Cullen Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Cullen Foundation supports cultural arts, education, healthcare, and public service in the Greater Houston area.
IP TAKE: This is an excellent funder to know if you work in Houston and serve local residents. The funding areas are broad, but education is a priority.
PROFILE: Established in 1947, the Cullen Foundation was is the foundation of Hugh Roy and Lille Cranz Cullen. The couple made their wealth in oil and gas properties, and the foundation gradually reduced its dependence on these industries over the years. Learn more about Hugh Roy and his connection to Texas and the Houston area here. Grantmaking areas of interest are cultural arts, education, healthcare, and public service.
Grants for Arts and Culture, K-12 Education, Public Health and Access, and Community Development
In past years, the foundation has awarded the most grants to cultural groups, followed by education causes and then public service and healthcare. The foundation has always prioritized education; however, healthcare grants have been growing lately. Its charitable contributions have included endowments to multiple Cullen Endowments and three Cullen Trusts. Each of those trusts is dedicated to a single purpose: healthcare, higher education, and the performing arts.
View lists of past grants by year on the funder’s grant history page of its website. Grants are restricted to Texas-based organizations for programs in Texas, and Greater Houston is a priority. This foundation considers many types of grant requests, including ones requesting construction, renovations, and purchases of real estate property.
Important Grant Details
Many past grants have been between $60,000 and $1 million. There are no application deadlines, and the foundation accepts applications throughout the year. The board typically meets eight times per year, and it is recommended to submit an application at least four to six months before the date that funds are needed. Direct general questions to the staff via online form.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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