The Wolff Family Foundation is a Houston-focused, place-based funder that primarily makes large institutional gifts—often endowments—supporting a mix of faith-affiliated K–12 education, medical care, and cultural institutions. Their grants favor long-term capacity (endowments for faculty recruitment and patient care) alongside selective support for arts, historic preservation, and urban beautification projects in Texas.
A 2025 grant of $500,000 to St Stephens Episcopal for an endowment to strengthen faculty recruitment and retention captures the Wolff Family Foundation’s pattern of using large, restricted gifts to build long-term institutional capacity. The foundation pairs that kind of support with substantial funding for patient care, including a $100,500 grant to Baylor College of Medicine for a patient care endowment fund. Its recent awards also show sustained attention to faith-affiliated schools, hospitals, arts organizations, historic sites, and civic projects, with many grants written for endowment, preservation, or program-specific purposes rather than general operating support. The grant record shows a strong Texas presence, especially in Houston, but the foundation also supports institutions in Massachusetts and a small number of other places. Within Houston, it backs schools, congregations, medical institutions, museums, opera, ballet, and civic organizations. Outside Texas, recent grants include work tied to Nantucket institutions, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, and conservation and preservation groups. This mix suggests a place-based funder that favors established institutions and targeted initiatives over broad, open-ended philanthropy.
In education, the foundation supported St Johns School with $5,000 for general support for educational programs and another $3,000 for education, while also giving $10,000 to Uthealth Houston for education. Its education grants include both K–12 and higher education recipients, reflecting a mix of school-level and university-linked support. Medical and patient-care funding appears through a $100,500 grant to Baylor College of Medicine for a patient care endowment fund and a $10,000 grant to Nantucket College Hospital for education. The foundation also gives to institutions that connect medicine with training and service. Arts and culture are another clear thread: Museum of Fine Arts Houston received $44,737 toward an art exhibit, Houston Grand Opera received $27,275 for civic purposes, and Houston Ballet received $4,470 for civic purposes. Preservation and conservation show up as well through Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, Nantucket Preservation Trust, and Nantucket Conservation Foundation.
$726K
$1.8M
$103K
$727K
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, small-portfolio approach: a few sizable grants per cycle with one dominant gift (≈69% of this round to a single beneficiary), emphasis on endowments and capacity-building for established local institutions rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Baylor College of Medicine, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Scenic Houston
Typical grant size is modest relative to the largest awards: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $2,750, and the p75 is $10,000. That distribution sits alongside a small number of much larger commitments, including six-figure and half-million-dollar grants for endowment purposes. The foundation is a continuing giver rather than a one-off sponsor: St Stephens Episcopal, Congregation Beth Israel, Harvard University, Nantucket Preservation Trust, Nantucket Atheneum, and St Johns School each appear more than once in the recent list. It is a family foundation and funds individuals, with no program-related investments reported.
The foundation gives primarily in the US, and 69% of grants go to recipients in Texas, its headquarters state. Houston is the main recipient city, with grants also landing in Austin and Washington, Texas. Outside Texas, Massachusetts stands out as the top state by grant count, with Nantucket, Cambridge, and other Massachusetts institutions appearing repeatedly. Non-Texas, non-Massachusetts grants also reach Hanover, New Hampshire; Lynchburg, Virginia; and other US locations.
The middle of its grant distribution is small-to-mid sized: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $2,750, and the p75 is $10,000. The recent record also includes much larger institutional gifts, including $500,000 and $100,500 awards for endowment purposes.
Recent grants go to faith-affiliated schools and congregations, medical institutions, arts groups, historic preservation organizations, conservation groups, and civic organizations. Examples include schools, hospitals, museums, opera, ballet, preservation trusts, and public library support.
Texas receives most of the foundation’s grants, with 69% going to recipients in the HQ state. Houston is the dominant recipient city, while Massachusetts is the top state by grant count outside Texas, with repeated awards to Nantucket and Cambridge organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times in the recent grants list, including St Stephens Episcopal, Congregation Beth Israel, Harvard University, Nantucket Preservation Trust, Nantucket Atheneum, and St Johns School. That pattern points to ongoing relationships with selected institutions.
Yes. The recent record includes a $500,000 endowment for faculty recruitment and retention at St Stephens Episcopal and a $100,500 patient care endowment fund at Baylor College of Medicine. Endowment funding is also part of the foundation’s broader pattern of restricted-purpose support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST STEPHENS EPISCOPAL | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT TO STRENGTHEN FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $100,500 | 2025 | FOR PATIENT CARE ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $44,737 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TOWARD ART EXHIBIT |
| HOUSTON GRAND OPERA | HOUSTON, TX | $27,275 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| WASHINGTON ON THE BRAZOS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR PRESERVATION OF STATE HISTORIC SITE |
| SCENIC HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY | AUSTIN, TX | $11,833 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| ST STEPHENS EPISCOPAL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. |
| UTHEALTH HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET COLLEGE HOSPITAL | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP | HOUSTON, TX | $6,300 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| NANTUCKET PRESERVATION TRUST | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,750 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| ST JOHNS SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION & MAINTENANCE OF NANTUCKET'S NATURAL AREAS AND HABITATS |
| TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET ATHENEUM | NANTUCKET, MA | $4,500 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY |
| HOUSTON BALLET | HOUSTON, TX | $4,470 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| ST JOHNS SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET PRESERVATION TRUST | NANTUCKET, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| HOUSTONIANS FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER HOUSTO | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| GLOBAL CAMPS AFRICA | LYNCHBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| EMERGE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET ATHENEUM | NANTUCKET, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| CONGREGATION SHIRAT HAYAM | NANTUCKET, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| SPCA | HOUSTON, TX | $1,033 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS |
| OPEN DANCE PROJECT | HOUSTON, TX | $1,010 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| BORDERLANDS RESEARCH FOUNDATION | ALPINE, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH AND WORK |
| AMHERST COLLEGE | AMHERST, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | STAFFORD, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR WISH-GRANTING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES |
| UNCF | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| THE JUNG CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| THE HEALTH MUSEUM | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT MUSEUM. |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $778 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS. |
| TEXAS CHILDERENS HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $750 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| AMHERST COLLEGE | AMHERST, MA | $750 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CONGREGATION SHIRAT HAYAM | NANTUCKET, MA | $600 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. |
| CASA DE ESPARANZA | HOUSTON, TX | $500 | 2025 | CIVIC |
| MAINE ISLAND TRAIL ASSOCIATION | PORTLAND, ME | $250 | 2025 | FOR MAINTENANCE OF MAINE ISLAND TRAIL |
| NANTUCKET LAND AND WATER COUNCIL | NANTUCKET, MA | $250 | 2025 | FOR PRESERVATION OF NANTUCKET'S ENVIRONMENT |
| SOUTH CHURCH PRESERVATION FUND | NANTUCKET, MA | $250 | 2025 | FOR PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC CHURCH |
| WASHINGTON TEXAS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | WASHINGTON, TX | $250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES |
ST STEPHENS EPISCOPAL
$500,000ENDOWMENT TO STRENGTHEN FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
$27,275CIVIC
FOR PRESERVATION OF STATE HISTORIC SITE
SCENIC HOUSTON
$25,000CIVIC
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
$10,000RELIGIOUS
ST STEPHENS EPISCOPAL
$10,000RELIGIOUS
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
UTHEALTH HOUSTON
$10,000EDUCATION
NANTUCKET COLLEGE HOSPITAL
$10,000EDUCATION
NANTUCKET PRESERVATION TRUST
$5,750CIVIC
ST JOHNS SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
CONSERVATION & MAINTENANCE OF NANTUCKET'S NATURAL AREAS AND HABITATS
TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$5,000EDUCATION
HOUSTON BALLET
$4,470CIVIC
ST JOHNS SCHOOL
$3,000EDUCATION
NANTUCKET PRESERVATION TRUST
$3,000CIVIC
HOUSTONIANS FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS
$2,500CIVIC
GLOBAL CAMPS AFRICA
$2,500CIVIC
EMERGE
$2,500EDUCATION
CONGREGATION SHIRAT HAYAM
$2,000RELIGIOUS
SPCA
$1,033SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
OPEN DANCE PROJECT
$1,010CIVIC
AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS
$1,000CIVIC
AMHERST COLLEGE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$1,000CIVIC
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR WISH-GRANTING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES
THE JUNG CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$778GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.
TEXAS CHILDERENS HOSPITAL
$750CIVIC
AMHERST COLLEGE
$750EDUCATION
CONGREGATION SHIRAT HAYAM
$600GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
CASA DE ESPARANZA
$500CIVIC
MAINE ISLAND TRAIL ASSOCIATION
$250FOR MAINTENANCE OF MAINE ISLAND TRAIL
NANTUCKET LAND AND WATER COUNCIL
$250FOR PRESERVATION OF NANTUCKET'S ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH CHURCH PRESERVATION FUND
$250FOR PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC CHURCH
WASHINGTON TEXAS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$250GENERAL SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES