Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $14,250,802 (2023)
Success Rate: Not disclosed (highly competitive; priority to previously funded organisations)
Decision Time: Applications reviewed twice yearly; decisions made in early June (spring cycle) and early December (fall cycle)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,000,000 (varies significantly by programme)
Geographic Focus: South Texas (community services); National (medical research, arts, wildlife)

Contact Details

Address: 1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 1020, San Antonio, TX 78213

Grants Administrator: Margret Bamford

Email: margretb@alexventures.com
Phone: (210) 271-3691
Cell (preferred): (210) 316-8398

Website: https://www.klebergfoundation.org

Overview

Established in 1950 by Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg in Kingsville, Texas, this foundation emerged from the legacy of King Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the world. Robert Kleberg Jr., grandson of King Ranch founder Captain Richard King, served as King Ranch's President and CEO for over 50 years, developing the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed and breeding champion quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Since inception, the foundation has awarded over $403 million in grants, with assets of approximately $228.6 million. Historically, around 60% of grants have supported medical research, reflecting Bob Kleberg's scientific innovation in animal husbandry and genetics. The foundation's mission centres on improving quality of life in South Texas communities, advancing scientific research and innovation, supporting arts and humanities, and promoting wildlife and habitat stewardship. President Helen C. Alexander leads the foundation in selecting projects "where funding will have the greatest impact" and that align "with the vision of Bob and Helen Kleberg."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Medical Research (Primary Focus - approximately 60% of total giving)

Grant Range: $250,000 - $3,000,000
Duration: Typically 1-4 years
2025 Awards: $11,088,652 across 9 awards
Focus: Highly innovative and groundbreaking medical research from top-tier institutions in basic biological and applied research with significant potential impact on scientific knowledge and human health
Application Method: Through institutional sponsored research office only; one application per institution per cycle
Current Restriction: Organisations not funded within the past 10 years must submit a pre-request, not a full application

Community Services (South Texas focus)

Grant Range: $5,000 - $148,726
2025 Awards: $991,422 across 22 organisations
Subcategories:
- Health Services: Organisations improving healthcare access and outcomes (preventive, diagnostic, treatment, recovery, rehabilitative)
- Education: Programmes with innovative learning models developing character and intellectual, physical, and creative abilities
- Social Services: Assistance for low-income children and families, promoting self-sufficiency
Geographic Restriction: Primarily Kingsville in Kleberg County and adjoining South Texas counties (organisations outside this area may apply only if previously funded)
Application Method: Online portal, twice yearly

Arts and Humanities

Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000
2025 Awards: $145,150 across multiple organisations
Focus: Visual arts exhibitions of the highest calibre at established museums with national impact, emphasising public access through educational programmes and outreach
Geographic Restriction: Local institutions must be in Kleberg County or adjoining counties (unless previously funded)
Application Method: Online portal, twice yearly

Wildlife, Conservation and Animal Science

Grant Range: $30,000 - $689,539 (recent examples: $100,000 - $300,000)
Focus Areas:
- Applied research addressing critical knowledge gaps in wildlife conservation, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
- Ecosystem integrity and native plant establishment
- Nearctic-Neotropical migratory bird stopover habitats
- Endangered/sensitive species endemic to South Texas
- Animal science: disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention in cattle and horses; animal genome and genetic mechanisms
Application Method: Online portal, twice yearly (animal medical research uses Medical Research application)

Priority Areas

Medical Research:

Novel proposals that question prevailing paradigms
Research leading to advancement of knowledge in the field
Projects with greatest impact on scientific knowledge and human health
Preference for Texas-based institutions

Community Services:

South Texas communities, especially Kingsville and surrounding counties
Programmes demonstrating measurable impact on health outcomes, education quality, or social service delivery

Arts:

Visual arts exhibitions at established museums with national reach
Programmes emphasising public accessibility and community engagement

Wildlife and Conservation:

Native wildlife support in South Texas
Habitat restoration and protection
Culturally significant natural heritage preservation in South Texas
Research on threats to wildlife or habitats in the region

What They Don't Fund

Individuals
Organisations serving areas outside Kleberg County and adjacent South Texas counties (for community, health, and education programmes)
Operating endowments
Deficit financing
Religious appeals
Propaganda organisations
Event sponsorships
Fundraising activities
Indirect costs
Pass-through organisations
Animal shelters, zoos, and local rehabilitation efforts (unless previously funded)
Capital projects (rarely considered; requires formal conversation with staff and 50% of total costs committed from other sources before consideration)

Governance and Leadership

President: Helen C. Alexander

Board Structure: The foundation is governed by a board of directors who manage assets and make funding decisions. All board members serve without compensation.

Grants Administrator: Margret Bamford serves as the primary contact for all grant-related enquiries and application questions.

Scientific Advisory Committee: A qualified scientific advisory committee reviews all medical research proposals.

Helen C. Alexander has expressed pride in the foundation's investments, noting they have awarded competitive grants to researchers "that have questioned the prevailing paradigm" and that grants align "with the vision of Bob and Helen Kleberg."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Applications Only: All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at https://www.klebergfoundation.org

Application Limits:

Community Services, Arts, and Wildlife: One application per organisation per year
Medical Research: One application per institution per grant cycle (must be submitted through institutional sponsored research office, not by individual researchers)

Required Documentation:

Request letter signed by organisation's President or CEO
Complete online application with all specified attachments
Compliance with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or public university status

Medical Research Special Requirement: Organisations not funded within the past 10 years must submit a Medical Research Study Pre-Request (not a full application) for initial screening.

Capital Projects: Must be preceded by formal conversation with foundation staff to determine fit with priorities; generally requires at least 50% of total project costs already committed from other sources.

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

Application Period: February 1 - March 31 (midnight CST)
Decision Notification: Early June
Payment: Shortly after decision notification, following signed award agreement

Fall Cycle:

Application Period: August 1 - September 30 (midnight CST)
Decision Notification: Early December
Payment: Shortly after decision notification, following signed award agreement

Important: Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

Grant Duration: Project support typically provided for up to 3 years; funding beyond 3 years generally not considered.

Reporting Requirements: Recipients must submit evaluation reports online by specified dates, including project effectiveness assessments and updated budget documentation.

Success Rates

While specific acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed, the foundation is explicit that funding is "highly competitive." In 2023, the foundation awarded grants totalling $14,250,802. Recent years show similar numbers:

2023: 46 awards totalling $14,250,802
2022: 43 awards totalling $14,737,830
2021: 41 awards totalling $13,007,378

Key Competitive Factors:

Priority given to organisations with whom the foundation has a previous relationship
First-time applicants face significant difficulty in receiving funding
Long-standing relationship with the foundation is a priority factor
Preference for Texas-based institutions (especially for medical research)
Internal competition-selected studies are preferred for medical research

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants to reapply. However:

Organisations may submit one application per year (or per cycle for medical research)
Medical research institutions not funded in the past 10 years must use the pre-request process rather than submitting a full application
No explicit prohibition exists against reapplication after rejection

Application Success Factors

For Medical Research Proposals:

The foundation seeks proposals that are "distinctive and novel in their approaches." According to the foundation's guidelines, successful medical research applications should:

Question the prevailing paradigm
Lead to advancement of knowledge in the field
Demonstrate highly innovative and groundbreaking approaches
Come from top-tier institutions
Show potential for greatest impact on scientific knowledge and human health

President Helen C. Alexander specifically noted pride in awarding grants to researchers "that have questioned the prevailing paradigm," indicating the foundation values innovation over incremental research.

Recent Medical Research Examples:

Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center: $1.5 million (3 years) for brain metastasis research overcoming the blood-brain barrier
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center: 3-year grant for anti-evolution drug research to reduce cancer cell resistance
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine: $1.9 million for medical programme support
Stanford University: $1.2 million for medical studies
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: $994,000 for cancer research

For Community Services:

Geographic alignment is critical: organisations must primarily serve Kingsville, Kleberg County, or immediately adjoining South Texas counties
Demonstrable impact on health outcomes, educational quality, or social service delivery
Programmes serving low-income populations, particularly children and families
Innovative approaches to learning and development

For Arts and Humanities:

Focus on visual arts at established museums
National impact and reach
Strong public access components through educational programmes and community outreach
Exhibition quality must be of "the highest calibre"

Recent Arts Examples:

San Antonio Museum of Art: $100,000
Various smaller institutions: $5,000 - $25,000

For Wildlife and Conservation:

Projects addressing critical knowledge gaps specific to South Texas ecosystems
Research on endangered or sensitive species endemic to the region
Habitat restoration supporting native wildlife
Animal science research relevant to cattle and horse health

Recent Wildlife Examples:

Texas A&M University, Kingsville: $300,000 (3 years) for South Texas Natives Project
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program: $100,000 for bird conservation in Laguna Madre
Remember The Alamo Foundation: $100,000 for restoration

Universal Success Factors:

Existing Relationship: The foundation explicitly states that "funding is highly competitive and priority is given to organisations with whom the Foundation has a previous relationship." First-time applicants face significant barriers.
Texas Connection: While not required for all programmes, preference is clearly given to Texas-based institutions, particularly for medical research.
Complete Applications: Request letters must be signed by the President or CEO. Applications missing required attachments or documentation are likely to be rejected.
Alignment with Founders' Vision: The foundation seeks projects that align "with the vision of Bob and Helen Kleberg," emphasising innovation, scientific advancement, South Texas community improvement, and conservation.
Capital Projects Require Pre-Conversation: Any capital project requests should be discussed with foundation staff before application submission to ensure fit with priorities. At least 50% of total costs must be committed from other sources.
Medical Research Pre-Screening: Organisations without funding in the past decade must go through a pre-request process, not submit full applications directly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Relationship is paramount: First-time applicants face significant challenges. If your organisation has never been funded, consider whether there are opportunities to build a relationship before applying, or be prepared for a long-term cultivation strategy.
Geographic restrictions are strict for community programmes: Unless your organisation has been previously funded, community services, education, and health grants are limited to Kleberg County and immediately adjoining South Texas counties. Do not apply if you serve areas outside this region without prior funding history.
Medical research requires institutional backing: Individual researchers cannot apply directly; applications must come through institutional sponsored research offices, and institutions may only submit one proposal per cycle. Organisations not funded in 10 years must use pre-request process.
Innovation trumps incremental progress: The foundation values research and programmes that "question the prevailing paradigm" rather than incremental improvements. Frame your proposal around groundbreaking approaches.
Texas-based institutions have advantage: Especially for medical research, preference is given to Texas-based institutions, with particular priority for those with "long-standing relationships, preferably in Texas."
Deadlines are absolute: Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Applications must be submitted by midnight CST on March 31 (spring) or September 30 (fall).
Capital funding is rare and requires pre-conversation: Do not submit capital requests without first discussing with foundation staff. You must demonstrate at least 50% of costs already committed from other sources.

References

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