The Elkins Foundation
The Elkins Foundation is a private foundation established in 1956 by Margaret Wiess Elkins and James A. Elkins, Jr., based in Houston, Texas. The foundation is dedicated to strengthening the Houston community and the Greater Gulf Coast region through philanthropic support of diverse organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$202.4M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.6M
+5.9% YoY
Grant Count
89
-11.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$175K
+18.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to "enrich the quality of life for individuals from all walks of life" by supporting educational, healthcare, cultural, community, and religious organizations located in and serving Houston and the Greater Gulf Coast.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education (elementary, secondary, higher education, and medical education)
- Healthcare (in-patient medical care, hospital care, diseases and conditions)
- Science and technology
- Public safety and disaster management
- Religion
- Human services (family services, child welfare, child development)
Grantmaking
The foundation prioritizes specific capital needs and projects over ongoing operational support. Applications are submitted through an online portal.
Grant Range
** $5,000 to $2,000,000
Review Cycle
** Single annual cycle with applications accepted January through June 30. Decisions typically made by October 31, with a decision timeline of 3-4 months.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus: Houston and the Greater Gulf Coast region of Texas
Secondary focus areas: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $202.4 million (2024)
- Total Giving: $15.6 million (2024)
- Total Revenue: $15.6 million (2024)
- Total Expenses: $17.9 million (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $202,414,363 | $204,396,739 | $205,514,799 |
| Revenue | $15,642,974 | $16,766,495 | $22,495,248 |
| Expenses | $17,921,978 | $16,784,708 | $15,399,989 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $15,810,312 | $14,914,506 | $13,791,851 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,891,321 | $9,261,115 | $19,958,753 |
| Distributable Amount | $17,504,558 | $15,773,524 | $14,917,841 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Elkins Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Leslie E. Sasser – President & Trustee
- Virginia A. Elkins – Vice President & Trustee
- Elise E. Joseph – Vice President & Trustee
- Larry Medford – Secretary & Treasurer
- Rinda Corbin – Trustee
The foundation is now led by third-generation family members and operates with an 11-member Associate Board. All trustees serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIRGINIA A ELKINS | VICE PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ELISE E JOSEPH | VICE PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LESLIE E SASSER | PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LARRY MEDFORD | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 3737 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 750, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-652-2020
Website: www.theelkinsfoundation.org
Primary Contacts: Kira Elbert or Lacie Brawner
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Elkins Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities