The Mary H Cain Foundation focuses its giving on a small number of large, place-linked grants that prioritize healthcare institutions, faith-based community support, and education/scholarship programs. Major gifts fund medical care and research in Houston (notably rehabilitation and a major hospital), while other substantial awards back an Episcopal parish and regional education and innocence/justice efforts. The foundation tends to make repeat, high-dollar grants to a few core recipients rather than many small awards.
A defining feature of The Mary H Cain Foundation’s recent giving is its repeated support for a small set of major institutions, especially Houston Methodist Hospital and Tirr Foundation, each receiving $850,000 in 2025. That scale places the foundation among large private philanthropies making concentrated, place-linked grants rather than widely dispersed awards. The pattern is visible across multiple years: the same Houston-based recipients reappear, often with unrestricted support, alongside faith, education, and justice organizations. Healthcare is central to the portfolio, but the foundation’s interests extend beyond medicine. It has backed an Episcopal parish, regional schools and scholarship programs, and Texas innocence advocacy. Several grants also show a willingness to support organizations outside Houston while still keeping the overall strategy regional and tightly focused. The result is a grantmaking profile built around durable relationships with a limited number of organizations, many of them in Texas, with occasional awards that reach into North Carolina and South Carolina. The foundation’s recent grants show a preference for large, flexible awards, including seven-figure or near seven-figure commitments over time to core institutional partners. That approach suggests support for operating capacity, program stability, and long-term institutional needs rather than project-only funding.
Healthcare and medical research are the clearest themes in the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $850,000 to Houston Methodist Hospital for unrestricted support, and in the same year it awarded $850,000 to Tirr Foundation, also unrestricted. Those grants point to sustained backing for major medical institutions and rehabilitation-related work. Education is another recurring area. The foundation gave $150,000 to Avery County Schools Education Fund in 2025 and $150,000 to Linville Foundation for a scholarship fund in 2023, showing support for K–12 and postsecondary pathways. It also supported Neuhaus Education Center with $50,000 in 2025. Faith-based and community organizations appear as well. St Martin's Episcopal Church received $450,000 in 2025 and $300,000 in 2023, both unrestricted. In Texas public-interest work, the foundation gave $210,000 to Texas Innocence Network in 2025 and $100,000 in 2023.
$3.5M
$87.4M
$6.4M
$3.8M
Most grants fall between $16K and $94K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$16K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$94K
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, high-dollar giving to a small set of repeat grantees — several multi-hundred-thousand to million-dollar gifts, often issued more than once to the same organizations; geographically centered on Houston but with targeted regional gifts elsewhere.
Notable grantees: TIRR Foundation, Houston Methodist Hospital, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Texas Innocence Network, Linville Foundation (scholarship fund)
Typical grants are sizable: the p25 is $16,250, the median is $50,000, and the p75 is $93,750. Recent giving also includes several much larger awards, which pulls the overall profile toward major institutional support rather than small-scale philanthropy. The pattern is not one-time only; some recipients reappear across 2023 and 2025, including repeated support for the same Houston organizations and school-related grantees. The foundation makes grants as a private foundation and also funds individuals, with scholarship support appearing in the recent record. Unrestricted awards are common in the grant list, suggesting flexible support is a regular part of the model.
Most grants land in Texas, which accounts for 67% of grants given to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is also TX. Houston appears repeatedly, along with Bellaire, Humble, Fort Worth, and Splendora. Beyond Texas, the foundation has also made grants to recipients in North Carolina, including Linville, Dobson, Greensboro, and Charlotte, plus South Carolina recipients in Camden. All recent grants in the dataset are to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants cluster around healthcare institutions, faith-based community organizations, education and scholarship programs, and Texas innocence advocacy. Examples in the record include medical care and research, an Episcopal church, school support, scholarship funding, and the Texas Innocence Network.
Yes. Many recent grants are marked unrestricted, including large awards to Houston Methodist Hospital, Tirr Foundation, St Martin's Episcopal Church, and several education-related recipients.
The grant-size distribution centers on larger awards: p25 is $16,250, median grant size is $50,000, and p75 is $93,750. The recent record also includes several grants well above that range, including $850,000 awards.
Very concentrated in Texas. 67% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Texas is also the top state by grant count. Recent Texas recipients include Houston, Bellaire, Humble, Fort Worth, and Splendora organizations.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and the recent grant list includes scholarship support such as a $150,000 grant to Linville Foundation for a scholarship fund.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $850,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TIRR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $850,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | HOUSTON, TX | $450,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HEALTH SERVICES DISTRICT OF KERSHAW COUNTY | CAMDEN, SC | $230,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK | HOUSTON, TX | $210,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AVERY COUNTY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FUND | LINVILLE, NC | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SURRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DOBSON, NC | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TLR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | FORT WORTH, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | HOUSTON, TX | $95,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GOODNESS WEB FOUNDATION | WAYLAND, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HUMBLE ISD ATHLETICS | HUMBLE, TX | $60,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPLENDORA ISD | SPLENDORA, TX | $55,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEUHAUS EDUCATION CENTER | BELLAIRE, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| INSTITUTE FOR THE PUBLIC TRUST | CHARLOTTE, NC | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL | HUMBLE, TX | $19,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PIEDMONT LAND CONSERVANCY | GREENSBORO, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FORREST GENERAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | HATTIESBURG, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HUMBLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | HUMBLE, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ATASCOCITA MIDDLE SCHOOL | HUMBLE, TX | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TIRR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $300,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | HOUSTON, TX | $300,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AVERY COUNTY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FUND | LINVILLE, NC | $150,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | FORT WORTH, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | HOUSTON, TX | $55,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GOODNESS WEB FOUNDATION | WAYLAND, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TLR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HUMBLE ISD | HUMBLE, TX | $36,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PIEDMONT LAND CONSERVANCY | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| INSTITUTE FOR THE PUBLIC TRUST | CHARLOTTE, NC | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEUHAUS EDUCATION CENTER | BELLAIRE, TX | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WILLIS ISD SPEECH DEPARTMENT | WILLIS, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPLENDORA ISD | SPLENDORA, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL | HUMBLE, TX | $10,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FORREST GENERAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | HATTIESBURG, MS | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ATASCOCITA MIDDLE SCHOOL | HUMBLE, TX | $8,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | HOUSTON, TX | $300,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TIRR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $300,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LINVILLE FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $150,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE MUSEUM | CAMDEN, SC | $75,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | HOUSTON, TX | $55,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PIEDMONT LAND CONSERVANCY | GREENSBORO, NC | $55,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GOODNESS WEB FOUNDATION | WAYLAND, MA | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TLR FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL
$850,000UNRESTRICTED
TIRR FOUNDATION
$850,000UNRESTRICTED
ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$450,000UNRESTRICTED
HEALTH SERVICES DISTRICT OF KERSHAW COUNTY
$230,000UNRESTRICTED
TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK
$210,000UNRESTRICTED
SURRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$125,000UNRESTRICTED
TLR FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$95,000UNRESTRICTED
HUMBLE ISD ATHLETICS
$60,000UNRESTRICTED
SPLENDORA ISD
$55,000UNRESTRICTED
INSTITUTE FOR THE PUBLIC TRUST
$30,000UNRESTRICTED
ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL
$19,000UNRESTRICTED
FORREST GENERAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
HUMBLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
ATASCOCITA MIDDLE SCHOOL
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
TIRR FOUNDATION
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
AVERY COUNTY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FUND
$150,000UNRESTRICTED
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL
$150,000UNRESTRICTED
TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$55,000UNRESTRICTED
TLR FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
HUMBLE ISD
$36,000UNRESTRICTED
INSTITUTE FOR THE PUBLIC TRUST
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
WILLIS ISD SPEECH DEPARTMENT
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
SPLENDORA ISD
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL
$10,500UNRESTRICTED
FORREST GENERAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
ATASCOCITA MIDDLE SCHOOL
$8,500UNRESTRICTED
ST MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
TIRR FOUNDATION
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL
$150,000UNRESTRICTED
LINVILLE FOUNDATION
$150,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND
TEXAS INNOCENCE NETWORK
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
THE NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE MUSEUM
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$55,000UNRESTRICTED
TLR FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED