Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife
The Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation is a private foundation established through the will of Caesar Kleberg in 1943 and formally created in 1951. Based in Kingsville, Texas, the Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and research. The Foundation is closely connected to the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, which was founded in 1981 with a $3 million endowment from the Foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$65.0M
+9.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
-21.7% YoY
Grant Count
6
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$538K
+4.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife reported a distributable amount of $4.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's primary mission centers on wildlife conservation and studies. The Foundation is particularly committed to:
- Wildlife conservation efforts that fill critical knowledge gaps through applied research
- Habitat restoration supporting native wildlife, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
- Research maintaining ecosystem integrity, including native plant establishment
- Studies of stopover habitats for Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds
- Investigation of endangered and sensitive species endemic to South Texas
- Projects addressing potential threats to wildlife and their habitats in South Texas
- Habitat restoration and protection
- Preservation of culturally significant natural heritage in South Texas
- Animal science studies expanding knowledge related to animal disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, particularly in cattle and horses
- Animal genome and genetic mechanisms research
- Studies contributing to improved animal or human health
Grantmaking
The Foundation made six grants in 2023, with total grant distributions of approximately $3.98 million. Notable recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's funding is concentrated in South Texas, with particular emphasis on the Rio Grande Valley region. The Foundation also supports research relevant to deer in Texas and northern Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of the most recent tax filing (2023):
- Total Assets: $59,481,356
- Total Revenues: $4,403,784
- Total Expenses: $4,768,407
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $10,000
- Staff: 3 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $64,988,011 | $59,481,356 | $59,808,771 |
| Revenue | $9,376,415 | $4,403,784 | $3,875,151 |
| Expenses | $3,891,965 | $4,768,407 | $4,009,593 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,404,679 | $4,302,026 | $3,610,137 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,004,289 | $3,982,763 | $3,504,531 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,871,183 | $3,578,433 | $3,769,321 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Texas A&m University Kingsville Fdn ($2,907,000), Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation ($250,000), Texas Foundation for Conservation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CAESAR KLEBERG WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE KINGSVILLE, TX | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $24,000 |
| COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $12,500 |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY KINGSVILLE FDN KINGSVILLE, TX | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $2,907,000 |
| TEXAS FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION AUSTIN, TX | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $250,000 |
| TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION NEW BRAUNFELS, TX | SPONSORSHIP | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation has been guided by a small group of trustees throughout its history. As of the most recent information available:
- Stephen J. 'Tio' Kleberg - Trustee (became Trustee in 1979)
- Chris C. Kleberg - Trustee (became Trustee in 2013)
- Robert 'Jay' Kleberg - Trustee (invited to serve after 2021)
The Foundation's leadership has remained remarkably consistent, with only nine individuals influencing the Foundation's direction and philanthropy over more than seventy years. The trustee lineage reflects the Kleberg family's multi-generational commitment to Caesar Kleberg's vision.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN J KLEBERG | TRUSTEE | 4 | $60,000 |
| CHRIS KLEBERG | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
| ROBERT J KLEBERG | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, the primary recipient of Foundation support, has undertaken several significant initiatives:
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute breaks ground on Ocelot Conservation**Ocelot Conservation Facility:** The Institute broke ground on a $20 million Ocelot Conservation Facility, a state-of-the-art complex offering nearly 30,000 square feet of dedicated space. The facility is designed to advance ocelot research, understand ocelot behavior and health, and provide capacity for ocelot reintroduction efforts throughout South Texas.
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute breaks ground on Ocelot Conservation**Patton Center for Deer Research:** A generous gift from Bobby and Sherri Patton established the Patton Center for Deer Research at the Institute. All deer-related research conducted by the Institute operates under this center's banner, focusing on research relevant to deer in Texas and northern Mexico to increase understanding of deer ecology and management effectiveness.
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute breaks ground on Ocelot Conservation**Monarch Butterfly and Native Plant Habitat Restoration:** In 2018, Valley Crossing Pipeline, LLC and King Ranch, Inc. made a joint $100,000 donation to the Institute to fund development, installation, and research of South Texas native seed mixes and restoration of native monarch butterfly habitat throughout South Texas, with focus on the Valley Crossing Pipeline right-of-way in Kenedy County.
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute breaks ground on Ocelot ConservationFrequently Asked Questions
What does Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife fund?
The Foundation's primary mission centers on wildlife conservation and studies. The Foundation is particularly committed to: • Wildlife conservation efforts that fill critical knowledge gaps through applied research • Habitat restoration supporting native wildlife, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas • Research maintaining ecosystem integrity, including native plant establishment • Studies of stopover habitats for Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds • Investigation of endangered a…
How do I apply for a grant from Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife?
The Foundation made six grants in 2023, with total grant distributions of approximately $3.98 million. Notable recent grants include: • Texas A&M University - Kingsville Foundation: $3,580,500 (2023) • Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation: $350,000 (2023) • King High Historical Foundation: $45,000 (2023) The Foundation accepts grant applications once per year. A request letter signed by the President or CEO is required. Organizations should review grant guidelines before submitting a complete appl…
Where does Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife make grants?
The Foundation's funding is concentrated in South Texas, with particular emphasis on the Rio Grande Valley region. The Foundation also supports research relevant to deer in Texas and northern Mexico.
What size grants does Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife award?
In 2024, Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife awarded 6 grants totaling $3.2M — an average of about $538K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife reported a distributable amount of $4.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife's EIN?
Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6038766. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife'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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