Donald A Adam Fam Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,774,553 (2024)
Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only, no public application process)
Decision Time: Variable (foundation-initiated)
Grant Range: $500 - $1,500,000
Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily Brazos Valley/College Station area)

Contact Details

Website: Not available
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Note: Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or inquiries

Overview

The Donald A Adam Fam Foundation (also known as The Donald and Donna Adam Family Foundation) is a private independent foundation established in May 2005 by Donald and Donna Adam of College Station, Texas. With assets of $62.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $3.8 million annually to charitable causes. Donald Adam, Chairman and CEO of American Momentum Bank and a Texas A&M University Class of 1957 graduate, leads the foundation alongside his wife Donna. The foundation has experienced remarkable growth from $4.1 million in assets in 2011 to its current size, with a notable revenue spike of $45.8 million in 2021. The foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying and approaching organizations rather than accepting applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes strategic grants without formal programs, ranging from $500 to $1,500,000:

Education Support: $500,000 - $1,500,000 (K-12 safety, college expenses, educational institutions)
Health Research: Up to $1,500,000 (medical research, particularly cancer)
Community Infrastructure: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000 (capital projects, facilities)
Human Services: $240,000 - $2,000,000 (youth development, veterans, animal welfare)

All grants are made proactively by the foundation - no application process exists.

Priority Areas

Education (primary focus on college education expenses and K-12 school safety)
Health and medical research (especially cancer/melanoma research)
Youth development and child welfare
Veterans support
Animal welfare
Food security
Arts and culture (particularly in the Brazos Valley region)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern shows they do not fund:

Organizations outside of Texas (rare exceptions)
Unsolicited requests of any kind
Organizations without established track records
Projects outside their core focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Officers (all serve without compensation):

Donald A Adam - President (Chairman/CEO of American Momentum Bank, Texas A&M '57, recipient of Master Entrepreneur Award and Outstanding Alumnus Award from Mays Business School)
Donna J Adam - Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
Stephanie A Malechek - Vice President
Steven Bradley Adam - Vice President

Donald Adam's quote on philanthropy: "We have been very fortunate to grow American Momentum Bank... and we are honored and humbled to give back."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are initiated by the foundation approaching organizations directly, often described as "unsolicited gifts" from the foundation's perspective.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations that have received grants share specific characteristics:

Located in or serve the Brazos Valley/College Station area - Nearly all grants go to local organizations
Connected to Texas A&M University networks - Donald Adam's deep ties to the university create natural awareness
Leadership in the American Momentum Bank business community - The Adams are aware of major initiatives through their banking relationships
Active in causes where the Adams have documented personal involvement - Including the George H. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, Opera and Performing Arts Society, and Miramont Country Club
Responding to major community needs - Donna Adam noted their $2 million school safety donation was motivated by "the tragedy at Robb Elementary in Uvalde"

Decision Timeline

No formal timeline as grants are foundation-initiated. Major gifts have been announced in January (school districts in 2023, Boys & Girls Clubs in 2020).

Success Rates

Not applicable - foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - foundation operates on invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since applications are not accepted, organizations that have successfully received grants demonstrate:

Strong local presence in Brazos Valley - The foundation shows overwhelming preference for local organizations
Transformative project proposals - Recent grants of $240,000 to $1,500,000 show preference for large-scale impact
Child and youth focus - Multiple major grants supporting education, safety, and youth development
Capital and infrastructure needs - Documented support for building projects, security improvements, and major equipment
Texas A&M affiliation - University-connected organizations appear frequently among recipients
Established credibility - All known recipients are well-established organizations with strong reputations
Alignment with current events - Foundation responds to community tragedies and needs (Uvalde school shooting response)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Do not submit unsolicited applications - They will not be reviewed under any circumstances
Focus exclusively on relationship building if you're a Brazos Valley/College Station organization
Think transformatively - The foundation makes large grants ($240,000-$1,500,000 typical range) for major initiatives
Child-focused initiatives have the strongest track record across education, safety, and development
Geographic proximity is critical - Nearly all grants stay within the Bryan-College Station area
Texas A&M connections matter - The university network provides natural visibility to the foundation
Be patient - Without an application process, organizations must wait to be identified by the foundation

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Donald A Adam Fam Foundation (EIN: 26-0080253), Form 990-PF filings 2011-2024. Accessed January 4, 2026.
Cause IQ - The Donald and Donna Adam Family Foundation organizational profile and 2023 grant data. Accessed January 4, 2026.
Instrumentl 990 Report - Donald A Adam Fam Foundation grant recipients and amounts for 2023. Accessed January 4, 2026.
WTAW News - "Bryan And College Station School Boards Accept $1 Million Dollar Unsolicited Gifts" January 2023. Accessed January 4, 2026.
American Momentum Bank - "Adam Family Foundation to donate up to $5 million to local school districts" press release. Accessed January 4, 2026.
American Momentum Bank - "American Momentum Bank CEO and wife donate $2 million to Boys & Girls Clubs" January 2020. Accessed January 4, 2026.
American Momentum Bank - "Bank Chairman's Past Gift Sparks Future Breakthroughs and FDA Approval" regarding 2007 Moffitt Cancer Center donation. Accessed January 4, 2026.
Grantmakers.io - Donald and Donna Adam Family Foundation application policy information. Accessed January 4, 2026.