Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation
The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2002 and based in Houston, Texas. Named after the parents of the Chao siblings who lead it, the foundation supports cultural, civic, and higher education institutions across the United States, with particular emphasis on Texas. The foundation is closely connected to Westlake Corporation, one of North America's largest producers of low-density polyethylene, through its leadership.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.2M
+6.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$28.8M
+7.9% YoY
Grant Count
169
-4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$170K
+12.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation furthers cultural, civic, and higher education institutions across the United States. The foundation makes strategic investments across multiple areas without formally named grant programs, supporting organizations in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $100 to $3,000,000
Average Grant
$162,300
Invitation Only
** Invitation only; the foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed contact information for grant applications.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, New York, and California. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 24 states, with Texas, New York, and Massachusetts accounting for approximately 60% of all grants. The foundation has supported 247 unique organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $27.4–$30.0 million (as of 2023–2024)
Annual Giving:
- 2023: $26.7–$27.0 million
- 2024: $29.2–$51.3 million (reported figures vary by source)
Revenue (2023):
- Total grants and contributions: $27.0 million
- Investment income and dividends: $669,277
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $430,163
- Total revenues: $28.0 million
Expenses (2023): $27.1 million
Liabilities (2023): $0
Historical Growth: Total assets grew from $14.4 million in 2011 to approximately $29.2 million by 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,163,219 | $27,445,259 | $26,510,503 |
| Revenue | $31,197,654 | $28,005,470 | $26,108,691 |
| Expenses | $29,462,717 | $27,070,714 | $25,999,033 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $29,198,229 | $26,935,643 | $25,806,232 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,477,756 | $878,661 | $1,946,075 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,542,540 | $1,641,354 | $1,574,816 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Asia Society Texas Center ($1,000,000), Direct Relief ($1,000,000), Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($600,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 19TH NEWS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ACTIVATE GLOBAL INC BERKELEY, CA | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $125,000 |
| ALLEY THEATRE HOUSTON, TX | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ALLEY THEATRE HOUSTON, TX | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $62,500 |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES INC HOUSTON, TX | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $500 |
| AMERICAN BRAIN FOUNDATION MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN CLEANUP FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN HOSPITAL OF PARIS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT | $283,585 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by three Chao siblings who are prominent business leaders:
- Dorothy Jenkins – President
- Albert Chao – Vice President & Secretary
- James Chao – Vice President & Treasurer
- Nicole Ellis – Grants Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT CHAO | VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| JAMES CHAO | VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 5 | — |
| DOROTHY JENKINS | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Rice University announced the establishment of Chao College as its 12th residential college, reflecting the foundation's significant support for the institution.
Rice announces Chao College as 12th residential college\n - The Rice\The Ringling Center for Asian Art was renamed in honor of the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, recognizing the foundation's commitment to Asian art and cultural programming.
Ringling Center for Asian Art Renamed for Chao Foundation - SRQ Daily OctThe foundation presented the Matter & Motion Chemistry and Physics Hall at an institution, supporting scientific education and research infrastructure.
The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation presents The Matter & MotionSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation fund?
The foundation furthers cultural, civic, and higher education institutions across the United States. The foundation makes strategic investments across multiple areas without formally named grant programs, supporting organizations in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services.
How do I apply for a grant from Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation?
**Application Process:** Invitation only; the foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed contact information for grant applications. **Grant Range:** $100 to $3,000,000 **Grant Activity (2023):** • Number of awards: 175 grants • Total giving: $26.7 million • Median grant: $25,000–$40,000 • Average grant: $162,300 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Wellesley College: $2,000,000 (Science Center and Math…
Where does Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, New York, and California. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 24 states, with Texas, New York, and Massachusetts accounting for approximately 60% of all grants. The foundation has supported 247 unique organizations.
What size grants does Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation award?
In 2024, Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation awarded 169 grants totaling $28.8M — an average of about $170K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation's EIN?
Ting Tsung & Wei Fong Chao Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0005201. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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