The Dan L Duncan Foundation makes very large, concentrated gifts to local intermediary philanthropy in Houston rather than funding many direct-service nonprofits. Their two grants (totaling the foundation's reported giving) were directed to the Greater Houston Community Foundation to support education and broad Houston community needs, indicating a preference for channeling resources through a community foundation for flexible, place-based impact.
Dan L Duncan Foundation’s recent giving is defined by two very large grants to Greater Houston Community Foundation, both aimed at education and support of the Houston community. That pattern points to a funder that uses a community foundation as a primary channel for place-based philanthropy rather than distributing many direct grants across a wide nonprofit field. The foundation’s recent awards also show a strong commitment to Houston-area institutions, especially schools, museums, medical organizations, and social service providers. Beyond the community foundation grants, the record includes sizable support for University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for medical programs, Houston Museum of Natural Science for education and historical preservation, and Houston Zoo Inc for animal and wildlife habitat conservation. The foundation’s disclosed giving totals $82,436,060 in annual grants, with assets of $700,533,532. The grant record is concentrated in Texas, with recipients in Houston, San Antonio, Missouri City, Bellaire, Mont Belvieu, and Carthage. Across the recent grants listed, the foundation appears to favor large, targeted gifts tied to local institutions and specific program purposes.
Education is one of the clearest themes in the grant list. The foundation gave $1,323,500 to San Antonio Area Foundation for educational services and $1,000,000 to University of Houston for educational services, alongside $714,286 to Episcopal High School for educational services. Medical and health-related support is another recurring area. It awarded $1,454,000 to University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for medical programs and $1,100,000 to Memorial Hermann Foundation for medical programs. The foundation also funds institutions tied to youth and public learning. It granted $600,131 to Chambers County Children's Museum for educational services and $505,000 to Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council for educational services. These grants sit alongside support for Houston-area cultural and environmental organizations.
Typical grant size is large: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $200,000, and the 75th percentile is $600,033. That spread suggests a mix of smaller awards and a substantial number of high-dollar gifts. The recent record also shows repeat funding to the same organizations across multiple years, including Greater Houston Community Foundation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo Inc, Baylor College of Medicine, and Chambers County Children's Museum. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The pattern is consistent with a private foundation making direct grants, often for targeted projects or program support.
$39.5M
$700.5M
$50.5M
$40.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $600K, with a median of $200K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$200K
75th Percentile
$600K
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Highly concentrated — very large, multi-million-dollar gifts routed to a single community foundation (repeat grantee), favoring flexible, intermediary funding rather than many small or direct-service grants.
Notable grantees: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Giving is overwhelmingly Texas-focused: 96% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Houston is the main recipient city, with additional grants in San Antonio, Missouri City, Bellaire, Mont Belvieu, and Carthage. The recent grants list shows no non-U.S. recipient countries; all listed grants go to U.S. organizations. The concentration in Houston-area institutions is especially pronounced, but the record also reaches other Texas communities through area foundations, schools, and museums.
The recent grants list shows support for education, medical programs, historical preservation, animal and wildlife habitat conservation, social services, environmental services, and capital campaigns. Named recipients include schools, museums, healthcare institutions, social service organizations, and community foundations.
The grant-size distribution is wide, but the center of the range is high: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $200,000, and p75 is $600,033. That indicates the foundation often makes substantial awards, while still including some smaller grants.
Yes. Ninety-six percent of its grants go to recipients in Texas, and the recent grant record is entirely U.S.-based. Houston is the most common recipient city, with other Texas recipients in San Antonio, Missouri City, Bellaire, Mont Belvieu, and Carthage.
Yes. The recent record includes repeat grants to Greater Houston Community Foundation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo Inc, Baylor College of Medicine, and Chambers County Children's Museum across 2023 and 2025.
The pattern is direct grantmaking by a private foundation, with no funding to individuals and no program-related investments. Several awards are directed to community foundations and other local institutions, often for specific program purposes such as education, medical programs, or community support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $19,759,772 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,388,366 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| HOUSTON ZOO INC | HOUSTON, TX | $1,514,112 | 2025 | ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION |
| DIAMOND BAR CONSERVATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $1,500,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $1,454,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $1,323,500 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $1,071,378 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL | BELLAIRE, TX | $714,286 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| CHAMBERS COUNTY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | MONT BELVIEU, TX | $600,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF SAN JACINTO COUNCIL | HOUSTON, TX | $505,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION | KEMAH, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT SERVICES |
| PANOLA COLLEGE | CARTHAGE, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS | HOUSTON, TX | $458,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| KIDS' MEALS | HOUSTON, TX | $430,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $425,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| REMEMBER THE ALAMO FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $400,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| ASCENSION SETON FOUNDATION | KYLE, TX | $400,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| HOUSTON FOOD BANK | HOUSTON, TX | $400,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| THE WITTE MUSEUM | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $255,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $240,130 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| CAREERSPRING | BELLAIRE, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | GALVESTON, TX | $175,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| UNDIES FOR EVERYONE | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| HOUSTON HOSPICE | HOUSTON, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $118,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| SMALL STEPS NURTURING CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| YELLOWSTONE SCHOOLS | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| WORKTEXAS TRAINING CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| BASTROP COUNTY ESD NO 1 | RED ROCK, TX | $95,000 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $80,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| WONDERWORKS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $60,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| CITY OF SMITHVILLE | SMITHVILLE, TX | $60,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| THE BRYAN MUSEUM | GALVESTON, TX | $58,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| SMALL PLACES | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | PERFORMING ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS RESEARCH LABORATORY O | HOUSTON, TX | $35,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS |
| HOUSTON SPCA | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELFARE |
| SPRINGSPIRIT | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| THE WOMEN'S HOME | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| HOUSTON PETS ALIVE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELFARE |
| GALVESTON URBAN MINISTRIES | GALVESTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| BRENDA AND JOHN H DUNCAN RISE SCHOOL OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| TWST4GIRLS | HOUSTON, TX | $12,500 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$19,759,772EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
$2,388,366EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
HOUSTON ZOO INC
$1,514,112ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION
DIAMOND BAR CONSERVATION
$1,500,000ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON
$1,454,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS
SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION
$1,323,500EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$1,071,378MEDICAL PROGRAMS
RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
$714,286EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
CHAMBERS COUNTY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$600,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
GIRL SCOUTS OF SAN JACINTO COUNCIL
$505,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION
$500,000ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
PANOLA COLLEGE
$500,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$458,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
KIDS' MEALS
$430,000SOCIAL SERVICES
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
$425,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
REMEMBER THE ALAMO FOUNDATION
$400,000EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
ASCENSION SETON FOUNDATION
$400,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS
HOUSTON FOOD BANK
$400,000SOCIAL SERVICES
THE WITTE MUSEUM
$255,000EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION
$240,130EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$200,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
CAREERSPRING
$200,000SOCIAL SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION
$200,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER
$200,000SOCIAL SERVICES
GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
$175,000EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
UNDIES FOR EVERYONE
$150,000SOCIAL SERVICES
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$125,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS
HOUSTON HOSPICE
$125,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOUNDATION
$118,000SOCIAL SERVICES
SMALL STEPS NURTURING CENTER
$100,000SOCIAL SERVICES
YELLOWSTONE SCHOOLS
$100,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
WORKTEXAS TRAINING CENTER
$100,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
BASTROP COUNTY ESD NO 1
$95,000EQUIPMENT
CRISTO REY JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF HOUSTON
$80,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
WONDERWORKS HOUSTON
$60,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
CITY OF SMITHVILLE
$60,000SOCIAL SERVICES
THE BRYAN MUSEUM
$58,000EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
SMALL PLACES
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
$50,000PERFORMING ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$50,000SOCIAL SERVICES
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS RESEARCH LABORATORY O
$35,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS
HOUSTON SPCA
$30,000ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELFARE
SPRINGSPIRIT
$25,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
THE WOMEN'S HOME
$25,000SOCIAL SERVICES
HOUSTON PETS ALIVE
$25,000ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELFARE
GALVESTON URBAN MINISTRIES
$25,000SOCIAL SERVICES
BRENDA AND JOHN H DUNCAN RISE SCHOOL OF HOUSTON
$15,000EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TWST4GIRLS
$12,500SOCIAL SERVICES