Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation

Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation

The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation was created in 1995 after the death of Albert B. Alkek to perpetuate the family's philanthropic commitments. Margaret Alkek Williams, daughter of the founders, serves as chairman while grandson Charles A. Williams holds the presidency. The foundation maintains its headquarters in Houston and focuses exclusively on Texas recipients. Grant activity centers on health-related research, university programs, and performing arts organizations. Confirmed major gifts include over $100 million to Baylor College of Medicine and $30 million to MD Anderson Cancer Center. The foundation also supports the Houston Ballet through a $10 million gift that named the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance. Geographic scope remains limited to Texas institutions with no disclosed international commitments. The foundation reports no dedicated investment staff and routes portfolio management through Chaswil, Ltd. and external counsel. Public equity holdings have included positions in Opexa Therapeutics and Enterprise Products Partners. Private holdings encompass ranch land and royalty interests originally tied to the Alkek oil business. No operational events from the last 24 months appear in available records. Governance rests with family principals who also oversee related entities such as Alkek & Williams Ventures, Ltd. and M&A Properties, Inc. This structure keeps investment and grant decisions within a small circle of family members and long-serving advisors rather than external investment committees.