Private foundation · EIN 76-0386599 · Houston, Texas

Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2024 Form 990-PF: 55 grants paid, $2.4M total, median $25K. 84% of grants stayed in Texas.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
55
$2.4M
Median grant
$25K
Stays in TX
84%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$26M

Grants paid in 2024

55 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
St Lukes United Methodist ChurchHouston, TXGeneral Support$650K
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TNGeneral Support$158K
Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, MAGeneral Support$150K
Cassie's PlaceSan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$138K
The University of the SouthSewanee, TNGeneral Support$100K
Maryville CollegeMaryville, TNGeneral Support$75K
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InsitututeKingsville, TXGeneral Support$55K
Cardigan Mountain SchoolCanaan, NHGeneral Support$54K
Avon Old Farms SchoolAvon, CTGeneral Support$50K
Brookwood CommunityBrookshire, TXGeneral Support$50K
Kinkaid SchoolHouston, TXGeneral Support$50K
Edwin L Cox School of BusinessDallas, TXGeneral Support$40K
Houston Botanic GardenHouston, TXGeneral Support$40K
St Thomas High SchoolHouston, TXGeneral Support$35K
University of St ThomasHouston, TXGeneral Support$35K
Trinity School of MidlandMidland, TXGeneral Support$33K
Good Samaritan FoundationHouston, TXGeneral Support$30K
Hillcrest SchoolMidland, TXGeneral Support$30K
Star of Hope MissionHouston, TXGeneral Support$30K
Memorial Park ConservancyHouston, TXGeneral Support$30K
The Women of Pader UgandaAustin, TXGeneral Support$28K
Houston Methodist Hospital FoundationHouston, TXGeneral Support$25K
Mentoring AllianceTyler, TXGeneral Support$25K
Midland College FoundationMidland, TXGeneral Support$25K
Senior Life MidlandMidland, TXGeneral Support$25K
Spring Spirit BaseballHouston, TXGeneral Support$25K
The Rise School of HoustonHouston, TXGeneral Support$25K
University of TennesseeKnoxville, TNGeneral Support$25K
The Catholic Diocese of Victoria-TexasVictoria, TXGeneral Support$25K
Round Top-Warrenton Volunteer Fire DeptRound Top, TXGeneral Support$25K
The First Tee - West TexasMidland, TXGeneral Support$25K
Billy T Cattan Recovery Outreach IncVictoria, TXGeneral Support$25K
Roane State FoundationHarriman, TNGeneral Support$25K
The Menil CollectionHouston, TXGeneral Support$25K
The Orange ShowHouston, TXGeneral Support$20K
West University Baptist ChurchHouston, TXGeneral Support$20K
Mission AgapeMidland, TXGeneral Support$20K
Childrens Advocacy CenterSan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$15K
Concho Valley Home for GirlsSan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$15K
Gifts of HopeMidland, TXGeneral Support$15K
Salvation Army of San AngeloSan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$15K
West Texas Rehabilitation CenterSan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$15K
Reflection Ministries of TexasMidland, TXGeneral Support$15K
Perkins School of TheologyDallas, TXGeneral Support$10K
Salvation ArmySan Angelo, TXGeneral Support$10K
Holly HallHouston, TXGeneral Support$10K
Friends of West University ParksHouston, TXGeneral Support$10K
Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TXGeneral Support$10K
Hunters Creek Elementary PTAHouston, TXGeneral Support$7,500
Campus Crusade for ChristOrlando, FLGeneral Support$5,000
Lone Star Sanctuary for AnimalsMidland, TXGeneral Support$5,000
Millenium RdsBellaire, TXGeneral Support$5,000
Ronald McDonald HouseHouston, TXGeneral Support$5,000
The Joy SchoolHouston, TXGeneral Support$5,000
Big Little SchoolHouston, TXGeneral Support$5,000

By state: Texas 46 · Tennessee 5 · Massachusetts 1 · New Hampshire 1 · Connecticut 1 · Florida 1

About this foundation

Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Houston, Texas, administered in care of Christopher Johnson, tax-exempt since 1993. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $2.4M across 55 grants, a median of $25K.

Where does Willard & Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation give?

Texas (46 grants), Tennessee (5 grants), Massachusetts (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Houston that accept applications

All in Texas
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Brown Foundation Incsince 1952 Houston, TX $84M222 grants · 2024 $50KYes $2.1B
Houston Endowment Incsince 1938 Houston, TX $100M355 grants · 2024 $125KYes $2.4B
Robert a Welch Foundation 062491since 1991 Houston, TX $38M69 grants · 2024 $105KYes $846M
The Powell Foundationsince 1999 Houston, TX $20M271 grants · 2025 $15KYes $421M
Stoller Foundationsince 2014 Houston, TX $33M216 grants · 2024 $36KYes $58M
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