Kappa Kappa Gamma
Charitable Foundation of Houston
2026 Grant Summary and Guidelines
Statement of Purpose
The primary purpose of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation of Houston (the “Foundation”) is to raise funds for distribution to charitable organizations which meet the Foundation’s philanthropic guidelines.
History
The Foundation was established in 1980 by the leadership of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Houston Alumnae Association to encourage and to support the efforts of local charitable organizations for the betterment of the community. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed almost $5,000,000 to qualifying charitable organizations.
Philanthropic Focus
The Foundation’s philanthropic focus is early childhood education and development, with a specific preference for programs that address the needs of children in the first six years of life living in low-income households.
We seek to fund Houston area 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations with impactful grants that support high-quality early childhood programs in the areas of education and development, including basic needs of food, shelter, and health, that positively impact school readiness and that contribute to well-educated and healthy children, strong families, and a vibrant Houston community.
We envision investing in organizations that champion efforts to:
- Develop and sustain the availability of high-quality early childhood programs for infants, toddlers, and young children.
- Train and build the capacity of early childhood educators and providers.
- Strengthen the knowledge of parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to nurture and to guide their children’s early development.
We believe that high-quality early support can have major benefits for young children, including improved social-emotional skills and enduring educational and life outcomes.
Grant Request Guidelines and Criteria
- The requesting organization must be tax exempt pursuant to IRS Section 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1)(A)(v) or 170(c)(1).
- Requests must be submitted in writing, on time, and complete with all required documentation as detailed in the section below: 2026–2027 Grant Application Components and Submission.
- The Foundation supports requests for specific purposes rather than for operating expenses, general building funds, or capital campaigns and will not consider requests for reimbursement of funds already spent.
- Funds are to be spent and accounted for within one year after receipt.
- The Foundation confines its grants to organizations situated or having significant corporate presence in the Greater Houston area.
- Grants to religious organizations for religious purposes
- Testimonial dinners, fundraising events, or advertising
- Grants to cover past operating deficits or debt retirement
- Grants for operating budget items (including salaries) and endowments
- Grants for capital campaigns
- Grants to support individuals
- Grants for commitments extending into successive years
- Grants (direct or indirect) to support candidates for political office or influence any legislation
- One electronic copy of the grant request application and project information sent by e-mail to the Foundation philanthropy chair, Debbie Robinson, at kappaphilanthropychair@gmail.com.
- One electronic copy of or links to the grant request supporting documents sent by e-mail to the Foundation philanthropy chair, Debbie Robinson, at kappaphilanthropychair@gmail.com. Please include any other collateral materials applicant deems necessary to help convey the mission.
- The entire package of grant application components must be received by the Foundation by Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Submit package to Debbie Robinson at kappaphilanthropychair@gmail.com.
- Late or incomplete application packets will not be considered.
General Exclusions
The Foundation does not support:
Applicants are responsible for careful review of the above Grant Request Guidelines and Criteria and General Exclusions to avoid submission of a non-qualifying application.
Award of Grants
The Foundation will notify the applying agencies in early 2027 of its decisions regarding each application. The actual funding of grants will occur in the spring of 2027.
The board of trustees of the Foundation has the responsibility for final approval of each grant. The Foundation usually receives funding requests in excess of funds available for grants. A decision not to fund a proposal does not reflect on the merits of the applicant or the value of its proposal but rather results from limited resources.