Shelby Rae Tengg Foundation for Heart and Cancer Research Program

The Shelby Rae Tengg Foundation for Heart and Cancer Research is a philanthropic fund administered by Bank of America Private Bank’s Texas Philanthropic Solutions office. It operates under the guidance of trustees committed to supporting charitable efforts that align with the personal values and legacy of Shelby Rae Tengg, a long-standing member of the San Antonio Junior League. Mrs. Tengg’s deep community involvement and personal experiences with heart disease and cancer within her family inspired the foundation’s exclusive focus on advancing medical research related to these two critical health areas. The Foundation offers grant funding specifically to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that conduct heart and cancer research in Bexar County, Texas. This geographic restriction reflects Mrs. Tengg’s lifelong residence in the area and her desire to benefit her local community. Only if no suitable grantee organizations are identified in Bexar County will the foundation consider other Texas-based nonprofits conducting similar medical research. This conditional clause emphasizes the fund’s prioritization of local impact while allowing for some flexibility in disbursement to ensure the funds are used effectively. The grant application process is coordinated through Bank of America’s online grantmaking portal. Interested organizations must research the foundation’s focus and eligibility criteria on www.bankofamerica.com/grantmaking and submit proposals using the foundation’s online application form. Email submissions are not accepted, and technical support is available only during weekday business hours, which encourages applicants to prepare and submit well in advance of the deadline. The application deadline for this foundation is February 1, with funding decisions typically rendered within three to four months. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the due date. Incomplete or late applications are not considered. Grants are generally awarded for one year, and organizations receiving a grant are required to submit a Post Grant Evaluation Report within a year of the award. This report helps maintain transparency and accountability while allowing the fund administrators to assess program outcomes and long-term value. The evaluation process includes questions about goals achieved, long-term impact, encountered challenges, funding sources, and plans for project continuation. Failure to submit the report may render the organization ineligible for future funding opportunities from the foundation. The Foundation’s eligibility criteria are strict: applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), operate in Bexar County, and focus exclusively on heart and cancer research. The fund does not support general health programs, capital campaigns, or start-up nonprofits. Grants are not automatically renewable; each application is assessed on merit within the competitive pool. Awarded funds are typically unrestricted within the scope of the approved research activities, and applicants are expected to provide clear use-of-funds summaries in their applications and follow-up reports. Inquiries specific to the Shelby Rae Tengg Foundation should be directed to Bank of America’s Texas Philanthropic Solutions team at [email protected]. While the Foundation has no dedicated website of its own, detailed application procedures and FAQs can be found in the Texas Office Grantmaking Procedures document, which is also accessible via a public PDF. This document provides further clarity on submission rules, foundation-specific eligibility, contact information, and common pitfalls to avoid during the application process.