Painting by Billie Hudspeth, 1970 Bill Hudspeth Jr., Clare R. Hudspeth, Ann Hudspeth

The Hudspeth Foundation

Supporting arts and culture in Texas

What We Are

The Hudspeth Foundation is a donor-advised fund held at Schwab Charitable, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
All contributions are made to Schwab Charitable for the benefit of the Hudspeth Foundation and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mission

The Hudspeth Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that engage the public and strengthen creative communities, with a focus on encouraging the offbeat character of Old Austin.

The Hudspeth Family

The Foundation reflects a family deeply connected to Texas and the arts for generations. William J. "Bill" and Billie Hudspeth spent their formative years in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, and both attended Rice University. Bill was the President of Gulf Printing Company in Houston before retiring to Austin with his family. Both Bill and Billie were painters and had a painting studio and woodworking shop in their home, which fascinated their many grandchildren.

Bill Hudspeth Sr., Ann Hudspeth, Billie Hudspeth, Bill Hudspeth Jr.

William J. “Bill” Hudspeth Jr. and his wife, Clare, had two daughters, Ann and Jenny, who grew up surrounded by their family’s deep appreciation for art and Texas culture.Bill attended Amherst College and the University of Texas School of Law and spent his career in Austin as a trust attorney and founder of Austin Trust Company. Over the years he worked with many artistic clients, including Wayman Adams, Rick Pratt, and Terry Allen, and kept company with an offbeat circle of imaginative, unconventional people, from Daddio Wade to Robert Crumb. His friendships, curiosity, and instinct for recognizing interesting minds continue to shape the Foundation’s values.The Foundation was established in 2025 on the fourth anniversary of Bill Jr.’s passing by his daughter, Austin artist and philanthropist Ann Hudspeth.

Painting by Billie Hudspeth, 1970
Bill, Clare, and Ann Hudspeth

Grantmaking Focus

The Foundation makes grants primarily to 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in:
• Exhibitions, performances, and public programming
• Community-focused arts initiatives
• Projects that honor or preserve the cultural character that makes Texas, and Austin in particular, a uniquely creative place.Initial recipients include:
• The Austin Studio Tour
• The Austin History Center Association
• The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Houston, Texas

Governance

Grants are recommended by Ann Hudspeth in consultation with a small advisory circle of arts and community leaders.Final approval of all grants is made by Schwab Charitable, in accordance with their nonprofit grantmaking policies.

Contact Us

The Hudspeth Foundation welcomes introductions from artists, organizers, and cultural institutions whose work resonates with our mission.Feel free to reach out about a project, a potential partnership, or to request information about contributing to the foundation’s work.Grants are selective and by discretion, but we’re always open to meaningful conversations.