Promotion of the arts.
Rea Charitable Trust’s recent giving is built around one clear purpose: the promotion of the arts, with support flowing to nonprofit arts organizations and arts programming that includes music and performing arts. The trust’s founder legacy is reflected in the program design, and the grants list shows that arts support is paired with operational help rather than one-off project funding alone. In Midland, the trust has backed institutions such as Museum of the Southwest and the Arts Council of Midland with repeated general operating or daily-expense awards, indicating a relationship-oriented pattern with core cultural organizations. Its arts portfolio also reaches beyond one city: Standing Room Only in Yelm, Washington, received a large grant, and Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, appears multiple times in the recent grants list. The trust also funds arts education and cultural institutions, with grants extending to museums, symphony and chorale groups, ballet, and cultural centers. Across the recent grants shown, the foundation’s work centers on sustaining arts organizations that serve local audiences through ongoing operations and programming.
Within arts and culture, the trust gives for a wide range of organizational needs. The Museum of the Southwest in Midland received multiple awards, including a $300,000 grant for general operating support and a later $250,000 grant for daily expenses. The Arts Council of Midland was also a recurring recipient, with a $180,000 grant for daily support in 2024 after a $150,000 general operating grant in 2023. Music and performing arts are another visible line of giving: Permian Basin Opera received $200,000 for general operating support, and Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale Inc received $150,000 for general operating support in 2023. The trust also supports arts education and cultural programming through organizations such as Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland and Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian Basin.
Typical awards cluster at mid-five and low-six figures: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $30,000, while the recent grants list also shows many larger operating awards at $80,000 to $350,000. The trust is a regular funder rather than a DAF, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. Recent years show repeat support to the same organizations, often across 2023, 2024, and 2025, which points to recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts. Grant descriptions repeatedly use operating language such as general operating, daily operation, and daily support, with unsolicited applications not accepted in one of the active programs.
$5.3M
$119.4M
$31.6M
$7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in TX.
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Grantmaking is national, but the largest cluster is in Texas, especially Midland and Odessa. Midland recipients include Museum of the Southwest, Arts Council of Midland, Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland, Midland Community Theatre Inc, and Midland Festival Ballet. Odessa recipients include Odessa College Foundation Inc, The University of Texas Permian Basin, and Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian Basin. Outside Texas, the recent grants list includes Standing Room Only in Yelm, Washington, and Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia. All grants in the provided recent list go to U.S. recipients.
Rea Charitable Trust supports the promotion of the arts. Its active programs describe funding for nonprofit arts organizations and arts programming, including music, performing arts, visual arts, and arts education.
The recent grants list shows a strong tilt toward operational support: general operating, support for daily operation, and for purposes of daily expenses appear repeatedly. The trust also gives program support for arts-related activities.
The typical grant-size distribution is p25 $10,000, median $20,000, and p75 $30,000. The recent grants also include larger awards, including amounts from $80,000 up to $350,000.
Texas is the top state by grant count. Midland and Odessa appear frequently among recipient cities, while the foundation’s headquarters is in Detroit, Michigan.
One active program states that unsolicited applications are not accepted. Grants are administered by the trustee, Comerica Bank & Trust, on behalf of the trust.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDLAND ISD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | MIDLAND, TX | $335,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $170,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHWEST | MIDLAND, TX | $150,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| ODESSA COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | ODESSA, TX | $130,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND-ODESSA SYMPHONY AND CHORALE INC | MIDLAND, TX | $125,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | LEVELLAND, TX | $120,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| SCHREINER UNIVERSITY | KERRVILLE, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| ELLEN NOEL ART MUSEUM OF THE PERMIAN BASIN | ODESSA, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| PERMIAN BASIN PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC | MIDLAND, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND FESTIVAL BALLET | MIDLAND, TX | $85,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND COMMUNITY THEATRE INC | MIDLAND, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| HISPANIC CULTURE CENTER OF MIDLAND | MIDLAND, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | MIDLAND, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | MIDLAND, TX | $70,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF MIDLAND | MIDLAND, TX | $70,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN | LUBBOCK, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| VAN CLIBURN FOUNDATION INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| BYNUM SCHOOL | MIDLAND, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| TEXAS BALLET THEATER | FORT WORTH, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | SAN ANGELO, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLE | MCALLEN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| THE WEST TEXAS JAZZ SOCIETY INC | MIDLAND, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DIALY OPERATION |
| HOSPICE OF MIDLAND INC | MIDLAND, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MARFA PUBLIC RADIO CORPORATION | MARFA, TX | $45,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| UNTHSC FOUNDATION | FORT WORTH, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| FORT BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HOUSTON, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| LUBBOCK LIVE FESTIVAL FOR THE ARTS | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| LUBBOCK COMMUNITY THEATRE | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY |
| ENVISION DALLAS LIGHTHOUDE FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| JAMES DICK FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | ROUND TOP, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MERKEL INDEPENENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | MERKEL, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND ARC AKA SPECTRUM OF SOLUTIONS | MIDLAND, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS FOUNDATION INC | DENTON, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| BALLET LUBBOCK | LUBBOCK, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| MIDLAND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL | MIDLAND, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| SAN SABA ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SAN SABA, TX | $35,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| AUSTIN CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY | AUSTIN, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| SAFE PLACE OF THE PERMIAN BASIN | MIDLAND, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| MARFA EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | MARFA, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATION |
| MARFA THEATRE | MARFA, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MERRIFIELD, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| LEVELLAND WALLACE THEATER | LEVELLAND, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| FORT STOCKTON COMMUNITY THEATRE INC | FORT STOCKTON, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| ABILENE PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION | ABILENE, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
| LUMMOCK ARTS ALLIANCE INC | LUBBOCK, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION |
MIDLAND ISD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$335,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
$170,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE FOUNDATION
PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS
MIDLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$70,000SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS
ARTS COUNCIL OF MIDLAND
$70,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN
$60,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLE
$50,000PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS
THE WEST TEXAS JAZZ SOCIETY INC
$50,000SUPPORT FOR DIALY OPERATION
FORT BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
LUBBOCK LIVE FESTIVAL FOR THE ARTS
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
LUBBOCK COMMUNITY THEATRE
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY
ENVISION DALLAS LIGHTHOUDE FOUNDATION
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
JAMES DICK FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
MERKEL INDEPENENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
MIDLAND ARC AKA SPECTRUM OF SOLUTIONS
$40,000SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS
BALLET LUBBOCK
$40,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
MIDLAND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
$35,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
SAN SABA ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$35,000PURPOSE OF DAILY OPERATIONS
MARFA EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$30,000SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATION
MARFA THEATRE
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF DALLAS
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
FORT STOCKTON COMMUNITY THEATRE INC
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
ABILENE PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION
LUMMOCK ARTS ALLIANCE INC
$30,000SUPPORT FOR DAILY OPERATION