Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Established in 1995 following Albert B. Alkek’s death, it continues the philanthropic legacy he and his wife Margaret built during their lifetimes, supporting charitable, religious, scientific, cultural, and educational organizations and programs serving Texas.
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation at a glance
In short: Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation gave $14.0M across 58 grants in 2024 (avg $241K), mostly in Texas. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,000,000
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 58
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $241,379
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $198,995,348
- +5.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (9 of 54, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests, but says funding available for them is very limited and that it rarely makes grants from unsolicited inquiries. It asks qualified applicants to submit a one- to two-page letter of inquiry rather than a full proposal or application form. The letter should briefly describe the organization and project and state the total funding needed and the amount requested from the foundation. Applicants may include available brochures or other descriptive materials; the foundation asks them not to include tax returns, detailed budget packages, or financial statements. It may request further information if interested.
- Review Cycle
- None; requests are accepted throughout the year.
- Deadline
- None; requests are accepted throughout the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Charles Williams
Mailing address: 1100 Louisiana St Ste 5250, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 652-6601
Website: https://alkek.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
Who Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($8.7M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $11.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 249 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines limit grants to organizations and projects serving Texas. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas; 1% each went to recipients in Virginia and Colorado. The filing also reports 0% shares for New York and Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 54 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $301K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.0M (2020) to $14.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 58 grants totaling $14.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Medical Research, Education and Patient Care | $8,093,300 |
| The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Medical Research | $1,000,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Construction of the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower | $564,500 |
| TMI - the Episcopal School of Texas San Antonio, TX | Momentum Campaign | $500,000 |
| Houston Symphony Society Houston, TX | Operational Support | $400,000 |
| Amazing Place Houston, TX | Amazing Together Campaign | $300,000 |
| St Mary's University San Antonio, TX | Renovations to the Albert B. Alkek Building | $200,000 |
| Texas State University San Marcos, TX | Technology and Programs for the Alkek Library | $200,000 |
| TMI - the Episcopal School of Texas San Antonio, TX | Alkek Scholarships | $190,000 |
| Texas A&M Foundation College Station, TX | Alkek Early Career Investigator Fellowships | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $198,995,348 | $27,135,913 | $16,166,595 | $14,000,000 | 58 | $14,260,728 | $25,105,851 | $14,773,517 |
| 2023 | $188,026,030 | $15,269,215 | $15,408,889 | $13,500,000 | 52 | $13,757,472 | $12,844,885 | $13,862,887 |
| 2022 | $190,689,765 | $20,620,233 | $13,709,266 | $12,000,000 | 46 | $12,264,444 | $18,879,855 | $13,604,138 |
| 2021 | $183,084,200 | $24,374,415 | $13,983,466 | $12,000,000 | 46 | $12,261,778 | $20,325,000 | $13,613,736 |
| 2020 | $175,913,119 | $15,303,344 | $18,554,526 | $12,000,000 | 47 | — | $10,097,600 | $11,525,199 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational organizations and programs serving the people of Texas. Its website identifies scientific giving as primarily medical and says most grants favor research and education-related projects intended to yield lasting benefits.
Its 2024 grants also show support for arts, community, and school-related organizations. For example, the Houston Symphony Society says its mission is to inspire and engage audiences through orchestral performances, educational programs, and community activities. St. Mary’s University describes its mission as educating leaders for the common good through liberal arts and professional education. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 58 grants totaling $14 million. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $8,093,300, with a median of $50,000. Its largest 2024 grants included $8,093,300 to Baylor College of Medicine for medical research, education, and patient care; $1 million to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for medical research; and $564,500 to Baylor College of Medicine for construction of the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower. Other substantial grants included $500,000 to TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas for its Momentum Campaign and $400,000 to the Houston Symphony Society for operational support.
The foundation’s guidelines say grants are limited to nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as public charities, and to organizations and projects serving Texas. It does not make grants to individuals, loans, direct scholarships to students, or grants intended to influence legislation or support political candidates. Scholarship programs must be administered through educational institutions. The foundation prefers not to fund fundraising events, program advertising, individual memorials, student organizations or service-club charities, or uniforms, equipment, or trips for school-related organizations or sports teams.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sandra Bacak as assistant secretary/controller; Paul Klotman, MD, as director; Scott B. Seaman as director, treasurer, and executive director; Charles A. Williams as director and president; Margaret Alkek Williams as director; and Randa D. Williams as director.
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation is led by Charles A. Williams, Director & President on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles A. Williams
Director & President
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Scott B. Seaman
Director, Treasurer & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$391K (2020) → $443K (2024)
Margaret Alkek Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Paul Klotman MD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Randa D. Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Sandra Bacak
Assistant Secretary & Controller
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$123K (2020) → $139K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joe M. Bailey (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $443K, to Scott B Seaman (Director/Treasurer/Executive DIR). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
How much does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation give each year?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation gave $14.0M across 58 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $13.5M across 52 grants.
What is Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's typical grant size?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $241,379, across 58 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation that year got $49K on average.
Where does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation give grants?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (34 grants), Bandera, TX (5 grants), San Antonio, TX (4 grants) and Ingram, TX (2 grants).
Does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 58) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's largest grantees?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($8,692,800 across 4 grants), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ($1,000,000) and TMI - the Episcopal School of Texas ($690,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation reported $199.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational organizations and programs serving the people of Texas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests, but says funding available for them is very limited and that it rarely makes grants from unsolicited inquiries. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's EIN?
Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0491186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/albert-and-margaret-alkek-foundation-morg_0eae8c74451844f1be2e486b41b252b7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760491186_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/albert-and-margaret-alkek-foundation-morg_0eae8c74451844f1be2e486b41b252b7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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