Private foundation · EIN 74-2844494 · Alice, Texas · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 25 grants paid, $380K total, median $15K. 100% of grants stayed in Texas.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
25
$380K
Median grant
$15K
Stays in TX
100%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$8.3M

Grants paid in 2025

25 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Gonzales IsdGonzales, TXAssist youth$46K
Samburu Young RunnersAlice, TXAssist with youth HIV and community welfare$38K
Driscoll Childrens HospitalCorpus Christi, TXSupport childrens hospital$28K
MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TXCancer treatment and research$28K
Corpus Christi Ministries IncCorpus Christi, TXAssist needdy in community$22K
Friends of PadreCorpus Christi, TXPadre Island beach cleanup and conservation$19K
FlatsworthyFulton, TXEnvironmental support$19K
Jim Wells County First RespondersAlice, TXAssist first responders$18K
Passion for PawsNixon, TXAnimal support$17K
Rockport Center for the ArtsRockport, TXSupport art related actrivities$15K
Nixon-Smiley IsdNixon, TXAssit youth$15K
Waelder IsdWaelder, TXAssist youth$15K
Shelter a MuttCorpus Christi, TXEuthanasia prevention$15K
Art Center of Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TXSupport arts and humanities$10K
Gulf Coast Humane SocietyCorpus Christi, TXAnimal support$10K
Wings RescueRockport, TXBird rescue and rehab$10K
Foster AngelsCorpus Christi, TXAssist foster children$10K
Gonzales Crystal TheatreGonzales, TXSupport youth$9,960
Gonzales County 4h CouncilGonzales, TXSupport youth$8,300
Del Mar CollegeCorpus Christi, TXAssit students$7,500
Texas Am Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TXAssist youth$7,500
Corpus Christi MuseumCorpus Christi, TXHistorical and cultural preservation$7,500
Kleberg County Pregnancy CenterKingsville, TXAssist young women$2,500
Bethune Day NurseryCorpus Christi, TXSupport youth$2,000
Cca Brush Country CcaKingsville, TXSupport youth$1,500

About this foundation

Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Alice, Texas, administered in care of Davie L McNinch, tax-exempt since 1997. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $380K across 25 grants, a median of $15K.

Where does Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation give?

Texas (25 grants), per its latest filing.

More foundations near Alice that accept applications

All in Texas
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Brown Foundation Incsince 1952 Houston, TX $84M222 grants · 2024 $50KYes $2.1B
Michael & Susan Dell Foundationsince 2000 Austin, TX $164M836 grants · 2024 $19KYes $5.4B
Houston Endowment Incsince 1938 Houston, TX $100M355 grants · 2024 $125KYes $2.4B
Moody Foundationsince 1943 Galveston, TX $121M373 grants · 2024 $70KYes $2.5B
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