The Sarofim Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity should not send a cold proposal.
- Its stated preference for trusted partners suggests that a route in through an existing relationship matters more than the paperwork.
- It funds only qualifying tax-exempt public charities under the cited Section 501(c)(3) and 509(a) rules, so a private foundation, an individual seeking help, or a request for event sponsorship would not fit.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $15,000 and $250,000, with a median of $75,000, but the largest grant in the filing was $2,000,000, so that band is typical rather than a limit.
- The filing states no geographic focus, though its grants have mainly gone to Texas and New Jersey, and it gives nothing on timing.
Overview
The Sarofim Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, TX.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation makes grants to qualifying tax-exempt public charities, rather than individuals, and says its grants can be capital, operational or disaster-relief based. Its stated purpose is to honour Mr Sarofim’s philanthropic legacy and support the long-term prosperity of its region. It describes its approach as deliberate and disciplined, aligning with trusted partners capable of achieving long-term results and coming alongside the community to tackle complex challenges. It considers where support can have the most impact, with grants varying in scope and approach and reflecting trust in partners able to accomplish their missions and goals. The evidence does not identify a settled field-specific programme of grantmaking.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Texas and New Jersey.
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations that are not recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) and Sections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), and 509(a)(3), including, without limitation, private foundations and private operating foundations described under Section 501(c)(3)
- Individuals, including, without limitation, grants to support scholarships programs organized for individual recipients
- Event sponsorships or related activities
How to apply
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Application success factors
- Grant size: In its TY2023 filing, half of its 62 grants to organisations were $75,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It looks for where Foundation support can have the most impact and trusts partners that can successfully accomplish their missions and goals.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2023.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 21% of grant dollars to organisations.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 4% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 62 grants in tax year 2023 by size
Median $75,000 (tax year 2023)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Princeton University · General charitable purposes$2,000,0002023 tax year
- Baylor College of Medicine · General charitable purposes$2,000,0002023 tax year
- United Way of Greater Houston · General charitable purposes$375,0002023 tax year
- YES Prep · General charitable purposes$250,0002023 tax year
- KIPP Texas · General charitable purposes$250,0002023 tax year
- Etoile Academy · General charitable purposes$250,0002023 tax year
- Beta Foundation dba Beta Academy · General charitable purposes$250,0002023 tax year
- Episcopal High School · General charitable purposes$250,0002023 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Ryan Dolibois — Executive Director
- William Gentry Lee Jr — Director
- Raye G White — Director
- Christopher B Sarofim — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
2 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $0 | $0 | $0 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $32,651,721 | $9,669,500 | $2,567,962,045 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to The Sarofim Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 654-4484
- Houston, TX
- sarofimfoundation.org
Applying to The Sarofim Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 654-4484
- Houston, TX
- sarofimfoundation.org