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The Alta And John Franks Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

The Alta And John Franks Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,344,690 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $220.4 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Shreveport, Louisiana and surrounding region
  • Grant Range: Approximately $10,000 - $75,000 (estimated based on average)
  • Average Grant Size: $45,975 (2023)
  • Number of Annual Grants: 51 (2023)

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7625
Shreveport, LA 71137

Phone: 318-221-2688

Website: https://www.franksfoundation.org (currently unavailable)

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

The Alta And John Franks Foundation was established in 1978 as a private grantmaking foundation honoring the legacy of John A. Franks (1925-2003), a Shreveport oil magnate who founded Franks Petroleum Inc. in 1957, and his wife Alta. John Franks was a geology graduate from Louisiana State University who served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II before building a highly successful petroleum business. Beyond his business success, he was also a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder, winning multiple Eclipse Awards. The foundation continues the couple's quiet but significant philanthropic commitment to the Shreveport community. With total assets of $220.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $2,344,690 across 51 grants in 2023. The foundation focuses its giving primarily on Baptist and United Methodist churches, science education, health associations, and the arts in the Shreveport region.

Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas

Religious Organizations

  • Baptist churches
  • United Methodist churches
  • Faith-based community programs

Science and Education

  • Science centers (including support for science education initiatives)
  • Educational scholarships and endowments
  • First-generation college student support

Health and Human Services

  • Health associations
  • Healthcare-related organizations

Arts and Culture

  • Arts organizations
  • Cultural institutions
  • Historic preservation (member of Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation)

Known Funding Examples

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

  • Endowed scholarship program for first-generation college students ($2,000 annually per recipient)
  • Requires Louisiana residency, incoming freshman status, financial need/Pell Grant eligibility
  • Recipients must complete 24 credit hours annually and work for LSUS at least 10 hours weekly

Geographic Focus The foundation primarily serves the Shreveport, Louisiana area and surrounding region, though it may occasionally fund organizations elsewhere in Louisiana.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's giving history indicates a focused approach on religious institutions, science education, health, and arts within their geographic region. As a private foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, they typically do not fund organizations outside their established focus areas or beyond the relationships cultivated by their trustees.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by a professional staff led by officers who also serve as directors:

Bobby E. Jelks - President/Director
Mr. Jelks oversees the foundation and also manages Franks Investment Co. LLC, which continues to handle the Franks family business interests including the Resilient Technology Park development in Shreveport. His leadership maintains the connection between the foundation's grantmaking and the broader Franks business legacy.

Faith N. Gilbert - Secretary/Director
Ms. Gilbert serves as Secretary and has longstanding connections to the Franks family business operations, having worked closely with Alta Franks.

Diane F. Marlowe - Assistant Secretary/Director

Cindy B. Riley - Controller
Manages the foundation's financial operations and substantial investment portfolio.

Jonathan N. Brown - IT Manager
Oversees technology infrastructure for the foundation.

The foundation's governance reflects its origins as a family foundation that has transitioned to professional management while maintaining its founders' philanthropic vision for supporting the Shreveport community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's established relationships with organizations in the Shreveport area.

Organizations that wish to be considered for funding should understand that grants are typically awarded to:

  • Organizations already known to the trustees
  • Institutions with longstanding relationships with the Franks family
  • Churches and religious organizations within the Baptist and United Methodist denominations
  • Established science, health, and arts organizations in the Shreveport region

The foundation files Form 990-PF annually, and past grant recipients are listed in these public tax documents, which can provide insight into the types of organizations supported.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees throughout the year.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model without public applications, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Established Presence in Shreveport

  • The foundation's giving history shows strong preference for well-established local institutions
  • Organizations with deep roots in the community and proven track records

Alignment with Founders' Values

  • Religious affiliation (particularly Baptist and United Methodist churches)
  • Science education and youth development
  • Healthcare access and support
  • Cultural enrichment

Connection to the Franks Legacy

  • Organizations that John and Alta Franks supported during their lifetimes continue to receive consideration
  • Institutions connected to causes the founders championed, including education (John Franks was an LSU graduate and supporter of education)

Sustainable Impact

  • The foundation's support for endowed scholarships suggests interest in creating lasting impact
  • Organizations demonstrating long-term sustainability and community benefit

Financial Stewardship

  • Well-managed organizations with clear financial accountability
  • Projects and programs with measurable outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - Do not submit grant applications unless specifically invited by the trustees
  • Geographic focus is paramount - The foundation serves Shreveport and the surrounding Louisiana region almost exclusively
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - Funding flows to organizations with established connections to the foundation and its trustees
  • Moderate grant sizes - With an average grant of approximately $46,000, this foundation provides meaningful but not transformational support to most recipients
  • Religious focus is significant - A substantial portion of giving supports Baptist and United Methodist churches
  • Education matters - The endowed scholarship program demonstrates commitment to supporting first-generation college students and educational access
  • Legacy continues - The foundation honors John Franks' commitment to quietly supporting the Shreveport community through strategic philanthropy in science, health, arts, and faith-based organizations

References

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