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Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation

Annual Giving
$26.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $3.0M

Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $26.7M (2023); $29.2M (2024)
  • Grant Range: $100 - $3,015,000
  • Number of Awards: 175 (2023)
  • Assets: $27.4M
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas, New York, and California
  • Application Method: Invitation only/preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: 2801 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77056-6107

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed contact information for grant applications.

Overview

The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation was established in 2002 as a private independent foundation named after the parents of the Chao siblings who lead it. With annual giving of approximately $26.7 million in 2023, the foundation furthers cultural, civic, and higher education institutions across the United States, with a particular focus on Texas. The foundation is led by the three Chao siblings—Dorothy Jenkins (President), Albert Chao (Vice President & Secretary), and James Chao (Vice President & Treasurer)—who are prominent business leaders at Westlake Corporation, one of North America's largest producers of low-density polyethylene. The foundation has established major named centers and programs at leading institutions, including Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies and Houston Methodist's Chao Center for BRAIN (Bioinformatics Research and Imaging for Neurosciences). The foundation makes grants ranging from small contributions to multi-million dollar investments, with 175 awards distributed in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formally named grant programs but makes strategic investments across several areas with a wide range of grant sizes ($100 to over $3 million).

Major Institutional Grants: Large, transformational gifts typically in the millions to establish named centers, endowments, and programs at universities and research institutions.

General Operating and Program Support: Grants to established organizations across education, healthcare, arts and culture, and human services.

Priority Areas

Higher Education: The foundation has reached multiple universities throughout Texas—including Rice University, University of Houston, Baylor University, and the University of Texas at Austin—and also supports institutions nationally such as Wellesley College.

Asian Studies and Cultural Exchange: Strong support for Asian studies programs, Asian American archives, and cultural institutions that promote understanding between Asian and American cultures. Notable examples include the $15 million founding gift for Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies (2007) and support for the Houston Asian American Archive.

Medical Research and Healthcare: Significant funding for neuroscience research, particularly Alzheimer's disease, stroke, brain cancer, and other neurological disorders. The foundation established the Chao Center for BRAIN at Houston Methodist Research Institute. Grants also support Texas Children's Hospital and other healthcare institutions.

Arts and Culture: Support for museums and cultural institutions, including enabling the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Arts of China Gallery at the Houston Museum of Art.

Human Services: Grants to organizations like the Houston Food Bank and other community service providers.

Science and Technology: Much of the foundation's support continues to advance contributions in the chemical plastics industry through science and technology, including the T.T. Chao Symposium on Innovation at the Science History Institute.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's 990-PF filings indicate they focus primarily on established institutions with proven track records. There is no evidence of funding for:

  • Individual scholarships or fellowships directly
  • Start-up organizations without institutional backing
  • International organizations (focus is on US-based institutions)
  • Political or advocacy organizations

Governance and Leadership

Dorothy Jenkins - President and Board Member; sister of Albert and James Chao; Director at Westlake Corporation

Albert Chao - Vice President, Secretary, and Board Member; President & CEO of Westlake Corporation; serves as president of the foundation and has been quoted emphasizing the family's commitment to advancing education, healthcare, and cultural understanding

James Chao - Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Member; Chairman of the Board of Directors at Westlake Corporation

Nicole Ellis - Grants Officer (compensated position at $175,091 in 2024)

The foundation is a family foundation honoring the legacy of T.T. Chao (Ting Tsung Chao), who founded Westlake Chemical Corporation and passed away in 2008, and his wife Wei Fong Chao. T.T. Chao was recognized by the Chemical Heritage Foundation in 2005 with the Petrochemical Heritage Award for his contribution to the development of the petrochemical industry.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to their official filing with the IRS, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with the board identifying organizations and causes aligned with the family's philanthropic interests. The foundation's giving pattern suggests that grants are made to:

  • Organizations where the family has existing relationships or board connections
  • Established institutions with strong reputations in higher education, healthcare, and cultural sectors
  • Organizations in Houston and Texas where the family has deep roots
  • National institutions with specific programs aligned with the family's interests (Asian studies, neuroscience, etc.)

Getting on Their Radar

Board and Family Connections: The Chao family maintains active involvement in Houston's civic and cultural institutions. Building relationships through shared board service, institutional connections, or mutual contacts may be pathways to consideration.

Houston Institutional Network: The foundation has demonstrated sustained support for major Houston institutions including Rice University, Houston Methodist, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Museum of Art, and Houston Food Bank. Organizations embedded in Houston's philanthropic ecosystem may have better awareness of the foundation's interests.

Asian Studies and Asian American Community: The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting Asian studies programs and preserving Asian American heritage. Organizations working in these areas with connections to Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies or similar programs may align with their priorities.

Research and Innovation Focus: Given the family's background in the chemical industry and support for the T.T. Chao Symposium on Innovation, institutions advancing scientific research and innovation, particularly in chemistry, materials science, and related fields, may be of interest.

Decision Timeline

No public information is available regarding decision timelines, as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis rather than a scheduled application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, examining their giving patterns reveals what attracts the foundation's support:

Institutional Credibility and Scale: The foundation makes significant grants to well-established, nationally recognized institutions. Organizations need a strong track record and institutional stability to be considered.

Alignment with Family Legacy: The foundation honors T.T. Chao's legacy in the petrochemical industry and the family's Chinese heritage. Programs that advance science and technology, promote Asian cultural understanding, or build bridges between Asian and American communities align strongly with their values.

Capacity for Major Impact: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make transformational gifts (such as the $15 million to Rice University) that create lasting impact through named centers, endowments, and programs. Organizations seeking support should be able to articulate how funding would create measurable, long-term change.

Houston Connection: While the foundation makes grants nationally, there is a clear preference for Houston-based organizations or programs that benefit the Houston community where the family has built their business and civic presence.

Specific Focus Areas Match: The foundation's giving clusters around higher education (particularly Asian studies), neuroscience and medical research (particularly Alzheimer's and brain health), arts and culture (particularly Asian arts), and human services. Organizations outside these areas are less likely to receive support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional grant writing approaches will not work
  • Think seven figures for transformational support - While the foundation makes grants as small as $100, their most notable work involves multi-million dollar investments that create named programs and centers
  • Houston institutions have an advantage - The foundation shows strong local loyalty with sustained support for major Houston organizations across healthcare, education, and culture
  • Asian studies and heritage programs align strongly - Significant investment in Asian studies centers, Asian American archives, and Asian cultural programs indicates this is a core priority
  • Neuroscience research is a priority area - The establishment of the Chao BRAIN Center and focus on Alzheimer's, stroke, and brain cancer research represents a major funding commitment
  • Multi-year relationships matter - Reviewing grant histories shows the foundation maintains long-term relationships with key institutions rather than making one-time grants
  • Family business background influences priorities - With roots in the chemical industry, the foundation supports science, technology, and innovation programs, particularly the T.T. Chao Symposium on Innovation

References

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