The Cowles Memorial foundation concentrates its funding on private education institutions in Texas—most prominently higher education and independent preparatory schools in the San Antonio area—with a smaller allocation to biomedical research. Grants are large and targeted, often given repeatedly to the same institutions to support school operations or institutional priorities. The foundation appears to prioritize sustaining established, tuition-driven schools and a regional biomedical research institute rather than broad-based community programs.
Cowles Memorial 486004AC8’s recent giving is anchored by repeated, large grants to a small set of San Antonio institutions, especially Trinity University and St. Mary’s Hall. The pattern shows a foundation focused on sustaining established private education organizations rather than spreading support across many recipients. In three consecutive years, Trinity University received seven-figure-level support each year, while St. Mary’s Hall also appeared repeatedly with sizable school-support grants. That consistency suggests long-term institutional backing is central to the funder’s approach. The portfolio also includes Texas Biomedical Research Institute, adding a research component to the education-heavy pattern. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s awards are large relative to typical nonprofit grants, with funding concentrated in Texas and directed to tuition-driven schools and one biomedical research organization. The grant purposes are concise and operational in tone, centered on school support and research foundation support rather than project-specific or time-limited initiatives.
Private higher education is a core area of support. Trinity University in San Antonio received $832,429 in 2023, $799,726 in 2024, and $814,168 in 2025, all labeled support school. Independent K-12 education is also central: St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio received $237,837 in 2023, $228,493 in 2024, and $232,620 in 2025 for support school. The foundation also backs biomedical research through Texas Biomedical Research Institute, which received $118,918 in 2023, $114,247 in 2024, and $116,310 in 2025 for support research foundation. The grants point to institutional support for organizations with ongoing operating needs.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $146,312, the median is $233,165, and the 75th percentile is $659,254. The recent record shows recurring support to the same institutions across 2023, 2024, and 2025 rather than one-off awards. Leadership is listed as BOKF NA, and the foundation does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant descriptions emphasize support for schools and a research foundation, consistent with institutional operating or capacity support.
$1.2M
$17.5M
$1.5M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $146K and $659K, with a median of $233K.
25th Percentile
$146K
Median
$233K
75th Percentile
$659K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in TX.
BOKF NA
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Highly concentrated giving: few, large grants focused on a small set of repeat grantees; likely multi-year or major gifts directed to institutional support rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Trinity University, St. Mary’s Hall, Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Giving is concentrated in Texas, which is the top state by grant count. The recipient city that appears most often is San Antonio, with grants landing at Trinity University, St. Mary’s Hall, and Texas Biomedical Research Institute. All of the recent grants listed went to U.S. recipients, and none were recorded for Oklahoma recipients despite the foundation’s Tulsa headquarters. The geographic pattern is regional and tightly focused rather than broad across multiple states.
The recent grants are concentrated in private education institutions and one biomedical research organization. Trinity University, St. Mary’s Hall, and Texas Biomedical Research Institute all received repeated support, with grant purposes labeled support school or support research foundation.
Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $146,312, the median is $233,165, and the 75th percentile is $659,254. Recent awards range from the low $100,000s to more than $800,000.
Yes. Trinity University, St. Mary’s Hall, and Texas Biomedical Research Institute each appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing a recurring pattern of support to the same institutions across multiple years.
Most grants go to Texas, and the named recipient city that appears repeatedly is San Antonio. The recent grants list shows all U.S. recipients, with no recipients in Oklahoma.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRINITY UNIVERSITY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $814,168 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| ST MARY'S HALL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $232,620 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $116,310 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH FOUNDATION |
| TRINITY UNIVERSITY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $799,726 | 2024 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| ST MARY'S HALL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $228,493 | 2024 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $114,247 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH FOUNDATION |
| TRINITY UNIVERSITY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $832,429 | 2023 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| ST MARY'S HALL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $237,837 | 2023 | SUPPORT SCHOOL |
| TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $118,918 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH FOUNDATION |
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
$814,168SUPPORT SCHOOL
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
$799,726SUPPORT SCHOOL
SUPPORT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
$832,429SUPPORT SCHOOL