The William A. and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation concentrates on Greater Houston-area institutions, funding medical research (notably cancer and cardiovascular research), higher-education scholarships and endowed student support, and faith-based secondary education and ministries. The foundation also makes repeated gifts to cultural institutions and community programs (museums, performing arts, children's services, and recovery/adoption support), indicating a preference for long-term partnerships with established local organizations.
A defining feature of The William a and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation Attn Kay Parker is its repeated support for named medical research programs at Houston institutions, especially work tied to Dr. James Yao and Dr. Chris Logothetis at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. That pattern runs alongside funding for Texas Heart Institute research under Dr. Perin and Texas Children's Hospital research under Dr. Huda Zoghbi, showing a clear preference for investigator-directed support at established medical centers. The foundation also backs scholarship and student support at Texas universities and secondary schools. Recent grants include endowed scholarship support at Baylor University, tuition and related costs at Strake Jesuit High School and St Thomas High School, and a training grant for the next generation of Texas physicians through Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation. Cultural and community groups appear in the mix as well, with unrestricted gifts to places such as Alley Theatre, Houston Maritime Museum, The Health Museum, and Amazing Place. The overall picture is of a local Houston-area funder that combines research, education, and community support through long-standing relationships with specific organizations.
Medical research is a central theme. The foundation gave $70,000 in 2025 and $65,000 in 2024 to University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer research under Dr. James Yao, and it also supported prostate cancer moonshot work there in 2025 and 2023 under Dr. Chris Logothetis. Education funding reaches both universities and secondary schools. Baylor University received a $30,000 scholarship gift in 2025 and a $25,000 unrestricted grant in 2024, while The University of Texas at Austin received $50,000 in each of 2025, 2024, and 2023 for The Briscoe Center. Faith-based and school-based support is also present. Strake Jesuit High School received $26,985 in 2025 and $25,700 in 2024 for one year tuition and related costs, and St Thomas High School received $26,000 in 2025 for the same purpose.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure and low-five-figure range, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $15,000, and p75 at $25,000. The foundation’s recent awards include both larger research grants and many smaller operating or tuition grants, suggesting a mix of directed support and general institutional aid. Recipients recur across years: MD Anderson, Baylor University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Heart Institute, and Amazing Place each appear more than once in the recent list. The foundation funds individuals and awards both unrestricted and purpose-restricted grants.
$822K
$16.3M
$2.1M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, locally focused giving with numerous repeat grants to a core set of grantees; funding mixes multi-year/restricted gifts for scholarships and fellowships with targeted program and research support. Grant sizes range from modest community gifts to large multi-grant commitments (e.g., substantial recurring support for MD Anderson).
Notable grantees: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University / Baylor Scott & White, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, St. Thomas High School / Strake Jesuit High School
Giving is overwhelmingly Texas-centered: 93% of grants go to recipients in Texas, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Houston is the clearest hub, with grants to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Heart Institute, Council on Recovery, Amazing Place, the Alley Theatre, Houston Maritime Museum, The Health Museum, and Texas Children's Hospital. Outside Houston, Austin, Waco, Temple, and Streetman also appear among Texas recipients, while a smaller share goes to organizations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on medical research, especially cancer research, plus scholarships and tuition support, faith-based schools and ministries, and Houston cultural or community organizations. Named examples include research at MD Anderson and Texas Heart Institute, scholarship support at Baylor University, and unrestricted gifts to Alley Theatre and Houston Maritime Museum.
Yes. Several recipients recur in the recent grants list, including University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Texas Heart Institute, and Amazing Place. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
The typical award is relatively modest: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $15,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent list also shows larger directed research grants at $50,000 to $70,000.
Its giving is concentrated in Texas, which accounts for 93% of grants. Houston is the main recipient city in the recent list, with additional Texas grants going to Austin, Waco, Temple, and Streetman.
Yes. The recent list includes unrestricted support for Phi Delta Theta Foundation, Caney Baptist Church, Council on Recovery, Amazing Place, Lafayette College, Houston Maritime Museum, The Health Museum, Alley Theatre, Student Mobilization Inc, and Baylor University.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $55,000 | 2026 | NEUROENDOCRINE PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH - DR. JAMES YAO |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | PROSTATE CANCER MOONSHOT PROGRAM - DR. CHRIS LOGOTHETIS RESEARCH |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | WACO, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | JACQUELYN M ROYCE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP |
| COUNCIL ON RECOVERY | HOUSTON, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | TREATMENT/RECOVERY SERVICES IN MEMORY OF ANNE SHALLENBERGER |
| SEEDS OF HOPE | ENCINITAS, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| BROKEN HALOS | FLOWER MOUND, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | THE HAVEN |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | AT THE DIRECTION OF DR. JOE AOUN |
| STRAKE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $26,985 | 2026 | ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS |
| ST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | THE BRISCOE CENTER |
| RETINA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | IN HONOR OF DR. ALICE MCPHERSON AND FORMER BOARD MEMBERS JACQUELYN ROYCE AND JOSEPH ROYCE |
| CANEY BAPTIST CHURCH | STREETMAN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PATHWAYS FOR LITTLE FEET | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | ADOPTION GRANTS IN MEMORY OF ANNE SHALLENBERGER |
| THE HOUSTON BALLET | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | IN MEMORY OF PATRICIA OSBORNE |
| TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | AT THE DIRECTION OF DR. PERRIN |
| PHI DELTA THETA FOUNDATION | OXFORD, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UT HEALTH - OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | IN HONOR OF DR. MELINA KIBBE, PRESIDENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. HEBERT |
| FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | SUGAR LAND, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ATASCOCITA METHODIST CHURCH | HUMBLE, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | BUILDING PROGRAM |
| STUDENT MOBILIZATION INC | CONWAY, AR | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | ONE-HALF RESTRICTED FOR THE ANNUAL FUND AND ONE-HALF RESTRICTED FOR THE MONAGHAN SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | DOBIE PAISANO FELLOWSHIP PROJECT |
| ORPHEUM PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE LTD | WICHITA, KS | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ANDOVER AUGUSTA RAIL TRAIL INITIATIVE INC | ANDOVER, KS | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NERY'S PROMISE | RICHMOND, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GLENWOOD CEMETERY HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UT HEALTH - OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DOCFEST | MISSOURI CITY, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | DR. WILLIAM ZOGHBI'S RESEARCH |
| THE BLUE BIRD CIRCLE | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | AT RISK YOUTH PROGRAM |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | THE SHEENA G STUBBERS SCHOLARS AWARDS FUND |
| BAYOU BEND COLLECTION AND GARDENS | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | IN MEMORY OF PATRICIA OSBORNE |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION | TEMPLE, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | MAGIC AT MCLANE CHILDREN'S |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | IN RECOGNITION OF WAYNE GIBBONS FOR HIS LONG TIME SUPPORT |
| BACH SOCIETY OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | IN HONOR OF DOUGLAS KOCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $70,000 | 2025 | NEUROENDOCRINE PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH - DR. JAMES YAO |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | THE BRISCOE CENTER |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | PROSTATE CANCER MOONSHOT PROGRAM - DR. CHRIS LOGOTHETIS RESEARCH |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION | TEMPLE, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TEXAS PHYSICIANS |
| COUNCIL ON RECOVERY | HOUSTON, TX | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | JACQUELYN M ROYCE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP |
| STRAKE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $26,985 | 2025 | ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS |
| ST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $26,000 | 2025 | ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS |
| TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PATHWAYS FOR LITTLE FEET | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | ADOPTION GRANTS |
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$55,000NEUROENDOCRINE PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH - DR. JAMES YAO
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$50,000PROSTATE CANCER MOONSHOT PROGRAM - DR. CHRIS LOGOTHETIS RESEARCH
TREATMENT/RECOVERY SERVICES IN MEMORY OF ANNE SHALLENBERGER
SEEDS OF HOPE
$40,000EDUCATION
BROKEN HALOS
THE HAVEN
STRAKE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$26,985ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS
ST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$25,000THE BRISCOE CENTER
IN HONOR OF DR. ALICE MCPHERSON AND FORMER BOARD MEMBERS JACQUELYN ROYCE AND JOSEPH ROYCE
CANEY BAPTIST CHURCH
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
THE HOUSTON BALLET
$20,000IN MEMORY OF PATRICIA OSBORNE
UT HEALTH - OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
$20,000IN HONOR OF DR. MELINA KIBBE, PRESIDENT
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON
$20,000RESEARCH UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. HEBERT
FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
ATASCOCITA METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000BUILDING PROGRAM
STUDENT MOBILIZATION INC
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
ONE-HALF RESTRICTED FOR THE ANNUAL FUND AND ONE-HALF RESTRICTED FOR THE MONAGHAN SCHOLARSHIP
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$15,000DOBIE PAISANO FELLOWSHIP PROJECT
ANDOVER AUGUSTA RAIL TRAIL INITIATIVE INC
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
NERY'S PROMISE
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
UT HEALTH - OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
DOCFEST
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$10,000DR. WILLIAM ZOGHBI'S RESEARCH
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
$10,000AT RISK YOUTH PROGRAM
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$10,000THE SHEENA G STUBBERS SCHOLARS AWARDS FUND
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$10,000IN RECOGNITION OF WAYNE GIBBONS FOR HIS LONG TIME SUPPORT
BACH SOCIETY OF HOUSTON
$5,000IN HONOR OF DOUGLAS KOCH
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$70,000NEUROENDOCRINE PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH - DR. JAMES YAO
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$50,000THE BRISCOE CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$50,000PROSTATE CANCER MOONSHOT PROGRAM - DR. CHRIS LOGOTHETIS RESEARCH
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TEXAS PHYSICIANS
STRAKE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$26,985ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS
ST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL
$26,000ONE YEAR TUITION AND RELATED COSTS