The Elkins Foundation makes a small number of very large, locally focused capital grants primarily in Greater Houston to strengthen healthcare and private education infrastructure. Their giving targets high-profile institutions — pediatric care expansion and academic medical facilities, plus elite independent K–12 capital campaigns — indicating a priority on bricks-and-mortar projects that increase institutional capacity.
The Elkins Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by large capital commitments to Houston institutions, especially healthcare and education projects that expand physical capacity. The single largest recent award in the data is $2,000,000 to Texas Children's Hospital for expanding the Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, signaling a strong emphasis on major facility work rather than routine operating support. That pattern continues with $1,200,000 to Baylor College of Medicine for the new Health Sciences Education Building and $1,000,000 to St John's School for the campaign for a new lower school. Across the recent grants list, the foundation also backs medical research, civic and cultural institutions, and neighborhood projects, but the through line is still specific project support. Baylor College of Medicine appears multiple times for the same building project, and other large gifts support institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and Houston Methodist Hospital. The result is a portfolio centered on capacity-building for organizations serving Greater Houston.
In pediatric healthcare infrastructure, the foundation gave $2,000,000 to Texas Children's Hospital for expanding the Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. It also supported the same project with $750,000 in 2024 and 2025, showing repeated attention to that facility. For health sciences education, it awarded $1,200,000 to Baylor College of Medicine for the new Health Sciences Education Building, with additional grants of $770,000 and $765,000 tied to the same project. In medical research, MD Anderson Cancer Center received $1,000,000 for a clinical trial exploring the interactions between immunotherapy and diet, and another $750,000 for the Allison Institute. The foundation also funds K-12 campus development. St John's School received $1,000,000 for a new lower school, while River Oaks Baptist School received $600,000 to purchase contiguous property to the school.
Typical grants are large: the p25 is $35,000, the median is $75,000, and the p75 is $200,000, with several awards well above that range in the recent list. The foundation’s recent pattern also shows repetition on specific projects rather than broad annual renewals; Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital each appear multiple times tied to the same capital efforts. The foundation is organized as a private foundation with annual grant cycles, accepts unsolicited applications, and prefers specific capital needs and projects. It typically does not fund the same organizations year after year.
$17.3M
$206.6M
$23.4M
$19.8M
Most grants fall between $35K and $200K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$200K
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Concentrated, high-dollar capital grants (three large gifts) to established local institutions; funding is infrequent but sizable and focused on building projects and campaign support rather than program operating budgets.
Notable grantees: Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, St. John's School
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Texas-based: 99% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Houston is the main recipient city, with additional grants in Bellaire, Austin, Dallas, and Burton. The list also shows support for organizations serving Houston neighborhoods such as Near Northside, through The Salvation Army’s campus capital improvements, and for Greater Houston institutions like Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Camp for All.
It prefers specific capital needs and projects. The active grant programs emphasize capital projects across education, healthcare, culture, and community services, and the recent list includes building campaigns, facility expansion, and campus improvements such as the new Health Sciences Education Building and the new lower school campaign.
Its grant programs say trustees typically do not give to the same organizations year after year, and the recent grants reflect project-based repeat support rather than broad recurring operating support. For example, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital both appear multiple times for the same capital efforts.
The typical grant size sits at a p25 of $35,000, a median of $75,000, and a p75 of $200,000. The recent grants list also includes several much larger capital gifts, including multiple awards at $1,000,000 and above.
It gives most often in Texas, where 99% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is centered on Houston, with additional Texas recipients in Bellaire, Austin, Dallas, and Burton.
Yes. The active annual grant programs accept unsolicited applications and review requests once per year. The programs serve organizations in Houston and the Greater Gulf Coast.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEPELCHIN CHILDREN'S CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $1,500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF TRANSITIONING REGION 6 TO COMMUNITY BASED CARE |
| HARRIS HEALTH STRATEGIC FUND | BELLAIRE, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF INVESTING IN A HEALTHIER HARRIS COUNTY |
| ST JOHN'S SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW LOWER SCHOOL |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $765,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION BUILDING |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MCCOMBS SCHOOL | AUSTIN, TX | $750,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE MULVA HALL FACILITIES PROJECT |
| FRIENDS OF PUMPKIN PARK | HOUSTON, TX | $750,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE OPENING DOORS TO CHILDREN'S DREAMS CAMPAIGN |
| TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $750,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S PAVILION FOR WOMEN |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $750,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE ALLISON INSTITUTE |
| RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $600,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE PURCHASE OF CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY TO THE SCHOOL |
| HOUSTON AUDUBON | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF BUILDING COASTAL RESILIENCE ON BOLIVAR PENINSULA |
| HOUSTON ZOO INC | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF A CT SCANNER |
| HOUSTON FOOD BANK | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE FOOD FOR BETTER LIVES EXPANSION CAMPAIGN |
| THE MONARCH COMMUNITY INC | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF METAMORPHOSIS: A CAMPAIGN FOR MONARCH |
| HOUSTON PARKS BOARD | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF GREAT PARKS FOR HOUSTON |
| FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF OVERTURE TO THE FUTURE: A CAMPAIGN FOR JONES HALL |
| YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE POWER OF YES |
| RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL BUILDING |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL | HOUSTON, TX | $400,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE WOMEN'S CARDIAC HEALTH & AMBIENT STROKE DETECTION PROGRAMS |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT PREPERATORY SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $250,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF CAMPUS EXPANSION & RENOVATION OF STEAM BUILDING |
| HOBBY CENTER FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $250,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HOBBY CENTER CAMPUS ENHANCEMENTS |
| BLOOD CANCER UNITED | RYE BROOK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF IMPACT PROGRAM AT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER |
| CONNECTIVE | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF UNLOCK MY BENEFITS TX EXPANSION |
| KINKAID SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE ALL IN CAMPAIGN |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTER FOR CONSERVATION COMPLETION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AT UST |
| STAR OF HOPE MISSION | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF STAR OF HOPE MISSION - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
| INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL NEEDS |
| SEARCH HOMELESS SERVICES | HOUSTON, TX | $150,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF DRIVING HOPE: POWERING SEARCH'S MISSION |
| HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS | HOUSTON, TX | $125,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF CHAPTER. |
| COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS | HOUSTON, TX | $125,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE BUILDING FOR LIFE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CAMP ARANZAZU INC | ROCKPORT, TX | $125,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HEALTH CENTER EXPANSION TO INCREASE CAPACITY |
| HOUSTON CENTER FOR MUSICAL ARTS | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HOUSTON CENTER FOR MUSICAL ARTS CAPITAL PHASE I |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE RICHARD M. SCHULZE FAMILY FOUNDATION HOPE LODGE |
| RUTHERFORD B H YATES MUSEUM INC | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF RESTORE HISTORIC SIMMS COTTAGE AS GIFT & TOUR HUB |
| SERENITY RETREAT FOR HEALING AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF TLC TENDING LAND & COMMUNITY |
| SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF SECURING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HOUSTON GRAND OPERA ASSOCIATION INC | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT WILSON'S PRODUCTION OF HANDEL'S MESSIAH |
| TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | AUSTIN, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| THE WESTVIEW SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE WESTVIEW STORY - WRITING OUR NEXT CHAPTER |
| LEE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BAYTOWN, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF LEE COLLEGE EXPANDED BASIC NEEDS PROGRAM |
| MAGNOLIA SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EAST WING RENOVATION |
| TRUE LIGHT CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY | ROSHARON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF TRUE LIGHT CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY |
| EVERYBODY'S PLACE OF GALVESTON | BACLIFF, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF AGAPE VILLAGE |
| SPRINGSPIRIT | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF PITNER CAMPUS TURF REPLACEMENT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF STATE-WIDE RECRUITMENT ACCELERATION INITIATIVE |
| THEATRE UNDER THE STARS | HOUSTON, TX | $90,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE TUTS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WASHINGTON ON THE BRAZOS HISTORIC | WASHINGTON, TX | $90,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE WHERE TEXAS BECAME TEXAS CAMPAIGN |
| 4TH WALL THEATRE COMPANY | HOUSTON, TX | $65,300 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF AUDIENCE ACCESS AND ARTISTIC AMBITION |
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $52,700 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THEATER EQUIPMENT RENEWAL PROJECT |
| THE ARBOR SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF THE ARBOR SCHOOL RENOVATION AND EXPANSION |
IN SUPPORT OF TRANSITIONING REGION 6 TO COMMUNITY BASED CARE
HARRIS HEALTH STRATEGIC FUND
$1,000,000IN SUPPORT OF INVESTING IN A HEALTHIER HARRIS COUNTY
ST JOHN'S SCHOOL
$1,000,000IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW LOWER SCHOOL
IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION BUILDING
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MCCOMBS SCHOOL
$750,000IN SUPPORT OF THE MULVA HALL FACILITIES PROJECT
IN SUPPORT OF THE OPENING DOORS TO CHILDREN'S DREAMS CAMPAIGN
TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$750,000IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S PAVILION FOR WOMEN
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$750,000IN SUPPORT OF THE ALLISON INSTITUTE
RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL
$600,000IN SUPPORT OF THE PURCHASE OF CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY TO THE SCHOOL
HOUSTON AUDUBON
$500,000IN SUPPORT OF BUILDING COASTAL RESILIENCE ON BOLIVAR PENINSULA
THE MONARCH COMMUNITY INC
$500,000IN SUPPORT OF METAMORPHOSIS: A CAMPAIGN FOR MONARCH
FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL
$500,000IN SUPPORT OF OVERTURE TO THE FUTURE: A CAMPAIGN FOR JONES HALL
RICE UNIVERSITY
$500,000IN SUPPORT OF NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL BUILDING
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL
$400,000IN SUPPORT OF THE WOMEN'S CARDIAC HEALTH & AMBIENT STROKE DETECTION PROGRAMS
CRISTO REY JESUIT PREPERATORY SCHOOL
$250,000IN SUPPORT OF CAMPUS EXPANSION & RENOVATION OF STEAM BUILDING
IN SUPPORT OF IMPACT PROGRAM AT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
CONNECTIVE
$200,000IN SUPPORT OF UNLOCK MY BENEFITS TX EXPANSION
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$200,000IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTER FOR CONSERVATION COMPLETION
IN SUPPORT OF STAR OF HOPE MISSION - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
SEARCH HOMELESS SERVICES
$150,000IN SUPPORT OF DRIVING HOPE: POWERING SEARCH'S MISSION
HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS
$125,000IN SUPPORT OF CHAPTER.
COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS
$125,000IN SUPPORT OF THE BUILDING FOR LIFE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HOUSTON CENTER FOR MUSICAL ARTS
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF HOUSTON CENTER FOR MUSICAL ARTS CAPITAL PHASE I
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF THE RICHARD M. SCHULZE FAMILY FOUNDATION HOPE LODGE
RUTHERFORD B H YATES MUSEUM INC
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF RESTORE HISTORIC SIMMS COTTAGE AS GIFT & TOUR HUB
SERENITY RETREAT FOR HEALING AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF TLC TENDING LAND & COMMUNITY
SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF SECURING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA ASSOCIATION INC
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT WILSON'S PRODUCTION OF HANDEL'S MESSIAH
IN SUPPORT OF THE WESTVIEW STORY - WRITING OUR NEXT CHAPTER
MAGNOLIA SCHOOL
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF EAST WING RENOVATION
TRUE LIGHT CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF TRUE LIGHT CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
EVERYBODY'S PLACE OF GALVESTON
$100,000IN SUPPORT OF AGAPE VILLAGE
IN SUPPORT OF STATE-WIDE RECRUITMENT ACCELERATION INITIATIVE
WASHINGTON ON THE BRAZOS HISTORIC
$90,000IN SUPPORT OF THE WHERE TEXAS BECAME TEXAS CAMPAIGN