The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation
The William A and Madeline Welder Smith is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. It supports charitable organizations through grants, including organizations working in medical research, education, social services, and the arts.
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation at a glance
In short: The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation gave $822K across 40 grants in 2026 (avg $21K), mostly in Texas. 19% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $821,985
- -0.1% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 40
- -2.4% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $20,550
- +2.4% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $16,296,990
- +6.6% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (6 of 31, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Texas (87% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5718 Westheimer Rd Suite 1900, Houston, TX 77057
Phone: (713) 260-5230
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ($115K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $460K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($51,985), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 209 grants of 225 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 4% to Ohio, 3% to California, and 2% to Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 6 of 31 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 71% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−8%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 87% 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 (2021–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $713K (2021) to $892K (2023). In 2026 it made 40 grants totaling $822K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer Research - Dr. James Yao | $55,000 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Jacquelyn M Royce Endowed Scholarship | $50,000 |
| University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Prostate cancer moonshot program - dr. Chris logothetis research | $50,000 |
| Council on Recovery Houston, TX | Treatment/Recovery Services in Memory of Anne Shallenberger | $40,000 |
| Seeds of Hope Encinitas, CA | Education | $40,000 |
| Broken Halos Flower Mound, TX | The Haven | $35,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Houston, TX | At the Direction of Dr. Joe Aoun | $30,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $51,985 |
| Caney Baptist Church Streetman, TX | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Pathways for Little Feet Houston, TX | Adoption Grants in Memory of Anne Shallenberger | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $16,296,990 | $2,081,556 | $1,073,361 | $821,985 | 40 | $946,448 | $1,980,554 | $1,088,116 |
| 2025 | $15,288,799 | $1,423,725 | $1,022,700 | $822,985 | 41 | $929,860 | $1,343,209 | $982,562 |
| 2024 | $14,887,774 | $873,652 | $1,023,617 | $795,400 | 45 | $925,181 | $781,216 | $911,310 |
| 2023 | $15,037,739 | $843,889 | $1,145,451 | $892,465 | 50 | $1,010,004 | $726,823 | $858,874 |
| 2022 | $15,339,301 | $1,114,450 | $953,974 | $739,025 | 49 | $859,728 | $1,034,633 | $976,126 |
| 2021 | $15,178,825 | $827,839 | $923,997 | $713,420 | 44 | — | $738,092 | $904,378 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for cancer research, physician training, scholarships and tuition, social services, and the arts. For example, Baylor University describes its mission as educating students for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment. Alley Theatre says its mission is to inspire and enchant lives through theatrical experiences centered on its Resident Acting Company.
Other 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Texas Heart Institute describes its work as reducing the toll of cardiovascular disease through research, education, and patient care. Pathways for Little Feet says it works to reduce financial barriers to adoption and foster care through assistance and family support.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 41 grants totaling $822,985. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $70,000, with a median award of $20,000. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 40 grants totaling $821,985.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $70,000 to University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer research, $50,000 to The University of Texas at Austin for the Briscoe Center, and $50,000 to MD Anderson for prostate cancer research. Other notable awards included $40,000 to Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation for training Texas physicians; $35,000 to Council on Recovery; and $30,000 to Baylor University for the Jacquelyn M Royce Endowed Scholarship. Alley Theatre and Amazing Place each received $25,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists H Michael Tyson, Joe E Coleman, Joseph W Royce, Dee S Osborne, Anne McCullough Shallenberger, and Holly Cole as co-trustees.
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's 2026 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Dee S. Osborne
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$19K (2021) → $22K (2026)
H. Michael Tyson
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$19K (2021) → $22K (2026)
Joe E. Coleman
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$19K (2021) → $22K (2026)
Holly Royce Cole
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2025
3 hrs/week
$6K (2025) → $22K (2026)
Allison A. Garner
Co-Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
3 hrs/week
$22K (2026)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Anne McCullough Shallenberger (2021–2025) — Co-Trustee
- Former: Joseph W. Royce (2021–2025) — Co-Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $22K, to Joe E Coleman (Co-Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation
How much does The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation give each year?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation gave $822K across 40 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $823K across 41 grants.
What is The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's typical grant size?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,550, across 40 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation give grants?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (22 grants) and Austin, TX (3 grants).
Does The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's largest grantees?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ($115,000 across 3 grants), Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation ($60,000 across 4 grants) and Baylor University ($50,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($51,985), which are not listed by name. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation reported $16.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $946K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (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 William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for cancer research, physician training, scholarships and tuition, social services, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation?
The foundation 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 William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's EIN?
The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-6076267. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-a-and-madeline-welder-smith-foundation-morg_a6442e86baf847cb9dad64b61e5fe4d4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_766076267_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-a-and-madeline-welder-smith-foundation-morg_a6442e86baf847cb9dad64b61e5fe4d4},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-03. 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 William a and Madeline Welder Smith 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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