About Southwestern Medical Foundation
An impact-driven public charity focused on building a sustainable funding source for innovative research, best-in-class medical education, and the highest standard of care.
Focus Areas
Medical researchMedical educationPatient carePediatricsBrain research / neurologyCancer researchPublic healthMental healthAddiction psychiatry
Who They Fund
patients with neurological disorders (including infants with brain concerns)cancer patients and clinical trial participantsindigent elderly patients with outstanding hospital billsyouth and adolescents with mental health needs
About Southwestern Medical Foundation
Southwestern Medical Foundation’s largest recent grants center on UT Southwestern, where it has backed research, endowed chairs, professorships, and major institute-level initiatives. One 2024 grant of $34,055,660 supported research, centers, endowed chairs, professorships, and other programs at UT Southwestern, while a 2023 grant of $31,566,075 supported the B. R. Bowling Fund O’Donnell Brain Institute. That pattern shows a funder built around long-term institutional support rather than one-off project funding. The foundation’s giving also includes large annual distributions tied to endowment and operating support, such as semi-annual 4.5% distributions in 2025 and annual distributions from the Mary R. Saner Endowment Fund. Across the recent grants list, UT Southwestern receives repeated support for brain and neurological disorders, cancer research, medical education, and patient-related needs. Grants also appear for clinical infrastructure, such as the TI Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building and an operating room “black box.” The portfolio points to a medical-centered funder that uses sizable, recurring grants to strengthen research capacity, academic medicine, and specialized care at a single institution.
What Southwestern Medical Foundation Funds
Brain and neurological research is a major theme. Southwestern Medical Foundation gave $1,380,000 in 2025 to support initiatives of the Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Brain Institute, and $960,000 in 2024 to support the Neuro Wellness in Brains of Infants (NEWBI) program. Earlier grants also supported cerebellum disorders research and neuroscience research at the Harold and Annette Simmons Comprehensive Center for Research and Treatment in Brain and Neurological Disorders. Cancer-related support is another clear area. In 2025, the foundation awarded $1,595,000 to Cancer Prevention Initiative Inc for the Cancer Prevention Initiative, $1,000,040 to UT Southwestern for the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and $500,000 for prostate cancer research under Dr. Kevin Courtney. Medical education and training also appear in the recent record, including $2,127,101 in 2025 for key activities at UT Southwestern Medical School and $1,000,000 in 2024 for the TI Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building.
How Southwestern Medical Foundation Gives
Typical grants are substantial: the 25th percentile is $19,392, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $165,625. The recent record also shows repeated large distributions in the millions, alongside smaller endowment distributions and program awards. UT Southwestern appears across multiple years and at multiple funding levels, indicating recurring support rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a public charity with annual grants of $164,881,615 and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$164.9M
Total Assets
$1.3B
Total Revenue
$183.1M
Total Expenses
$55.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $19K and $166K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$19K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$166K
Geographic Reach
Local3 states funded
About 97% of grants go to recipients in TX.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
MICHAEL MCMAHAN
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeWant a Personalized Pitch for Southwestern Medical Foundation?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime