The Arena Energy Foundation focuses its giving on a mix of higher-education endowments and locally grounded human-services programs. Large, targeted gifts (including repeat endowment support for USC) sit alongside community-focused grants for youth mentoring, therapeutic services, veteran/military-related programs, and occasional emergency individual aid. Their portfolio suggests a preference for a few meaningful, multi-thousand-dollar investments rather than many small, dispersed awards.
The Arena Energy Foundation’s recent giving is defined by a blend of university endowment support and Houston-area direct service. Among the largest awards in the file are repeated $50,000 endowment grants tied to the University of Southern California, showing a durable commitment to higher education. Alongside that long-horizon support, the foundation has made sizable local gifts to child advocacy and family support programs, including $30,000 grants to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston and Combined Arms in Houston. The pattern is not limited to institutions. It also includes emergency aid for an individual after a house fire, therapeutic programming for children, and targeted support for organizations serving hearing-impaired children, homeless families, and people facing social or financial crisis. What stands out across the grant list is the foundation’s preference for relatively concentrated awards rather than broad, highly dispersed giving. Several recipients reappear across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated transactions. The mix of endowment funding, program support, and direct individual assistance gives the foundation a profile that moves between long-term institutional investment and immediate community response.
In youth and child advocacy work, The Arena Energy Foundation supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston with $30,000 in 2025 and again in 2023, both for child advocacy. It also gave $10,000 to The Parish School in 2023 for special education for children with language and learning delays and disorders. Therapeutic and disability-focused support appears through grants to Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch. The foundation gave $25,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2023 for equestrian therapeutic services. It also funded All Ears Listening and Language Center with $15,000 in 2025 for helping hearing-impaired children learn to speak and be ready to mainstream into school. Veteran and military-related programming is another recurring theme. Combined Arms received $30,000 in 2023 for veterans support and services and another $30,000 in 2025 to grow the usefulness and reach of the SIV program. For basic needs, Impact Hub Houston received $22,868 in 2025 and $14,525 in 2023 for support services including fresh, healthy and affordable food.
$344K
$103K
$298K
$351K
Most grants fall between $1K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, mid-to-large grants with repeat support to a flagship higher-education recipient (USC) plus targeted community investments; a mix of institutional endowments and single-year program or emergency awards.
Notable grantees: USC Advancement Services / University of Southern California, Combined Arms, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston
Typical grants cluster in the low-thousands to mid-teens: the p25 is $1,375, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $14,762. The file also shows a smaller set of larger awards at $25,000, $30,000, and $50,000, suggesting a mixed pattern of modest program grants and a few major commitments. Recipients often appear in multiple years, including USC Advancement Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston, Combined Arms, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Compassion United, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The foundation is a private foundation and also funds individuals, including emergency aid after a house fire. No application process is described in the data.
The Arena Energy Foundation’s giving is heavily centered in Texas: 80% of grants go to recipients in the state, and Houston appears repeatedly across the recipient list. Other Texas locations include Spring, Conroe, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Giddings, and Conroe-area schools and nonprofits. Outside Texas, the most visible recipient city is Los Angeles, where USC Advancement Services and the University of Southern California each received endowment support. One individual grant also went to Many, Louisiana for emergency financial needs following a house fire. All recorded grants in the file are to U.S. recipients.
The grant list shows a mix of higher education endowments, child advocacy, veterans support, therapeutic services, homelessness services, special education, medical research, and emergency aid to individuals. Examples include USC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston, Combined Arms, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Covenant House, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers on relatively modest awards: p25 is $1,375, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $14,762. The recent file also includes larger gifts of $25,000, $30,000, and $50,000.
Yes. Several grantees appear in more than one year, including USC Advancement Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston, Combined Arms, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Compassion United, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships.
Texas is the main recipient state, accounting for 80% of grants. Houston appears frequently among recipient cities, along with Spring, Conroe, The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Giddings.
Yes. The recent grants list includes a $31,800 award to Trampus Goodwin for emergency financial needs following a house fire, showing that the foundation makes direct grants to individuals in addition to organizational support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS MONTGOMERY COUNTY | CONROE, TX | $36,000 | 2026 | MEALS |
| GAGE AUSTIN GUIDRY | FULSHEAR, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $31,000 | 2026 | CHILD ADVOCACY |
| ANGEL REACH | CONROE, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| ALL EARS LISTENING AND LANGUAGE CENTER | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | HELPING HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN LEARN TO SPEAK AND BE READY TO MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL |
| COMBINED ARMS | HOUSTON, TX | $22,619 | 2026 | TO GROW THE USEFULNESS AND REACH OF THE SIV PROGRAM |
| INSPIRATION RANCH | MAGNOLIA, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EMS FDNY HELP FUND | NY, NY | $10,194 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SPRING WOODLANDS MINISTRIES | SPRING, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | SENIOR FOOD ASSISTANCE |
| GO DRILL INTERNATIONAL INC | GIDDINGS, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | DRILLING WATER WELLS FOR NEGLECTED AND IMPOVERISHED PEOPLE IN AFRICA |
| DREAMS COME TRUE OF LOUISIANA | YOUNGSVILLE, LA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHILD ADVOCACY - SPONSORING A DREAM |
| THE PARISH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DELAYS AND DISORDERS |
| COLLINS 8 FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $8,888 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CASON PERRY | YOUNGSVILLE, LA | $5,050 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| TRAVIS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | CONROE, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| BARTLETT ELEMENTARY | CONROE, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| SCOTT MOUISSET FOUNDATION | CARENCRO, LA | $5,000 | 2026 | FAMILY ASSISTANCE |
| YES TO YOUTH | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | CRISIS COUNSELING, SHELTER PROGRAMS, AND PREVENTION SERVICES |
| MILES PERRET CANCER SERVICES | LAFAYETTE, LA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHILD ADVOCACY |
| BUG'S JOURNEY | GUEYDAN, LA | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF NW HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $1,300 | 2026 | COUNSELING AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH UNWANTED PREGNANCIES |
| CAVETT KIDS FOUNDATION | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $1,010 | 2026 | CAMPS FOR CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES |
| ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA CATHOLIC CHURCH | SPRING, TX | $997 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE BEE COMMUNITY | BRYAN, TX | $543 | 2026 | PROVIDE MEANINGFUL WORK AND A PLACE OF BELONGING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| CONDIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO | BELLAIRE, TX | $514 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOODBANK | CONROE, TX | $505 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP | HOUSTON, TX | $500 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MUSIC CITY BASS | FRANKLIN, TN | $500 | 2026 | NATURE |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $256 | 2026 | HEALTH SERVICES |
| EAST WEST MINISTRIES | PLANO, TX | $103 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ZOI'S ANIMAL RESCUE | NAVASOTA, TX | $100 | 2026 | PET ADOPTION |
| OUR HOUSE | ATLANTA, GA | $52 | 2026 | SHELTER, MEALS, ESSENTIAL CARE |
| USC ADVANCEMENT SERVICES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | CHILD ADVOCACY |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | CHILD ADVOCACY |
| COMBINED ARMS | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | TO GROW THE USEFULNESS AND REACH OF THE SIV PROGRAM |
| INSPIRATION RANCH | MAGNOLIA, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PANTHER CREEK INSPIRATION RANCH | SPRING, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | EQUESTRIAN THERAPUTICAL SERVICES |
| IMPACT HUB HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $22,868 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING FRESH, HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD |
| COVENANT HOUSE | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS SHELTER |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| COMPASSION UNITED | CONROE, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | FRESH START MINISTRY |
| ALL EARS LISTENING AND LANGUAGE CENTER | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | HELPING HEARNING IMPARED CHILDREN LEARN TO SPEAK AND BE READY TO MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL |
| ALL EARS LISTENING AND LANGUAGE CEN | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | helping hearing impaired children learn to speak and BE ready to MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL |
| COMPASSION UNITED | CONROE, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | FRESH START MINISTRY |
| MONICA LEDFORD | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $10,830 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE PARISH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DELAYS AND DISORDERS |
MEALS ON WHEELS MONTGOMERY COUNTY
$36,000MEALS
GAGE AUSTIN GUIDRY
$35,000GENERAL
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON
$31,000CHILD ADVOCACY
HELPING HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN LEARN TO SPEAK AND BE READY TO MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL
EMS FDNY HELP FUND
$10,194GENERAL
SPRING WOODLANDS MINISTRIES
$10,000SENIOR FOOD ASSISTANCE
GO DRILL INTERNATIONAL INC
$10,000DRILLING WATER WELLS FOR NEGLECTED AND IMPOVERISHED PEOPLE IN AFRICA
DREAMS COME TRUE OF LOUISIANA
$10,000CHILD ADVOCACY - SPONSORING A DREAM
SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DELAYS AND DISORDERS
COLLINS 8 FOUNDATION
$8,888SCHOLARSHIPS
CASON PERRY
$5,050GENERAL
TRAVIS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
$5,000EDUCATION
BARTLETT ELEMENTARY
$5,000EDUCATION
SCOTT MOUISSET FOUNDATION
$5,000FAMILY ASSISTANCE
YES TO YOUTH
$5,000CRISIS COUNSELING, SHELTER PROGRAMS, AND PREVENTION SERVICES
MILES PERRET CANCER SERVICES
$5,000CHILD ADVOCACY
BUG'S JOURNEY
$3,000GENERAL
CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF NW HOUSTON
$1,300COUNSELING AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH UNWANTED PREGNANCIES
ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA CATHOLIC CHURCH
$997GENERAL
THE BEE COMMUNITY
$543PROVIDE MEANINGFUL WORK AND A PLACE OF BELONGING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
CONDIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO
$514EDUCATION
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$500GENERAL
MUSIC CITY BASS
$500NATURE
EAST WEST MINISTRIES
$103GENERAL OPERATIONS
ZOI'S ANIMAL RESCUE
$100PET ADOPTION
USC ADVANCEMENT SERVICES
$50,000ENDOWMENT
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON
$30,000CHILD ADVOCACY
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTERS OF HOUSTON
$30,000CHILD ADVOCACY
IMPACT HUB HOUSTON
$22,868SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING FRESH, HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD
COVENANT HOUSE
$20,000HOMELESS SHELTER
HELPING HEARNING IMPARED CHILDREN LEARN TO SPEAK AND BE READY TO MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL
helping hearing impaired children learn to speak and BE ready to MAINSTREAM INTO SCHOOL
MONICA LEDFORD
$10,830GENERAL
THE PARISH SCHOOL
$10,000SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DELAYS AND DISORDERS