Nancy Kinder
| Company type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Philanthropy |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Nancy Kinder, Richard Kinder |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | Houston, Texas |
Key people | Nancy Kinder, Richard Kinder |
| Products | Grants and philanthropic contributions focused on urban parks, education, and quality of life projects |
The Kinder Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, classified as a 501c3, and was founded in 1997 by Nancy and Richard Kinder. To date, it has allocated more than $410 million in grants and major philanthropic contributions toward projects within Houston.
Major projects
The foundation prioritizes the development of urban parks in Houston, alongside initiatives aimed at improving education and overall quality of life.
Discovery Green
The concept for Discovery Green stemmed from Maconda Brown O’Connor and Nancy Kinder’s vision to establish an urban park in downtown Houston. In 2004, multiple foundations partnered with the City of Houston through a public-private collaboration to bring this vision to life, culminating in the park’s completion in 2008. Nancy Kinder led the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy’s private fundraising campaign, which raised $54 million, including a $10 million contribution from the Kinder Foundation toward the total $125 million project cost. Since its inauguration, Discovery Green has hosted upwards of 400 complimentary events each year and has catalyzed $1.4 billion in adjacent development as of 2018.
Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park encompasses a 160-acre area stretching 2.3 miles along Buffalo Bayou in Houston. The Kinder Foundation played a pivotal role in 2010 by providing a $30 million foundational gift to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Collaborating with the City of Houston and Harris County Flood Control District, the project restored the parkland to a more natural condition by reintroducing indigenous plant species and upgrading visitor facilities. Completed in 2015, this revitalization has received several honors, including the Urban Land Institute's prestigious Global Award for Excellence.
Memorial Park
On April 25, 2018, the Kinder Foundation committed $70 million to support the Memorial Park Conservancy’s efforts to expedite the implementation of the Memorial Park Master Plan. The funding supports key projects such as finalizing the Eastern Glades area, improving connections to regional trail networks, constructing new internal pathways, relocating sports fields, establishing a running track at the running center, and creating a dedicated Memorial Grove.
Bayou Greenways 2020
In October 2013, the foundation pledged $50 million toward the Houston Parks Board’s Bayou Greenways 2020 initiative—a $220 million endeavor aimed at adding 1,500 acres of parkland and linking 150 miles of trails along Houston’s bayous by the year 2020.
University of Missouri’s Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy
In 2014, the Kinder Foundation initiated the Kinder Forum on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri to enhance educational programs focused on American constitutional heritage. The following year, it endowed $25 million to create a permanent funding source for what was renamed the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy.
Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research concentrates on addressing issues faced by large metropolitan areas like Houston. In recognition of a $15 million grant from the Kinder Foundation in 2010 aimed at expanding global research initiatives, the institute was renamed in their honor.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
In January 2015, the Kinder Foundation committed a principal donation of $50 million toward the revitalization of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's expansive 14-acre campus. To honor this contribution, a new structure spanning 164,000 square feet, named the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, will include 54,000 square feet specifically allocated for galleries showcasing modern and contemporary art exhibitions and collections.
Other initiatives
The Kinder Foundation has supported a variety of organizations such as Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory of Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Bush Center at Southern Methodist University, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and the Texas Heart Institute's Center for Coronary Artery Anomalies.
In October 2016, the foundation obtained permanent naming rights for Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts through a $7.5 million donation. The school board ratified the agreement following the Kinder Foundation's indication that it might withdraw financial support if approval was not granted. The decision sparked controversy and led to a petition advocating for the restoration of the school's original name. In response, Richard Kinder proposed in April 2017 to forgo the naming rights but did not request reinstatement of the initial name. The renaming is scheduled to take effect when students move into the new downtown facility, anticipated in January 2019.
Founders
Richard Kinder holds the position of executive chairman at Kinder Morgan, Inc. Alongside his wife Nancy Kinder, they pledged in 2011 through The Giving Pledge to allocate 95% of their fortune to philanthropic causes after their passing. The Kinders were ranked 40th on Forbes’ Top 50 Givers list in 2018 and were also prominently featured on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's "Philanthropy 50," ranking as significant donors in 2016 and achieving 28th place in a subsequent listing.