FMH Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $25.6 million (2023)
Total Assets: $464.8 million (2023)
Decision Time: Up to 3 months from inquiry submission
Grant Range: Varies widely; median grant $75,000
Number of Grants: 87 grants awarded in 2023
Geographic Focus: Permian Basin region of West Texas (40 eligible counties)
Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 51310, Midland, TX 79710-1310

Phone: 432-682-7924

Website: https://fmhfoundation.org

Staff Contacts:

Joni Hires, Executive Director
Veronica Dickson, Senior Grant Manager
Maricela Dominguez, Grant Manager
Hope Poorman, Grant Manager II

Overview

The FMH Foundation was established in 2011 by Florence Marie Hall to continue her legacy of giving back to West Texas. Florence Marie Hall, born in 1937 in Big Spring, Texas, was an accomplished businesswoman and philanthropist who showed a special interest in rural healthcare—a passion stemming from her childhood accompanying her physician father on house calls. She served as President until her death in 2017. Since its founding, the foundation has provided over 850 grants to over 170 agencies. With assets of $464.8 million and annual giving of $25.6 million (2023), the foundation focuses on healthcare, performing and visual arts, and community development in the Permian Basin geographical area of Texas. The foundation's mission is "to further a vision toward a reality" by fostering collaboration, innovation, creativity, excellence, synergy, and development. Florence Marie Hall chose the mustard seed as the foundation's logo as a symbolic reminder that great things can come from a small beginning—reflecting her philosophy that her giving should be "the small seed that she could plant and then watch it grow and flourish."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The FMH Foundation operates an invitation-only grant program with quarterly funding cycles. Grants are awarded four times per year, with application deadlines on December 15, April 1, July 1, and October 1 (for invited organizations only). The median grant size is $75,000, though awards range significantly based on project scope.

Recent Notable Grants:

Martin County Convent Foundation: $3.5 million for Marienfeld Hall
Ellen Noel Art Museum: $3.0 million for improvements
Ward Memorial Hospital: $3.0 million for renovation/expansion
Medical Center Health System Foundation: $3.0 million (2023)
West Texas Food Bank: $2.0 million for Odessa facility expansion
Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center: $2.0 million

Priority Areas

Healthcare: The foundation looks for opportunities to promote creation and adoption of programs, practices, and policies that advance community health. Programs that promote health and well-being as well as access to healthcare services are a primary focus. One area of particular interest is helping those with limited access to quality care or the resources, tools, or knowledge to support better health. This priority reflects Florence Marie Hall's lifelong passion for rural healthcare access.

Arts: The FMH Foundation invests in organizations that encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in both visual and performing arts along with cultural experiences. The foundation is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and diverse appreciation of the arts and supporting organizations that assert the public value of the performing arts through distinctive community bonds.

Community Development: The foundation offers grant opportunities designed to support community-based actions and activities that encourage social connections, promote peace, and build community cohesion. The foundation supports community-based projects that increase opportunities for people of all ages and ethnic groups to lead healthy lives and to work, learn, recreate, contribute, and prosper. The purpose is to support nonprofit organizations with programs and activities that strengthen communities and foster collaboration to meet needs and improve quality of life.

Key Philosophy: In accordance with Florence Marie Hall's goals, the foundation seeks opportunities to incubate and support programs, projects, and activities that demonstrate excellence, innovation, collaboration, and multi-disciplinary approaches and operate in the Permian Basin.

What They Don't Fund

Individuals: The foundation does not give grants to individuals
Faith-based activities: Organizations are excluded if there is an assumption, expectation, or requirement of faith-related activity or commitment on the part of clients served; if any funding awarded would be used for faith-based activities; or if the classification of agency on the 990 Form lists the agency as a "church"
Organizations without 501(c)(3) or 170(c) status: Grants are exclusively for organizations with tax-exempt designations under IRS Sections 501(c)(3) or 170(c)
Organizations outside geographic area: Organizations must be located (or have an office) in the Permian Basin geographical area of Texas, which includes 40 counties: Andrews, Bailey, Borden, Brewster, Cochran, Coke, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Haskell, Hockley, Howard, Irion, Jeff Davis, Kent, Lamb, Loving, Lynn, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Parmer, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Scurry, Schleicher, Sterling, Terry, Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Ward, Winkler, and Yoakum

Additional Restrictions

Organizations may request funds only once during a twelve-month period
Organizations that have been previously funded must have submitted a Final Report on the use of any previous grant before additional funds may be requested

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Dr. Glenn Rogers, President
Laura Buckner, Treasurer
Laura McCabe, Secretary
Tevis Herd, Board Member
Dr. Eileen Piwetz, Board Member
Tricia Michie, Board Member
Jay Reynolds, Board Member

The board meets on the second Wednesday of the month on a quarterly basis to review grant inquiries and proposals.

Staff

Joni Hires, Executive Director
Veronica Dickson, Senior Grant Manager
Maricela Dominguez, Grant Manager
Hope Poorman, Grant Manager II
Peg Geer, Finance and Operations Manager

Founder's Vision

Florence Marie Hall's passions were to "incubate and nurture the practice of excellence and innovation." Her philosophy on philanthropy emphasized fostering a spirit of passionate quest for innovation and excellence. The foundation seeks to build long-term partnerships with grantee organizations, reflecting this commitment to sustained impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The FMH Foundation operates an invitation-only grant-making process. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited full applications. The process works as follows:

Eligibility Quiz: Organizations interested in funding should first complete an eligibility quiz on the foundation's website to determine if their agency/project aligns with FMH Foundation's funding priorities.
Inquiry Submission: After passing the eligibility quiz, organizations are prompted to submit an inquiry. Organizations can also contact the foundation directly by phone or email to discuss their organization and program. An inquiry may only be submitted once per year.
Board Review: The board reviews inquiries at the next quarterly board meeting to determine whether the anticipated request aligns with the foundation's funding priorities and whether to extend an invitation.
Invitation Decision: The foundation generally asks that applicants allow up to three months from the date of inquiry to determine whether or not to extend an invitation.
Full Application: If an agency has been invited to apply, they will receive proposal preparation guidelines and an application link via email. The grant cycle in which an invited agency is placed will be at the discretion of the board and staff. Organizations submit their full application through the online portal, including organization overview, history, the need being addressed, a 3-year Master Plan, and detailed request information.
Site Visit: The site visit serves as a touchpoint to help the foundation get to know the applying agency and ask questions pertaining to the request. The foundation requires that at least one board member be present at the site visit.
Final Board Review: During board meetings, the board reviews grant requests and information gathered from site visits to determine funding decisions.

Decision Timeline

Inquiry Review: Up to 3 months from inquiry submission to invitation decision
Board Meetings: Quarterly, on the second Wednesday of the month
Application Deadlines (for invited organizations): December 15, April 1, July 1, and October 1
Grant Awards: Four times per year

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation awarded 87 grants in 2022 and 82 grants in 2023, indicating a selective but active grantmaking program. The invitation-only process suggests that organizations invited to submit full proposals have a higher likelihood of success than typical open application processes.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may only submit an inquiry once per year
Organizations may request funds only once during a twelve-month period
Previously funded organizations must submit a Final Report on the use of any previous grant before additional funds may be requested
Specific policies for reapplication after unsuccessful proposals are not publicly detailed

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Excellence and Innovation: Florence Marie Hall's passions were to "incubate and nurture the practice of excellence and innovation." Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project embodies excellence in execution and innovative approaches to community challenges.

Collaboration and Multi-Disciplinary Approaches: The foundation specifically seeks programs, projects, and activities that demonstrate collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches. Applications should highlight partnerships and how different sectors or organizations work together.

Long-term Impact: The foundation's mustard seed logo symbolizes that great things can come from a small beginning. Hall's philosophy emphasized planting seeds that would "grow and flourish." Proposals should articulate long-term sustainability and growth potential beyond the initial grant period.

Building Capacity: The foundation seeks to be a catalyst for nonprofit organizations, supporting programs that build organizational capacity and create lasting change rather than just providing temporary relief.

Community Connection: For healthcare grants, the foundation shows particular interest in programs helping those with limited access to quality care or the resources, tools, or knowledge to support better health—reflecting the founder's childhood experiences observing healthcare challenges in rural West Texas.

Strengthening Communities: Community development grants should demonstrate how the project strengthens communities and fosters collaboration to meet needs and improve quality of life in the Permian Basin.

Process Tips

Initial Contact: Organizations are welcome to contact the foundation by phone or email to discuss their organization and program before submitting an inquiry. This pre-inquiry conversation can help determine fit and strengthen the eventual inquiry submission.
Three-Year Planning: The full application requires a 3-year Master Plan, indicating the foundation's interest in strategic thinking and long-term organizational planning. Organizations should be prepared to articulate their multi-year vision.
Site Visit Readiness: Site visits are a required part of the process for invited applicants. Organizations should be prepared to host foundation board members and staff, demonstrating their work and impact in person.
Reporting Requirements: The foundation requires Final Reports from previously funded organizations before considering additional funding, indicating the importance of strong grant stewardship and communication.
Geographic Eligibility: Ensure your organization is located in or has an office in one of the 40 eligible Permian Basin counties before investing time in the inquiry process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only process requires patience: Allow up to 3 months from inquiry submission to receive a decision about whether you'll be invited to submit a full proposal. Initial inquiry conversations are welcomed.
Innovation and excellence are paramount: Florence Marie Hall's founding vision emphasized "incubating and nurturing excellence and innovation." Proposals must clearly demonstrate both innovative approaches and commitment to excellence.
Collaboration strengthens applications: The foundation specifically seeks multi-disciplinary approaches and collaborative projects. Demonstrate partnerships and how different organizations work together.
Think long-term: With the mustard seed philosophy of planting seeds that grow and flourish, emphasize sustainability, capacity building, and long-term impact beyond the grant period.
Rural healthcare access resonates: For healthcare proposals, connect to the founder's passion for helping those with limited access to quality care, particularly in rural areas—a theme rooted in her childhood experiences.
Be prepared for significant engagement: The process includes site visits with board members and detailed reporting requirements, indicating the foundation's commitment to building long-term partnerships with grantees rather than transactional relationships.
Geographic focus is strict: Your organization must be located in (or have an office in) one of the 40 eligible Permian Basin counties in West Texas. This is a firm requirement.

References

All information accessed December 2025.