The Terry Foundation

Open & Accessible
Private Foundation
Houston, TexasLargeEIN: 311551093
Educational FoundationsUniversities and CollegesYouth Development ProgramsEducation Nonprofits

The Terry Foundation is a Houston-based private scholarship provider that awards full-ride, last-dollar scholarships to Texas high school graduates for attendance at select Texas public universities. The site reports the foundation has invested $423 million and awarded 7,165 scholarships since 1987.

Source: Website · Mar 2026

Ideal Applicant

A Texas public university or an institutional program that hosts Terry Scholars or administers full-ride, last-dollar scholarships for Texas high school graduates.

Good Fit

  • Being a select Texas public university with an existing Terry Scholars program or partnership.
  • Ability to enroll and support cohorts of Terry Scholars (administration and student services).
  • Prior relationship or history of receiving Terry Foundation awards.
  • Clear alignment with last-dollar scholarship model for Texas residents.

Geography

Restrictive

Observed giving in the available years is 100% to organizations in Texas, with only a single state represented.

Recipient Variety

Moderate

The latest year shows 13 distinct recipients (13 grants), representing multiple Texas campuses and cities; however the same recipient set repeats across two observed years and the top five receive a majority share, indicating moderate variety but stable, targeted distribution.

New Applicants

Restrictive

The foundation declares it funds only preselected recipients and the filings show zero new recipients in the latest year and full repeat of 13 recipients across two years, so unfamiliar applicants appear unlikely to enter the portfolio despite visible contact details.

Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026