Invited Applicants

Working With Us

Eligible organizations will be invited to complete an application when our team believes there is significant potential to drive our priorities. Grants are awarded on an invite-only basis, and Houston Endowment does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Please review our grants database for examples of organizations and projects recently funded by the Endowment.


To receive Houston Endowment funding, organizations must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:

  1. With limited exceptions, the submitting organization is a 501(c)(3) organization described in section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or other exempt organization designated as an educational organization or governmental unit recognized by the IRS). This includes public charities, governmental organizations, and eligible supporting organizations. Organizations will be reviewed throughout the process to verify eligibility.
  2. The concept will benefit the people of Greater Houston, including Harris County and its contiguous counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

We seek partners who are driving outcomes that align with and can contribute to our current priorities and goals.

We consider the results that the applicant seeks to achieve, the applicant’s capacity to produce those results, and how those results drive our priorities.

As part of our due diligence process, we consider whether the proposed approach is likely to be effective and/or provide a significant opportunity to advance the field; if there is a deep engagement with those whom the entity serves; and if a commitment to defining clear goals and tracking results, learning and adapting, and sharing results and learnings with others is evident.


If requested to submit an application, you will be asked to provide information specific to your funding request. You may preview these questions by type through the links below:

We will review and reply to all submissions in accordance with our application process.


For more information about our grantmaking process, visit the frequently asked questions page.