The Gailo Trust
The Gailo Trust is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2025 filing reports $152,700 in grants to 37 organizations, with 89% of grant dollars going to recipients in Texas.
The Gailo Trust at a glance
In short: The Gailo Trust gave $153K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Texas. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $152,700
- +3.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +12.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,127
- -7.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $647,576
- -14.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (8 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Gailo Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2505 Del Monte Dr, Houston, TX 77019
Phone: (713) 253-8140
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gailo Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alley Theatre ($63K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $135K.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 163 grants of 165 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to Texas recipients, 7% to New York, 2% to California, and 1% to Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Gailo Trust open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 28 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 75% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 141% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $87K (2022) to $153K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $153K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | Annual Commitment | $50,000 |
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Harry Ransom Center | $15,000 |
| The Menil Collection Houston, TX | General Operations | $12,500 |
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | General Operations | $10,000 |
| Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY | Annual Support | $10,000 |
| The Philosophical Society of Texas Austin, TX | Exploring the Mysteries of the Brain | $5,000 |
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Director's Initiatives | $5,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine | $5,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine | $5,000 |
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | Annual Fundraiser | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Gailo Trust?
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 | $647,576 | $42,025 | $152,700 | $152,700 | 37 | $152,700 | $41,970 | $108,455 |
| 2024 | $758,251 | $43,055 | $148,642 | $146,972 | 33 | $144,472 | $42,640 | $99,650 |
| 2023 | $863,838 | $136,931 | $132,190 | $129,700 | 31 | $129,700 | $136,931 | $91,467 |
| 2022 | $859,097 | $102,486 | $92,519 | $87,025 | 31 | $87,025 | $102,486 | $92,941 |
| 2021 | $849,130 | $153,784 | $96,271 | $93,875 | 33 | $93,875 | $148,925 | $96,979 |
| 2020 | $791,617 | $-2,819 | $100,439 | $99,716 | 35 | — | $27,983 | $84,379 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gailo Trust reported a distributable amount of $108K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in the arts, education, health care, and other areas. For example, Alley Theatre describes its mission as inspiring and enchanting lives through theatrical experiences centered on its Resident Acting Company. Sarah Lawrence College says its mission is to graduate diverse citizens of the world who take intellectual and creative risks. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast describes its work as providing health services, education, and advocacy related to sexual and reproductive health.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $152,700. Grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $1,000. Among the largest were $50,000 to Alley Theatre for an annual commitment, $15,000 to the University of Texas at Austin for the Harry Ransom Center, $12,500 to the Menil Collection for general operations, and $10,000 each to Alley Theatre for general operations and Sarah Lawrence College for annual support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lois F Stark as trustee.
The Gailo Trust is led by Lois F. Stark, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lois F. Stark
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Gailo Trust
How much does The Gailo Trust give each year?
The Gailo Trust gave $153K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $147K across 33 grants.
What is The Gailo Trust's typical grant size?
The Gailo Trust's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $4,127, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Gailo Trust that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Gailo Trust give grants?
The Gailo Trust gives mostly in Texas: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (25 grants) and Austin, TX (5 grants).
Does The Gailo Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of The Gailo Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Gailo Trust's largest grantees?
The Gailo Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Alley Theatre ($63,000 across 3 grants), The University of Texas at Austin ($21,000 across 3 grants) and The Menil Collection ($12,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Gailo Trust?
The Gailo Trust reported $648K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $153K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $108K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Gailo Trust fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in the arts, education, health care, and other areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gailo Trust?
The foundation states that it 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 Gailo Trust's EIN?
The Gailo Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6054992. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Gailo Trust 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gailo Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
The Brown Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Brown Foundation funds education, arts and culture, healthcare, human services, and civic assets, with education and the arts as top priorities and public education giving focused almost exclusively on greater Houston. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20,000 to $11 million, with a median of $50,000; it primarily supports Houston organizations and selectively funds distinctive opportunities elsewhere in Texas and beyond.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
222
Total Given
$84.3M
The Elkins Foundation
Houston, TX
The Elkins Foundation funds education, healthcare, cultural, community, and religious organizations and projects, especially those serving Houston and the Greater Gulf Coast. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $11,000 to $1.5 million, with a median of $100,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, due by June 30.
Assets
$206.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$17.3M
Houston Endowment Inc
Houston, TX
Houston Endowment funds public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces through grants benefiting people in Greater Houston. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $5 million, with a median of $125,000. It awards grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
355
Total Given
$99.6M
John P McGovern Foundation
Houston, TX
The John P. McGovern Foundation funds nonprofits working in health, the arts, and environmental enhancement and preservation, primarily in Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $10 million, with a median of $20,000. It accepts requests with a letter describing the need, proof of 501(c)(3) status, a board list, and an annual budget; there is no submission deadline.
Assets
$138.4M
Grants
244
Total Given
$23.6M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Gailo Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-gailo-trust-morg_34245b9619e64b7e8dc23edbccad0694
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746054992_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Gailo Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-gailo-trust-morg_34245b9619e64b7e8dc23edbccad0694},
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 Gailo Trust'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.
The Gailo Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?