About Sarofim Foundation
The Sarofim Foundation makes very large, targeted gifts to major higher-education and biomedical research institutions, favoring unrestricted or general-purpose support. Its recent grants show both national reach (Princeton University) and strong local investment in Houston-area medical research (Baylor College of Medicine). The foundation appears to prioritize institutional strength and research capacity rather than many small community grants.
Focus Areas
Major research universities/endowments (Ivy and research-intensive universities)Biomedical research and medical education institutions (academic medical centers and research hospitals)Unrestricted/general operating support for large nonprofits
Who They Fund
international women playwrightsfemale theater artistswomen working in dramatic writing
Giving Approach
Highly concentrated giving: very few grants but large dollar amounts, split between national and local flagship institutions; favors one-time or large general-purpose gifts rather than many small or program-specific grants.
About Sarofim Foundation
The Sarofim Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by two $2 million gifts in 2025, one to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and one to Princeton University in Princeton. That pairing shows a funder that supports large institutional grants while keeping a strong Houston base. The foundation also gave $375,000 to United Way of Greater Houston, underscoring its interest in established nonprofits with broad reach. Across the recent list, the foundation favors major education, medical, and arts institutions rather than a wide spread of small awards. Houston-area schools and nonprofits appear frequently, alongside research-intensive universities and cultural institutions. The grant purposes are typically broad, often listed as general charitable purposes, which suggests flexibility in how recipients use the funds. In practice, The Sarofim Foundation’s giving reflects a legacy-oriented style: concentrated, relationship-based, and directed toward organizations with institutional scale, especially in Houston and other selected places tied to longstanding philanthropic ties.
What Sarofim Foundation Funds
In higher education, The Sarofim Foundation backed several Houston schools and university-linked institutions, including $250,000 to YES Prep, $250,000 to KIPP Texas Inc, and $100,000 to Harbor Christian Academy, all for general charitable purposes. It also supported Episcopal High School in Bellaire with $250,000. Healthcare and research are another clear thread. Baylor College of Medicine received $2 million, and Thrive with Autism in Magnolia received $150,000. The foundation also gave $200,000 to Cristo Rey Jesuit, showing support for education-connected organizations with a community role. Arts funding appears as well, with $150,000 to The Menil Collection, $150,000 to Alley Theatre, and $100,000 to Houston Grand Opera. These grants point to a mix of education, health, and cultural institutions rather than a single narrow program area.
How Sarofim Foundation Gives
The typical grant size sits at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent data also includes several much larger awards at $2 million, showing that the foundation uses both mid-sized and major institutional gifts. This is relationship-based grantmaking: the foundation states it is not accepting unsolicited requests and that grantmaking is tied to Fayez Sarofim’s legacy and established relationships. The recent grants are all in 2025, so the list shows a current snapshot rather than repeated awards to the same recipients across multiple years. Grants are described as general charitable purposes, and the foundation can fund capital, operating, and disaster-relief needs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$130.2M
Total Assets
$3.2B
Total Revenue
$476.5M
Total Expenses
$144.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $25K and $150K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$150K
Geographic Reach
Local5 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Ryan Dolibois
Executive Director
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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