Grant Information

The McNair Foundation invests in programs that strengthen Houston as a place of opportunity, innovation, resilience and community vitality. Specifically, we support education, medical research, human services, cultural arts and civic assets.

Grant Applications

Applications for McNair Foundation grants are by invitation only. Our process is designed to minimize the administrative burden on grant seekers while ensuring we can appropriately assess each request. To be invited to apply, organizations must first confirm eligibility and then complete a pre-application. If the Foundation determines sufficient alignment, the organization will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Current Grantees

The McNair Foundation grant portal has a new platform. As of April 2026, grantees will no longer be able to access grant information via Wizehive. For questions about a current grant, to submit a progress report or to request an invitation to reapply, you may contact Elizabeth Grossman directly. Please ensure you are compliant with our guidelines before inquiring about a new application:

  • Renewal applications may be considered but only when an annual progress report has been submitted within 30 days of the prior gift’s anniversary.
  • We will not review applications from organizations more frequently than once every 12 months.
  • We will not review multi-year requests submitted within 24 months of the last payment of a prior multi-year grant.

Past Grantees

If your organization has received a grant from the McNair Foundation in the last five years and you are interested in reconnecting, please reach out to us at info@mcnairfoundation.org.

If your organization received a grant from the McNair Foundation more than five years ago, you will need to reconfirm its eligibility. Please see below for grant requirements and other guidelines.

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 private schools that serve predominantly low income families;
  • 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;
  • 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; and
  • 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

Confirm Eligibility

Click here to confirm your organization’s eligibility. Once confirmed, you will be able to initiate a pre-application in the grant portal. Please note: you will need to create an account within the grant management portal to complete the pre-application.