Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation
The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is a private foundation based in Orange, Texas, established in 1961 to encourage and assist education and improve quality of life in Southeast Texas. It supports cultural, educational, charitable, and community activities through its own programs and contributions to charitable organizations.
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation at a glance
In short: Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation gave $234K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $233,842
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,994
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,022
- Total assets
- $419,163,552
- -1.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% 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 Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 601 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630-5718
Phone: (409) 883-3513
Website: https://starkfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Southeast Texas Food Bank Inc ($35K). Together the top 10 received $102K.
Organizations only. It also paid 15 individual scholarships ($128,619), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
143 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 132 grants of 143 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its mission is focused on Southeast Texas. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% went to recipients in Utah.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
How Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation gives
- Giving fell 58% from 2021 to 2024. 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 $234K (2024) to $851K (2020). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $234K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 15 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $128,619 |
| Southeast Texas Food Bank Inc Beaumont, TX | Food Backpack Program to provide weekend food for indigent children | $35,000 |
| Orange Community Action Association Orange, TX | Fund Meals on Wheels for Indegent | $15,000 |
| Orange County Sheriff's Office Orange, TX | Funds for the Blue Sana Program serving children in need during Christmas | $10,000 |
| Orange Lions Club Charity Carnival Orange, TX | For maintenance of equipment used in charity carnival | $9,256 |
| Deweyville ISD Deweyville, TX | To purchase clothing for indigent school children | $6,000 |
| Orange Co Comm Partners for Children Orange, TX | Funds to stock Rainbow Room | $6,000 |
| Orangefield ISD Orangefield, TX | To purchase clothing for indigent school children | $6,000 |
| West Orange - Cove CISD Orange, TX | To purchase clothing for indigent school children | $6,000 |
| Vidor ISD Vidor, TX | To purchase clothing for indigent school children | $5,967 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $419,163,552 | $14,557,501 | $22,152,918 | $233,842 | 26 | $18,368,629 | $11,885,547 |
| 2023 | $426,644,114 | $8,961,791 | $20,839,209 | $262,995 | 27 | $20,255,342 | $8,744,293 |
| 2022 | $438,431,454 | $23,940,643 | $19,745,125 | $311,916 | 26 | $17,328,630 | $22,790,409 |
| 2021 | $434,626,601 | $41,117,040 | $19,575,776 | $555,493 | 28 | $15,995,820 | $37,083,987 |
| 2020 | $413,078,283 | $13,068,953 | $17,570,154 | $851,384 | 36 | — | $10,645,198 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to encourage and assist education and improve and enrich quality of life in Southeast Texas by providing and promoting opportunities to study and enjoy the arts, history, and nature. Its programming also aims to build appreciation for the fine arts, Stark family history, performing arts, environmental stewardship, and public speaking.
The foundation reports direct charitable activity at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Its 2024 contributions also included a scholarship administered by Lamar State College–Orange. The college describes its mission as providing scholarship opportunities for its students and supporting upkeep of the Brown Center. The Southeast Texas Food Bank, which received a contribution for its Food Backpack Program, describes its mission as distributing food to people in need across an eight-county Southeast Texas service area. Orange Community Action Association, which received support for Meals on Wheels, describes its mission as providing coordinated services and opportunities so older people can live dignified, independent, and productive lives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $233,842. Grants ranged from $429 to $100,000, with a median of $3,022. The largest grant was $100,000 to Lamar State College–Orange for a scholarship administered by the college. Other notable grants included $35,000 to Southeast Texas Food Bank for its Food Backpack Program, $15,000 to Orange Community Action Association for Meals on Wheels, and $10,000 to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for its Blue Santa Program serving children in need during Christmas. Other listed recipients included local school districts receiving support to purchase clothing for children in need.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Deborah Hughes as Chair; W G Riedel III as Vice Chair; Rob Clark, Dr Suzonne Crockett, Al Granger, and Craig Lemons as Directors; Clyde V McKee III as President & CEO; Jennifer L Staton as VP/CFO/Treasurer; and Sarah Wester as Secretary.
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation is led by Clyde V McKee III, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 8 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Clyde V McKee III
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$312K (2020) → $352K (2024)
Deborah Hughes
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Al Granger
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Rob Clark
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Suzonne Crockett
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $15K (2024)
Craig Lemons
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer L Staton
Vice President, CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$266K (2020) → $317K (2024)
W G Riedel III
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Sarah Wester
Secretary
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$58K (2022) → $78K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Phyllis Woodford (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: David Jones (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Laurence R David (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 $352K, to Clyde V McKee III (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation
How much does Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation give each year?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation gave $234K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $263K across 27 grants.
What is Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's typical grant size?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,022, and its average grant was $8,994, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation give grants?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Orange, TX (6 grants).
Does Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (14 grants) and "To purchase clothing for indigent school children" (6 grants).
Who are Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's largest grantees?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Southeast Texas Food Bank Inc ($35,000), Orange Community Action Association ($15,000) and Orange County Sheriff's Office ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 15 individual scholarships ($128,619), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation reported $419.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $14.6M.
What does Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to encourage and assist education and improve and enrich quality of life in Southeast Texas by providing and promoting opportunities to study and enjoy the arts, history, and nature. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's EIN?
Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6047440. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/nelda-c-and-h-j-lutcher-stark-foundation-morg_3138e0293da9419cbc29c19848498f39
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746047440_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/nelda-c-and-h-j-lutcher-stark-foundation-morg_3138e0293da9419cbc29c19848498f39},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Nelda C and H J Lutcher Stark 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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