Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation incorporated in 1950 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The foundation was established by Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg, who spent their lives working on King Ranch in South Texas. The foundation operates on a national basis with a particular focus on South Texas communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$242.6M
+6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.1M
-7.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
+2.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$279K
-9.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the world through the advancement of knowledge in medical and basic science research, conservation, community services, and the arts.
Primary funding areas include:
- Medical research
- Basic science research
- Veterinary and animal sciences
- Wildlife research and preservation
- Health services
- Higher education
- Arts and humanities
- Community services and local community organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation's ongoing relationships with universities and medical schools have contributed to significant accomplishments including the first successful bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor, the Human Genome Project, transgenesis, and personalized medicine.
Grant Range
approximately $1,000 to $150,000
Average Grant
approximately $1,000 to $150,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds on a national basis with particular emphasis on:
- South Texas communities and Kleberg County
- Adjacent South Texas regions
- Major urban centers including New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
- Numerous locations throughout Texas including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $228.6 million to $229 million
- Annual Revenue: $23 million
- Annual Expenses: $17.1 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.16 million
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since May 1952
- EIN: 74-6044810
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $242,609,804 | $228,649,086 | $221,326,840 |
| Revenue | $29,045,761 | $23,035,418 | $9,790,777 |
| Expenses | $15,135,374 | $17,137,275 | $17,505,259 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $13,260,091 | $14,383,604 | $14,857,285 |
| Net Investment Income | $27,154,612 | $20,863,598 | $7,463,289 |
| Distributable Amount | $14,381,273 | $13,380,468 | $14,156,928 |
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
217 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
Kleberg Foundation: Arts & Humanities Grant
ROBERT J & HELEN C KLEBERG FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Kleberg Foundation: Community Services Grant
ROBERT J & HELEN C KLEBERG FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Kleberg Foundation: Medical Research Grant
ROBERT J & HELEN C KLEBERG FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Baylor College of Medicine ($1,223,568), University of California ($1,020,614), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT MEDICAL STUDY | $1,223,568 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF KINGSVILLE INC KINGSVILLE, TX | YOUTH PROGRAMS | $100,000 |
| CENIKOR FOUNDATION HOUSTON, TX | CHARITABLE | $30,000 |
| FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM | $59,000 |
| HALO HOUSE FOUNDATION HOUSTON, TX | ACCOMODATING BLOOD CANCER PATIENTS AND FAMILY | $40,000 |
| SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY INC SAN ANTONIO, TX | BOTANICAL GARDEN SUPPORT | $45,000 |
| SIGHT INTO SOUND HOUSTON, TX | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
| SOUTH TEXAS FAMILY PLANNING & HEALTH CORPORATION CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | SUPPORT FAMILY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS | $77,500 |
| SOUTH TEXAS PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | SUPPORT "NOVA"NATURE" PROGRAMMING | $48,726 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELA PALO ALTO, CA | CHARITABLE | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Helen C. Alexander: President
- John D. Alexander Jr.: Principal Officer
- John Alexander: Officer
The foundation's leadership includes a volunteer board, with all members serving without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELEN C ALEXANDER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EMORY A HAMILTON | V/P - TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOHN D ALEXANDER JR | V/P - SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CAROLINE A FORGASON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HENRIETTA K ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DOROTHY A MATZ | VICE-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| Helen A Hamilton | Director | 1 | — |
| John D Alexander III | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has funded recent research initiatives including:
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment -Thomas Jefferson University research on bone destruction in metastatic breast cancer
Thomas Jefferson University Receives $1.25M Grant to Tackle Bone DestructionResearch to block drug resistance in cancer treatment
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment -Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center cancer drug discovery project
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment -Monell Center research on bacterial and viral immune responses to reduce antibiotic use
Monell Center Receives Kleberg Foundation Grant to Discriminate BacterialMonell Center research on distinctive odor characteristics of ovarian cancer
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment -Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to improve the world through the advancement of knowledge in medical and basic science research, conservation, community services, and the arts. Primary funding areas include: • Medical research • Basic science research • Veterinary and animal sciences • Wildlife research and preservation • Health services • Higher education • Arts and humanities • Community services and local community organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Since inception, the foundation has awarded approximately $403.8 million in grants • Annual distributions average around $13 million • In 2025, the foundation awarded 36 new grants totaling nearly $13 million, some of which will be disbursed in future years • Average grant size: approximately $1,000 to $150,000 **Recent Grant Examples:** • University of California: $2,103,183 (2023) • Baylor College of Medicine: $915,676 (2023) • Rice University: $800,000 (2023) • Thomas J…
Where does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds on a national basis with particular emphasis on: • South Texas communities and Kleberg County • Adjacent South Texas regions • Major urban centers including New York, San Francisco, and Seattle • Numerous locations throughout Texas including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio
What size grants does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $13.1M — an average of about $279K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's EIN?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6044810. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert J & Helen C Kleberg 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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