Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation
The Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Established in 1986, it provides funds to charitable, religious, educational, and scientific organizations.
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation gave $2.0M across 64 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in Mississippi. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,976,009
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 64
- +6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,875
- -9.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,317
- Total assets
- $37,514,448
- +12.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing directs applicants to “Statement 11” for the application form and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- See Statement 11.
- Deadline
- See Statement 11.
- Contact
Application contact: Kelly Gene Cook Sr Char Foundation
Mailing address: 9 Southside Circle, Houston, TX 77025
Phone: (713) 346-1304
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation
Who Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mississippi State University ($310K across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($34,994), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
248 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 248 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Mississippi recipients received 70% of grant dollars, Texas recipients 15%, Louisiana recipients 11%, and recipients in Alabama and Maryland 1% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2021) to $2.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 64 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS | Scholarships - Alonzo, Andino, Bailey, Gibson, Frazure, Hardy, Harrison, Horton, Howard, Jackson, Love, Moore, O'Bryant, Owah, Parker, Pittman, Rodgers, Russell, Sanders, Schulle, Shelly, Sidaway, Spencer, Tribble, Tynes, Vazeii | $223,786 |
| Magnolia Speech School Jackson, MS | Contributions - Operating expenses and capital campaign | $200,000 |
| Mississippi College Clinton, MS | Scholarships - F. Anderson, J. Bower, E. Brassfield, J. Childress, C. Cook, A. Decker, E. Ethis, J. Fulton, E. Hammons, Q. Hencricks, A. Pannell, A. Pool, S. Pool, N. Van, L. Wilson, G. Winters | $141,193 |
| University of Mississippi University, MS | Scholarships - Allen, Bird, Causey, Cook, Dawson, Gillentine, Hendon, Hernandez, Hill, Hooker, Lawson, May, McCurdy, A. Nguyen, T. Nguyen, Patel, Perry, Pilcher, Scales, Scruggs, Suh, Ta, White, | $135,173 |
| Options Inc Hammond, LA | Horticulture Education Program | $130,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi Foundation Hattiesburg, MS | DuBard School for Language Disorders | $125,000 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation Inc Mississippi State, MS | Civil & Environmental Engineering Building | $100,000 |
| Boys and Girls Country Hockley, TX | General support | $75,000 |
| Briarwood School Houston, TX | Teacher Intensive Program and Scholarships | $75,000 |
| University of Mississippi University, MS | Scholarships - J. Benne, H. Clayton, C. Hartline; K. LaPorte, S. Rickles, J. Scruggs, C. Warren, J. Wilson | $50,000 |
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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 | $37,514,448 | $6,853,949 | $2,600,426 | $1,976,009 | 64 | $2,185,026 | $6,532,887 | $2,410,675 |
| 2023 | $33,255,700 | $2,824,767 | $2,561,958 | $2,042,931 | 60 | $2,256,043 | $2,551,640 | $2,089,472 |
| 2022 | $32,985,451 | $2,522,545 | $2,727,103 | $2,208,229 | 62 | $2,409,433 | $2,244,277 | $2,060,148 |
| 2021 | $33,185,584 | $4,046,982 | $2,182,397 | $1,678,075 | 61 | $1,848,272 | $3,745,368 | $2,403,041 |
| 2020 | $31,314,238 | $2,555,116 | $2,251,664 | $1,795,230 | 1 | — | $2,294,728 | $1,898,933 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable, religious, educational, and scientific organizations. Its 2024 grants show support for scholarships and educational programs, as well as operating expenses, capital projects, and services for people with disabilities.
Grantees describe their work in varied terms. Magnolia Speech School says it helps children with communication disorders develop their potential through spoken language and literacy. Options Inc says it supports people with disabilities through life skills, meaningful work and activities, community inclusion, and support beyond the family. Small Steps Nurturing Center describes its mission as providing an early childhood program for economically at-risk children and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 64 grants totaling $1,976,009. Grant amounts ranged from $2,204 to $223,786, with a median grant of $9,317. It awarded 60 grants totaling $2,042,931 in 2023 and 62 grants totaling $2,208,229 in 2022.
Notable 2024 grants included:
The foundation’s Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grant is listed as active and offers awards of up to $5,000 to teachers and professional staff in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and St. Tammany Parishes. The program supports research-based projects that directly benefit students.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Deborah Rochelle as president, Robert B Kneppler as vice president, Ronald G Page as treasurer, and Carolyn Bost and Julie Thompson as directors.
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation is led by Deborah Rochelle, President on every filing since 2020; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah Rochelle
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Carolyn Bost
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Robert B Kneppler
Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Ronald G Page
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Julie Thompson
Directror
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jo Ann Mikell (2020) — Secretary
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 $16K, to Deborah Rochelle (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation
How much does Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation give each year?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation gave $2.0M across 64 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 60 grants.
What is Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,317, and its average grant was $30,875, across 64 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation give grants?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Mississippi: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (15%) and Louisiana (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Mississippi State, MS (6 grants), Houston, TX (6 grants), Jackson, MS (5 grants) and Hattiesburg, MS (5 grants).
Does Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 64) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Mississippi State University ($309,920 across 5 grants), Magnolia Speech School ($200,000) and University of Mississippi ($196,896 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($34,994), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation reported $37.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (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 Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable, religious, educational, and scientific organizations. Its 2024 grants show support for scholarships and educational programs, as well as operating expenses, capital projects, and services for people with disabilities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0201807. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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 Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-gene-cook-sr-charitable-foundation-morg_70158fce798f4278bf490f16eb5edef1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760201807_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-gene-cook-sr-charitable-foundation-morg_70158fce798f4278bf490f16eb5edef1},
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 Kelly Gene Cook Sr Charitable 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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