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John G & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.2M
Grant Range
Up to $0.1M00
Decision Time
8mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,203,608 (2023)
  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (sectarian) / Up to $25,000 (non-sectarian)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas, with emphasis on South Texas
  • Application Deadline: October 15 (for May board consideration)
  • Grant Distribution: 90% sectarian (Catholic) / 10% non-sectarian
  • Awards Made: 336 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 555 N. Carancahua, Suite 1700, Tower II, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Phone: (361) 887-6565

Website: www.kenedy.org

Email: Contact through website

Overview

The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation was established on January 21, 1960, by Sarita Kenedy East, South Texas rancher and philanthropist, to honor her parents. One of the largest charitable foundations in South Texas, the foundation received the bulk of Sarita's estate including half of the 400,000-acre La Parra Ranch with its oil, gas, and ranching operations. Through 2016, the foundation had awarded over $330 million in charitable contributions. The foundation holds a Four-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator. Its mission focuses on supporting Catholic educational, charitable, and religious activities primarily in South Texas, though it also supports non-sectarian charities throughout Texas to the extent of at least 10% of annual distributions. Education has been strongly favored in recent grant-giving cycles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sectarian Grants: Up to $50,000

  • Catholic schools and universities
  • Catholic churches and diocesan programs
  • Catholic charitable organizations
  • Approximately 70% of sectarian distributions go to organizations in South Texas (Dioceses of Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and Laredo)

Non-Sectarian Grants: Up to $25,000

  • Education programs
  • Health services
  • Human services organizations
  • Must be located in Texas

Note: Grants over $50,000 (sectarian) or $25,000 (non-sectarian) require a three-quarters Board vote.

Priority Areas

The foundation seeks to nurture and advance endeavors that contribute to these core values:

  • Breaking the cycle of poverty
  • Assisting people to help themselves
  • Developing the Catholic faith
  • Advancing spirituality
  • Nurturing support and love for Catholic institutions
  • Cultivating a passion for learning
  • Fostering respect
  • Encouraging cooperative/collaborative partnerships

Preferred Grant Types:

  • Grants with large "ripple effects" that generate benefits spreading beyond the primary grantee into the wider community
  • "Seed money" grants where Foundation support provides a needed catalyst or first step to significant and preferably ongoing positive effects

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals (no individual scholarships or loans)
  • Completed projects
  • Existing debts
  • Political expenditures
  • Projects outside Texas
  • Organizations not listed in IRS Publication 78 or Official Catholic Directory

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Nick Serafy - President and Director
  • Thomas E. Dobson - Vice-President and Director
  • Jean Claire Turcotte - Secretary and Director
  • Gloria Hicks - Treasurer and Director
  • Mike Terry - Director
  • Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey - Director
  • Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller - Director
  • Patrick Callahan - Director
  • Pancho Hubert - Director
  • Bishop Robert M. Coerver - Director
  • Marcela Garcia - Director
  • Bishop David Toups - Director
  • Martha Cigarroa - Director
  • Ricardo Hinojosa - Advisory Director

Staff

Corpus Christi Office:

  • Sylvia A. Whitmore - Chief Executive Officer
  • Marco Castillo - Operations Officer
  • Silvat Majeed - Investment Officer
  • Krissy Elizondo - Grants Specialist
  • Paul Damerow - Comptroller
  • Linda Galvan - Assistant Comptroller
  • Scarlett Matthews - Accountant

CEO Sylvia Whitmore has stated: "We love giving that scholarship money because our job is to make money and give it away. And what a great thing to do, to be able to do this for these students."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation strongly encourages organizations to apply using the online grant application process available at kenedy.org.

Application Components:

  1. Eligibility Quiz - Complete first to assess proposal against criteria
  2. Online Application with five parts:
    • Organization Information
    • Primary Contact Information
    • Grant Project Data
    • Day to Day Contact Information
    • Electronic Attachments

Required Attachments (Exhibits A-H):

  • Exhibit A: IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)(3) status, or Official Catholic Directory listing
  • Exhibit B (New Applicants Only): Corporate Charter and Bylaws
  • Exhibit C: Current Board of Directors list with contact information and corporate minutes authorizing the grant application
  • Exhibit D: Summary of funds requested from all sources and funds received from others for the project
  • Exhibit E: Detailed project budget
  • Exhibit F: Most recent annual financial statements (audited if available) and Form 990 if filed
  • Exhibit G: Grant Status Reports for previous grants (if applicable)
  • Exhibit H: Litigation disclosure

For Catholic Applicants: Check with your Diocese before applying to ensure compliance with Diocese protocols, as application procedures differ among Dioceses.

Alternative Submission: If unable to upload attachments online, mail all required documents to: The John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, 555 N. Carancahua, Suite 1700, Tower II, Corpus Christi, TX 78401.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: October 15
  • Board Review: May (following year)
  • Decision Timeframe: Approximately 7 months from application to decision
  • Grant Execution: Grants must be funded within 6 months of Grant Agreement execution or will be automatically rescinded

Success Rates

The foundation made 336 awards in 2023, 343 awards in 2022, 310 awards in 2021, and 361 awards in 2020. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation prefers only one application every twelve months from an organization. The policy does not specify different restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Organizations that fail to file timely status reports for previous grants will not have new applications accepted.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance

Critical Warning: "Lobbying individual Directors may result in the application's rejection." All grant applications must be filed directly with the Foundation, not with members of the Board of Directors.

What They Value:

  • Projects with "ripple effects" that benefit the wider community beyond the primary beneficiary
  • Seed money requests that serve as catalysts for significant, ongoing positive effects
  • Alignment with core values: breaking poverty cycles, developing Catholic faith, cultivating learning, fostering collaborative partnerships
  • Projects used exclusively for religious, educational, or charitable purposes within Texas

Application Best Practices:

  • Read and review the Foundation's grant policies in their entirety before beginning the application
  • Complete the Eligibility Quiz to assess your proposal against their criteria
  • Ensure all required exhibits are complete and accurate
  • For Catholic organizations, coordinate with your Diocese before applying
  • Use funds within 12 months as required
  • File status reports on time for grants over $5,000 (required within 12 months of funding or 60 days after project completion)

Emphasis on Education: The foundation has strongly favored educational projects in recent grant cycles, including Catholic schools, Catholic universities, and public universities in Texas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: All grant funds must be used exclusively within Texas; prioritize South Texas connections when possible
  • Respect the application process: Apply through proper channels only; lobbying individual board members can result in automatic rejection
  • Think beyond direct impact: Frame your project in terms of "ripple effects" that benefit the wider community
  • Timing matters: Plan ahead for the October 15 deadline with May decision timeline (7-month cycle)
  • Catholic organizations have advantage: 90% of funding goes to sectarian (Catholic) causes; non-Catholic organizations compete for 10% of distributions
  • One shot per year: Only one application per organization every 12 months, so make it count
  • Demonstrate seed money potential: Show how their funding will catalyze significant, ongoing positive effects
  • Stay compliant: File required status reports on time or risk rejection of future applications

References

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