Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation
The Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation is a private foundation based in El Paso, Texas, established in 1952 and chartered as a non-profit charitable corporation in the State of Texas. The foundation operates exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It has distributed over $19,000,000 in grants since its inception, beginning with an original gift of $40,000 from the founders in 1953.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.7M
+12.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$467K
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
41
-6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-7.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $638K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's purpose is to use its funds exclusively within the United States for the benefit of charitable, educational, religious, medical, community funds, and civic institutions. None of its funds inure to the benefit of any private individual or political entity.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Local hospitals and medical research
- Community funds
- Rehabilitation and services for the handicapped
- Religious organizations
- Higher and other education
- Youth agencies and youth activities
- Child welfare
- Scholarships for engineering students
- Guidance, support, and training for young people
- Concert shadow experience programs
- Historic buildings and cultural institutions
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts grant applications with a December 1st deadline for consideration.
Grant Range
$10,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
Review Cycle
for consideration.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, with particular emphasis on the El Paso area. Selected grants are also provided to organizations in New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Colorado. Funding extends to cities including El Paso, Austin, Dallas, and Santa Fe.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $5.7 million–$13 million (figures vary by source and filing date)
- Total giving: $467,000–$543,000 annually
- Total revenue: $716,660 (2023)
- Total expenses: $691,107 (2023)
- Total assets: $5.1 million (2023)
The foundation's unrestricted net assets have grown through gifts, legacies, and capital improvements since its modest beginning with a $40,000 initial gift in 1953.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,729,967 | $5,114,898 | $5,089,343 |
| Revenue | $1,242,620 | $716,660 | $2,287,713 |
| Expenses | $627,560 | $691,107 | $643,990 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $503,747 | $589,872 | $538,781 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,132,307 | $612,360 | $913,484 |
| Distributable Amount | $637,713 | $573,925 | $523,839 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
206 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Law N' Paws Animal Rescue ($44,800), The Church of St Clement ($30,400), Texas Scottish Rite Hosp for Childr ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EL PASO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA EL PASO, TX | Offset the costs of the 2023-2024 season operating expenses including education and outreach programs | $8,000 |
| EL PASO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA EL PASO, TX | Underwrite financial scholarships for the 2023-2024 season tuition. | $5,000 |
| THE CHURCH OF ST CLEMENT EL PASO, TX | MCKEE CHAPEL MAINTENANCE AND REPLACE PROTECTVIVE COVERINGS OVER WINDOWS | $30,400 |
| TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSP FOR CHILDR DALLAS, TX | FOR SUPPORT OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR THE NUTRITION FOR ALL PROGRAM,FORCE PLATES FOR THE FRISCO MOVEMENT SCIENCE LABORATORY, ANDPCR MACHINES FOR RESEARCH | $30,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - WEST TEXA EL PASO, TX | FAMILY SUPPORT AND CARE EMPHASIS ON ENHANCING SAFETY FOR THE FAMILITES IMPACTED BY ALZHIERMERS | $10,000 |
| EL PASO CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER EL PASO, TX | to enhance Mental Health Service programs. | $3,500 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE EL PASO, TX | OPERATION SCHOOL BELL | $3,500 |
| CASA COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCA EL PASO, TX | To support CASAs growing work representing abused and neglected children in the El Paso court system. | $5,000 |
| COMPADRES THERAPY INC EL PASO, TX | for the annual sponsorship of 4 therapeutic horses to include their care and maintenance | $26,000 |
| EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER EL PASO, TX | to support food distribution by covering the expenses associated with the cost of food, transportation and food processing | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by a board of trustees, including members of the McKee family and other associates who serve without compensation:
- Helen Lund Yancey (President-Treasurer)
- Catherine Cohen Payne (Vice President/Secretary)
- Robert E McKee IV (Vice President/Trustee)
- Philip Russell McKee (Vice President/Trustee)
- Susan J McKee (Vice President/Trustee)
- Sharon Hays Herrera (Vice President/Trustee)
- R Brian McKee DVM (Trustee)
- Katherine McKee Mote (Trustee)
- Bruce E McKee (Trustee)
- C Steven McKee (Trustee)
- Jackie Tatum Lamberti (Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| R Brian Mckee DVM | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Katherine McKee Mote | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Susan J McKee | VP/Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Sharon Hays Herrera | VP/TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
| Bruce E McKee | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Philip Russell McKee | VP/Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Helen Lund Yancey | President-Treas | 2 | — |
| Catherine Cohen Payne | VP/Secretary | 2 | — |
| Robert E McKee IV | VP/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| C Steven McKee | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Jackie Tatum Lamberti | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Linda Hays Gunter | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Karen L McKee | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| HA Al Woods | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Paul Alan Woods | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
| Garrett Yancey | Trustee | 0.1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported notable community projects including:
**El Paso Museum of Art:** Funding for the Star Ceiling installation by Leo Villareal in the Downtown Cultural Arts District
**La Nube Children's Museum:** Support for creating a welcoming environment for families with children who have special needs, including purchase of sensory sensitive resources and sensory backpacks
**Law N Paws Animal Rescue:** Ongoing support for rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of severely abused and neglected animals
**The Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation:** Support for the annual B STRONG Shoe Giveaway program
The foundation continues to adhere to the basic principles and desires of its founders, Robert Eugene McKee Sr. and Evelyn McKee, as guided by trustees who maintain close knowledge of the founders' charitable goals.
McKee Foundation Awards Research Grant to TTUHSC El Paso\u2019s Southwest\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation fund?
The foundation's purpose is to use its funds exclusively within the United States for the benefit of charitable, educational, religious, medical, community funds, and civic institutions. None of its funds inure to the benefit of any private individual or political entity. Primary funding focus areas include: • Local hospitals and medical research • Community funds • Rehabilitation and services for the handicapped • Religious organizations • Higher and other education • Youth agencies and youth …
How do I apply for a grant from Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 41-63 grants awarded annually (based on recent filings) • Median grant size: $10,000 • Grant range: $2,000–$106,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Grant Examples:** • Church of St Clement of El Paso Texas: $40,000 (McKee Chapel Maintenance and HVAC System replacement) • Habitat for Humanity of El Paso: $30,000 (house repair for low-income elderly or disabled residents) • TTUHSC El Paso's Southwest Brain Bank: $20,000 (research grant) **Application Process:**
Where does Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, with particular emphasis on the El Paso area. Selected grants are also provided to organizations in New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Colorado. Funding extends to cities including El Paso, Austin, Dallas, and Santa Fe.
What size grants does Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation awarded 41 grants totaling $467K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $638K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation's EIN?
Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6036675. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert E & Evelyn McKee 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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