & Careers program
Big Brothers Big Sisters
$150,000Operating Programs to provide positive adult role models/mentors to at risk youth
Operating Support to house families with children as patients in the medical center & Capital Campaign for a new playground & security fence
YMCA of the Greater Houston Area
$150,000Operating Support for camperships & Equestrian operations at Camp Cullen & purchase of mountain bikes, paddle boards & pedal boats.
Alzheimer's Association - Houston & Southeast TX
$150,000Operating Support for core programs & services including Helpline, community presentations, care consultants, support groups for caregivers & individuals
Houston Recovery Center
$125,000Operating Programs for Sobering Center for Public Intoxication offenders.
Camp Allen Conference & Retreat Center
$125,000Capital Campaign for new "Quiet House"
Operating Programs to provide recovery support groups for teens suffering from addiction or substance abuse
Operating Support for Tip Line program to help law enforcement identify criminals, Victim Services Program & Safe School & Safe Community crime prevention presentations.
St John the Baptist Episcopal Church
$125,000Rectory Renovation project & Capital Campaign debt retirement
Program Support to provide recovery centers for women & children & provide residential & outpatient treatment & recovery services plus long term housing & recovery support & to renovate its HealthCare Clinic.