The Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust makes large, targeted grants to Dallas-based cultural institutions and family services that increase public access and support children and families in crisis. Recent gifts fund free museum admission programming and early-childhood / family shelter services, indicating a local focus on arts accessibility and homelessness prevention for children. The foundation appears to prioritize a small number of high-impact, place-based investments rather than broad grantmaking across many organizations.
Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust’s largest recent gifts show a clear preference for place-based support in Dallas: a $300,000 grant to the Nasher Sculpture Center for free First Saturday admission, paired with $200,000 each for Ut Southwestern Medical Center’s myasthenia gravis research and Vogel Alcove’s family gateway support. That mix points to a funder that backs both public access to arts institutions and services for children and families facing serious needs. The trust also gives to organizations serving children with special needs, families experiencing homelessness, and local arts groups. Recent awards include support for Jewish Family Service of Dallas special-needs programming, Dallas Children’s Theater sensory-friendly work, and free or community-access programming at major Dallas cultural institutions. The giving pattern is focused rather than broad, with repeated attention to Dallas-based groups and a smaller number of larger grants rather than many small awards. Across the recent grants list, the trust appears to support organizations that can deliver direct services or widen access for local residents, especially in Dallas. Its portfolio includes medical research, early childhood supports, museum access, and arts education, all within a tightly local footprint.
In arts access, the trust gave $300,000 to the Nasher Sculpture Center for free First Saturday admission and $40,000 to the Dallas Museum of Art for community engagement. It also supported Dallas Center for Performing Arts Foundation with $25,000 for Open Stages and Dallas Summer Musicals with $25,000 for Broadway Dallas programming. In services for children and families, the trust awarded $200,000 to Vogel Alcove for Family Gateway support and $30,000 to Open Arms Inc dba Bryan's House for early childhood education. It also gave $30,000 to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas for an early childhood program. Special-needs support appears as another thread. Grants include $150,000 to Jewish Family Service of Dallas for special needs, $70,000 to Dallas Children’s Theater Inc for sensory-friendly programming, and $25,000 to Autistic Treatment Center Inc for early intervention services.
Typical grants cluster at a fairly high level: the p25 is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes several larger awards at $150,000, $200,000, and $300,000, suggesting that the trust combines mid-sized support with a few major commitments. The trust is a local giver, and the 2023 grants show repeated support for Dallas organizations rather than a wide, multi-state spread. It also funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
$2.2M
$38.9M
$4.4M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, large one-off grants to a very small set of local nonprofit organizations; favors high-impact program support that increases public access or supports vulnerable children and families.
Notable grantees: Nasher Sculpture Center, Vogel Alcove, Family Gateway
The recent grants are overwhelmingly local. Texas received 49 grants, all of the grants in the country distribution, and 98% of grants went to recipients in the trust’s HQ state. Dallas is the main recipient city, with additional grants to Irving and Arlington, and one notable award to Fort Worth. The pattern points to concentrated giving in the Dallas area rather than a broad Texas footprint.
Recent grants go to arts institutions, children’s services, medical research, and special-needs programs. Examples include support for free museum admission, family gateway services, sensory-friendly theater programming, early childhood education, and genomic clinical trials.
The reported grant-size distribution centers at $25,000, with a p25 of $15,000 and a p75 of $50,000. The recent list also includes larger awards of $150,000, $200,000, and $300,000.
Its giving is concentrated in Texas. The data shows 49 grants in the US, 100% of grants to US recipients, and 98% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Dallas is the main recipient city in the recent grants list.
Yes. Recent awards include support for free admission programming at the Nasher Sculpture Center, community engagement at the Dallas Museum of Art, Open Stages at Dallas Center for Performing Arts Foundation, and education programming at The Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony Association.
Yes. Recent grants include support for Vogel Alcove’s Family Gateway work, early childhood programming at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, early childhood education at Open Arms Inc dba Bryan’s House, and special-needs services through Jewish Family Service of Dallas and Autistic Treatment Center Inc.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $250,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT RESEARCH AWARD |
| RETINA FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTHWEST | DALLAS, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | RETINAL RESEARCH & CENTER |
| NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FREE FIRST |
| AKIBA YAVNEH ACADEMY OF DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $90,000 | 2026 | MA'ALOT SPECIAL NEEDS |
| DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATER INC | DALLAS, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | SENSORY-FRIENDLY PROGRAM |
| THE DALLAS OPERA | DALLAS, TX | $70,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT 'THE LITTLE PRINCE' |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $70,000 | 2026 | PERFORMING ARTS SPACE |
| NOTRE DAME OF DALLAS SCHOOLS INC | DALLAS, TX | $70,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT VOCATIONAL TRAINING |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT SMU MEADOWS MUSEUM |
| DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, |
| WIPE OUT KIDS CANCER INC | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER |
| YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS | COPPELL, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | ASHFORD RISE SCHOOL OF |
| BE THE DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE CALLIER CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT HOPE |
| TEXAS BALLET THEATER INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF DALLAS INC | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT SPECIAL NEEDS |
| UNTHSC FOUNDATION | FORT WORTH, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | NOVEL HEART ATTACK |
| AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | OPEN STAGES & BACKSTAGE |
| PREMIER LONE STAR WIND ORCHESTRA | DALLAS, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | YOUTH EDUCATION & |
| DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ESPRESSO NUTCRACKER |
| SOUTHWEST TRANSPLANT ALLIANCE INC | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PANCREATIC CANCER |
| OSTEOSARCOMA INSTITUTE | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OSTEOSARCOMA |
| DALLAS THEATER CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PROJECT DISCOVERY |
| AUTISTIC TREATMENT CENTER INC | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | ABA THERAPY CLINIC SUPPORT |
| BIG THOUGHT | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CREATIVE SOLUTIONS |
| MY POSSIBILITIES | PLANO, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | DISABLED YOUTH CAREER |
| BOOKER T WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARTS | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT STUDENT ENRICHMENT |
| GREATER DALLAS CHORAL SOCIETY | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2026 | NORTH TEXAS RESEARCH - |
| ENVISION DALLAS | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | ASSISTING IN CONTINUING |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS FOUNDATION | DENTON, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT UNT ART PEOPLE |
| AVANT CHAMBER BALLET | DALLAS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | DANCE EDUCATION & OUTREACH |
| TEXAS CELLOS | DALLAS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT YOUTH ARTS |
| GREATER DALLAS YOUTH ORCHESTRA | DALLAS, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | MUSIC CAPACITY BUILDING IN |
| TITAS (TX INT'L THEATRICAL ARTS SOCIETY) | DALLAS, TX | $18,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FUTURE/UNBOUND |
| KIDLINKS | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| OUR PRODUCTIONS THEATRE COMPANY | FLOWER MOUND, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | YOUNG ARTIST TRAINING |
| JUNIOR PLAYERS GUILD | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| RICHARDSON SYMPHONY INC | RICHARDSON, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| WARREN CENTER INC | RICHARDSON, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | EARLY CHILDHOOD |
| NORTH TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS | PLANO, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & |
| ENNIS PUBLIC THEATRE | ENNIS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT YOUNG ARTIST |
| BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL | MIAMI, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT TEXAS TRANSITIONS |
| DALLAS HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - |
| KITCHEN DOG THEATER COMPANY | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT DALLAS PLAYWRITING |
| IT'S A SENSORY WORLD INC | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | SENSORY-BASED/THERAPEUTIC |
| TEATRO HISPANO DE DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $12,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PROYECTO 1 |
UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
$250,000SUPPORT RESEARCH AWARD
NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER
$100,000SUPPORT FREE FIRST
DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATER INC
$75,000SENSORY-FRIENDLY PROGRAM
SUPPORT 'THE LITTLE PRINCE'
NOTRE DAME OF DALLAS SCHOOLS INC
$70,000SUPPORT VOCATIONAL TRAINING
SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF DALLAS
$60,000SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL
WIPE OUT KIDS CANCER INC
$50,000FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER
BE THE DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION
$50,000OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH
FOUNDATION FOR THE CALLIER CENTER
$50,000SUPPORT HOPE
AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$35,000OPEN STAGES & BACKSTAGE
PREMIER LONE STAR WIND ORCHESTRA
$35,000YOUTH EDUCATION &
SOUTHWEST TRANSPLANT ALLIANCE INC
$30,000SUPPORT PANCREATIC CANCER
AUTISTIC TREATMENT CENTER INC
$25,000ABA THERAPY CLINIC SUPPORT
BOOKER T WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARTS
$25,000SUPPORT STUDENT ENRICHMENT
GREATER DALLAS CHORAL SOCIETY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC
$25,000NORTH TEXAS RESEARCH -
ENVISION DALLAS
$25,000EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
AVANT CHAMBER BALLET
$20,000DANCE EDUCATION & OUTREACH
TEXAS CELLOS
$20,000SUPPORT YOUTH ARTS
GREATER DALLAS YOUTH ORCHESTRA
$20,000MUSIC CAPACITY BUILDING IN
TITAS (TX INT'L THEATRICAL ARTS SOCIETY)
$18,000SUPPORT FUTURE/UNBOUND
KIDLINKS
$15,000MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
OUR PRODUCTIONS THEATRE COMPANY
$15,000YOUNG ARTIST TRAINING
RICHARDSON SYMPHONY INC
$15,000SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMMING
NORTH TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS
$15,000YOUTH DEVELOPMENT &
ENNIS PUBLIC THEATRE
$15,000SUPPORT YOUNG ARTIST
DALLAS HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION
$15,000FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE -
KITCHEN DOG THEATER COMPANY
$15,000SUPPORT DALLAS PLAYWRITING
IT'S A SENSORY WORLD INC
$15,000SENSORY-BASED/THERAPEUTIC
TEATRO HISPANO DE DALLAS
$12,000SUPPORT PROYECTO 1