The Powell Foundation funds public education, the arts, conservation, and human services in Harris, Travis, and Walker counties.
About The Powell Foundation
The Powell Foundation is a private, family foundation incorporated in Texas. It is governed by a board of eleven directors comprised of two generations of the Powell family and three independent directors. The Foundation is operated by a small staff located in central Houston. The Powell Foundation places priority on organizations and programs that serve residents in Harris, Travis, and Walker counties, principally in the fields of public education, the arts, conservation, and human services.
The Foundation’s funding emphasis is on public education, supporting efforts that strengthen the public education system and programs that ensure children of early childhood age through 12th grade are academically prepared to pursue post-secondary accreditation.
The Strategic Focus of The Powell Foundation is to “Enhance the quality of life through robust public education with the goal of achieving career and college readiness for every public school student in Houston, Austin and Huntsville.”
Funding Cycle and Grant Process
General Grant Information:
- The Powell Foundation board meets bi-annually (spring and fall).
- A pre-application (current grantees) or LOI (new organizations) is required before a full application can be submitted.
- Only tax-exempt organizations are eligible to apply.
- The Powell Foundation accepts requests for general operating funds, program support, and projects.
- Eligible organizations include those “with the potential to achieve high impact” in areas including the arts, education, conservation, and human services.
- Eligible organizations must be located and/or operate in Harris, Travis, or Walker counties.
Current Grantees
Current grantees are eligible to submit their pre-application in the same cycle as their application last year. As needed their staff will advise you on a recommended cycle.
New Organizations
New organizations may submit their LOI at any time during the year. If your LOI is advanced, you will be assigned an application in one of the funding cycles below. New organizations are not required to submit a pre-application.
“New Organizations” are those that (a) have never been funded by the Foundation or (b) were funded by the Foundation prior to or outside of the 2021 Grant Cycles.
New organizations must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI). LOI’s are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. Organizations whose LOI’s are advanced will be invited to submit a full proposal and assigned an Application Form in an upcoming funding cycle.
To see The Powell Foundation’s full grant requirements, click here.
