LOIs received by January 15, 2025 will be considered during our Spring 2025 grantmaking cycle. LOIs received after this date will be considered during the Fall 2025 grantmaking cycle.
Are you a small group with a time-sensitive capacity need?
WHAT IS A LETTER OF INQUIRY (LOI)?
An LOI is a brief summary of the work for which you are seeking funding. We aim to learn the mission and work of your organization, what you are seeking to achieve with grant funding and why you are seeking funds now.
We value your time and encourage you to reach out to Elizabeth Love or Carolina Salmeron to discuss your proposal prior to starting your LOI.
Review the LOI form questions:
After reviewing your LOI, if the Board believes a full proposal is warranted, you will receive an invitation to submit a grant application approximately four weeks after the date noted above.
Review the Application form questions:
HOW CAN I SUBMIT AN LOI?
To submit an LOI, log in to our online portal. If you don’t have an account, you will need to first create one, then log in.
You will be able to preview the LOI form, fill it out, save your work in process, and submit your completed form. If your organization has received funding from the Foundation in the past, you will also be able to view past grants. If you have any technical questions related to accessing the portal or completing the LOI or other forms, you may contact Deborah Mueller.
ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS
The Foundation’s primary area of geographic focus is Texas. We accept LOIs for work outside Texas by invitation only. If the work you are proposing is not in Texas, but you feel the work aligns strongly with the Foundation’s goals, you may contact Elizabeth Love.
Additionally, in its work to support community parks, environmental education programs and animal welfare, the Foundation focuses on greater Houston and central Texas and accepts LOIs from outside these areas by invitation only.
The Foundation funds tax-exempt work towards charitable purposes, typically done under the umbrella of a 501(c)3 public charity or a public institution. In certain circumstances, the Foundation will fund tax-exempt charitable work of a 501(c)4 organization. If your organization is a 501(c)4 and you have a proposal for tax-exempt charitable work that you feel aligns with the Foundation’s goals, please reach out to Elizabeth Love to discuss if it is a possible fit.
TYPES OF SUPPORT AND GRANT TERMS
The Foundation provides different types of support, including operating, project and capital grants. We are open to providing operating or project grants for terms of up to two years at a time. We typically provide just one grant toward a capital campaign.
In keeping with our values, the Foundation aims for our grantee partners to prioritize the well-being of their team members. To that end, we expect that applicants will provide fair pay and benefits for their staff.
The Foundation also provides short-term bridge loans for land conservation projects that meet certain criteria. Please reach out to Elizabeth Love for more information.
THE FOUNDATION TYPICALLY DOES NOT FUND
- Galas and fundraising events
- Grants, scholarships or memorials for individuals
- Endowment funds
- Religious activities
- Ongoing maintenance and operations for parks and park conservancies
- Work outside of Texas without prior invitation
- Community parks and animal welfare initiatives outside of greater Houston or central Texas
- Species-specific animal rescue and transport efforts or trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs