Kinder Foundation

Kinder Foundation In short, urban green space, education and quality of life.

The Kinder Foundation® mission is to enrich the lives of people in the Greater Houston area through transformational grants that impact urban green space, education and quality of life. The mission of the Kinder Foundation is to support Greater Houston as a model city for economic opportunity and quality of life by providing transformational grants to promote preservation and accessibility of parks and green space for healthy recreation, encouraging and improving learning opportunities for those who strive to achieve, and supporting those Community, Arts and Medical Science organizations that can be shown to favorably impact the quality of life of Houstonians. Rich and Nancy Kinder established the Kinder Foundation in 1997 to provide major gifts to public causes with the intention of helping people realize healthy and rewarding lives. The Kinder Foundation is primarily, but not exclusively, focused on the Greater Houston Community and the State of Texas.

09/29/2026

Memorial Park’s natural areas provide a habitat for native plants and wildlife while supporting a healthier urban environment.

Memorial Park Conservancy’s new Conservation Corner series gives a closer look at the work behind the scenes to restore and care for these ecological areas, starting with Houston’s coastal prairies. Follow along to learn more about native species, wildlife and the conservation practices that help maintain these unique habitats.

We're honored to share that Rich Kinder, chairman of Kinder Foundation®, was named one of America's most successful vete...
09/24/2026

We're honored to share that Rich Kinder, chairman of Kinder Foundation®, was named one of America's most successful veterans as part of the Forbes 250 initiative celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The list recognizes veterans whose post-service achievements have made a lasting impact across business, government, philanthropy and culture. Rich served in the Vietnam War as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

Kinder Foundation is grateful for this recognition and for the chance to keep building on a legacy of giving back to the community.

What do Hollywood stars, business pioneers and U.S. presidents have in common?

For many of America’s most influential figures, military service was just one chapter in a much bigger story.

For America’s 250th anniversary, Forbes ranked 250 of the most successful historical veterans, looking not only at what they accomplished in uniform, but at the companies they built, careers they shaped, wealth they created and impact they made afterward.

Meet the America’s Most Successful Historical Veterans: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2026/08/14/forbes-250-americas-most-successful-historic-veterans/?utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ForbesMainFB

Illustration: Mr. Nelson Design; Stock Montage (2), Bettmann, George Rose, Central Press, Stock Montage via Getty Images

Kinder Foundation® recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards (KETA), gatherin...
09/22/2026

Kinder Foundation® recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards (KETA), gathering with educators, school leaders and KETA alumni to mark the occasion.

The 12 honorees represent four Houston-area school networks: KIPP Texas Public Schools; YES Prep Public Schools; Teach For America Houston (with winners from Aldine ISD and Houston Independent School District this year); and Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Since 2001, KETA has honored 335 teachers for their dedication to students and school communities. We're proud to celebrate this year's honorees and the difference educators make every day.

Members of the Kinder Foundation® team recently visited Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory of Houston to see progress...
09/17/2026

Members of the Kinder Foundation® team recently visited Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory of Houston to see progress on two exciting new spaces: The Sarofim Center for Art, Science, and Innovation and the Kinder Blackbox Theater.

The Sarofim Center will advance Cristo Rey Jesuit's STEAM education with hands-on spaces for creativity, technology and innovation, while the Kinder Blackbox Theater will bring a new home for performance and the arts to the school community.

We look forward to seeing these spaces come to life and the opportunities they'll create for Cristo Rey Jesuit students.

Access to and use of parks and greenspaces play an important role in community well-being.New research highlighted by th...
09/15/2026

Access to and use of parks and greenspaces play an important role in community well-being.

New research highlighted by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research examines how often Houstonians visit greenspaces and what that may mean for mental health. The findings also raise important questions about what influences how people use parks, including access, transportation, safety and the quality of amenities.

The research offers insight into how Houstonians engage with greenspaces and the factors that may shape those experiences.

Read the Kinder Institute’s Urban Edge article to learn more.

Houstonians aren’t taking many trips to the park — and a recent study suggests that could be a missed opportunity for better mental health.

September brings a variety of opportunities to experience art, culture, music and community at Discovery Green.From free...
09/10/2026

September brings a variety of opportunities to experience art, culture, music and community at Discovery Green.

From free fitness classes and creative workshops to live performances, cultural celebrations and the return of Flea by Night, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage Houstonians to explore the park’s September lineup and make the most of this vibrant public space.

See what’s happening at Discovery Green and plan your visit.

Kinder Foundation® recently joined the Houston Food Bank, community partners and leaders for the groundbreaking of CORE ...
09/08/2026

Kinder Foundation® recently joined the Houston Food Bank, community partners and leaders for the groundbreaking of CORE by Houston Food Bank.

The new 310,000-square-foot facility will expand the food bank’s capacity for food distribution, cold storage, disaster response and volunteer engagement while bringing trusted community partners together to provide essential services in one location.

Kinder Foundation is proud to support this important investment and looks forward to the greater reach and impact it will make possible for communities across the Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area.

Arts education gives young people opportunities to build confidence, express themselves and develop a stronger connectio...
09/03/2026

Arts education gives young people opportunities to build confidence, express themselves and develop a stronger connection to their communities.

Kinder Foundation® supports Houston In Color and its work to expand access to arts education and invest in the next generation of Houston’s artists and cultural leaders. These opportunities help young people develop their talents while strengthening Houston’s creative community.

Learn more about Houston In Color’s arts education programs at houstonincolor.org.

Arts education shapes how young people see themselves and their futures.

Our Arts Education cohort participants are doing this work every day. Giving young people room to build confidence, creativity, and community.

The next generation of Houston's culture bearers is already here. Our role is to help make sure they have what they need to keep building.

Learn more about our Arts Education programs at houstonincolor.org

09/01/2026

Trees are an essential part of Houston’s urban landscape, providing shade, helping manage stormwater and creating habitat for wildlife.

As temperatures rise, the trees along Buffalo Bayou offer more than a place to cool off. They play an important role in supporting a healthier, more resilient environment. The next time you enjoy the shade along the bayou, take a moment to appreciate all that these trees provide.

08/27/2026

Experience the connection between music and visual art at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. On Saturday, Aug. 29, Houston Symphony cellist Louis-Marie Fardet and pianist Olena Blahulyak will perform works by early 20th-century French composers in a program inspired by "Picasso–Klee–Matisse: Masterpieces from the Museum Berggruen."

The performance is included with museum admission, but seating is limited. Learn more at mfah.org/events/strings-for-berggruen.

Address

2229 San Felipe Street
Houston, TX
77019

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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