The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation is based in Houston, Texas, and is listed with a filing type of 990T. Its 2024 grants went mostly to Texas recipients and included support for education, Jewish cultural programs, social impact, research, and the fine arts.
Key facts about The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation
In short: The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation gave $371K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 76-0204170
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $370,994
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- Average grant
- $10,600
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $2,658,529
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.7M
-6.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$371K
-96.1% YoY
Grant Count
35
-56.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-91.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation reported a distributable amount of $232K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation gives
- 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 65% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 166% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, Jewish cultural programming, social services, health, and the arts. For example, Jewish Family Service describes its mission as transforming lives by empowering individuals, families, and communities, guided by Jewish values. Houston Grand Opera says its mission is to enrich its diverse community through the art of opera, while the Houston Symphony Endowment supports the operations of the Houston Symphony Society.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 35 grants totaling $370,994. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $500. The largest grant was $250,000 to Wonderland Educational Estate Association for education programs. Other large grants included $41,900 to the Irvin M. Shlenker School of Congregation Beth Israel for Jewish cultural purposes, $11,164 to Jewish Family Service for social impact, and $11,000 to the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program for research institutes.
Ready to take the next step with The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% to recipients in New York. The reported shares for recipients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania were each 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $225K (2021) to $9.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $371K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wonderland Educational Estate Association ($250K). Together the top 10 received $349K.
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 178 grants of 188 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wonderland Educational Estate Association Houston, TX | Education Programs | $250,000 |
| The Irvin M Shlenker School of Congregation Beth Israel Houston, TX | Jewish Cultural | $41,900 |
| Jewish Family Service Houston, TX | Social Impact | $11,164 |
| Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program Beaumont, TX | Research Institiutes | $11,000 |
| Houston Symphony Endowment Houston, TX | Fine Arts | $10,000 |
| Chabad at Rice Inc Houston, TX | Jewish Cultural | $5,000 |
| Children's Museum of Houston Houston, TX | Fine Arts | $5,000 |
| Happy Lungs Project Austin, TX | Health Support | $5,000 |
| Houston Food Bank Houston, TX | Annual Fund | $5,000 |
| Houston Grand Opera Association Inc Houston, TX | Fine Arts | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,658,529 | $218,447 | $396,727 | $370,994 | 35 |
| 2023 | $2,836,809 | $353,115 | $9,634,545 | $9,586,917 | 80 |
| 2022 | $3,164,577 | $571,779 | $2,704,695 | $2,640,378 | 66 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,658,529 | $2,836,809 | $3,164,577 |
| Revenue | $218,447 | $353,115 | $571,779 |
| Expenses | $396,727 | $9,634,545 | $2,704,695 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $385,377 | $9,613,805 | $2,661,133 |
| Net Investment Income | $209,964 | $340,138 | $558,489 |
| Distributable Amount | $231,585 | $447,912 | $878,530 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joan Alexander as CEO/President, Andrew M. Alexander as Director, Kevin B. Alexander as Secretary/Treasurer, and Amy B. Alexander as Director.
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation is led by Joan Alexander, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joan Alexander
CEO & President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy B. Alexander
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew M. Alexander
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin B. Alexander
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Stanford Alexander (2020–2021) — Chairman
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 203 Timberwilde, Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 464-5366
Website: https://alexanderjfs.org
Frequently asked questions about The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation
How much does The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation give each year?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation gave $371K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.6M across 80 grants.
What is The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's typical grant size?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $10,600, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation give grants?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (17 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and Bellaire, TX (2 grants).
Does The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Social Impact" (10 grants), "Fine Arts" (6 grants) and "Jewish Cultural" (5 grants).
Who are The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's largest grantees?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Wonderland Educational Estate Association ($250,000), The Irvin M Shlenker School of Congregation Beth Israel ($41,900) and Jewish Family Service ($11,414 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $385K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $232K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, Jewish cultural programming, social services, health, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check alexanderjfs.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's EIN?
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0204170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
MD Anderson Foundation
Houston, TX
The MD Anderson Foundation funds tax-exempt organizations working in health and medicine, education, arts and culture, and improving the lives of underserved people, primarily in Houston and Harris County, Texas. In 2024, grants ranged from $7,500 to $360,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts written applications from tax-exempt organizations; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
75
Total Given
$6.2M
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
Mechia Foundation
Beaumont, TX
The Mechia Foundation supports education, arts and culture, health, and other community needs, with most funding going to Texas organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $42,250, with a median of $1,100. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
234
Total Given
$729K
Houston Jewish Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Houston Jewish Community Foundation funds community needs, education, youth, older adults, basic needs, health, and other charitable projects, with a strong focus on Houston and Greater Houston; its broader grantmaking also reaches organizations nationally. Its 2025 grants had a median of $14,000, while its 2024 competitive community-grant cycle awarded over $227,000 to 30 organizations. It accepts unsolicited requests through its community-grant program, starting with a Grant Abstract.
Assets
$179.9M
Grants
269
Total Given
$24.7M
Houston Endowment Inc
Houston, TX
Houston Endowment funds public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces, supporting work that benefits people in Greater Houston, including Harris County and its contiguous counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $5 million, with a median of $125,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
355
Total Given
$99.6M
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
Albert & Ethel Herzstein
Houston, TX
The foundation funds qualified nonprofits working in education, youth development, community services, heritage preservation, and related areas, with preference for Houston-area and Texas organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $1 million, with a median of $10,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application on a rolling basis, limited to one request per organization in any 12-month period.
Assets
$132.3M
Grants
320
Total Given
$5.9M
Vivian L Smith Foundation
Houston, TX
The Vivian L Smith Foundation supports qualifying nonprofit organizations across charitable fields, including education, health care, youth services, and family support; it does not fund individuals. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000, and nearly all grant dollars went to Texas, though it reports no geographic restrictions. It accepts requests without a required form; applicants must state the purpose and provide proof of qualifying status.
Assets
$69.1M
Grants
189
Total Given
$4.5M
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
Strake Foundation
Houston, TX
The Strake Foundation supports organizations in education, health, youth programs, and outdoor recreation, with most of its giving going to Texas organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $600,000, with a median of $10,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$47.3M
Grants
203
Total Given
$3.4M
The Powell Foundation
Houston, TX
The Powell Foundation funds public education, the arts, conservation, and human services, with a focus on Harris, Travis, and Walker Counties, Texas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $1.5 million, with a median grant of $15,000. Organizations can submit an online pre-application; full applications are by invitation.
Assets
$491.9M
Grants
271
Total Given
$20.4M
More Funders in Texas
The Stanford & Joan Alexander Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?