The Alta and John Franks Foundation combines large national investments in conservative public-policy, legal and media organizations with significant support for civic, cultural and economic institutions in Shreveport/North Louisiana. Gifts are often unrestricted and sizable, indicating a preference for high-impact, flexible funding to established institutions — both ideologically aligned national think tanks and pragmatic local organizations. The foundation also makes occasional major gifts to biomedical research and STEM education, suggesting interest in disease research and regional workforce development.
A $1,000,000 unrestricted gift to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation stands out in the foundation’s recent record and points to a grantmaker willing to make large, flexible commitments in biomedical research. The Alta and John Franks Foundation also pairs that kind of national-scale support with sustained giving to Shreveport and North Louisiana institutions, from the National World War II Museum’s $525,000 grant to local civic and cultural recipients that recur across years. Their grants often arrive as unrestricted gifts, which places emphasis on organizational flexibility rather than tightly defined project funding. The recent pattern also shows a mix of policy, legal, media, economic-development, and community institutions, suggesting a portfolio that crosses public-policy advocacy and place-based civic support. Among the repeated recipients, State Policy Network received multiple six-figure awards, while North Louisiana Economic Partnership and Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation appear more than once in the recent grant list. That combination of major national policy grants and durable local commitments gives the foundation a clear profile: a regional funder with notable reach beyond Louisiana, but a strong and persistent investment in the Shreveport area.
Policy-oriented grantmaking is a major part of the foundation’s recent activity. In 2025, it gave $500,000 each to Public Interest Legal Foundation, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, American Enterprise Institute, The Heritage Foundation, and State Policy Network, all as unrestricted gifts. The foundation also supports legal and civil-liberties work, including a $250,000 unrestricted grant to New Civil Liberties Alliance in 2025. Local economic and civic institutions are another clear thread. North Louisiana Economic Partnership received $500,000 in 2025 and $150,000 in 2023, while Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation received $257,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The recent list also includes a $147,520 grant to Downtown Shreveport Unlimited and a $172,000 gift to Shreveport Green. Cultural and community organizations are present as well. The National World War II Museum received $525,000 in 2025, and The Strand Theater received $280,000 in 2024. Shreveport Symphony Orchestra also appears in the recent grants list with a $132,000 grant in 2025.
$8.7M
$220.4M
$150.1M
$9.7M
Most grants fall between $6K and $35K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Relatively concentrated portfolio with a small number of large, mostly unrestricted gifts; mixes repeat local grantees with one-time multimillion-dollar commitments to national policy, legal and research organizations.
Notable grantees: State Policy Network, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, Franklin News Foundation
The recent grants cluster around mid-sized and large awards: p25 is $5,500, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $35,000, even though the list also includes several six-figure gifts. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recurring support is visible in the data: State Policy Network appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; North Louisiana Economic Partnership appears in 2023 and 2025; and Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation appears in 2024 and 2025. The grants shown are overwhelmingly unrestricted gifts to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Grant recipients are concentrated in Louisiana, which accounts for 73% of grants in the foundation’s giving record. Shreveport is a major center of activity, with recipients including Red River Stem Inc, Shreveport Scottish Rite Foundation Inc, Shreveport Green, and Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Outside Louisiana, recent grants also reached New York, Washington, DC, Virginia, Illinois, and New Orleans. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 177 grants in the United States.
The recent grants show support for public-policy and legal organizations, local economic-development groups, cultural institutions, biomedical research, and STEM education. Examples in the data include American Enterprise Institute, Public Interest Legal Foundation, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, The National World War II Museum, and Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.
The recent grants are described as unrestricted gifts across the list. That pattern appears repeatedly with major awards such as the $1,000,000 gift to Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and the $500,000 gifts to several policy organizations in 2025.
Yes. State Policy Network appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. North Louisiana Economic Partnership appears in 2023 and 2025. Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation appears in 2024 and 2025, which shows repeated support rather than one-time funding only.
The distribution provided for recent grants shows a p25 of $5,500, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $35,000. The list also includes larger awards, including several six-figure grants in 2024 and 2025.
It is both, but Louisiana is the main recipient state. Louisiana receives 73% of grants, and the recent list includes many Shreveport recipients alongside organizations in New York, Washington, DC, Virginia, Illinois, and New Orleans.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S DRUG DISCOVERY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $525,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| NORTH LOUISIANA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP | SHREVEPORT, LA | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| FRANKLIN NEWS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $362,700 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| GREATER SHREVEPORT CHAMBER FOUNDATION | SHREVEPORT, LA | $257,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| FOUNDATION FOR DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| NEW CIVIL LIBERTIES ALLIANCE | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT GREEN | SHREVEPORT, LA | $172,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUTH JUSTICE | SHREVEPORT, LA | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| PELICAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SHREVEPORT | SHREVEPORT, LA | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT UNLIMITED | SHREVEPORT, LA | $147,520 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION INC | SHREVEPORT, LA | $132,450 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SHREVEPORT, LA | $132,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| RED RIVER STEM INC | SHREVEPORT, LA | $115,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| LA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION | BATON ROUGE, LA | $108,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY | SHREVEPORT, LA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| REAL CLEAR FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| GREAT RESULTS EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIES | SHREVEPORT, LA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| THE BRIDGE ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA RES CTR | SHREVEPORT, LA | $80,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT DEVEL CORP | SHREVEPORT, LA | $71,800 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT METROPOLITAN BALLET | SHREVEPORT, LA | $70,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| THE COATES BLUFF NATURE TRAIL | SHREVEPORT, LA | $60,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT OPERA | SHREVEPORT, LA | $54,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| TRINITY HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH | SHREVEPORT, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENERGY ANALYTICS | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| GINGERBREAD HOUSE | SHREVEPORT, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| CADDO LAKE INSTITUTE | SHREVEPORT, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| GREATER BOSSIER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FDN | BOSSIER CITY, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| FILM PRIZE FOUNDATION | SHREVEPORT, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| CRIME STOPPERS OF SHREVEPORT | SHREVEPORT, LA | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| KEEP BOSSIER BEAUTIFUL | BOSSIER CITY, LA | $41,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| DRESS FOR SUCCESS SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER | SHREVEPORT, LA | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION | MANDEVILLE, LA | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL | BATON ROUGE, LA | $31,890 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTH LOUISIANA | SHREVEPORT, LA | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY OF LOUISIANA | BATON ROUGE, LA | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| RED RIVER REVEL | SHREVEPORT, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| SHREVEPORT REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL | SHREVEPORT, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| WIDEMAN INTL PIANO COMPETITION | SHREVEPORT, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| THE PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | SHREVEPORT, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG |
THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
$525,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL FOUNDATION
$500,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
NORTH LOUISIANA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
$500,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
GREATER SHREVEPORT CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$257,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SHREVEPORT
$150,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT UNLIMITED
$147,520UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
SHREVEPORT SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION INC
$132,450UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$132,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
RED RIVER STEM INC
$115,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
LA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
$108,500UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY
$100,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
GREAT RESULTS EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIES
$100,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
THE BRIDGE ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA RES CTR
$80,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT DEVEL CORP
$71,800UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
SHREVEPORT METROPOLITAN BALLET
$70,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
THE COATES BLUFF NATURE TRAIL
$60,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
SHREVEPORT OPERA
$54,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
TRINITY HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENERGY ANALYTICS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
CADDO LAKE INSTITUTE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
GREATER BOSSIER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FDN
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
CRIME STOPPERS OF SHREVEPORT
$45,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
KEEP BOSSIER BEAUTIFUL
$41,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
DRESS FOR SUCCESS SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER
$40,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION
$35,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL
$31,890UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTH LOUISIANA
$30,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
NATURE CONSERVANCY OF LOUISIANA
$30,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
RED RIVER REVEL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
WIDEMAN INTL PIANO COMPETITION
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO 501(C)(3) ORG