The L & M Charitable Foundation focuses on place-based, high-impact gifts in the Dallas–Fort Worth area that support youth development, independent/private education, and community cultural institutions. They make relatively large, unrestricted or capital-style grants (program/general support and facility renovation) to both social-service providers (notably shelters and children’s residential programs) and elite/preparatory schools, with several repeat gifts to local institutions. The portfolio suggests a preference for institutions that serve children and families—through education, camps, transitional living, or pediatric services—plus support for regional cultural amenities.
The L & M Charitable Foundation Inc. stands out for recurring support to children-serving institutions, especially the Dallas–Fort Worth school and youth-services ecosystem. One of its clearest patterns is sustained funding for Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, including a lab school grant and separate support for dyslexia programming, which fits the foundation’s broader interest in pediatric services and learning differences. The foundation also backs capital and program work at independent schools, including Fort Worth Country Day School and Watershed School, alongside gifts to residential youth organizations and women’s shelter services. Its portfolio shows a mix of unrestricted support, capital-style grants, and designated program funding. In Dallas, the foundation has supported Genesis Women’s Shelter across multiple years and has also given to Incarnation House, while in 2025 it funded Cherokee Home for Children’s transitional living center. Regional cultural and child-focused institutions appear as well, including the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Children’s Adventure Garden. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on institutions that serve children, families, and students through education, shelter, health-related services, and community programming.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2023, it gave $100,000 to Fort Worth Country Day School for a lower school renovation, and later gave the school additional capital support for its Forward Together comprehensive campaign in 2024 and 2025. It also supported Watershed School in Boulder with a general support contribution and an annual fund grant. Medical and learning-disability work appears through Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, which received support for the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders and for the Dyslexia Program. Youth development is visible in grants to John Austin Cheley Foundation for campership programs and a camp leadership pledge. Cultural and outdoor education show up in support for the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Children’s Adventure Garden, including a three-year pledge.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $21,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, which points to a middle range of moderately sized gifts with some larger outliers. The foundation’s recent record also shows repeat support to several recipients across 2023 through 2025, including Genesis Women’s Shelter, Scottish Rite for Children, Fort Worth Country Day School, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, John Austin Cheley Foundation, and Nols Fund. It is classified as a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it gives to individuals. The pattern includes operating support, unrestricted gifts, capital campaigns, and named program support.
$645K
$15M
$3.7M
$761K
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $21K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$21K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, relatively large grants (many $100k+), often repeat funding to a small set of preferred local grantees; mix of unrestricted/general support and capital/project gifts rather than many small donations.
Notable grantees: Genesis Women’s Shelter, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, John Austin Cheley Foundation, Fort Worth Country Day School, Cherokee Home for Children
Grantmaking is regional, with 49% of grants to recipients in Texas, while Wyoming is the top state by grant count. Dallas is a recurring hub, with awards to Genesis Women’s Shelter, Scottish Rite for Children, Incarnation House, and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Other Texas recipients include Fort Worth, Cherokee, and Austin. Outside Texas, grants go to schools and youth organizations in Colorado, plus recipients in Mississippi and Wyoming.
Its grants consistently reach children-serving schools, residential youth programs, women’s shelter services, pediatric and learning-disability programs, and regional cultural institutions. Recent examples include support for independent schools, a children’s transitional living center, and a pediatric lab school.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Genesis Women’s Shelter, Scottish Rite for Children, Fort Worth Country Day School, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, John Austin Cheley Foundation, and Nols Fund.
The grant-size distribution centers on $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $21,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range from smaller operating gifts to $100,000 awards for capital and program needs.
Texas receives 49% of grants, and Wyoming is the top state by grant count. Dallas is a frequent recipient city, with additional grants going to Fort Worth, Cherokee, Austin, and recipients in Colorado and Mississippi.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEROKEE HOME FOR CHILDREN | CHEROKEE, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER |
| GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER | DALLAS, TX | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| SCOTTISH RITE FOR CHILDREN | DALLAS, TX | $62,500 | 2025 | LAB SCHOOL |
| DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARD | DALLAS, TX | $55,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE GARDEN - 3 YEAR PLEDGE (YEAR 3) |
| JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | KEM, LMM, EEM |
| COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| FORT WORTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | FORT WORTH, TX | $40,000 | 2025 | FORWARD TOGETHER COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY | GREENWOOD, MS | $22,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION, PRESERVE AND PROTECT FUND |
| THE MCCALLIE SCHOOL | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| NOLS FUND | LANDER, WY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| THE GIRLS SCHOOL OF AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | FIREBIRD FUND |
| HILLCREST SCHOOL | MIDLAND, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK | PLANO, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| WATERSHED SCHOOL | BOULDER, CO | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| PILLOW ACADEMY | GREENWOOD, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| CASA DE AMIGOS | MIDLAND, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| ALL AUSTIN COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHO | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| THE FAMILY PLACE | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| COOK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF CLINE MCMURRAY |
| AUSTIN STREET CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| UNIV OF THE SOUTH | SEWANEE, TN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| KLIFE OF FORT WORTH | FORT WORTH, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | IN APPRECIATION OF LUCY NICKEL |
| FORT WORTH BOTANICAL SOCIETY | FORT WORTH, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | PECAN GIVING CIRCLE |
| TEXAS PARKS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| PRESBYTERIAN NIGHT SHELTER | FORT WORTH, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| POOLS FOR KIDS | LITTLETON, CO | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2025 | IN HONOR OF ELLEN MILLER |
| UNITED WAY OF LEFLOR COUNTY | GREENWOOD, MS | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| GREENWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY | GREENWOOD, MS | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| BOLOGNA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | CLEVELAND, MS | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| LEBONHEUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT |
| SUFFIELD ACADEMY | SUFFIELD, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $60,000 | 2024 | CAMPERSHIP PROGRAMS, CAMP LEADERSHIP PLEDGE |
| DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARD | DALLAS, TX | $60,000 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE GARDEN - 3 YEAR PLEDGE (YEAR 2) |
| GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER | DALLAS, TX | $60,000 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAM |
| SCOTTISH RITE FOR CHILDREN | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | LUKE WAITES CENTER FOR DYSLEXIA & LEARNING DISORDERS |
| INCARNATION HOUSE | DALLAS, TX | $40,000 | 2024 | OPERATING FUND |
| FORT WORTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | FORT WORTH, TX | $40,000 | 2024 | FORWARD TOGETHER COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NOLS FUND | LANDER, WY | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GIVING, SCHOLARSHIP, FACULTY SUPPORT |
| WATERSHED SCHOOL | BOULDER, CO | $22,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY | GREENWOOD, MS | $21,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION, PRESERVE AND PROTECT FUND |
| PILLOW ACADEMY | GREENWOOD, MS | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| POOLS FOR KIDS | LITTLETON, CO | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| CHEROKEE HOME FOR CHILDREN | CHEROKEE, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATING FUND |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
| FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE HISTOR | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | MUSEUM SCHOOL |
| COOK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | CARDIOLOGY CHAMP PROGRAM, ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF CLINE MCMURRAY |
| ALL AUSTIN NURSERY SCHOOL | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION |
GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
SCOTTISH RITE FOR CHILDREN
$62,500LAB SCHOOL
DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARD
$55,000CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE GARDEN - 3 YEAR PLEDGE (YEAR 3)
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
FORT WORTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$40,000FORWARD TOGETHER COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
$22,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION, PRESERVE AND PROTECT FUND
NOLS FUND
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
THE GIRLS SCHOOL OF AUSTIN
$15,000FIREBIRD FUND
WATERSHED SCHOOL
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
PILLOW ACADEMY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
CASA DE AMIGOS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
ALL AUSTIN COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHO
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
COOK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$10,000ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF CLINE MCMURRAY
KLIFE OF FORT WORTH
$5,000IN APPRECIATION OF LUCY NICKEL
FORT WORTH BOTANICAL SOCIETY
$5,000PECAN GIVING CIRCLE
TEXAS PARKS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$5,000CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM
PRESBYTERIAN NIGHT SHELTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
POOLS FOR KIDS
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
UNITED WAY OF LEFLOR COUNTY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
GREENWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
BOLOGNA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
SUFFIELD ACADEMY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARD
$60,000CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE GARDEN - 3 YEAR PLEDGE (YEAR 2)
GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER
$60,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
SCOTTISH RITE FOR CHILDREN
$50,000LUKE WAITES CENTER FOR DYSLEXIA & LEARNING DISORDERS
INCARNATION HOUSE
$40,000OPERATING FUND
FORT WORTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$40,000FORWARD TOGETHER COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NOLS FUND
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GIVING, SCHOLARSHIP, FACULTY SUPPORT
WATERSHED SCHOOL
$22,500ANNUAL FUND
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
$21,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION, PRESERVE AND PROTECT FUND
PILLOW ACADEMY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
POOLS FOR KIDS
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION
CARDIOLOGY CHAMP PROGRAM, ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF CLINE MCMURRAY
ALL AUSTIN NURSERY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT CONTRIBUTION