kelsey research foundation

What kelsey research foundation does

Kelsey Research Foundation (KRF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit biomedical research and health education organization founded on December 15, 1956, by physicians of the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, including John R. Kelsey, Jr., MD, and Mavis P. Kelsey, Sr., MD. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the foundation operates a portfolio of research programs and community-facing health services rather than a unified product line. Its flagship offerings include the KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research (est. 2014), which develops a proprietary fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) oral capsule manufactured under GLP methods in a CLIA/CAP-certified laboratory at UTHealth; the Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center (est. 1983) with a cancer registry maintained since 1986; the Bob and Vivian Smith Epilepsy Education and Research Program (est. 1988); the Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) survivorship program delivered in partnership with MD Anderson; and the U.S. POINTER lifestyle intervention study for cognitive decline prevention. The foundation also coordinates industry-sponsored clinical trials across oncology, gastroenterology, and other therapeutic areas for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic patients.

The foundation's revenue model blends individual donations and bequests (including the nearly $200,000 Consuelo Castro Patient Assistance Fund gift), corporate sponsorships (McKesson title sponsor, Gamma Construction, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, LabCorp), government and nonprofit grants (CPRIT, Alzheimer's Association $100,000 in 2025, NIH applications in process), and clinical trial coordination fees from pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors including Merck, Novartis, Loxo Oncology, GRAIL, BMS, Genentech, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. The annual Golf Classic is the primary fundraising event, with the 29th edition (2023) raising over $450,000 and cumulative proceeds approaching $5 million. Patient- and community-facing programs are delivered free of charge. KRF has treated approximately 200 patients with recurrent C. difficile infection via its FMT oral capsule and enrolled 455 participants in the Houston arm of U.S. POINTER, whose positive results were published in JAMA in July 2025. The organization is led by President and CEO Ashley S. Alexander (appointed January 2021), with a staff of approximately 30 and a board of about 21 members, including Chairman Dr. Jonathan C. Nelson and Chairman Emeritus John Wilson Kelsey.

Name

kelsey research foundation

Legal name

Kelsey Research Foundation

Website

https://kelseyresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kelsey Research Foundation is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 that conducts biomedical research and health education through programs including the KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research, the Crump Cancer Center, ALAC survivorship program, and clinical trial coordination for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic patients and Texas Medical Center partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research and Health Education Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders (HLAKAIAB)

Keywords

• Clinical trial coordination
• Biomedical research services
• Health education programs
• Microbiome research
• Nonprofit research foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Individual Giving: KRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID # 76-0637670) that raises funds primarily through individual donations, the annual Golf Classic tournament, the Live Oak Legacy Dinner, and planned giving/estate gifts. The Golf Classic is the primary fundraising event and has collectively raised nearly $5 million over its history. The Consuelo Castro Patient Assistance Fund receives bequests from individuals to benefit financially needy patients.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors contribute to KRF's annual Golf Classic and other fundraising events. Notable sponsors have included McKesson (title sponsor), Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Gamma Construction (major sponsors), and LabCorp (golf cart sponsor). These sponsorships are a regular and significant component of the annual fundraising revenue.
3. Government and Nonprofit Grants: KRF receives grant funding from government agencies and nonprofit organizations. CPRIT (Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas) funds the Active Living After Cancer program in partnership with MD Anderson. The Alzheimer's Association awarded KRF a $100,000 grant for U.S. POINTER implementation strategies. The Bob and Vivian Smith Foundation funds the Epilepsy Education and Research Program. Additional NIH grant applications are planned for microbiome research expansion.
4. Clinical Trial Coordination Services: KRF coordinates and provides oversight for clinical trials performed by physicians at the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. As a research organization, KRF receives compensation from trial sponsors (pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, medical device companies) for conducting trials. Trial sponsors listed include Merck, Novartis, Loxo Oncology, GRAIL, BMS, Genentech, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kelsey Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit biomedical research and health education organization that coordinates industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic patients, conducts translational microbiome, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's prevention research, and delivers free community health education programs (Active Living After Cancer, Epilepsy Education). It operates as the research and education arm of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, bridging the clinic's approximately 500,000-patient population with the Texas Medical Center research ecosystem.

Product overview

Kelsey Research Foundation operates as a nonprofit biomedical research and health education organization founded in 1956. Rather than a unified product platform, KRF manages a portfolio of distinct research programs, clinical services, and educational initiatives. Core research programs include the KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research (focused on fecal microbiota transplantation and gut health), the Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center (cancer care, education, and research), and the Bob and Vivian Smith Epilepsy Education and Research Program. Health education offerings include the Active Living After Cancer program (in partnership with MD Anderson) and the U.S. POINTER Alzheimer's prevention study. KRF also coordinates clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, maintains a patient assistance fund, and hosts an annual golf classic as its primary fundraising event. The foundation's mission is advanced through collaborative partnerships with Texas Medical Center institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research A translational research center investigating the gut microbiome's role in human disease, conducting clinical trials using a proprietary fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) oral capsule to treat C. difficile infection, Parkinson's disease, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Serves patients with microbiome dysbiosis-associated conditions and academic investigators.
• Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center A joint program of KRF and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic focused on integrated cancer education, prevention, patient care, and research, including a cancer registry maintained since 1986 that reports to the Texas Department of Health State Cancer Registry and the National Cancer Data Base. Serves Kelsey-Seybold cancer patients and clinicians across 31 Houston-area locations.
• Bob and Vivian Smith Epilepsy Education and Research Program A free consultation service and research program providing epilepsy patients and their families education on medical testing, seizure recognition and first aid, medications and side effects, seizure frequency reduction, and pregnancy considerations. Led by Dr. Michael Newmark since 1988. Funded by the Bob and Vivian Smith Foundation.
• Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) A Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) funded program delivered in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center, providing 12 weekly sessions of physical activity promotion, cognitive behavioral skills training, and survivorship navigation for cancer survivors and caregivers. Free of charge, with pedometer and resistance band provided to each participant. Outcomes published in JNCI (2024) and ACS Cancer journal (2021).
• U.S. POINTER Study (Houston Site) A two-year clinical trial evaluating whether structured lifestyle interventions (physical activity, nutrition, cognitive challenge, social engagement) protect cognitive function in older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline. KRF served as the Houston site and recruited 455 participants (45.4% people of color). Now continued via the POINTER Alumni Extension Study. Funded in part by a $100,000 Alzheimer's Association grant in 2025 for real-world implementation.
• Clinical Trials Coordination Clinical trial coordination and oversight services for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device sponsors, executing trials in oncology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, and other therapeutic areas at the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic site. Includes study start-up, regulatory, nursing, intervention, data quality, and cancer registry capabilities. Sponsors include Merck, Novartis, Loxo Oncology, GRAIL, BMS, Genentech, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer.
• Consuelo Castro Patient Assistance Fund A patient assistance fund that supports financially needy patients at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic with medical expenses such as mobility equipment repairs, established from a nearly $200,000 bequest by Ms. Consuelo Castro in 2017.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 200 patients with recurrent C. difficile infection cured via FMT oral capsule treatment
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, primary and major.

• UTHealth McGovern Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research (established 2014). McGovern Medical School co-founded the center with KRF and UTHealth's School of Public Health to investigate microbiome dysbiosis in Parkinson's disease, NAFLD, IBS, and cancer immunotherapy outcomes. The center's FMT product is manufactured in a CLIA/CAP certified laboratory at UTHealth. Also partners on U.S. POINTER study.
• UTHealth School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of the KRF-UTHealth Center for Microbiome Research (2014). Collaborates with KRF on microbiome research investigating conditions associated with loss of intestinal microbiota diversity.
• Baylor College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing KRF partner in the Texas Medical Center. Collaborated on digestive disease research and U.S. POINTER study (Houston site partner). Co-sponsors the William D. Seybold, MD Distinguished Lectureship and the J. Charles Dickson, MD Award and James L. Smith, MD Award for otolaryngology residents. Collaborated with KRF from 2010-2014 in the pre-Center microbiome research phase.
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPRIT-funded joint program partner for the Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) program. ALAC is directed by Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist of MD Anderson's Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. KRF's Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center works in coordination with MD Anderson on cancer care and research.
• Memorial Hermann Health SystemsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Medical Center institutional partner collaborating with KRF on research initiatives and clinical trials. Listed among the TMC institutions that KRF actively works with.
• Houston Methodist HospitalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Medical Center institutional partner listed among KRF's active research collaborations. Supports KRF's mission to organize and facilitate collaborative research between Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and TMC institutions.
• CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor St. Luke's Medical CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Medical Center institutional partner collaborating with KRF on research initiatives and clinical trials. Named as co-sponsor of the William D. Seybold, MD Distinguished Lectureship.
• University of Houston School of PharmacysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Texas Medical Center collaboration (2010-2014 phase). Contributed to the pre-Center microbiome research collaboration alongside KRF, UTHealth, and Baylor College of Medicine.
• Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal medical center partner within the Texas Medical Center collaborating with KRF on research programs.
• Alzheimer's Association of Houston and Southeast TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRF partnered with the Alzheimer's Association Houston chapter on the U.S. POINTER study as one of five research centers in the country. KRF was also awarded a $100,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Association in 2025 to develop real-world implementation strategies for U.S. POINTER results.
• Bob and Vivian Smith FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished the Bob and Vivian Smith Epilepsy Education and Research Program at KRF in 1988. The foundation's generosity funds the free epilepsy consultation service for patients and families. Also contributed to establishing the James L. Smith, MD Award for otolaryngology residents at BCM.
• McKessonprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the 25th Annual Golf Classic (2019). McKesson's title sponsorship support was noted as enabling the record $350,000 fundraising event. McKesson is a major healthcare services and IT company.
• Gamma Construction Co.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerHole-in-one title sponsor for the 27th Annual Golf Classic (2021) and major sponsor in subsequent years. Gamma Construction's sponsorship support enables KRF's largest annual fundraising event.
• LabCorpsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf cart sponsor for the 25th Annual Golf Classic (2019). LabCorp's sponsorship contributed to the event's success.
• Kelsey-Seybold ClinicprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRF's founding partner and primary institutional collaborator. KRF was established by leaders of the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic to promote biomedical research and health education. KRF facilitates clinical trials for Kelsey-Seybold patients. The Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center is a joint program of KRF and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. Kelsey-Seybold is a major sponsor of the annual Golf Classic. The clinic provides care for ~500,000 Houstonians at 31 locations.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alzheimer's Association: National voluntary health organization that funds Alzheimer's research and partnered with KRF on U.S. POINTER and awarded KRF a $100K implementation grant. Comparable as a disease-specific research and grantmaking nonprofit.
• Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT): Texas state agency funding cancer research and prevention. Directly comparable to KRF as it is the primary grantmaker for KRF's ALAC program and supports similar nonprofit cancer research and education initiatives.
• Epilepsy Foundation: National nonprofit funding epilepsy research, education, and patient services. Directly comparable to KRF's Bob and Vivian Smith Epilepsy Education and Research Program, though operating at significantly larger national scale.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Large national voluntary health organization funding cancer research, education, and patient support. Comparable to KRF's Joe and Jessie Crump Cancer Center mission around cancer education, prevention, and registry work.
• Scripps Research: Nonprofit biomedical research organization conducting basic and translational science. Comparable to KRF's research mission in publishing high-impact biomedical research outputs, though Scripps operates at significantly larger scale.
• American Heart Association: National voluntary health organization funding cardiovascular and stroke research. Comparable broad incumbent in the disease-research-and-education nonprofit category, with similar CPRIT-style grant cycles and academic partnerships.
• CDC Foundation: Independent nonprofit created by Congress to support CDC's work. Comparable as an aligned nonprofit that funds public health research, education, and program implementation through grants and partnerships.

Regional players

• Texas Biomedical Research Institute: San Antonio-based nonprofit biomedical research institute focused on infectious disease and population health. Comparable as a Texas-based nonprofit biomedical research organization with academic/clinical partnerships.
• Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation: Oklahoma City-based independent nonprofit biomedical research institute. Comparable as a regional nonprofit biomedical research organization with clinical trial capabilities and longstanding academic medical partnerships.

Emerging players

• Finch Therapeutics (now part of Seres): Microbiome therapeutics company focused on FMT-derived therapies. Comparable emerging player in microbiome research and FMT clinical translation, operating as a commercial entity rather than nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kelseyresearchfoundation
• Xx.com/kelseyresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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