The Kilroy Foundation concentrates local, large-dollar philanthropy in greater Houston with a heavy emphasis on private K–12 education and educational capital projects. A majority of dollars have gone to a single special-needs/alternative school (The Joy School), with additional support for an independent day school and a major natural science museum renovation—indicating a preference for capital/campaign gifts that strengthen institutional infrastructure. Grants are few but sizable and often repeat to favored institutions within the Houston region.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving with very few grants per year; repeat, multi-grant support to flagship local education institutions and capital/campaign-restricted gifts rather than many small awards.
A $675,000 building-campaign grant to The Joy School is the clearest signal in William S & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation’s recent giving: it backs Houston institutions through large, project-specific gifts. The foundation’s highest grants have gone to education and cultural organizations in the Houston area, with repeat support for The Joy School and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Those awards point to a pattern of strengthening facilities, exhibitions, and institutional infrastructure rather than broad unrestricted grantmaking. The foundation also made a $150,000 grant to The Kinkaid School for charitable purposes and an $80,000 grant to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston for the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Other sizeable gifts went to Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation, and the Salvation Army of Greater Houston. Taken together, the portfolio shows a local funder that concentrates on private K–12 education, special-needs learning, and Houston cultural institutions. Repeat support appears across multiple years for several recipients, including The Joy School, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation, and The Heritage Society.
Private education is a major theme. The foundation gave $207,500 to The Joy School for building campaign work and $150,000 to The Kinkaid School for charitable purposes. Smaller education-related grants also went to The Briarwood School, The Briarwood & Tuttle Schools, Neuhaus Education Center, and Brookwood Community. Cultural institutions also receive sustained support. Houston Museum of Natural Science received $300,000 for a Gems and Minerals Makeover and another $30,000 for charitable purposes. Museum of Fine Arts Houston received $45,000 for Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, $25,000 for the Bayou Bend Annual Fund, and $10,000 for ICONS - 2023 Grand Gala Ball. The foundation has also funded heritage and public-serving organizations. Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation received $11,500 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024, while The Heritage Society received $6,000 in both 2023 and 2024.
$750K
$16.3M
$5.8M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: The Joy School, Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Kinkaid School
Typical awards are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $10,000. At the same time, the foundation makes occasional much larger campaign gifts, including six-figure grants for building and renovation work. The recent record shows repeat support to several institutions across more than one year, especially in Houston. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is local and heavily centered in Houston. Texas recipients account for 84% of grants, and every recent grant listed goes to a U.S. organization. Houston appears repeatedly across education, museum, arts, and heritage grantees, while a smaller share reaches nearby Texas communities such as Bellaire and Brookshire. Outside Texas, the recent list includes Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and Mount Vernon’s Ladies’ Association of the Union in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Recent grants cluster around private K–12 education, special-needs and learning-differences education, and Houston cultural institutions. Named grantees include The Joy School, The Kinkaid School, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Ballet, and Houston Symphony.
Its typical award is modest: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $10,000. The recent file also includes larger campaign gifts, such as a $675,000 grant and a $300,000 grant.
Most grants go to Texas, and 84% of grants are to recipients in the HQ state. The recent list includes a few out-of-state grantees, including Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and Mount Vernon’s Ladies’ Association of the Union in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Yes. The recent grants show repeat support for The Joy School, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation, and The Heritage Society across 2023 and 2024.
The pattern includes building campaigns, capital improvements, annual fund support, and event-related support. Examples in the recent list include a building campaign for The Joy School, a Gems and Minerals Makeover at Houston Museum of Natural Science, Bayou Bend support at Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and a gala-related grant for ICONS - 2023 Grand Gala Ball.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUNGARIAN AMERICAN COALITION | WASHINGTON, DC | $210,000 | 2026 | TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN FARMOS, HUNGARY. |
| SAM HOUSTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | HUNTSVILLE, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | SHARED NURSE ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (SNAPPI) |
| TAPIOMENTE MENTESUGYI ALAPITVANY | NA | $77,000 | 2026 | TO BUY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR COMMUNITY AMBULANCES |
| THREE LITTLE PITTIES RESCUE | FRIENDSWOOD, TX | $65,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE RESCUE, MEDICAL CARE, FEEDING AND OVERALL WELL-BEING OF DOGS. |
| INSPIRE WOMEN | HOUSTON, TX | $42,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KOSHALOM EGYESULET | FA | $40,000 | 2026 | HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES/CHILDREN IN HUNGARY |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND (UNCF) | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUNGARIAN AMERICAN COALITION | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TAPIOSZELE ES TERSEGE KOZHASZNU MENTESUGYI ALAPITVANY | TA | $18,000 | 2026 | TO BUY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR COMMUNITY AMBULANCES |
| KOSHALOM EGYESULET | FA | $15,300 | 2026 | ARCHITECTURE PLAN AND SURVEY FOR PROPOSED EXPANSION OF EXISTING ANIMAL PARK |
| MANTRAILING AKADEMIA ALAPITVANY | BU | $13,000 | 2026 | TO BUY EQUIPMENT AND PROPER CLOTHING FOR COMMUNITY SEARCH AND RESCUE ACTIVITIES |
| THE JOY SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $270,000 | 2025 | BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | BAYOU BEND COLLECTION AND GARDENS |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE | HOUSTON, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $35,000 | 2025 | BAYOU BEND ANNUAL FUND |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | ICONS - 2024 GRAND GALA BALL |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE JOY SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON ZOO | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MISSION OF YAHWEH | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MEMORIAL HERMANN FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $200 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE JOY SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $675,000 | 2024 | BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $45,000 | 2024 | BAYOU BEND COLLECTION AND GARDENS |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,400 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON BALLET | HOUSTON, TX | $25,200 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON SYMPHONY | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | BAYOU BEND ANNUAL FUND |
| MOUNT VERNON'S LADIES' ASSOCIATION OF THE UNION | MOUNT VERNON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GLENWOOD CEMETERY HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | ICONS - 2023 GRAND GALA BALL |
| THE JOY SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $7,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE HERITAGE SOCIETY | HOUSTON, TX | $6,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE BRIARWOOD & TUTTLE SCHOOLS | HOUSTON, TX | $6,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | HOUSTON, TX | $6,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BROOKWOOD COMMUNITY | BROOKSHIRE, TX | $5,400 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE WOMEN'S HOME | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NEUHAUS EDUCATION CENTER | BELLAIRE, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UT HEALTH HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $3,750 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CAPE KITTY RESCUE | COLDSPRING, TX | $1,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RETINA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $1,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS | PALMETTO, FL | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON ZOO | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HOUSTON GRAND OPERA | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
HUNGARIAN AMERICAN COALITION
$210,000TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN FARMOS, HUNGARY.
SAM HOUSTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$200,000SHARED NURSE ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (SNAPPI)
TAPIOMENTE MENTESUGYI ALAPITVANY
$77,000TO BUY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR COMMUNITY AMBULANCES
TO SUPPORT THE RESCUE, MEDICAL CARE, FEEDING AND OVERALL WELL-BEING OF DOGS.
KOSHALOM EGYESULET
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES/CHILDREN IN HUNGARY
HUNGARIAN AMERICAN COALITION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TAPIOSZELE ES TERSEGE KOZHASZNU MENTESUGYI ALAPITVANY
$18,000TO BUY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR COMMUNITY AMBULANCES
KOSHALOM EGYESULET
$15,300ARCHITECTURE PLAN AND SURVEY FOR PROPOSED EXPANSION OF EXISTING ANIMAL PARK
MANTRAILING AKADEMIA ALAPITVANY
$13,000TO BUY EQUIPMENT AND PROPER CLOTHING FOR COMMUNITY SEARCH AND RESCUE ACTIVITIES
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
$75,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE SALVATION ARMY
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MISSION OF YAHWEH
$1,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
$25,400CHARITABLE PURPOSES
HOUSTON BALLET
$25,200CHARITABLE PURPOSES
HOUSTON SYMPHONY
$25,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE HERITAGE SOCIETY
$6,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE BRIARWOOD & TUTTLE SCHOOLS
$6,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE SALVATION ARMY
$6,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
YALE UNIVERSITY
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
UT HEALTH HOUSTON
$3,750CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CAPE KITTY RESCUE
$1,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS
$1,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
$1,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES