Frequently Asked Questions

Greater Houston Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with donors, businesses, foundations, nonprofits, professional advisors, and community leaders to invest in Houston and beyond. The Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses, and foundations create lasting community impact.

We serve the Greater Houston, and our donors live and give in Texas, across the United States and around the World.

Yes. Greater Houston Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Community Foundation’s EIN number is 23-7160400.

You can explore giving options and resources on our website or connect with a member of the Community Foundation team to talk through your goals and next steps. We’re here to help, whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your impact.

You can give by establishing a charitable fund, contributing to an existing fund, or making a one-time or recurring gift. The Community Foundation accepts cash, appreciated securities, real estate, and other noncash assets.

The Community Foundation honors donor intent and supports nonprofits across a wide range of focus areas, including education, health, arts and culture, environment, human services, and community development.

Yes. The Community Foundation regularly collaborates with attorneys, accountants, estate planners, and financial advisors.

Grant opportunities vary by fund and initiative. Nonprofits can visit the Community Foundation’s website to view open grant cycles and application guidelines.

Yes. The Community Foundation administers a variety of scholarship funds based on donor-defined criteria.

If you are a student interested in applying for a scholarship or would like to learn more, please visit www.GHCFScholar.org.

A donor advised fund allows donors to make a tax-deductible contribution, invest assets for growth, and recommend grants to qualified nonprofits over time.

Minimum fund balances vary by fund type. Please contact the Community Foundation to discuss current minimums and options.

The Community Foundation offers several fund options, including donor advised funds, scholarship funds, designated funds, field-of-interest funds, and endowment funds.

Funds are invested with a focus on long-term growth, risk management, and alignment with donor intent. Investment options vary by fund type. If your fund balance is $500,000 or more, you have the option to continue working with your investment advisor to manage your fund at Greater Houston Community Foundation.

The Community Foundation charges administrative and investment fees to support fund management and donor services. Fee schedules are available upon request.

The Community Foundation takes the responsibility of safeguarding personal information seriously and undertakes efforts to help protect account information from unauthorized access. These efforts may include secure technology, internal controls, and practices designed to reduce risk around how information is stored, accessed, and transmitted.

However, no system or process can guarantee that all unauthorized access will be prevented. As stated in our Terms and Conditions, while we continuously undertakes efforts to prevent unauthorized access to account information, the Community Foundation cannot guarantee that it will prevent all unauthorized access or represent that data will remain private in all circumstances.

You can access DonorSphere directly from the Greater Houston Community Foundation website. Click Login at the top of the page or go straight to ghcf.donorsphere.org/login. Your username is the email address we have on file. If you ever need help accessing your account, our Donor Services team is happy to assist.

You may recommend as many grants as you wish—there is no annual limit. Each grant within the United States must be at least $250, and your fund must maintain a $5,000 balance to remain active for grantmaking. For information about international giving, please contact our Donor Services team or your Philanthropic Advisor.

Yes. The Community Foundation can facilitate anonymous giving at the donor’s request.

You may recommend grants to most qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, including schools, religious institutions, and certain government entities.

Once logged into DonorSphere, select Grant from the top navigation. You’ll be guided step‑by‑step to choose a grantee, specify the grant amount and purpose, select how you’d like to be recognized, and indicate when you’d like the grant processed.

To process your recommendation, we’ll need the organization’s name, contact information, grant amount, and, if you choose, a grant purpose. Many organizations are already in DonorSphere; we simply ask that you confirm the details before submitting.

Most grants are processed within one week. To accelerate delivery and reduce delays, we now send many grant payments via ACH (Automated Clearing House). These secure, electronic bank‑to‑bank transfers deposit funds directly into a nonprofit’s account, often within 1–2 business days. Occasionally, additional review or information may be needed. If there’s any delay, we’ll reach out to keep you informed.

You can track the status of each grant in DonorSphere, and the recommending advisor will receive an email confirmation once the grant has been processed.

If an organization isn’t already in DonorSphere, simply select the Search icon and follow the prompt to add a new grantee. Our team will take it from there.

Yes. Our Philanthropic Advisors are available to help you explore qualified organizations, conduct research, or develop a thoughtful grantmaking strategy aligned with your goals. Just reach out—we’re here to help.

Donor advised funds cannot be used for grants intended to cover any portion of a gift that would result in anything more than an incidental benefit accruing to an individual, including benefits associated with fundraising events (including but not limited to gala table sponsorships, tickets to an event, 5K race registrations, goods at a charitable auction, museum memberships, etc.). A Donor/Advisor who wishes to receive goods or services (such as tickets to an event) offered by a charity in exchange for a contribution of a specified amount can make the contribution directly, without the involvement of the donor advised fund.

Click Forgot Password on the DonorSphere login screen and follow the instructions. You’ll receive an email with a secure link to reset your password.

Yes. When submitting your recommendation, you can set a recurring or multi‑year payment schedule in the Grant Timing section. DonorSphere will display future scheduled payments, and grants are processed monthly.

Yes, the Community Foundation can help you facilitate international grants. Additional fees will be incurred; please contact the Donor Services Department or your Philanthropic Advisor for additional assistance.

Anyone listed as a Current Advisor on your fund agreement can recommend grants from the fund. If you would like to add additional advisors to the fund, please contact the Donor Services Department. An advisor must be at least 18 years of age. Professional advisors may be given read-only access to the information available in DonorSphere.

Yes. The Community Foundation can change the name of a fund. Please contact the Donor Services Department for additional assistance.

We include your fund name and preferred mailing address with each grant unless anonymity is requested. To reduce unnecessary mail, we ask grantees not to send correspondence in care of the Community Foundation. If you’d like to receive acknowledgments directly, you’re welcome to note that in the Donor Comments section or contact the organization personally.

Yes. Anyone may contribute to an established fund. Many donors invite family and friends to give in honor of milestones such as birthdays or anniversaries. While informal sharing is welcome, organized fundraising activities are not permitted. Please contact your Philanthropic Advisor for our full fundraising policy.

We include your fund name and preferred mailing address with each grant unless anonymity is requested. To reduce unnecessary mail, we ask grantees not to send correspondence in care of the Community Foundation. If you’d like to receive acknowledgments directly, you’re welcome to note that in the Donor Comments section or contact the organization personally.

The assets in donor advised funds are maintained, operated, and legally controlled by the Community Foundation. Individual donors can advise how funds are invested and distributed, however the Community Foundation has full discretion and control over the use and investment of the donor advised fund’s assets.

To update your username or any other information, please update your profile within DonorSphere, please email [email protected].

There are many options for succession planning regarding your fund. A donor advisor can recommend that the balance in a fund be divided among a variety of charities, or that successor advisors (such as children or grandchildren) inherit the privilege of making recommendations from the fund. Please contact your Philanthropic Advisor or the Donor Services Department for guidance on establishing a legacy plan for your fund.

The Community Foundation follows strong governance practices, undergoes regular audits, and complies with all applicable regulations.