The DeBakey Medical Foundation
The DeBakey Medical Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Houston, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $13.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $3.9M. Net investment income was $1.5M.
The DeBakey Medical Foundation at a glance
In short: The DeBakey Medical Foundation gave $3.9M across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $438K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,939,736
- +8.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $437,748
- -3.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $300,000
- Total assets
- $13,633,953
- -4.6% 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 The DeBakey Medical Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($3.2M across 6 grants). Together the top 4 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 11 grants of 35 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The DeBakey Medical Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
- In 2025 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
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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2021) to $3.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Micheal E. DeBakey Library and Museum and new medical school building | $1,999,736 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | George P. Noon, M.D. Endowed Chair in Surgery | $500,000 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Medical Humanities Program in the College of Arts and Sciences | $350,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Surgery Endowment | $300,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Construction of the Cullen Tower | $300,000 |
| The John P McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science Houston, TX | Supporting the Michael E. DeBakey Cell Lab | $200,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | Houston Methodist Endowment | $150,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Michael E. DeBakey Excellence in Research Awards | $100,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | DeBakey Summer Student Program | $40,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,633,953 | $1,966,131 | $4,592,382 | $3,939,736 | 9 | $4,144,887 | $1,536,029 | $4,519,134 |
| 2024 | $14,289,371 | $2,057,593 | $4,173,871 | $3,645,450 | 8 | $3,754,483 | $1,667,871 | $4,044,582 |
| 2023 | $14,970,152 | $1,830,239 | $3,651,521 | $3,138,188 | 5 | $3,341,076 | $1,519,794 | $3,719,402 |
| 2022 | $14,845,109 | $1,609,050 | $4,080,524 | $3,483,783 | 6 | $3,682,227 | $1,210,753 | $3,950,568 |
| 2021 | $15,094,020 | $2,706,984 | $3,313,621 | $2,725,000 | 7 | — | $2,317,573 | $3,219,858 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The DeBakey Medical Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The DeBakey Medical Foundation is led by Herbert D Short III, President & Trustee since 2022 (on filings since 2021); all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Herbert D Short III
President & Trustee
Treasurer & Trustee → President & Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $100K (2025)
Charles H McCollum
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $10K (2025)
David R Lummis
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $10K (2025)
George P Noon
Treasurer & Trustee
President & Trustee → Treasurer & Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$100K (2021) → $10K (2025)
William H Caudill
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $100K, to Dr Herbert D Short III (Pres/Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The DeBakey Medical Foundation
How much does The DeBakey Medical Foundation give each year?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation gave $3.9M across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 8 grants.
What is The DeBakey Medical Foundation's typical grant size?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $300,000, and its average grant was $437,748, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The DeBakey Medical Foundation give grants?
The DeBakey Medical 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 (8 grants).
Does The DeBakey Medical Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The DeBakey Medical Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The DeBakey Medical Foundation's largest grantees?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($3,239,736 across 6 grants), Baylor University ($350,000) and The John P McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The DeBakey Medical Foundation?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation reported $13.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (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 is The DeBakey Medical Foundation?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Houston, TX. It holds $13.6M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The DeBakey Medical Foundation's EIN?
The DeBakey Medical Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6053822. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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