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The Trinity Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
Up to $4.0M00
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $861,144 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Dallas, TX region
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 47 Highland Park Village, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75205

Phone: (214) 224-4400

Website: No public website

Note: The foundation shares address with A.G. Hill Partners, LLC, the family office.

Overview

The Trinity Family Foundation, also known as the Al G. Hill Jr. Family Foundation (EIN: 45-2879536), was established in 2012 as a private family foundation honoring the legacy of Al G. Hill Jr., a renowned Dallas entrepreneur, philanthropist, and eldest grandson of Texas oilman H.L. Hunt. Led by Al Hill's daughters, Heather Hill Washburne and Elisa Hill Summers, the foundation continues their father's tradition of quiet but generous philanthropy. The foundation has grown substantially since its inception, with total assets of $83.4 million and annual giving of approximately $861,144 in 2023. The foundation made 33 grants in 2023, 17 in 2022, and 5 in 2021, showing significant growth in grantmaking activity. The foundation's inaugural major gift was a $4 million pledge to the Center for BrainHealth, announced in October 2023, signaling brain health research as a primary funding priority.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal, publicly-defined grant programs. Grantmaking appears to follow the family's philanthropic interests and legacy commitments.

Known Major Gifts:

  • $4 million to Center for BrainHealth (2023) for brain health and neuroplasticity research

Priority Areas

Based on the Hill family's documented philanthropic history and the foundation's known grants, priority areas appear to include:

  • Brain Health Research: Primary focus, particularly neuroplasticity and cognitive health advancement
  • Healthcare: Including cancer research, children's healthcare, and general healthcare foundations (Baylor Healthcare Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children)
  • Education: Supporting educational institutions including private schools (St. Mark's School of Texas, Trinity University)
  • Social Services: Organizations serving vulnerable populations (The Family Place, North Texas Food Bank)
  • Arts & Culture: Including Dallas Historical Society
  • Therapeutic Programs: Including Equest (equine-assisted therapy)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation, they likely focus on causes aligned with the Hill family's personal connections and interests in the Dallas area.

Governance and Leadership

Key Family Leadership:

  • Heather Hill Washburne - Director; Co-founder of the foundation; daughter of Al G. Hill Jr.
  • Elisa Hill Summers - Director; Co-founder of the foundation; daughter of Al G. Hill Jr.

Additional Officers (from Form 990):

  • David O. Turner Jr. - Vice President
  • Amanda L. Norris - Treasurer
  • Kelcey Hamilton - Secretary

All officers and directors report zero compensation, indicating this is a volunteer-run family foundation.

Quote from Foundation Leadership:

Speaking about the $4 million gift to Center for BrainHealth, Heather Washburne stated: "Dad enjoyed keeping up to date on all the projects at Center for BrainHealth, which is why we felt this would be the perfect first major gift from our Trinity Family Foundation."

The sisters described their philanthropic vision: "We believe there could be no more fitting way to celebrate our father's legacy than by supporting the science of brain health and performance and by sparking a brain health revolution among all people, worldwide."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Trinity Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion and family decision-making. There is no application portal, guidelines, or public solicitation for grant requests.

The foundation appears to make grants to:

  • Organizations with established relationships to the Hill family
  • Causes that align with Al G. Hill Jr.'s philanthropic legacy
  • Dallas-area nonprofits where family members have personal involvement or board service

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have received support from the Trinity Family Foundation share certain characteristics:

  • Connection to the Hill Family Legacy: Organizations that Al G. Hill Jr. supported during his lifetime appear to continue receiving support, including Baylor Healthcare Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Center for BrainHealth, The Family Place, St. Mark's School of Texas, and North Texas Food Bank.

  • Dallas Community Focus: The foundation concentrates its giving in the Dallas area, reflecting the family's deep roots in the community.

  • Brain Health Research Priority: The foundation's first major gift was to Center for BrainHealth, indicating this is a primary funding area for Heather Washburne and Elisa Summers.

  • Quality and Impact: Al G. Hill Jr. was known for being "generous but quiet" about his philanthropy, suggesting the family values substantive impact over public recognition.

  • Family Board Connections: Both Heather Washburne and Elisa Summers serve on boards of Dallas organizations and are active in the philanthropic community. Organizations where they have personal involvement may be more likely to receive support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation operating through trustee discretion. Unsolicited proposals are unlikely to be accepted.

  • Brain Health is Priority One: The foundation's inaugural $4 million gift went to brain health research, clearly signaling this as a major funding priority for the next generation of Hill family philanthropists.

  • Dallas Focus: The foundation concentrates its giving in the Dallas area, reflecting the Hill family's strong community ties.

  • Legacy Continuation: Organizations that Al G. Hill Jr. supported during his lifetime (Baylor Healthcare, M.D. Anderson, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, The Family Place, North Texas Food Bank, etc.) are likely to remain funding priorities.

  • Growing Grantmaking: The foundation has substantially increased its grantmaking from 5 awards in 2021 to 33 awards in 2023, suggesting expanding philanthropic activity.

  • Relationship-Based: As with most private family foundations, personal connections, board relationships, and trust are essential. Building relationships with foundation leadership through community involvement is the most realistic path to consideration.

  • Values Quiet Generosity: The Hill family tradition emphasizes genuine impact over public recognition, so organizations should focus on mission and outcomes rather than donor recognition opportunities.

References

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