The Alta and John Franks Foundation
The Alta and John Franks Foundation is a private foundation based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Its 2024 filing lists 70 grants totaling $8,651,460 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in areas such as Alzheimer’s research, history, public policy, journalism, and local community services.
The Alta and John Franks Foundation at a glance
In short: The Alta and John Franks Foundation gave $8.7M across 70 grants in 2024 (avg $124K), top state Louisiana. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,651,460
- +269.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 70
- +37.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $123,592
- +168.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $220,433,211
- +175.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (18 of 70, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (44% 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 The Alta and John Franks 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: PO Box 7625, Shreveport, LA 71137-7625
Phone: (318) 221-2688
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Alta and John Franks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $5.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
298 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 217 grants of 298 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Louisiana organizations received 44% of grant dollars, New York 17%, the District of Columbia 16%, Virginia 16%, and Illinois 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 70 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Alta and John Franks Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 70 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $117K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $41K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 579% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% 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 $1.3M (2021) to $8.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 70 grants totaling $8.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation New York, NY | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $1,000,000 |
| The National World War II Museum New Orleans, LA | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $525,000 |
| American Enterprise Institute Washington, DC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| Manhattan Institute for Policy Research New York, NY | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| North Louisiana Economic Partnership Shreveport, LA | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| Public Interest Legal Foundation Alexandria, VA | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| State Policy Network Arlington, VA | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| The Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $500,000 |
| Franklin News Foundation Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $362,700 |
| Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation Shreveport, LA | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Org | $257,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Alta and John Franks Foundation?
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 | $220,433,211 | $150,104,700 | $9,679,485 | $8,651,460 | 70 | $8,858,009 | $4,849,928 | $10,183,189 |
| 2023 | $80,031,833 | $52,431,190 | $2,860,652 | $2,344,690 | 51 | $2,426,166 | $1,714,874 | $2,907,718 |
| 2022 | $30,461,295 | $6,839,310 | $1,854,356 | $1,545,048 | 56 | $1,556,449 | $647,192 | $2,137,480 |
| 2021 | $25,476,341 | $7,439,629 | $1,544,405 | $1,273,215 | 58 | $1,286,667 | $6,047,446 | $1,673,439 |
| 2020 | $19,581,117 | $1,382,547 | $1,818,556 | $1,411,090 | 63 | — | $228,968 | $1,307,825 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Alta and John Franks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees include the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, whose mission is to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The National World War II Museum says it tells the story of the American experience in the war and aims to help generations understand the price of freedom.
Other grantees’ stated missions include providing services and representation to states and election officials, as described by the Public Interest Legal Foundation; promoting conservative public policies, as described by The Heritage Foundation; and catalyzing freedom movements anchored by independent think tanks, as described by State Policy Network. Franklin News Foundation says it promotes social welfare and civil betterment through journalism and public education. In Shreveport, grantees include Shreveport Green, which describes its work as environmental improvement and community beautification, and Volunteers for Youth Justice, which provides advocacy and diversion services to young offenders and children in foster care.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 70 grants totaling $8,651,460. Grants ranged from $100 to $1,000,000, with a median of $50,000. The listed grants generally describe their purpose as an unrestricted gift to a 501(c)(3) organization.
The largest grants included $1,000,000 to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation; $525,000 to The National World War II Museum; and $500,000 each to the American Enterprise Institute, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Public Interest Legal Foundation, State Policy Network, and The Heritage Foundation. Other listed grants included $362,700 to Franklin News Foundation, $257,000 to Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation, and $250,000 each to Foundation for Defense of Democracies and New Civil Liberties Alliance. Shreveport Green received $172,000 and Volunteers for Youth Justice received $150,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bobby E Jelks as president and director, Faith N Gilbert as secretary and director, and Diane F Marlowe as assistant secretary and director.
The Alta and John Franks Foundation is led by Bobby E. Jelks, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bobby E. Jelks
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$74K (2022) → $260K (2024)
Faith N. Gilbert
Secretary & Director
Secretary → Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$63K (2022) → $130K (2024)
Diane F. Marlowe
Assistant Secretary & Director
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$38K (2022) → $80K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Cindy B. Riley (2022–2023) — Controller
- Former: Jonathan N. Brown (2023) — It Manager
- Former: Alta V. Franks (2020–2021) — V. President
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 $260K, to Bobby E Jelks (President/ Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Alta and John Franks Foundation
How much does The Alta and John Franks Foundation give each year?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation gave $8.7M across 70 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 51 grants.
What is The Alta and John Franks Foundation's typical grant size?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $123,592, across 70 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Alta and John Franks Foundation that year got $117K on average.
Where does The Alta and John Franks Foundation give grants?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation's top state is Louisiana, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (17%) and District of Columbia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Shreveport, LA (35 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Arlington, VA (4 grants) and Baton Rouge, LA (4 grants).
Does The Alta and John Franks Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Alta and John Franks Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (70 of 70) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Alta and John Franks Foundation's largest grantees?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation ($1,000,000), The National World War II Museum ($525,000) and American Enterprise Institute ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Alta and John Franks Foundation?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation reported $220.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.2M (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 The Alta and John Franks Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees include the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, whose mission is to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Alta and John Franks 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 The Alta and John Franks Foundation's EIN?
The Alta and John Franks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7422163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Alta and John Franks 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
Other open foundation grants in Louisiana
Louisiana Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation - Phase III Grants (New Haven County) Due October 31, 2026
- CSBS Education Foundation Graduate Banking and Graduate Trust School Scholarship Award Up to $3,000 · Due December 11, 2026
- Millard Morris Founder's Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) $1,000 per year for Years 1-3 and $2,000 for Year 4 (4-year program) · Due March 15, 2027
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Alta and John Franks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-alta-and-john-franks-foundation-morg_bfb3d6dab4284943aa10262d583cfb04
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237422163_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Alta and John Franks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-alta-and-john-franks-foundation-morg_bfb3d6dab4284943aa10262d583cfb04},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 The Alta and John Franks 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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