Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation is a private foundation, based in Houston, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $20.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $1.2M.
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation at a glance
In short: Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $197K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,181,500
- +47.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +200.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $196,917
- -50.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $102,500
- Total assets
- $20,736,232
- -7.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Uthealth Houston ($565K). Together the top 6 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 10 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 114% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $250K (2023) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Uthealth Houston Houston, TX | General Fund | $565,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | General Fund & Mulva Hall Fund | $410,000 |
| St Martins Church Houston, TX | General Fund | $200,000 |
| The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Houston Houston, TX | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Scenic Houston Houston, TX | General Fund | $1,000 |
| Bridges to Life Houston, TX | General Fund | $500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $20,736,232 | $-223,271 | $1,485,837 | $1,181,500 | 6 | $1,192,249 | — | $1,041,532 |
| 2024 | $22,372,042 | $20,404,138 | $847,380 | $800,000 | 2 | $800,000 | $56,514 | $92,781 |
| 2023 | $2,826,408 | $1,109,548 | $283,140 | $250,000 | 2 | $250,000 | $76,408 | $114,860 |
| 2022 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | — | — | — | — | — | $8,635 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bette Thomas
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Thomas
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation
How much does Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation give each year?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $800K across 2 grants.
What is Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's typical grant size?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $102,500, and its average grant was $196,917, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation give grants?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (5 grants).
Does Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's largest grantees?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Uthealth Houston ($565,000), University of Texas at Austin ($410,000) and St Martins Church ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation reported $20.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's EIN?
Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0751281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Ralph and Bette Thomas Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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