John L Santikos Charitable Foundation
The John L Santikos Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in San Antonio, Texas. Established as a supporting organization of the San Antonio Area Foundation, the foundation was created to preserve and advance the philanthropic legacy of John L. Santikos following his passing in December 2014. The foundation manages the Santikos business assets, including Santikos Enterprises (comprised of Santikos Theatres and Santikos Real Estate), which were formally transferred to the San Antonio Area Foundation on December 31, 2017. The foundation holds these properties and generates revenue to support charitable giving throughout the San Antonio community and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$487.7M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.8M
+8.2% YoY
Grant Count
7
-36.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.5M
+70.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The John L Santikos Charitable Foundation exists to support the San Antonio Area Foundation and other charities in accordance with the Santikos Living Trust Agreement. Grant funding is made to nonprofits exclusively from annual variable dividends generated from Santikos movie theaters, meaning that theater revenues directly support charitable giving.
Mr. Santikos identified the following priority areas for support:
People in Need
- Individuals with mental and physical challenges
- Seniors
- Victims of child abuse
- Victims of disasters
Health
- Healthcare and wellness
- Medical research
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
The foundation has made significant grants including a $2.3 million grant to the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio to help diagnose Alzheimer's and other diseases.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, with additional grantmaking activity in New York and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $487,689,694
- Total Revenue: $7,681,977
- Total Expenses: $12,884,237
- Number of Employees: 2,781
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $492,000,000
- Total Revenue: $19,000,000
- Total Expenses: $12,400,000
Rating: The foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 94% score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $487,689,694 | $492,492,846 | $475,068,431 |
| Revenue | $7,681,977 | $19,010,148 | $11,218,386 |
| Expenses | $12,884,237 | $12,399,969 | $6,693,050 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,656,774 | $11,004,316 | $2,035,000 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include San Antonio Area Foundation ($8,349,435), International Orthodox Christian Charities Inc ($1,066,250), Medecins Sans Frontiers Usa Inc (doctors Without Borders Usa) ($1,066,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,066,250 |
| MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS USA INC (DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA) NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,066,250 |
| SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,349,435 |
| P16PLUS COUNCIL OF GREATER BEXAR COUNTY FOUNDATION INC ( UP PARTNERSHIP) SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| MEALS ON WHEELS SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $37,500 |
| TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO FOUNDATION (GRANTS) SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YWCA - SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $62,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dennis E Noll is listed as Trustee for the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEX PEREZ - JLS | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| GEN JAMES TOM HILL - JLS | PAST CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| BARBARA O'CONNOR - JLS | CHAIR ELECT/TRUSTEE (UNTIL 10/4/24) | 2 | — |
| SUZANNE WADE - JLSENTERPRISES | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SARAH HARTE - JLS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL BOLNER - JLS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MARI AGUIRRE RODRIGUEZ - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| YONNIE BLANCHETTE - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JORGE ELIZONDO - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT HERNANDEZ - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID KOMET - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR MORRIS STRIBLING - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEBBIE SEROT - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GURPAUL SINGH - JLSENTERPRISES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HARRY WOLFF JR - JLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BLAKE HASTINGS - JLSENTERPRISES | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 5/24/24)/CEO | 40 | $92,522 |
| APRIL HANSARD - SAAFDN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 4 | — |
| ARENDA BURNS - SAAFDN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 4 | — |
| NADEGE SOUVENIR - SAAFDN | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 4 | — |
| LISA BRUNSVOLD - SAAFDN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 4 | — |
| TIM HANDREN | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $469,176 |
| ROBERT LEHMAN | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $167,506 |
| MICHAEL SCHAUB | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $143,685 |
| RYAN LUGALIA-HOLLON | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER - SAAFDN | 4 | — |
| JOSHUA BAILEY | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 40 | $99,112 |
| JENNIFER FERRILL | VICE PRESIDENT, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 40 | $90,961 |
| MICHAEL MCCHESNEY | VICE PRESIDENT, REAL ESTATE | 40 | $113,335 |
| TARA TEMBE | VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE | 40 | $87,193 |
| TODD HILLIER | DIRECTOR, PLANNING & FINANCIAL ANALYTICS | 40 | $78,556 |
| JACK WAGNER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THEATER SUPPORT | 40 | $82,045 |
| JENNIFER COOK | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND IMPACT - SAAFDN | — | — |
| LORI MADLA | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - SAAFDN | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in strategic grantmaking since receiving the Santikos business assets. Notable recent activities include:
John L Santikos Charitable Foundation invests in accurate census countInvestment in accurate census count initiatives (2020)
John L Santikos Charitable Foundation invests in accurate census countMajor grants to support healthcare research and diagnosis capabilities
Significant distributions to local nonprofits, including $9.3 million in grants to San Antonio-area organizations
Local Nonprofits Receive $9.3 Million From Santikos FoundationThe foundation's grant funding model is unique in that it directly ties charitable giving to the performance of Santikos movie theaters, creating an ongoing connection between community entertainment and philanthropic support.
John L Santikos Charitable Foundation invests in accurate census countSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John L Santikos Charitable Foundation fund?
The John L Santikos Charitable Foundation exists to support the San Antonio Area Foundation and other charities in accordance with the Santikos Living Trust Agreement. Grant funding is made to nonprofits exclusively from annual variable dividends generated from Santikos movie theaters, meaning that theater revenues directly support charitable giving. Mr. Santikos identified the following priority areas for support: **People in Need** • Individuals with mental and physical challenges • Seniors •…
How do I apply for a grant from John L Santikos Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $10,841,935 • Typical award range: $10,000–$8,349,435 • The foundation made its first gifts following the transfer of Santikos business assets **Recent Grants:** The foundation has made significant grants including a $2.3 million grant to the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio to help diagnose Alzheimer's and other diseases.
Where does John L Santikos Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, with additional grantmaking activity in New York and Maryland.
What size grants does John L Santikos Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, John L Santikos Charitable Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $10.8M — an average of about $1.5M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is John L Santikos Charitable Foundation's EIN?
John L Santikos Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-7326497. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John L Santikos Charitable 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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