The Sarofim Foundation
The Sarofim Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2023 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Sarofim Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sarofim Foundation gave $3.6M across 64 grants in 2023 (avg $57K), mostly in Texas. 66% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $3,630,883
- +87.0% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 64
- +255.6% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $56,733
- -47.4% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $574,846,742
- +1945.8% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 66% first-time grantees (42 of 64, 2023)
- Primary geography
- Texas (94% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sarofim Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Raye G White
Mailing address: PO Box 52830, Houston, TX 77052-2830
Phone: (713) 654-4484
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sarofim Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Episcopal High School ($810K). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 105 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas. The remaining reported shares were New York at 2%, and Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island at 1% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Sarofim Foundation open to new grantees?
66%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 42 of 64 grantees (66%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $103K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 23% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 39% 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 (2021–2023). 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 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2021) to $3.6M (2023). In 2023 it made 64 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Episcopal High School Bellaire, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $810,000 |
| United Way of Greater Houston Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $375,000 |
| The Museum of Fine Arts Houston Houston, TX | $100,000 for 2022 grand gala ball; remainder general charitable purposes | $311,258 |
| Awty International School Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $200,000 |
| Alley Theatre Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $175,000 |
| The Menil Collection Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $150,000 |
| Houston Ballet Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $125,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $125,000 |
| Houston Food Bank Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $100,000 |
| Houston Grand Opera Houston, TX | General Charitable Purposes | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sarofim 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $574,846,742 | $501,433,307 | $4,809,409 | $3,630,883 | 64 | $3,783,125 | $102,891,288 | $9,793,508 |
| 2022 | $28,099,480 | $21,865,705 | $1,967,588 | $1,942,000 | 18 | $1,942,000 | $1,854,811 | $2,327,640 |
| 2021 | $8,225,415 | $1,739,610 | $1,846,477 | $1,800,000 | 23 | — | $1,730,358 | $1,960,451 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sarofim Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.8M for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, United Way of Greater Houston describes its mission as improving lives, strengthening the community, and creating opportunities to prosper. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston says it connects Houston communities with art through its collections, exhibitions, learning programs, conservation, and research. Alley Theatre describes its work as inspiring and enchanting lives through theatrical experiences.
Other 2023 recipients included Houston Food Bank, whose stated mission is to provide food for better lives; Thrive with Autism, which says it cultivates an environment providing services to help individuals with autism thrive; and Star of Hope Mission, which says it serves people facing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, the foundation reported 64 grants totaling $3,630,883. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $810,000, with a median of $25,000. Among the largest were $810,000 to Episcopal High School, $375,000 to United Way of Greater Houston, $311,258 to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, $200,000 to Awty International School, and $175,000 to Alley Theatre. The museum’s grant included $100,000 for its 2022 Grand Gala Ball, with the remainder for general charitable purposes; the other listed grants were for general charitable purposes.
The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It also describes a review process requiring applicants to provide information on nonprofit formation, tax-exempt and public-charity status, governance, charitable activities, finances, and key personnel. If approved by the trustees, an applicant must enter into a grant letter agreement confirming its public-charity status and proposed use of funds. The filing says grants are limited to IRS-recognized tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) and Sections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), and 509(a)(3); it excludes private foundations, private operating foundations, and individuals, including individual scholarship recipients. Because the filing is marked final, these instructions should not be treated as current application guidance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing listed Christopher B. Sarofim, Raye G. White, and William Gentry Lee Jr. as trustees.
The Sarofim Foundation's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Christopher B. Sarofim
Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Raye G. White
Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
William Gentry Lee Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Fayez Sarofim (2021–2022) — Trustee · Filing note: Through 5282022
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "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 Sarofim Foundation
How much does The Sarofim Foundation give each year?
The Sarofim Foundation gave $3.6M across 64 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $1.9M across 18 grants.
What is The Sarofim Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sarofim Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $25,000, and its average grant was $56,733, across 64 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sarofim Foundation that year got $32K on average.
Where does The Sarofim Foundation give grants?
The Sarofim Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (45 grants), Bellville, TX (3 grants), Austin, TX (2 grants) and Hagerstown, MD (2 grants).
Does The Sarofim Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Sarofim Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (64 of 64) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Sarofim Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sarofim Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Episcopal High School ($810,000), United Way of Greater Houston ($375,000) and The Museum of Fine Arts Houston ($311,258), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Sarofim Foundation?
The Sarofim Foundation reported $574.8M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.8M (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 Sarofim Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, United Way of Greater Houston describes its mission as improving lives, strengthening the community, and creating opportunities to prosper. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sarofim Foundation?
The Sarofim Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check sarofimfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Sarofim Foundation's EIN?
The Sarofim Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7065248. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sarofim Foundation'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 Sarofim Foundation
Houston, TX
The Sarofim Foundation funds tax-exempt public charities working in areas including education, health care, the arts, and community services, with most of its giving in Texas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $25,000 to $8 million, with a median of $250,000. It accepts requests rather than limiting grants to preselected organizations; applicants must complete its due diligence review.
Assets
$3.2B
Grants
90
Total Given
$105.2M
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
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
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
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
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Sarofim 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.
The Sarofim Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?