Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation is a private foundation based in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1950 by Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg, it supports medical and basic science research, conservation, community services, and the arts.
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation gave $13.1M across 47 grants in 2024 (avg $279K), mostly in Texas. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,127,766
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 47
- +2.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $279,314
- -9.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $109,032
- Total assets
- $242,609,804
- +6.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (15 of 47, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website directs eligible organizations to apply online and provides separate application question lists and budget forms for general and medical research requests, as well as for capital and non-capital projects. Eligible applicants include IRS-registered, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities with 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) status and public universities under section 170(c). Funding is highly competitive, and the Foundation gives priority to organizations with which it has a previous relationship. It generally does not support individuals, operating or general endowments, deficit financing, fundraising events or advertising, indirect costs allocated to projects, or other grantmaking organizations and pass-through entities. Community, health, and education organizations serving clients outside Kleberg and adjoining South Texas counties are generally not supported. Medical research study applications or pre-requests from organizations that have not received funding in the past ten years are not being accepted. Project support beyond three years is generally not considered. Capital requests are rarely supported and should be discussed with Foundation staff before an application.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists annual spring and fall application windows of February 1–March 31 and August 1–September 30. The Foundation’s 2024 filing, by contrast, states that there are no formal deadlines for grant requests.
- Deadline
- The website lists annual spring and fall application windows of February 1–March 31 and August 1–September 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Ms Margret Bamford
Mailing address: 112 E Pecan Street Ste 1025, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 271-3691
Website: https://klebergfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Kleberg Foundation: Community Services Grant
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kleberg Foundation: Medical Research Grant
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $8.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
217 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 217 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2024 filing says there are no geographic restrictions, but that South Texas organizations are preferred for grants outside its stated areas of biomedical research, veterinary science, and wildlife. Its website generally excludes community, health, and education organizations serving clients outside Kleberg and adjoining counties of South Texas. In 2024, 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, followed by California at 12%, Pennsylvania at 9%, Maryland at 6%, and Massachusetts at 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 47 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $192K; repeat grants $320K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $211K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.7M (2020) to $14.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 47 grants totaling $13.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Support Medical Study | $1,223,568 |
| University of California San Fransisco, CA | Charitable | $1,020,614 |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX | Support Medical Studies | $1,000,000 |
| Rice University Houston, TX | Support Medical Study | $994,380 |
| Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $838,567 |
| University of Texas MD Anderson Houston, TX | Support Medical Studies | $657,003 |
| University of Texas Austin Austin, TX | Charitable | $624,843 |
| Foundation of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston, MA | Charitable | $600,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN | Support Medical Study | $583,333 |
| Stanford University Board of Trustees of the Lela Palo Alto, CA | Charitable | $500,000 |
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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 | $242,609,804 | $29,045,761 | $15,135,374 | $13,127,766 | 47 | $13,260,091 | $27,154,612 | $14,381,273 |
| 2023 | $228,649,086 | $23,035,418 | $17,137,275 | $14,250,802 | 46 | $14,383,604 | $20,863,598 | $13,380,468 |
| 2022 | $221,326,840 | $9,790,777 | $17,505,259 | $14,737,830 | 43 | $14,857,285 | $7,463,289 | $14,156,928 |
| 2021 | $227,820,176 | $32,756,087 | $15,763,808 | $13,007,378 | 41 | $13,128,369 | $29,712,127 | $15,143,101 |
| 2020 | $210,329,219 | $11,372,139 | $14,657,754 | $12,660,306 | 40 | — | $9,423,727 | $12,828,188 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve the world through the advancement of knowledge in medical and basic science research, conservation, community services, and the arts. Its website identifies medical research, community services, arts and humanities, and wildlife, conservation, and animal science as funding areas. Its 2024 filing also says the governing instrument requests support for biomedical research, veterinary science, and wildlife, while noting that organizations in South Texas are preferred when grants support other purposes.
The 2024 grants included support for medical studies, health care programs, research studies, and charitable purposes. Grantees represent a range of organizations. For example, Baylor College of Medicine describes its mission as advancing human health through patient care, research, education, and community services; Willacy County EMS describes its work as providing ambulance service for Willacy County and the surrounding area; and Boys and Girls Club of Kingsville says its program develops boys and girls in Kingsville.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 47 grants totaling $13,127,766. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,223,568, with a median of $109,032.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,223,568 to Baylor College of Medicine for medical study; $1,020,614 to the University of California for a charitable purpose; $1,000,000 to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for medical studies; and $994,380 to Rice University for medical study. Other notable grants included $838,567 to Thomas Jefferson University for a charitable purpose and $657,003 to the University of Texas MD Anderson for medical studies.
The Foundation’s website says applications are submitted online during two annual cycles. The 2025 application instructions list spring submissions from February 1 through March 31 and fall submissions from August 1 through September 30. Those 2026 cycle windows have passed as of October 2, 2026. The website says decisions are made in early June or early December and that an award agreement must be signed to accept payment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Helen C. Alexander as president; Emory A. Hamilton as vice-president and treasurer; John D. Alexander Jr. as vice-president and secretary; Dorothy A. Matz as vice-president; and Caroline A. Forgason, Henrietta K. Alexander, Helen A. Hamilton, and John D. Alexander III as directors.
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation is led by Helen C. Alexander, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Helen C. Alexander
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline A. Forgason
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henrietta K. Alexander
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helen A Hamilton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John D Alexander III
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy A. Matz
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emory A. Hamilton
V & P - Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John D. Alexander Jr.
V & P - Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Helen K. Groves (2020–2022) — Director · Filing note: Deceased
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.
Frequently asked questions about Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation
How much does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation give each year?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation gave $13.1M across 47 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $14.3M across 46 grants.
What is Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $109,032, and its average grant was $279,314, across 47 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation that year got $192K on average.
Where does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation give grants?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (12%) and Pennsylvania (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Corpus Christi, TX (11 grants), Houston, TX (7 grants), San Antonio, TX (7 grants) and Kingsville, TX (5 grants).
Does Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (15 grants), "Support Medical Study" (5 grants) and "Youth Programs" (3 grants).
Who are Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($1,223,568), University of California ($1,020,614) and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation?
Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation reported $242.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14.4M (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 Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve the world through the advancement of knowledge in medical and basic science research, conservation, community services, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation?
The website directs eligible organizations to apply online and provides separate application question lists and budget forms for general and medical research requests, as well as for capital and non-capital projects. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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). Robert J & Helen C Kleberg Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-j-and-helen-c-kleberg-foundation-morg_7c94f276208c4e01b7a3b89dc612b897
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746044810_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert J \& Helen C Kleberg Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-j-and-helen-c-kleberg-foundation-morg_7c94f276208c4e01b7a3b89dc612b897},
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 Robert J & Helen C Kleberg 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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