State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is a public charity based in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1886, it supports agriculture, education, and community involvement through its annual fair, educational and scholarship programs, Fair Park giving, and community grants and sponsorships.
State Fair of Texas at a glance
In short: State Fair of Texas gave $1.8M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Texas. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,829,162
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- -58.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,136
- +117.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $13,875
- Total assets
- $153,357,581
- +6.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (9 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to State Fair of Texas
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The State Fair accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process. Applicants should apply for either a grant or a sponsorship, not both in the same year, and submit the completed application and requested attachments.
- Review Cycle
- Applications open February 1 and close March 15 at 5 p.m.
- Deadline
- Applications open February 1 and close March 15 at 5 p.m.
- Next open deadline
- March 15, 2027 (State Fair of Texas: Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 150009, Dallas, TX 75315
Phone: (214) 421-8701
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from State Fair of Texas
Who State Fair of Texas funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Texas A&M University College Station ($210K). Together the top 10 received $766K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
319 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 284 grants of 319 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The community grant program prioritizes South Dallas/Fair Park and organizations serving residents in ZIP codes 75210, 75215, 75223, and 75228. Organizations within ten miles of the Fair may apply; the program also offers limited support for work in Dallas’s Southern Sector that affects South Dallas/Fair Park residents. The 2024 filing’s listed grants include recipients in multiple Texas communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
Cities
Is State Fair of Texas open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 38 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2021) to $2.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Other Organizations with Grantsscholarships | — | $743,162 |
| Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX | — | $210,250 |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | — | $134,500 |
| Dallas Historical Society Dallas, TX | — | $100,000 |
| West Texas a & M University Canyon, TX | — | $60,000 |
| Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX | — | $56,500 |
| City of Dallas-Parksrecr Dallas, TX | — | $50,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | — | $47,250 |
| University of Texas at Arlington Scholarship Arlington, TX | — | $45,750 |
| University of North Texas Denton, TX | — | $33,750 |
Ready to take the next step with State Fair of Texas?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $153,357,581 | $81,058,544 | $74,197,261 | $1,829,162 | 38 | $5,825,995 |
| 2023 | $144,211,303 | $77,695,676 | $67,263,108 | $2,014,237 | 91 | $3,035,385 |
| 2022 | $135,080,076 | $86,043,902 | $70,179,151 | $1,724,717 | 71 | $1,124,685 |
| 2021 | $104,850,223 | $80,726,809 | $51,275,583 | $1,343,987 | 47 | $1,748,097 |
| 2020 | $70,544,119 | $6,164,144 | $24,113,913 | $1,602,210 | 72 | $3,228,641 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The State Fair’s mission is to celebrate all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. Its community grant program lists economic development, nonprofit capacity building, educational programming, and social and racial justice as areas of support. The organization also describes work in agriculture, scholarships, education, and addressing food insecurity in South Dallas/Fair Park.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. The Dallas Historical Society says its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and share historical materials, especially those concerning Dallas and Texas. The African American Museum says it collects, preserves, exhibits, and researches artistic expressions and historical documents related to African American life and culture. The Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center describes its work as creating pathways out of poverty for young people and families through education, training, and job placement. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the State Fair reported 38 grants totaling $1,829,162. Itemized grants ranged from $5,250 to $743,162, with a median of $13,875. Separately, the State Fair reported that its Community Giving Program provided more than $652,000 in project funding through grants and sponsorships to 133 organizations serving South Dallas/Fair Park in 2024.
Among the largest itemized 2024 grants were $210,250 to Texas A&M University, $134,500 to Texas Tech University, $100,000 to the Dallas Historical Society, $60,000 to an individual recipient A&M University, and $56,500 to Tarleton State University. Other listed recipients included the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation ($50,000), the University of Texas at Austin ($47,250), the University of Texas at Arlington Scholarship ($45,750), the University of North Texas ($33,750), the African American Museum ($27,500), and Texas Discovery Gardens ($25,000).
For its community grant program, the State Fair says awards range from $5,000 to $10,000. Applicants must complete the online application and requested attachments. Collaboration with local organizations and entities is essential; the State Fair says applications that do not show existing local relationships are not favorably reviewed. Organizations cannot receive both a grant and a sponsorship from the program in the same year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Mitchell Glieber, President; Jaime Navarro, COO; Lindsay Clark, CFO; Daryl Real, SVP – Livestock; Jennifer Schuder, SVP – Marketing; Russell Fitzgerald, SVP – Operations; Karissa Condoianis, SVP – Public Relations; Melanie Linnear, SVP – Food and Beverage; Jason K. Hays, SVP – Brand Experience; and Leah Anthony Schulz, Controller.
State Fair of Texas is led by Mitchell Glieber, President on every filing since 2020; 13 of 32 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mitchell Glieber
President
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$774K (2020) → $858K (2024)
Bruce A Sifford
Board Chair
Treasurer & Vice Chairman → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa G Martin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Amerine
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Mihalopoulos
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Norris
Director
Chairman → Board Chair, 2021
Board Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James C Roberts
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John DHarkey Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lois Finkelman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Suhm
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Abtahi
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Allen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Mancillas
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Lopez
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian P Foley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heath Cheek
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warren Mayberry
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felix J Lozanno III
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John de la Garza III
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daryl Real
Senior Vice President - Livestock
Senior Vice President & Livestock → Senior Vice President - Livestock, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $343K (2024)
Jaime Navarro
COO
CFO & Senior Vice President Finance → Jan-May CFO & Senior Vice President Jun-Dec COO, 2022
Jan-May CFO & Senior Vice President Jun-Dec COO → COO, 2023
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$381K (2020) → $500K (2024)
Jason K Hays
Senior Vice President - Brand Experience
Vice President & Brand Experience → Senior Vice President & Brand Experience, 2022
Senior Vice President & Brand Experience → Senior Vice President - Brand Experience, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$173K (2020) → $271K (2024)
Jennifer Schuder
Senior Vice President - Marketing
Senior Vice President & Marketing → Senior Vice President - Marketing, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$272K (2020) → $343K (2024)
Karissa Condoianis
Senior Vice President - Public Relations
Senior Vice President & Public Relations → Senior Vice President - Public Relations, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$239K (2020) → $321K (2024)
Leah Anthony Schulz
Controller
Manager & Accounting → Controller, 2023
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $203K (2024)
Lindsay Clark
CFO
Controller → Jan-May Controllerjun-Dec CFO, 2022
Jan-May Controllerjun-Dec CFO → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$205K (2020) → $378K (2024)
Margaret Hannah
Vice President - Hr
Director → Director- Hr, 2022
Director- Hr → Vice President - Hr, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $182K (2024)
Melanie Linnear
Senior Vice President - Food & Beverage
Vice President, Food & Beverage → Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage, 2022
Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage → Senior Vice President - Food & Beverage, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $280K (2024)
Robert Hilbun
Retired General Manager
Gm & Senior Vice President → Retired General Manager, 2024
On filings since 2020
5.1 hrs/week
$420K (2020) → $184K (2024)
Russell Fitzgerald
Senior Vice President - Operations
Senior Vice President & Operations → Senior Vice President - Operations, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$270K (2020) → $328K (2024)
Nathan Gross
Vice President - Fair Operations
Director & Fair Operations → Vice President - Fair Operations, 2024
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$168K (2023) → $190K (2024)
Gilbert Gerst
Treasurer & Vice Chairman
Director → Treasurer & Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: David Russ (2020–2023) — Director & Games
- Former: Kelly Pound (2020–2023) — Director & Sponsorships
- Former: Marissa Anchia (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert Estrada (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan Brosin (2020–2023) — Director-Development
- Former: Victor Elmore (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Vana Hammond (2023) — Director
- Former: Bill O'Dwyer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Froswa' Booker-Drew PhD (2020–2022) — Vice President & Community Relations
- Former: James M Moroney III (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Norman Durbin (2020–2022) — Director-Construction
- Former: Robert Forswall (2020–2022) — Director & Purchasing
- Former: Richard Knight Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alice Murray (2020) — Director
- Former: Craig A Woodcook (2020) — Director
- Former: Daniel Keys (2020) — Manager & Operations
- Former: John F Scovell (2020) — Director
- Former: Kathy Bennett (2020) — Director & Creative Arts
- Former: Mitchell Walker (2020) — Supervisor & Electrician
- Former: Richard Mankel (2020) — Manager & Games
- Former: Sadie Prater (2020) — Director & Ticketing
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $858K, to Mitchell Glieber (President). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about State Fair of Texas
How much does State Fair of Texas give each year?
State Fair of Texas gave $1.8M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 91 grants.
What is State Fair of Texas's typical grant size?
State Fair of Texas's median grant in 2024 was $13,875, and its average grant was $48,136, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from State Fair of Texas that year got $17K on average.
Where does State Fair of Texas give grants?
State Fair of Texas gives mostly in Texas: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (13 grants), College Station, TX (3 grants), Austin, TX (2 grants) and Denton, TX (2 grants).
Who are State Fair of Texas's largest grantees?
State Fair of Texas's largest 2024 grantees include Texas A&M University College Station ($210,250), Texas Tech University ($134,500) and Dallas Historical Society ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is State Fair of Texas?
State Fair of Texas reported $153.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $81.1M.
What does State Fair of Texas fund?
The State Fair’s mission is to celebrate all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from State Fair of Texas?
The State Fair accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is State Fair of Texas's EIN?
State Fair of Texas's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-6002511. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does State Fair of Texas accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in State Fair of Texas's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Texas Women's Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Foundation funds organizations advancing women’s and girls’ economic security, stability, and success, including work in childcare, housing, healthcare, education, and leadership. Its 2025 grants had a median of $31,000; its 2026 Community Grant Cycle allowed requests up to $40,000 for eligible organizations serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area and nearby counties. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$26.3M
Grants
62
Total Given
$3.1M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Inc
Dallas, TX
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas funds nonprofits working in education, income and health, primarily in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,019 to $1,251,065, with a median of $37,500. It offers an open, competitive Community Impact Grants process; the current cycle is closed, and the next is scheduled to open in January 2028.
Assets
$60.7M
Grants
374
Total Given
$27.8M
The Addy Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Addy Foundation funds community engagement, culture, education, health, and social services, primarily in North Texas; most of its 2025 grant dollars went to Texas organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $55,750, though awards ranged widely, and it accepts proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$120.9M
Grants
88
Total Given
$23.2M
Hillcrest Foundation
Dallas, TX
Hillcrest Foundation funds Texas charitable organizations working in education, health, and poverty relief, with most grants going to Dallas County and nearby communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $500,000, with a median of $55,000. It accepts online applications and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$145.2M
Grants
84
Total Given
$8.0M
Hoblitzelle Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Hoblitzelle Foundation primarily funds capital projects—such as construction, renovation, equipment, and technology—for eligible nonprofits in Texas, especially in the Dallas area; it generally does not fund operations. Recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $1 million, with a median of $67,300. It accepts online applications and encourages applicants to discuss a potential project with the foundation before applying.
Assets
$141.1M
Grants
59
Total Given
$7.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). State Fair of Texas funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/state-fair-of-texas-morg_348059caefc94ecb85bcfa4016e4f959
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_756002511_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{State Fair of Texas funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/state-fair-of-texas-morg_348059caefc94ecb85bcfa4016e4f959},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from State Fair of Texas's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
State Fair of Texas down — hundreds of funders to go?