BYRNE INSTITUTE

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Plain text BYRNE INSTITUTE. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2016–2024. https://furp.org/org/byrne-institute-474634060. Retrieved 2026-10-29.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). BYRNE INSTITUTE [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2016–2024]. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/byrne-institute-474634060

MLA “BYRNE INSTITUTE.” furp.org, tax years 2016–2024, https://furp.org/org/byrne-institute-474634060. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-29; covers tax years 2016–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $316K · expenses $290K · assets $277K

EIN
47-4634060
Address
5535 MEMORIAL DR STE F507, HOUSTON, TX 77007-8021
Website
www.houstoninstitute.org
NTEE code
B99
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
April 2017 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
Principal officer
Luis Tellez (its 2015 Form 990-N)
Form 990-N e-postcards
1 filed, 2015 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

The mission of Houston Institute is to help the people of Rice University think deeply about the best way to live through the study of the liberal arts especially philosophy and literature. Our goal is to help students become better seekers and speakers of the truth.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

2 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Victor Saenz Executive Director2019-2024 $79,625$407,581 1
James Prather (former) Director of Operations2022-2023 $62,950$120,950 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

10 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Mark Dulworth Chairman of the Board2016-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Davis Thames Board Member2019-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Pablo Yepes Board Member2016-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Luis Tellez Board Member2016-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Jeffery Polzer Board Member2022-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Peter Busher Board Member2019-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Michael Youtt Board Member2022-2024 0 $0 reported 1
Peter Buscher (former) Board Member2021-2022 0 $0 reported 1
Jeffrey Polzer (former) Board Member2016-2021 1 $0 reported 1
Paul Fortunato (former) Program Director2016 5 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $80K · 4 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $79,625$0$0 $79,6251
Mark Dulworth Chairman of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Davis Thames Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Pablo Yepes Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Luis Tellez Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Jeffery Polzer Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Peter Busher Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Michael Youtt Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 9 people listed · 2 paid, $133K · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $70,000$0$0 $70,0001
James Prather Director of Operations40 $62,950$0$0 $62,9501
Mark Dulworth Chairman of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Davis Thames Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Pablo Yepes Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Luis Tellez Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Jeffery Polzer Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Peter Busher Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Michael Youtt Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 9 people listed · 2 paid, $122K · 3 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $63,600$0$0 $63,6001
James Prather Director of Operations40 $58,000$0$0 $58,0001
Mark Dulworth Chairman of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Davis Thames Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Pablo Yepes Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Luis Tellez Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Jeffery Polzer Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Peter Buscher Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Michael Youtt Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $67K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $62,700-$4,440 $67,1401
Mark Dulworth Chairman of the Board2 $0-$0 $01
Davis Thames Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Luis Tellez Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Pablo Yepes Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Jeffrey Polzer Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Peter Buscher Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
2020 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $64K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $60,000-$4,420 $64,4201
Mark Dulworth Chairman2 $0-$0 $01
Luis Tellez board member2 $0-$0 $01
Pablo Yepes board member1 $0-$0 $01
Jeffrey Polzer board member1 $0-$0 $01
Peter Busher board member1 $0-$0 $01
Davis Thames board member1 $0-$0 $01
2019 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $63K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Victor Saenz Executive Director40 $60,000-$2,796 $62,7961
Mark Dulworth Chairman2 $0-$0 $01
Luis Tellez board member2 $0-$0 $01
Pablo Yepes board member1 $0-$0 $01
Jeffrey Polzer board member1 $0-$0 $01
Peter Busher board member1 $0-$0 $01
Davis Thames board member1 $0-$0 $01
2016 · 5 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LUIS TELLEZ President5 $0-- $01
MARK DULWORTH Board Member5 $0-- $01
PABLO YEPES Board Member5 $0-- $01
JEFFREY POLZER Board Member5 $0-- $01
PAUL FORTUNATO Program Director5 $0-- $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$316,343$289,761 $277,336$276,215 $312,468$2,094 $137,92440
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$249,283$266,009 $253,296$249,633 $247,323$1,960 $124,15000
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$279,861$213,418 $269,277$266,359 $279,861$0 $63,60030
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$196,790$129,614 $202,581$199,917 $182,261- ---
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$153,738$115,737 $150,500$132,741 $153,738- ---
2019 · Form 990EZ period ending 2019-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$162,590$106,152 $93,004$91,267 $162,585- ---
2016 · Form 990EZ period ending 2016-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$31,100$17,566 $15,970$15,970 $31,100$0 ---

Funders of this organization

4 grantors reported grants to this organization, $785,495 in all, tax years 2019 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INC Public charity Exact 2022-2025 4$494,995 2025$119,995
show
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2020-2024 5$175,500 2024$50,750
show
GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2019-2020, 2022, 2024 4$60,000 2024$20,000
show
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2020-2024 5$55,000 2024$15,000
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
BARBARA JORDAN INSTITUTETXB99 $359,162$289,725 Executive Director$78,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MAPPING YOUR FUTURE INCTXB99 $251,783$278,896 DIRECTOR$101,280 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF AMERICA INCTXB99 $274,867$207,368 Chairman$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
BRICK RODEO STEAM INCTXB99 $298,825$185,175 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WINE EDUCATION COUNCIL INCTXB99 $356,101$1,674,885 PRESIDENT$38,400 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ORTHODONTIC FOUNDATION INCTXB99 $287,355$98,456 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WOMEN IN NEUROSCIENCETXB99 $393,509$215,025 Executive Director and Ex-Officio Board Member$112,649 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WINNERS INCTXB99 $272,615$263,791 PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR$100,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
GALENA PARK ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION INCTXB99 $419,137$381,120 FOUNDATION DIRECTOR$116,669 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
DFW FIBER FEST INCTXB99 $330,448$310,896 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
FREDERICKSBURG ACADEMIC BOOSTERS INCTXB99 $295,085$110,315 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
FORT GRIFFIN FANDANGLE ASSOCIATION INCTXB99 $394,701$181,717 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
JERUSALEM LIGHTS INCTXB99 $290,736$415,902 SECRETARY$7,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SWAN IMPACT NETWORK INCTXB99 $257,159$275,049 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$90,200 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
IAPG HOUSTON INCTXB99 $274,933$101,377 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING INCTXB99 $380,858$335,235 PAST PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
TEXAS YOUTH FOUNDATIONTXB99 $342,841$266,761 FOUNDER & PRESIDENT$136,500 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SAFE STREETS AUSTINTXB99 $396,880$70,671 Executive Director$29,225 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
DENISON ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION INCTXB99 $383,886$378,314 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SOCIETY OF AIR FORCE PHARMACISTS LTDTXB99 $291,586$283,528 PHARMACIST DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTIONTXB99 $373,132$283,295 Advisor$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CHILDRENS DISABILITIES INFORMATION COALITIONTXB99 $381,091$369,411 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
EXPLORIUM DENTON CHILDRENS MUSEUMTXB99 $320,020$357,069 Executive Dir.$40,080 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PEGASUS MEDIA PROJECTTXB99 $301,363$238,988 Co-Founder Exec Dir$55,978 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
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Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$3,800,90010 52016–2024 WINE EDUCATION COUNCIL INC; THE POP TECH INSTITUTE; HARBAUGH COACHING ACADEMY INC; NOBELITY PROJECT and 1 more
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$2,984,39590 282016–2024 AEGIS AMERICA INC; CAPACITY CATALYST; WE DEFEND TRUTH; CATERPILLAR LAB INC and 24 more
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$1,981,43343 142014–2024 WOMEN IN NEUROSCIENCE; BELLA ABZUG LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE INC; CATERPILLAR LAB INC; NOBELITY PROJECT and 10 more
MACDONALD FAM FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,500,0001 12019–2019 WINE EDUCATION COUNCIL INC
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$1,276,0003 12020–2022 OPEN SOURCE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,269,61626 42012–2024 AEGIS AMERICA INC; KARDO INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES; ELEVATE DALLAS; NOBELITY PROJECT
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$1,075,55016 82016–2024 WESLEY PEACHTREE INSTITUTE INC; AEGIS AMERICA INC; FREDERICKSBURG ACADEMIC BOOSTERS INC; THE POP TECH INSTITUTE and 4 more
SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$921,6375 12020–2024 MAPPING YOUR FUTURE INC
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$646,34832 112019–2025 INSPIRASIAN; HISPANIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION; TEXAS DIVERSITY COUNCIL; T200 FOUNDATION and 7 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$568,0008 42012–2022 THE POP TECH INSTITUTE; J HOOD & ASSOCIATES; INSTITUTE FOR MINDFUL LEADERSHIP; CAPACITY CATALYST
EWING MARION KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION Private foundation$556,2775 12021–2024 CORE SKILLS INSTITUTE
MADISON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$500,00013 22011–2019 BRAZOS BEND GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES; SU CASA DE ESPERANZA INC
HOPEWELL FUND DAF sponsor$446,9382 12021–2022 WE DEFEND TRUTH
MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IMPACT FUNDING TRUST INC DAF sponsor$440,50012 42019–2024 NOBELITY PROJECT; WINE EDUCATION COUNCIL INC; WOMEN IN NEUROSCIENCE; SAFE STREETS AUSTIN
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY DAF sponsor$434,5007 12010–2016 THE POP TECH INSTITUTE

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $289,761 spent · pay $192,890 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $137,924$68,962$19,906$49,056 47.6%
Occupancy $47,947$0$47,947$0 16.5%
Other (as described)Program Expenses $30,528$30,528$0$0 10.5%
Other salaries and wages $25,872$21,120$4,752$0 8.9%
Other employee benefits $14,175$7,087$1,703$5,385 4.9%
Payroll taxes $12,530$6,891$1,886$3,753 4.3%
Office expenses $9,178$0$8,243$935 3.2%
Other (as described)Fundraising $5,596$0$0$5,596 1.9%
Insurance $2,700$0$2,700$0 0.9%
Pension plan contributions $2,389$1,195$597$597 0.8%
Fees: accounting $922$0$922$0 0.3%
Total$289,761100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $266,009 spent · pay $154,768 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $124,150$94,150$10,000$20,000 46.7%
Occupancy $52,423$0$52,423$0 19.7%
Other (as described)program expenses $33,734$33,734$0$0 12.7%
Other employee benefits $16,220$0$16,220$0 6.1%
Office expenses $14,147$0$14,147$0 5.3%
Advertising and promotion $9,930$0$0$9,930 3.7%
Payroll taxes $9,883$0$9,883$0 3.7%
Other salaries and wages $4,515$0$4,515$0 1.7%
Depreciation and depletion $1,007$0$1,007$0 0.4%
Total$266,009100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $213,418 spent · pay $114,541 · grants $1,100 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $63,600$31,800$15,900$15,900 29.8%
Occupancy $48,543$0$48,543$0 22.7%
Other salaries and wages $35,522$30,000$5,522$0 16.6%
Other (as described)Rice Class $18,320$18,320$0$0 8.6%
Other (as described)Reading Groups $15,593$15,593$0$0 7.3%
Office expenses $11,144$0$11,144$0 5.2%
Other employee benefits $7,837$5,233$1,302$1,302 3.7%
Payroll taxes $7,582$4,728$1,638$1,216 3.6%
Fees: other services $2,500$2,500$0$0 1.2%
Travel $1,413$0$1,413$0 0.7%
Grants to US individuals $1,100$1,100-- 0.5%
Advertising and promotion $264$0$0$264 0.1%
Total$213,418100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990EZ · $129,614 spent · pay $77,023 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $77,023 59.4%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $36,348 28.0%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $13,020 10.0%
Fees to independent contractors $3,223 2.5%
Total$129,614100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $115,737 spent · pay $81,503 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $81,503 70.4%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $30,734 26.6%
Fees to independent contractors $3,500 3.0%
Total$115,737100%

View the filing

2019 · Form 990EZ · $106,152 spent · pay $76,396 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $76,396 72.0%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $25,608 24.1%
Fees to independent contractors $2,558 2.4%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $1,590 1.5%
Total$106,152100%

View the filing

2016 · Form 990EZ · $17,566 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $15,635 89.0%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $1,931 11.0%
Total$17,566100%

View the filing

State business registration

The same business name in the same state, from the state’s official registry data.

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