The Lisa and Clay Cooley Family Foundation concentrates its giving on faith-based ministries and local community institutions in the Dallas area, with substantial support for evangelical churches and missionary activity alongside civic and educational capital projects. Grants are large and targeted, often to a small set of repeat recipients that advance religious outreach, veteran/honor recognition, and higher-education facilities. The foundation favors capital/campaign and program support that visibly strengthens institutions with local or national civic profiles.
A defining feature of the Lisa and Clay Cooley Family Foundation is its repeated six- and seven-figure support for Preston Road Church of Christ, including $1.2 million grants in both 2024 and 2025 and a $1.11 million grant in 2023 to support numerous ministries while sharing the news of Jesus Christ. That recurring pattern points to a foundation that gives heavily through faith-based institutions, with local Dallas-area churches and ministry work at the center of its recent record. The foundation also backs a mix of civic, educational, and cultural projects that have a visible place in North Texas. Recent examples include support for The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation in Arlington, Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business renovation and expansion, and Salvation Army efforts in Dallas. Its grants extend beyond religion into museum, arts, and service organizations, but the overall profile remains tightly place-based and relationship-driven. Grantmaking is concentrated in Texas and in organizations with Dallas-area ties. The recent record also shows repeated support for institutions that can use gifts for capital projects, campaigns, events, or ongoing ministry and service work.
Faith-based ministry is the clearest throughline. The foundation gave $700,000 to Christ Church Irving for missionary support, and its larger church support patterns indicate priority for congregational outreach and ministry activity. It also funds institutions tied to civic memory and public history. In Arlington, it gave $500,000 to The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to support the National Medal of Honor Museum and Monument, following a prior $250,000 grant for the museum, monument, and institute. Education and arts appear as another lane of support. Southern Methodist University received $500,000 for Cox School of Business renovation and expansion, while the Dallas Museum of Art received $47,450 for Art Ball 2023: Influence and $25,000 to promote and support creativity in the arts. Health and family-focused causes are present as well, including $50,000 to Council for Life for awareness and financial support around unplanned pregnancies and $33,740 to Luke's Fastbreaks to provide unique medical shirts to children and young adults with cancer or extended illnesses.
$2.6M
$4M
$2.1M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $2K and $25K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat and flagship grantees (several multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million dollar gifts), primarily for capital projects and institutional support rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Preston Road Church of Christ, The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, Christ Church Irving, Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business), The Salvation Army
Typical grant size is $1,750 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, which sits far below the largest recent awards to major institutions. The recent record shows both repeated recipients and repeat support across multiple years, especially for churches, museums, and Dallas-based fundraising events. That pattern suggests a relationship-based foundation rather than one driven by open solicitation. The foundation is private and does not fund individuals. All recent grants shown are to U.S. recipients, with Texas dominating the recipient base.
Giving is overwhelmingly local: 92% of grants go to recipients in Texas, and the recent list is concentrated in Dallas, Arlington, Irving, Addison, and Austin. Dallas appears most often, including multiple grants to Preston Road Church of Christ, Salvation Army, Crystal Charity Ball, and the Dallas Museum of Art. Arlington shows up through The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, while Austin appears with Texas State History Museum Foundation. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 117 grants to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants center on faith-based ministries, especially Dallas-area churches, along with civic and educational institutions. The record also includes museums, arts organizations, Salvation Army events and campaigns, and health-related nonprofits serving women, children, and patients with cancer or blood cancer.
The grant-size distribution is $1,750 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. At the same time, the foundation also makes much larger awards, including several six- and seven-figure grants to churches and major institutions.
Yes. Texas is the top state by grant count, and 92% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, Texas. Recent recipients are concentrated in Dallas, Arlington, Irving, Addison, and Austin.
Recurring support is a visible pattern. Preston Road Church of Christ received major grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation appears in 2023 and 2024; Salvation Army and Crystal Charity Ball also appear multiple times across years.
Recent grants show support for missionary work, museum and monument projects, business-school renovation, arts fundraising, unplanned-pregnancy advocacy, and services for children and young adults with cancer or extended illnesses. Those themes appear across the named grants in Dallas, Arlington, Austin, and Irving.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST | DALLAS, TX | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT NUMEROUS MINISTRIES WHILE SHARING THE NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | COX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RENOVATION AND EXPANSION |
| SALVATION ARMY | DALLAS, TX | $375,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL | DALLAS, TX | $147,068 | 2025 | 2024 FASHION SHOW AND UNDERWRITING |
| COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS | DALLAS, TX | $101,500 | 2025 | THE SWEETHEART BALL FUND |
| TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | BLUE STAR MUSEUMS AND TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY DINNER |
| SALVATION ARMY | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | DALLAS WOMEN'S AUXILIARY |
| LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $26,000 | 2025 | CONNECT PATIENTS TO SERVICES AND FORWARD RESEARCH IN BLOOD CANCER |
| COUNCIL FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $24,500 | 2025 | 2024 CELEBRATING LIFE |
| LUKE'S FASTBREAKS | CARROLLTON, TX | $24,400 | 2025 | PREMIER BBQ BASH SPONSOR |
| THE GEORGE W BUSH FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | MUSEUM SUPPORT |
| EQUEST | DALLAS, TX | $19,280 | 2025 | EQUEST WOMEN'S AUXILIARY |
| SCHOLARSHOT | DALLAS, TX | $15,300 | 2025 | 2024-2025 SPONSORSHIP |
| ABILITY CONNECTION | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | SERVE PEOPLE WITH ALL TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL OR OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACROSS TEXAS |
| CHILDRENS CANCER FUND | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | REGAL SPONSOR |
| COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | ALL FOR THE HALL DALLAS |
| OPERATION KINDNESS | CARROLLTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | CABERNET SPONSORSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $9,650 | 2025 | CALLIER CARES LUNCHEON |
| SALVATION ARMY | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE BENEFIT OF "MY SWEET CHARITY" |
| ALL STARS PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT 2024 FALL BENEFIT AND BRING AFTERSCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO DALLAS YOUTH |
| SPCA OF TEXAS | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| CRISTO REY DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL INC | DALLAS, TX | $3,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GROW THE GROVE |
| THE SENIOR SOURCE | DALLAS, TX | $2,750 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SENIORS IN GREATER DALLAS |
| FOREFRONT LIVING FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,500 | 2025 | EACH MOMENT MATTERS LUNCHEON - FAITH PRESBYTERIAN HOSPICE CARING FUND |
| TURTLE CREEK CONSERVANCY | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PROTECTING AND PRESERVING TURTLE CREEK PARK |
| GENESIS WOMENS SHELTER & SUPPORT | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | GENESIS SUPPORT |
| WOMENS COUNCIL OF THE DALLAS ARBORETUM | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | CELEBRATING WOMEN FUND |
| ONE HUNDRED SHARES DALLAS INC | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED |
| AFP GREATER DALLAS CHAPTER | DALLAS, TX | $500 | 2025 | IN HONOR OF KIM HEXT |
| PRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST | DALLAS, TX | $1,200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT NUMEROUS MINISTRIES WHILE SHARING THE NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST |
| THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM & MONUMENT |
| CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL | DALLAS, TX | $122,373 | 2024 | 2023 FASHION SHOW AND UNDERWRITING |
| SALVATION ARMY | DALLAS, TX | $106,000 | 2024 | DOING THE MOST GOOD LUNCHEON |
| TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $63,022 | 2024 | TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY DINNER |
| SALVATION ARMY | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | DALLAS WOMEN'S AUXILIARY |
| DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART | DALLAS, TX | $47,450 | 2024 | ART BALL 2023: INFLUENCE |
| LUKE'S FASTBREAKS | ADDISON, TX | $33,740 | 2024 | PROVIDE UNIQUE MEDICAL SHIRTS TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER OR EXTENDED ILLNESSES |
| EQUEST | DALLAS, TX | $25,240 | 2024 | EQUEST WOMEN'S AUXILIARY LUNCHEON AND STYLE |
| WOMENS COUNCIL OF THE DALLAS ARBORETUM | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN |
| COUNCIL FOR LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | RAISE AWARENESS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ISSUES SURROUNDING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. |
| HHM HEALTH | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | HEALING HANDS LUNCHEON |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $15,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE PERFORMING ARTS |
| LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | CONNECT PATIENTS TO SERVICES AND FORWARD RESEARCH IN BLOOD CANCER |
| NEW FRIENDS NEW LIFE | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE ACCESS TO EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING, INTERIM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND MENTAL HEALTH TO FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH BACKGROUNDS OF ABUSE |
| WOODALL ROGERS PARK FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $10,230 | 2024 | SUPPORT KLYDE WARREN PARK |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | CALLIER CARES LUNCHEON |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR LOCAL CHILDREN |
| VOLUNTEERNOW | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SERVE OTHERS IN COMMUNITY |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | CELEBRATING WOMEN FUND |
PRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST
$1,200,000SUPPORT NUMEROUS MINISTRIES WHILE SHARING THE NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
SALVATION ARMY
$375,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BLUE STAR MUSEUMS AND TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY DINNER
SALVATION ARMY
$30,000DALLAS WOMEN'S AUXILIARY
CONNECT PATIENTS TO SERVICES AND FORWARD RESEARCH IN BLOOD CANCER
LUKE'S FASTBREAKS
$24,400PREMIER BBQ BASH SPONSOR
ABILITY CONNECTION
$15,000SERVE PEOPLE WITH ALL TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL OR OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACROSS TEXAS
CHILDRENS CANCER FUND
$10,000REGAL SPONSOR
COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION INC
$10,000ALL FOR THE HALL DALLAS
SALVATION ARMY
$5,000FOR THE BENEFIT OF "MY SWEET CHARITY"
TO SUPPORT 2024 FALL BENEFIT AND BRING AFTERSCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO DALLAS YOUTH
FOREFRONT LIVING FOUNDATION
$1,500EACH MOMENT MATTERS LUNCHEON - FAITH PRESBYTERIAN HOSPICE CARING FUND
TURTLE CREEK CONSERVANCY
$1,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PROTECTING AND PRESERVING TURTLE CREEK PARK
WOMENS COUNCIL OF THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
$1,000DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION
$1,000CELEBRATING WOMEN FUND
ONE HUNDRED SHARES DALLAS INC
$1,000SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED
AFP GREATER DALLAS CHAPTER
$500IN HONOR OF KIM HEXT
PRESTON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST
$1,200,000SUPPORT NUMEROUS MINISTRIES WHILE SHARING THE NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
SUPPORT THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM & MONUMENT
SALVATION ARMY
$106,000DOING THE MOST GOOD LUNCHEON
SALVATION ARMY
$50,000DALLAS WOMEN'S AUXILIARY
LUKE'S FASTBREAKS
$33,740PROVIDE UNIQUE MEDICAL SHIRTS TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER OR EXTENDED ILLNESSES
WOMENS COUNCIL OF THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
$25,000DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
RAISE AWARENESS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ISSUES SURROUNDING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES.
CONNECT PATIENTS TO SERVICES AND FORWARD RESEARCH IN BLOOD CANCER
PROVIDE ACCESS TO EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING, INTERIM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND MENTAL HEALTH TO FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH BACKGROUNDS OF ABUSE