O'donnell Foundation
The O'Donnell Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas, established in 1957 by Peter O'Donnell Jr., a securities investor, and his wife Edith Jones O'Donnell. The foundation is devoted to building model programs to enhance the quality of education, with a particular emphasis on strengthening math and science programs in Texas. Over more than 60 years, the foundation has invested over $1 billion in support of education, medicine, and the arts, almost entirely within Texas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$365.4M
+156.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$31.4M
-6.4% YoY
Grant Count
10
+11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3.1M
-15.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission centers on enhancing the quality of education through model program development. Key funding areas include:
- Education: Higher education, graduate-level programs, and postsecondary success initiatives
- Engineering, Science, and Mathematics: Graduate-level education in these disciplines, with particular emphasis on strengthening STEM programs
- Advanced Placement Programs: Support for AP programs in math, science, English, and art
- Arts and Culture: Arts programs in higher education and cultural organizations
- Medicine and Medical Research: Healthcare and medical education initiatives
The foundation does not provide scholarships or make grants to individuals.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees cannot apply directly; the foundation identifies and approaches organizations aligned with its priorities.
Grant Range
$1,000,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports projects in Texas, with particular concentration in:
- Dallas County and North Texas
- Austin
- Richardson
The vast majority of education grants go to public institutions in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023
- Total assets: $142,276,998
- Total revenues: $106,903,917
- Total expenses: $37,901,107
- Total liabilities: $0
- Total giving: $33,526,386
Revenue Breakdown (2023)
- Grants, contributions, etc.: $73,500,948
- Investment income and dividends: $8,073,157
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $7,541,459
- Miscellaneous revenues: $17,788,353
Staffing
- 3 full-time employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $365,372,006 | $142,276,998 | $87,717,619 |
| Revenue | $294,668,604 | $106,903,917 | $154,548,008 |
| Expenses | $37,309,432 | $37,901,107 | $108,777,043 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $32,642,943 | $34,749,211 | $107,437,398 |
| Net Investment Income | $57,058,482 | $30,952,527 | $43,894,412 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,096,048 | $5,952,541 | $4,559,798 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William T. Solomon: Chairman, President, and CEO (40 hours/week, $466,229 compensation)
- Robert Dedman Jr.: Vice-Chairman
- Caren Prothro: Vice-Chairman
- Serena Ritch: VP & Director of Arts Program (40 hours/week, $240,993 compensation)
- Tiffany Armstrong: VP & Secretary & Treasurer (40 hours/week, $291,336 compensation)
- Board Members: Edward A. Copley, Ruth O'Donnell Mutch, Larry Faulkner, Jere Thompson Jr.
William T. Solomon assumed leadership following the passing of founder Peter O'Donnell Jr. in October 2021 at age 97.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM T SOLOMON | CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $487,102 |
| EDWARD A COPLEY | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| RUTH O'DONNELL MUTCH | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JERE THOMPSON JR | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ROBERT DEDMAN JR | VICE-CHAIRMAN | 3 | — |
| CAREN PROTHRO | VICE-CHAIRMAN | 3 | — |
| SERENA RITCH | VP & DIR. OF ARTS PROGRAM | 40 | $250,009 |
| TIFFANY ARMSTRONG | VP & SECRETARY & TREASURER | 40 | $302,235 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced several significant commitments in recent years:
**Dallas Opera Challenge Grant**: The Dallas Opera earned a $25 million challenge grant from the foundation, surpassing its matching goal.
THE DALLAS OPERA EARNS $25 MILLION CHALLENGE GRANT ...**SMU Energy Program**: The foundation committed up to $60 million for Southern Methodist University's energy program and Academy Honors Fund.
O\u2019Donnell Foundation Contributes $1 Million to Endow TAMEST Edith and\**TAMEST Recognition**: The foundation contributed $1 million to endow the Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards Ceremony through the Texas Academy of Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST), sustaining recognition of Texas' rising research stars.
O\u2019Donnell Foundation Contributes $1 Million to Endow TAMEST Edith and\**UT Dallas Support**: The foundation made a gift to expand the Dallas County Promise program at the University of Texas at Dallas.
THE DALLAS OPERA EARNS $25 MILLION CHALLENGE GRANT ...**Higher Education Initiative**: The foundation distributed $50 million in grants to boost higher education in North Texas.
O\u2019Donnell Foundation Contributes $1 Million to Endow TAMEST Edith and\Contact Information
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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