Grant Information

Eligibility

  • Charitable organizations that have been pre-selected by the McNair Foundation are eligible to apply by invitation only. Unsolicited requests sent by email or post will not be reviewed.

  • Tax exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and further classified as a public charity are eligible for an invitation to apply. Organizations may not be a “Private Foundation” within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code or a governmental unit described in Section 170 of the Code.

  • The Foundation focuses its most significant giving in Houston; grants to organizations outside of Greater Houston must be endorsed by Janice McNair.

  • Grants to organizations which are based outside of the U.S. or whose programs are focused outside the U.S. are ineligible.

Restrictions

The Foundation does not fund the following:

  • Endowment gifts;
  • Purchase of tickets, tables or sponsorships at fundraising events (i.e., golf tournaments, luncheons, galas, etc.);

  • Purchase of uniforms, equipment, or trips for school-related organizations or amateur sport teams;

  • Organizations that in turn make grants to others;
  • Requests which total more than 10% of an organization’s operating budget or 20% of a campaign or project;
  • Requests for support of private K12 schools, with the exception of schools in which more than 80% of the student population receives financial assistance;
  • Applications from organizations whose sole purpose is the promotion or support of a specific religion, denomination or church;
  • Requests for support of church operations;
  • Applications to support projects focused on public policy or advocacy;
  • Requests for a loan or to pay off or reduce debt; and
  • Applications from organizations more frequently than once every 12 months, whether the previous application was approved or declined (the 12-month period starts on the date of the last grant payment if approved or the date the last grant was declined);
  • Multiyear requests submitted within 24 months of the last payment of a prior multiyear grant;
  • Requests for business investment, loans, funding for individuals or non-charitable endeavors.

Recommendations

  • The Foundation prefers to fund financially stable organizations or new organizations with a strong financial model. A decision to approve or decline your application may be based upon project budgets, prior expenses, actual and projected revenues, deficits, fundraising costs and outcomes, executive compensation, debt, and cash on hand.
  • The trustees look favorably on start up or “seed” funding when a plan for continued funding is in place.
  • A letter of support for the application and submitted online by the CEO or board chair is highly recommended.
  • The Foundation favors grants that support people and programs, rather than buildings and capital projects.
  • Grant applications are accepted throughout the year, but grant reviews only occur twice a year: once in the Spring and once in the Fall. The process, therefore, may take several months. If your organization’s funding is needed by a specific date, your application should be submitted four to six months in advance.
  • Requests related to the Houston Texans (i.e., donations, auction items, etc.) should be directed to our friends at the Houston Texans Foundation. Information as well as donation request forms can be accessed here: https://www.houstontexans.com/community/foundation/donations

Current Grantee Requirements

  • Grants are to be used by the recipient within a period of one year after the gift anniversary or by a pre-determined time stated in a gift agreement.
  • Single-year grants are not a guarantee of future funding. Renewal applications may be considered but only when an annual progress report has been submitted within 30 days of the prior gift’s anniversary.
  • Grantees must obtain the McNair Foundation’s prior written approval before issuing a press release, developing any marketing materials, or making any other public announcement regarding the gift or the grantees’ relationship with the McNair Foundation, or using the McNair Foundation’s names, marks, brands, or logos in any way.
  • Grantees may only use the Foundation’s logo with written permission from the President and in accordance with the Foundation’s Brand Guide.