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John L Santikos Charitable Foundation

EIN 47-7326497 · San Antonio, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRINCIPLE PURPOSES OF THE JOHN L. SANTIKOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION ARE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OTHER CHARITIES WHICH THE SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION WOULD OTHERWISE SUPPORT.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
2,781
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$1.2 million, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $10.8 million spent. THE JOHN L. SANTIKOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (JLS CHARITABLE TRUST). A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION OF THE SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION (AREA FOUNDATION), HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE AREA FOUNDATION TO HOLD THE SANTIKOS LEGACY AND MANAGE THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND GRANT MAKING ACTIVITIES DICTATED BY THE SANTIKOS LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT. THE JLS CHARITABLE TRUST CONDUCTS CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE CONDUCTED BY THE AREA FOUNDATION.
  2. $87,913 spent. THE JOHN L. SANTIKOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION IS THE SOLE MEMBER OF SANTIKOS ENTERPRISES AND VARIOUS THEATER AND NONTHEATER REAL ESTATE COMPANIES. THESE PROPERTIES ARE HELD BY THE JOHN L. SANTIKOS FOUNDATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.