Grants are restricted to Texas based organizations for programs in Texas, primarily in the Houston area. The Cullen Foundation (the "Foundation") supports a wide variety of charitable activities, including education, health, arts, and public service programs. Grants are made only to non-profit organizations that are tax exempt under sections 501 (c)(3) or 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses, individuals or loans of any type. There are no application deadlines. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year. The Board of Directors typically meets eight times a year; meetings are not held on fixed dates each quarter but are scheduled according to the availability of Directors. Grant applications are reviewed and discussed at several meetings a year. However, the review of these requests is not on every meeting agenda; 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. Only one copy of grant request is required. Please submit items from the application checklist to: Alan M. Stewart, Executive Director, The Cullen Foundation, 601 Jefferson St., 40th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.

The Board prefers not to consider: Galas, testimonials, and various other types of fund raising events. Organizations that in turn make grants to others. Activities whose sole purpose is the promotion or support of a specific religion, denomination or church. Purchase of uniforms, equipment, or trips for school-related organizations or amateur sports teams. Applications from an organization more frequently than once every 12 months, whether the previous application was approved or denied. Applications from an organization that has received a multi-year grant from the Foundation until all payments of that grant have been made. Oral presentations from potential applicants.

Application Checklist

1. The letter of application should be submitted on the organization's letterhead, must be signed by the chief executive officer (e.g., President, Executive Director) and should include a statement that the CEO 1) has seen and approved the request, and 2) endorses the request as a priority. Higher education requests must be submitted by the highest governing authority of the school or of the system, if applicable. 2. Please give the name, title and telephone number of the contact person if other than the CEO. 3. Please submit evidence from the Internal Revenue Service that (a) the donee organization is a "public charity," that is, an organization which is not a "private foundation" within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and (b) that the donee organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 4. A brief statement of the grant requested providing information pertaining to: a. The amount of the grant, the total funds needed for the project and timing of the grant, including installment payments if desired. b. The purpose of the grant and statement of need. If opinions or statistics are included, the source or reference should be cited. c. All other grants received or anticipated for the project, as well as the existence of a challenge grant, including the name of the grantor. d. Source of funds available for project apart from grants (e.g., proceeds from sale of assets, endowment income or other income).  e. How project will continue to be funded after Foundation's funding ends. f. The proposed method for evaluating the project. 5. A description of recipient organization, including: a. Whether the organization has in the past or is now operated under any name other than the name on the IRS determination letter. b. The purpose, scope of operations, history, affiliations, if any. c. The identities of Trustees or Directors, officers and managers. d. A list of principal contributors during past years and currently, including the dollar amount of the support and major grants received. e. The latest year's income and expense statement or audited financial report. A complete copy of the most recent IRS Form 990, including Schedule A and all supporting schedules. f. The latest year's balance sheet and budget for the coming year. 6. For grants where the proceeds will be used for building construction, renovation, or purchase of real property: a. An architectural rendering or drawing of the facilities to be built or renovated, or photograph of property to be acquired. b. A description of the property - type of construction, square footage, special features, etc. c. A cost estimate.

All applicants are notified in writing of the action taken by the Board. The Foundation cannot respond favorably to all requests; do not interpret the decision to deny a grant as a negative evaluation of a project or organization. It is not feasible for the Foundation staff to discuss with applicants the reason (s) that the Board may have for declining a request, nor is it reasonable to expect the staff to provide a critique of proposals either before or after action is taken by the Board.