← Back to US Funders Directory

John R & Greli N Less Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$6.7M
Grant Range
Up to $0.3M00
00

John R & Greli N Less Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,701,297 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $129.9 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies; known grants from smaller amounts to $300,000
  • Average Grant Size: ~$105,000 (based on 2024 data)
  • Number of Grants: 64 awards in 2024
  • Geographic Focus: San Antonio, TX and surrounding area
  • Application Process: No public application process; invitation only

Contact Details

Trustee: Frost Bank
Address: PO Box 2950, Frost Trust Tax T-5, San Antonio, TX 78299
Phone: (210) 220-4438
EIN: 86-2643196

Note: The trust does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The John R & Greli N Less Charitable Trust was established in 2021 to honor the philanthropy of its namesakes, longtime San Antonio and Boerne residents John and Greli Less. Greli Less (1926-2019) was born in Vienna, Austria, immigrated to the United States after World War II, and married John R. Less in 1966. The couple maintained homes in San Antonio and on their ranch in Boerne, which the family owned for approximately 70 years. John Less passed away in 1985.

With total assets of $129.9 million as of 2023, this private foundation has demonstrated significant growth in its grantmaking, expanding from 14 awards in its first year (2021) to 64 awards in 2024. The trust, administered by Frost Bank as trustee, focuses its giving on San Antonio-area cultural institutions, arts organizations, museums, nature and science education, medical research, and social service organizations. The trust's strategic approach appears to emphasize transformative gifts to established institutions rather than broad distribution of smaller grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not offer formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it operates through trustee discretion, selecting organizations that align with the philanthropic legacy of John and Greli Less.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and named facilities, the trust prioritizes:

Arts and Culture

  • Art museums and contemporary art collections
  • Support for diversity in art (particularly artists of color)
  • Performing arts organizations including ballet

Science and Nature Education

  • Natural history museums
  • Science education facilities
  • Butterfly and wildlife conservation exhibits
  • Environmental education programs

Medical Research

  • Biomedical research institutions

Social Services

  • Food security and meal delivery programs
  • Community support organizations

Public Broadcasting

  • Public radio

Geographic Focus

The trust concentrates its grantmaking primarily in San Antonio and the surrounding Bexar County area, reflecting John and Greli Less's longstanding ties to the community.

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no published exclusions. However, the trust's giving pattern suggests a focus on established cultural, educational, and health institutions rather than individual grants, political organizations, or religious institutions.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Frost Bank serves as the institutional trustee, managing the trust's assets and grant distributions. Frost Bank has extensive experience administering charitable trusts in San Antonio and provides fiduciary oversight.

The trust operates without dedicated staff, relying on Frost Bank's trust and estate planning professionals to administer grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The John R & Greli N Less Charitable Trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with Frost Bank identifying beneficiary organizations that align with the philanthropic interests established by John and Greli Less during their lifetimes.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the trust does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made internally by the trustee throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Recent Grant Examples

Based on publicly available information, the trust has made the following notable grants:

  • McNay Art Museum - $250,000 (2023) for acquisition of artworks by women artists of color for the museum's permanent collection
  • Texas Biomedical Research Institute - $300,000 (2023)
  • Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries - $270,500 (2023)
  • Meals on Wheels San Antonio - $200,000 (2023)
  • Witte Museum - Substantial support for the "John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust Science and Nature Courtyard"
  • San Antonio Zoo - Support for the "John and Greli Less Butterfly Rainforest," which opened in 2023
  • Texas Public Radio - Multiple grants (amounts not disclosed)
  • Ballet San Antonio - Support documented in program materials

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Trust's Selection Process

Since this trust does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to understand the trust's priorities should note:

Historical Connection to the Less Family: The trust appears to prioritize organizations that John and Greli Less supported during their lifetimes or that align with their documented interests in arts, nature, and community service.

Established San Antonio Institutions: Recent grants show a pattern of supporting well-established cultural and social service organizations with proven track records in the San Antonio community.

Transformative Projects: Notable grants suggest the trust favors significant, visible projects such as named facilities (courtyards, exhibit spaces) and major acquisitions that create lasting impact.

Diversity and Inclusion: The McNay Art Museum grant specifically for artworks by women artists of color indicates the trust values diversity in the arts.

Science and Nature Education: Multiple grants to museums and the zoo for nature-focused educational facilities demonstrate this as a core priority area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: Organizations cannot apply directly; the trust selects recipients through trustee discretion
  • Focus on San Antonio: All documented grants support San Antonio-area organizations
  • Substantial Grant Sizes: With an average grant of approximately $105,000, this trust makes meaningful, transformative gifts rather than small grants
  • Cultural and Educational Priority: Arts museums, science education, and nature conservation receive significant support
  • Established Relationships Matter: The trust appears to support organizations with which the Less family had historical connections
  • Named Giving Opportunities: Several major grants have resulted in named facilities, suggesting the trust is open to recognition opportunities
  • Growth Trajectory: The trust's grantmaking has grown significantly since 2021, with the number of grants more than quadrupling in three years

References

← Back to US Funders Directory