Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1995 through the will of Albert B. Alkek, a Texas oil magnate and entrepreneur. Based in Houston, Texas, the foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Albert and Margaret Alkek by providing support for charitable, religious, scientific, cultural, and educational organizations and programs serving the people of Texas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$199.0M
+5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.0M
+3.7% YoY
Grant Count
58
+11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$241K
-7.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission reflects the Alkek family's commitment to improving quality of life, advancing medical and educational institutions, and supporting the performing arts and community programs. Albert Alkek laid out a roadmap in his will that guides the foundation's work to this day.
The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- Medical Research and Healthcare: Primarily medical research for new discoveries and improved quality of life, with particular emphasis on medical schools, clinics, and medical centers
- Education: Research and education-related projects that will pay lasting dividends in terms of new discoveries and improved quality of life
- Arts and Culture: Support for cultural organizations and performing arts
- Community and Religious Programs: Charitable and religious organizations serving Texas communities
The majority of the foundation's grants reflect Mr. Alkek's preferences for research and education-related projects. Additional grants reflect the Alkek family's strong community involvement, both in Houston and throughout the state.
Grantmaking
The foundation offers support for:
Grant Range
**: $10,000 to $8,093,300
Average Grant
**: Approximately $260,900
Grant Types
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Instead, it considers letters of inquiry submitted by mail only on a rolling basis throughout the year. The foundation does not accept email or fax submissions. Letters of inquiry should be sent to:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grants are limited to organizations and projects serving the State of Texas. Approximately 99% of grants stay in Texas, with a particular emphasis on Houston and the surrounding region. The foundation also supports initiatives in other parts of Texas and has made grants in Colorado, Louisiana, New York, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $188 million to $198.9 million (as of 2023-2024)
- Annual Revenue: $15.3 million to $27.1 million (recent years)
- Annual Expenses: $15.4 million to $16.1 million (recent years)
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since December 1996
- EIN: 76-0491186
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $198,995,348 | $188,026,030 | $190,689,765 |
| Revenue | $27,135,913 | $15,269,215 | $20,620,233 |
| Expenses | $16,166,595 | $15,408,889 | $13,709,266 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,260,728 | $13,757,472 | $12,264,444 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,105,851 | $12,844,885 | $18,879,855 |
| Distributable Amount | $14,773,517 | $13,862,887 | $13,604,138 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
239 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Baylor College of Medicine ($8,093,300), Baylor College of Medicine ($564,500), Houston Symphony Society ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AD PLAYERS AT THE GEORGE THEATER HOUSTON, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | ACE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HOUSTON AREA STUDENTS | $50,000 |
| AMAZING PLACE HOUSTON, TX | AMAZING TOGETHER CAMPAIGN | $300,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - TX GULF COAST REGION WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| ANNUNCIATION ORTHODOX SCHOOL HOUSTON, TX | LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN | $50,000 |
| ARTHUR NAGEL COMMUNITY CLINIC INC BANDERA, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| AUSTIN CENTER FOR GRIEF & LOSS AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BAKERRIPLEY HOUSTON, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BANDERA COUNTY YOUNG LIFE (YOUNG LIFE) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM IN BANDERA, TEXAS | $30,000 |
| BANDERA METHODIST CHURCH BANDERA, TX | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Charles A. Williams: President
- Scott B. Seaman: Executive Director, Director, and Treasurer (Compensation: $443,270)
- Sandra K. Bacak: Controller and Assistant Secretary (Compensation: $135,120)
The foundation employs four staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SANDRA BACAK | ASSISTANT SECRETARY/CONTROLLER | 40 | $138,724 |
| PAUL KLOTMAN MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
| SCOTT B SEAMAN | DIRECTOR/TREASURER/EXECUTIVE DIR | 40 | $443,270 |
| CHARLES A WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 25 | $150,000 |
| MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
| RANDA D WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $18,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants announced include:
$8,093,300 to Baylor College of Medicine for medical research, education, and patient care (2024)
$564,500 to Baylor College of Medicine for construction of the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower (2024)
$400,000 to Houston Symphony Society for operational support (2024)
$1,000,000 to Texas State University for student enrichment initiatives (2022)
Student enrichment initiatives to benefit from a $1 million gift from Albert\$1,000,000 to St. Mary's University for business building renovation (2023)
Alkek Foundation grants $1M to renovate the business building$200,000 to St. Mary's University for environmental science program (2013)
Alkek Foundation Awards Environmental Science Program $200,000The foundation continues to prioritize grants supporting medical research institutions, educational facilities, and cultural organizations throughout Texas.
Alkek Foundation grants $1M to renovate the business buildingSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission reflects the Alkek family's commitment to improving quality of life, advancing medical and educational institutions, and supporting the performing arts and community programs. Albert Alkek laid out a roadmap in his will that guides the foundation's work to this day. The foundation's primary funding areas include: • **Medical Research and Healthcare**: Primarily medical research for new discoveries and improved quality of life, with particular emphasis on medical schools…
How do I apply for a grant from Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation?
• **Grant Range**: $10,000 to $8,093,300 • **Average Grant Size**: Approximately $260,900 • **Median Grant Size**: $50,000 • **Annual Giving**: $13.5 million to $15.4 million (recent years) • **Number of Grants**: Approximately 46-52 grants annually The foundation offers support for: • Program support • Support for hospital and medical facility construction • Educational facility construction and renovation • Scholarships and endowment support • Capital campaign support (on a limited basis) The…
Where does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grants are limited to organizations and projects serving the State of Texas. Approximately 99% of grants stay in Texas, with a particular emphasis on Houston and the surrounding region. The foundation also supports initiatives in other parts of Texas and has made grants in Colorado, Louisiana, New York, and Virginia.
What size grants does Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation award?
In 2024, Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation awarded 58 grants totaling $14.0M — an average of about $241K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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