The O'Donnell Foundation is a highly concentrated Dallas-focused funder that makes very large institutional operating grants to major local anchors—especially higher education and medical research institutions and premier cultural organizations. Its giving supports core operations of flagship institutions rather than small nonprofits or project grants, indicating a preference for sustaining institutional capacity and regional prominence. The foundation’s largest commitments are to academic medicine and research, with additional significant support for performing arts and university education in the Dallas area.
O'donnell Foundation’s recent giving is defined by a single, outsized commitment to academic medicine: a $102,387,780 operating grant to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 2023. That grant sets the tone for a portfolio built around large institutional support, with the foundation backing major Dallas-area anchors rather than smaller project-based awards. The same pattern appears in higher education and the arts, where the foundation has made million-dollar and multi-million-dollar operating grants to universities and cultural institutions that shape the city’s civic and research infrastructure. In 2024, Dallas Symphony Association received $11,595,386 for operations, while Southern Methodist University received $10,550,000 for operations. The University of Texas at Dallas also received $7,500,000 for operations that year, underscoring the foundation’s focus on institutions with broad regional reach. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s support is concentrated on a small set of large, established organizations in Dallas and nearby Texas cities, especially those tied to medicine, education, and performing arts.
A central theme in O'donnell Foundation’s giving is academic medical research and clinical operations. The largest example is the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, which received $102,387,780 for operations in 2023, followed by another $2,280,000 operating grant in 2024. Higher education is another clear focus: Southern Methodist University received $10,550,000 for operations in 2024, and The University of Texas at Dallas received $7,500,000 for operations the same year. The foundation also supports regional arts institutions. Dallas Symphony Association received $11,595,386 for operations in 2024 and $250,000 in 2023, while The Dallas Opera received $1,000,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Smaller operating grants to Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation and Dallas Museum of Art show support for civic and cultural infrastructure as well.
The grant size profile is highly compressed at the top end: p25 is $375,000, median grant size is $1,000,000, and p75 is $4,890,000. Most listed grants are operating support, with a strong pattern of repeat awards to the same organizations across 2023 and 2024. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Association, Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, and The Academy of Medicine Engineering & Science of Texas all appear more than once. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its giving is local and entirely within Texas.
$187.4M
$195.1M
$21.9M
$192.2M
Most grants fall between $375K and $4.9M, with a median of $1M.
25th Percentile
$375K
Median
$1M
75th Percentile
$4.9M
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Very concentrated, high-dollar giving: a handful of multi-million-dollar operating grants to a small number of repeat, institutional grantees in the Dallas area rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas Symphony Association, Southern Methodist University, The University of Texas at Dallas
O'donnell Foundation’s grants land entirely in Texas, with every recent grant going to recipients in the state. Dallas is the main city in the record, including Dallas Symphony Association, Southern Methodist University, The Dallas Opera, Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, and Dallas Museum of Art. Richardson also appears through The University of Texas at Dallas. Austin appears through The Academy of Medicine Engineering & Science of Texas and The University of Texas. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants point to large institutional support for academic medicine, higher education, and performing arts. Examples include operating grants to University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Southern Methodist University, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas Symphony Association, and The Dallas Opera.
Yes. Every listed recent grant is labeled OPERATIONS, including the largest award to University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and repeated support for Dallas Symphony Association, The Dallas Opera, and Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.
The grant-size distribution is very large: p25 is $375,000, the median is $1,000,000, and p75 is $4,890,000. The recent record also includes several multi-million-dollar awards, including $11,595,386 and $10,550,000 in 2024.
Its recent grantmaking is entirely local and entirely in Texas. The recipient country distribution is 100% U.S., and the listed Texas recipients include Dallas, Richardson, and Austin organizations.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Association, Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, and The Academy of Medicine Engineering & Science of Texas.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DALLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $38,350,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $25,300,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $17,251,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AT DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $17,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $15,500,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $12,930,022 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE COMMIT PARTNERSHIP | DALLAS, TX | $10,900,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART | DALLAS, TX | $10,001,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE | DALLAS, TX | $10,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS ZOO | DALLAS, TX | $4,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| AT & T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $3,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| HOUSING FORWARD | DALLAS, TX | $2,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $2,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,064,873 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ENGINEERING & SCIENCE OF TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| PARKLAND HEALTH FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHERN GATEWAY PUBLIC GREEN FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE DALLAS OPERA | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| TRINITY PARK CONSERVANCY | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| TEXAS 2036 | AUSTIN, TX | $1,000,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE | DALLAS, TX | $750,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE LAMPLIGHTER SCHOOL | DALLAS, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UNITED TO LEARN | DALLAS, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| BIG THOUGHT | DALLAS, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| CIRCUIT TRAIT CONSERVANCY | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| NORTH TEXAS COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $10,550,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $7,500,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $6,817,701 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $2,491,637 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| THE DALLAS OPERA | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| UPLIFT EDUCATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $750,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| BIG THOUGHT | DALLAS, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ENGINEERING & SCIENCE OF TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $11,595,386 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $10,550,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $7,500,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $2,280,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| THE DALLAS OPERA | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| WOODALL RODGERS PARK FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $85,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
DALLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$38,350,000OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$25,300,000OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS
$17,251,000OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AT DALLAS
$17,000,000OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS
$15,500,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$12,930,022OPERATIONS
THE COMMIT PARTNERSHIP
$10,900,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART
$10,001,000OPERATIONS
PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
$10,000,000OPERATIONS
SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$5,000,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS ZOO
$4,000,000OPERATIONS
AT & T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$3,000,000OPERATIONS
HOUSING FORWARD
$2,000,000OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$2,000,000OPERATIONS
CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION
$1,064,873OPERATIONS
THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ENGINEERING & SCIENCE OF TEXAS
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
PARKLAND HEALTH FOUNDATION
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN GATEWAY PUBLIC GREEN FOUNDATION
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
THE DALLAS OPERA
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
THE SALVATION ARMY
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
TRINITY PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
TEXAS 2036
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE
$750,000OPERATIONS
THE LAMPLIGHTER SCHOOL
$500,000OPERATIONS
UNITED TO LEARN
$500,000OPERATIONS
BIG THOUGHT
$200,000OPERATIONS
CIRCUIT TRAIT CONSERVANCY
$100,000OPERATIONS
METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION
$30,000OPERATIONS
NORTH TEXAS COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
$10,000OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$10,550,000OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS
$7,500,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$6,817,701OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS
$2,491,637OPERATIONS
MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
THE DALLAS OPERA
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
UPLIFT EDUCATION
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$750,000OPERATIONS
BIG THOUGHT
$250,000OPERATIONS
THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ENGINEERING & SCIENCE OF TEXAS
$15,000OPERATIONS
DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$11,595,386OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$10,550,000OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS
$7,500,000OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS
$2,280,000OPERATIONS
THE DALLAS OPERA
$1,000,000OPERATIONS
WOODALL RODGERS PARK FOUNDATION
$500,000OPERATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
$85,000OPERATIONS