The Dallas Foundation

What The Dallas Foundation does

The Dallas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity and the first community foundation in Texas, established in 1929 in Dallas. It manages more than 700 charitable funds on behalf of individual donors, families, professional advisors, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, holding $677 million in total assets as of year-end 2025 (unaudited) and directing over $1 billion in grants to the community since inception.

The foundation's core product set comprises Donor-Advised Funds (with a $10,000 minimum), Supporting Organizations (a cost-effective alternative to private foundations, with assets such as Empower Dallas and NexPoint Philanthropies Dallas housed underneath), Endowed Scholarship Funds (requiring a $1,000,000 minimum), Legacy Planning vehicles (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, retirement account beneficiaries, life insurance, private foundation terminations), and Family Philanthropy advisory services. Operational technology is limited to third-party platforms: a Grant Interface application portal and an fcsuite.com donor ERP — there is no proprietary technology stack. Signature programs include the Women's Philanthropy Institute (200+ women participants, $36.5M+ in directed DAFs), Rising GENerosity (70+ members aged 25–50 contributing $500 annually to a collective grant pool), and the Pegasus Prize (an annual $50,000 social innovation grant).

The business model combines donation inflows (individuals, families, corporations) with fund management fees on the $677M asset base. The foundation generates revenue through administrative and investment management fees on its 700+ funds (fee schedule publicly disclosed), operates as a tax-exempt public charity with no parent company, and is led by President & CEO Julie Diaz with a recently appointed COO (Dawn Townsend, June 2026). Go-to-market is relationship-led: philanthropic advisors conduct one-on-one donor guidance; 120 Lunch & Learn sessions in 2025 engaged 250+ advisors across 45+ firms; the Professional Advisor Council and a co-administered CAP Study Group Program with Merrill Lynch anchor the professional advisor channel; and structured competitive grant cycles (Early Childhood prioritized, plus Healthcare Access, Parks & Recreation, Family Economic Stability, Mental Health, Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, and Domestic Violence) operate as the nonprofit-facing distribution channel.

Name

The Dallas Foundation

Legal name

The Dallas Foundation

Website

https://dallasfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Dallas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation, established in 1929 and based in Dallas, Texas, that manages 700+ charitable funds holding $677M in assets and delivers donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, scholarships, legacy planning, and grantmaking to Greater Dallas nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Donor-advised funds
• Philanthropic advisory services
• Charitable fund management
• Grantmaking administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions: The Dallas Foundation receives charitable contributions from donors including individuals, families, corporations, and organizations. These contributions fund donor-advised funds, designated funds, field-of-interest funds, and other charitable vehicles.
2. Fund Management Fees: The foundation manages over 700 charitable funds and earns fees for administrative oversight, investment management, and grantmaking services. Fee schedule is publicly available.
3. Minimum Fund Thresholds: Donor-advised funds can be established with a minimum of $10,000. Endowed scholarship funds require a minimum of $1,000,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Dallas Foundation is a community foundation that manages over 700 charitable funds on behalf of donors, families, and supporting organizations in Greater Dallas. Its core offerings include Donor-Advised Funds (minimum $10,000), endowed scholarship funds (minimum $1,000,000), supporting organizations, legacy planning vehicles, and family philanthropy services. The foundation accepts complex assets such as closely held stock, real estate, and private equity, and distributes grants through competitive cycles, donor-advised fund grants, and signature collective giving programs.

Product overview

The Dallas Foundation is a community foundation offering a portfolio of philanthropic products and services. Core offerings include Donor-Advised Funds (minimum $10,000) for tax-efficient giving, Family Philanthropy programs for multi-generational engagement, Legacy Planning including bequests and charitable trusts, and Supporting Organizations for donors seeking private foundation alternatives. The foundation manages grant opportunities across multiple focus areas (early childhood, healthcare, mental health, arts, animal welfare, domestic violence) and operates signature programs including Rising GENerosity for younger donors (aged 25-50, $500/year contribution), the Women's Philanthropy Institute for women donors ($500 minimum), and the Pegasus Prize ($50,000 social innovation grant). Professional advisor services encompass Lunch & Learns, Complex Giving guidance for illiquid assets, and the CAP Study Group Program. Scholarships are available through multiple named funds with a $1,000,000 minimum to establish an endowed scholarship fund. The foundation has directed over $1 billion in grants since 1929.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mary M. Jalonick Women's Philanthropy Institute (WPI): Women's philanthropy institute that educates, inspires, and empowers women as donors through education, site visits, and collective giving.
• Rising GENerosity
• Pegasus Prize

Products and services

• Donor-Advised Funds Tax-efficient charitable giving vehicle allowing donors to contribute assets, receive immediate tax deductions, invest funds for growth, and recommend grants to nonprofits over time. Establishable with a minimum of $10,000. Aimed at high-net-worth individuals, families, and couples seeking structured philanthropy.
• Scholarship Funds Multiple named endowed scholarship funds (Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation, Hirsch Family, Buster Martin, Rogene Russell, Tommy Tranchin, Hopson-Laurent, Mitchell/Tufts, Robert E. Motley, Myrna D. Schlegel/AWARE, Sunset Foundation) supporting Dallas-area students. Minimum $1,000,000 to establish an endowed scholarship fund. $2M+ awarded to 330+ students in 2024-25 academic year.
• Supporting Organizations Independent supporting organizations under The Dallas Foundation umbrella (including Empower Dallas, NexPoint Philanthropies Dallas, Okada Family Foundation, Reis-Bisor Foundation, and The Suder Foundation) that offer autonomy, flexibility, and control with public charity status and tax benefits for substantial philanthropic assets.
• Family Philanthropy Services Programs guiding families in developing shared philanthropic vision, identifying aligned causes, and designing giving structures that invite multi-generational participation. Includes mission statements, strategic planning, grant review, and legacy planning services.
• Legacy Planning Planned giving options including bequests through wills or trusts, retirement account beneficiaries, life insurance beneficiaries, private foundation terminations, and charitable remainder trusts to perpetuate philanthropic impact beyond a donor's lifetime.
• Grant Opportunities Competitive grant funding programs for Dallas County nonprofits across focus areas including early childhood (priority), healthcare access (~$500K), parks & recreation (~$300K), family economic stability and critical needs (~$1.5M), mental and emotional health, animal welfare (~$375K), arts & culture (~$160K), specialized health & disability programs (~$350K), and domestic violence support (~$90K). Applications accepted via Grant Portal.
• Women's Philanthropy Institute (WPI) Educational program named after Mary M. Jalonick empowering women as donors. Members participate in site visits, annual luncheons, and year-end grantee awards with a minimum $500 annual contribution to a collective grant pool. Over 200 women have participated and given over $36.5 million through DAFs.
• Rising GENerosity Program engaging Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z donors aged 25-50 through lunch and learns, nonprofit site visits, family volunteer opportunities, and collective grantmaking. Members contribute $500 annually to a collective grant pool; 70+ members have granted $70K annually.
• Pegasus Prize $50,000 annual social innovation grant recognizing nonprofit organizations using creative, data-driven solutions addressing education, family and economic stability (housing, food), or mental health in Dallas County. Application period: December 1-19 annually.
• Professional Advisor Services Services for financial advisors, estate planners, CPAs, and attorneys including Lunch & Learns (45+ firms visited, 250+ advisors engaged, 120 sessions in 2025), Resource Library, Complex Giving strategies, Professional Advisor Council, and the annual Professional Advisor Seminar for charitable planning and client engagement.
• Complex Giving Acceptance of illiquid and complex assets including closely held stock, LLC interests, pre-IPO shares, oil and gas interests, private equity, real estate, artwork, IRAs, life insurance, and private foundation assets for tax-efficient charitable giving.
• Collaborations Pooled philanthropic initiatives convened and managed by The Dallas Foundation including North Texas Cares, Better Together Fund, Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Advance Together | Inclusive Economy Accelerator, and the Southern Dallas Spay Neuter Surge.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 billion+ in grants directed to community since 1929
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Communities Foundation of TexascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Collaborative partnership in education philanthropy. The Dallas Foundation was a recipient of $500,000 as part of the Communities Foundation of Texas's over $10 million in grants to advance education in North Texas. Other key recipients include Educate Texas ($5M), For Oak Cliff ($1M), Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region ($600K), Texas 2036 ($500K), and United to Learn ($250K).
• KERAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Partnership since 1992 supporting North Texas public media. The Dallas Foundation has awarded approximately $450,000 in direct support through Community Impact Fund, endowments, and field-of-interest funds. Total grantmaking support has exceeded $3.1 million. KERA serves millions of North Texans through journalism, educational programming, arts coverage, and community engagement.
• The Senior SourcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1963Partnership since 1963 supporting older adults in North Texas. The Dallas Foundation has awarded more than $630,000 in direct support through Community Impact Fund, field-of-interest funds, and Women's Philanthropy Institute. Together with fundholders, total grantmaking support for The Senior Source has exceeded $1.4 million. The Senior Source provides elder financial safety, caregiver support, senior advocacy, and resources for independence.
• North Texas CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative bringing together institutional funders and funding to address community needs in North Texas.
• Better Together FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPooled philanthropic resource collaboration managed by The Dallas Foundation.
• Water Cooler at Pegasus ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative workspace and convening initiative at Pegasus Park. The Dallas Foundation staff manage this initiative as part of their community convening role.
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas - Advance Together | Inclusive Economy AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting inclusive economy initiatives in Dallas.
• Early Matters DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally a fund of The Dallas Foundation, now a broad-based coalition working to raise awareness about high-quality early learning and advocate for increased investment in early childhood education.
• Social Venture Partners DallasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dallas Foundation helped organize SVP-Dallas in 1999. Now an independent organization with 200+ partners across North Texas, hosting the annual bigBang! conference on social innovation.
• buildingcommunityWORKSHOPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that began its journey at The Dallas Foundation and continues impactful community work.
• Dallas AfterschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that began at The Dallas Foundation and continues to transform the community.
• TexProtectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization launched through The Dallas Foundation's leadership, including working with Madeline McClure to bring Nurse-Family Partnership to Texas in 2005.
• NTARUPTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization incubated at The Dallas Foundation.
• Merrill LynchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administrator of the CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy) Study Group Program in North Texas, along with The Dallas Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas. Equips financial planners, CPAs, estate attorneys, insurance professionals, and nonprofit leaders with philanthropic planning expertise.
• The American College of Financial ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of the CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy) designation program. The North Texas Study Group, co-administered by Merrill Lynch and The Dallas Foundation, supports candidates enrolled in the CAP program.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The New York Community Trust: Major community foundation serving the New York metro area. Comparable in legacy, DAF offerings, professional advisor engagement, and competitive grant cycles across multiple focus areas.
• California Community Foundation: Large Los Angeles–based community foundation. Comparable scale class and product portfolio, particularly in DAF growth, multi-generational giving, and HNW advisor partnerships.
• Chicago Community Trust: Large, multi-century community foundation serving the Chicago region. Closely comparable in operating model (DAFs, signature giving programs, competitive grantmaking, professional advisor engagement) and scale class to The Dallas Foundation.
• Cleveland Foundation: The first community foundation in the world (1914). Direct analog in mission, products, and operating history — particularly relevant for benchmarking long-horizon donor stewardship and DAF growth.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: One of the largest community foundations in the U.S., focused on a high-wealth tech corridor. Comparable product set (DAFs, complex-asset gifts, scholarship funds, signature programs) but with very different regional economic mix.
• Communities Foundation of Texas: The largest community foundation in Texas, also headquartered in North Texas. Direct competitor for HNW donors, DAFs, professional advisor referrals, and pooled-funding collaborations in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: Largest national donor-advised fund sponsor in the U.S. Competes for the same donor wallet with lower minimums and a digital-first experience, posing a structural threat to local community foundation DAF growth.

Regional players

• San Antonio Area Foundation: Community foundation serving greater San Antonio. Comparable scale and product mix, with similar reliance on regional HNW donors, advisor partnerships, and competitive grant cycles in a non-overlapping Texas geography.
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: Major Texas community foundation serving the Houston region. Comparable in product set (DAFs, scholarship funds, supporting organizations, professional advisor programs) but operates in a different Texas metro with distinct donor base.

Emerging players

• National Philanthropic Trust: Independent national DAF sponsor with strong growth among HNW and next-gen donors. Direct competitor for DAF establishment, particularly for donors who prefer a national sponsor over a community foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dallasfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-dallas-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thedallasfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments46 records

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Frequently asked questions about The Dallas Foundation