The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, established in 1988. It supports education, medical research, human services, cultural arts and civic assets, with a stated focus on strengthening Houston as a place of opportunity, innovation, resilience and community vitality.
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation at a glance
In short: The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation gave $13.8M across 68 grants in 2024 (avg $203K), mostly in Texas. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,813,073
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 68
- -28.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $203,133
- +43.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $99,001
- Total assets
- $330,644,221
- +12.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (6 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (74% 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 Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Applications are by invitation only. Organizations must confirm eligibility and complete a pre-application; if there is sufficient alignment, the foundation may invite a full proposal. Eligible organizations are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities; private foundations and governmental units are not eligible. Renewal applications may be considered after an annual progress report is submitted within 30 days of the prior gift’s anniversary. The foundation will not review applications from an organization more often than once every 12 months, or multi-year requests submitted within 24 months of the last payment of a prior multi-year grant.
- Contact
Mailing address: 109 N Post Oak Lane Suite 600, Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 336-7884
Website: https://www.mcnairfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($6.6M across 22 grants). Together the top 10 received $12.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
434 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 196 grants of 434 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its grantmaking as supporting programs that strengthen Houston. In 2024, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 25% to recipients in South Carolina; Michigan accounted for 1%, while Virginia and Oregon each accounted for 0%. Examples of Texas recipients include Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and the University of Texas Foundation; the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation and Columbia College were among the South Carolina recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 68 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 42 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $131K; repeat grants $362K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $11.6M (2022) to $14.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 68 grants totaling $13.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Univ of South Carolina Educational Foundation Columbia, SC | McNair Scholars (Fall 2024 scholarships+$279,999.99 admin+$130,391.88 enrich) | $1,004,392 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | McNair Scholar (Q. Zhao) | $950,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | McNair Scholar (Q. Zhao) | $750,000 |
| Univ of South Carolina Educational Foundation Columbia, SC | McNair Scholars (Spring 2024+MSE). | $652,000 |
| Columbia College Columbia, SC | College Park UMC renovation. | $625,000 |
| Columbia College Columbia, SC | College Park UMC renovation. | $625,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Cannabinoids as Adjuncts for Reducing Pain and Opioid Use (C. Verrico). | $567,233 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Neuromodulation (Harmony-W. Goodman) | $542,208 |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX | McNair Scholar (Vishnu Cuddapah) | $500,000 |
| The University of Texas Foundation Houston, TX | MD Anderson McNair Scholar (C. Patel) | $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 | $330,644,221 | $169,030,389 | $18,373,924 | $13,813,073 | 68 | $14,532,443 | $167,508,280 | $13,241,948 |
| 2023 | $293,960,260 | $17,020,766 | $15,558,235 | $13,455,328 | 95 | $14,404,735 | $14,949,608 | $13,592,339 |
| 2022 | $257,241,954 | $30,532,379 | $13,658,108 | $11,576,855 | 78 | $12,356,752 | $27,528,650 | $13,480,934 |
| 2021 | $324,334,120 | $14,782,329 | $15,663,237 | $13,861,140 | 94 | $14,596,334 | $12,913,572 | $14,090,952 |
| 2020 | $265,323,874 | $38,550,718 | $16,026,173 | $14,406,040 | 99 | — | $37,896,945 | $10,408,431 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.2M 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
The foundation states that its mission is to support education, medical research, Christian stewardship and the founding principles of America. Its website describes the an individual recipient initiative as helping students reach their potential and the McNair Medical Institute as focused on improving the quality of care while seeking cures. The foundation’s filing says the Medical Institute’s research programs are intended to establish translational medical and science research projects.
Its 2024 grants included support for universities and medical organizations. Baylor College of Medicine describes its mission as advancing human health through patient care, research, education and community services. Texas Children’s Hospital describes its mission as creating a healthier future for children and women through patient care, education and research. The University of Texas Foundation says it advances education through financial support for the University of Texas System and its institutions. Columbia College describes its mission as providing educational opportunities that develop critical thought, lifelong learning, personal responsibility, service and social justice.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 68 grants totaling $13,813,073. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,004,392, with a median of $99,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,004,392 to the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation for an individual recipient, and grants of $950,000 and $750,000 to Baylor College of Medicine for a McNair Scholar. The foundation also reported two $625,000 grants to Columbia College for a College Park UMC renovation; $567,233 to Baylor College of Medicine for research on cannabinoids as adjuncts for reducing pain and opioid use; $542,208 to Baylor College of Medicine for neuromodulation; and $500,000 each to Texas Children’s Hospital for a McNair Scholar and the University of Texas Foundation for an MD Anderson McNair Scholar. The foundation says it does not fund individual scholarship recipients; recipient universities select scholarship recipients.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Janice S. McNair as Chair, Holly Alvis as Vice Chair, Kristi S. Cooper as Executive Director and Meghan Blanton as President. It also lists Palmetto Trust Company LLC as Trustee. The foundation’s filing states that Dr. Neblett serves as Medical Director, overseeing the McNair Medical Institute medical research programs.
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation is led by Kristi S. Cooper, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kristi S. Cooper
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$223K (2020) → $104K (2024)
Meghan Blanton
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2024)
Janice S McNair
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Palmetto Trust Company LLC
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Alvis
Vice Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Daniel Calhoun McNair (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Melissa Eileen McNair (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Cary McNair Jr. (2020) — Trustee, Mmi Manager & President
- Former: Ruth McNair Smith (2020) — Trustee
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 $134K, to Meghan Blanton (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
How much does The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation give each year?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation gave $13.8M across 68 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $13.5M across 95 grants.
What is The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's typical grant size?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $99,001, and its average grant was $203,133, across 68 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation that year got $131K on average.
Where does The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation give grants?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (48 grants), Columbia, SC (5 grants) and San Antonio, TX (2 grants).
Does The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 68 grants with a stated purpose on The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual operations." (14 grants).
Who are The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's largest grantees?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($6,570,181 across 22 grants), Univ of South Carolina Educational Foundation ($2,056,392 across 3 grants) and Columbia College ($1,250,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation reported $330.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to support education, medical research, Christian stewardship and the founding principles of America. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's EIN?
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-6050185. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Robert and Janice McNair 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-janice-mcnair-foundation-morg_39b93776deb244eea4a85732156c8d1c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_766050185_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-janice-mcnair-foundation-morg_39b93776deb244eea4a85732156c8d1c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Robert and Janice McNair 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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