← Back to US Funders Directory

Truchard Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$500K - $0.9M

Truchard Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,100,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/preselected organizations only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $500,000 - $900,000+ (for major grants observed)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Texas institutions
  • Total Assets: $81.8 million (2023)

Contact Details

Foundation Information:

  • Address: Austin, TX
  • EIN: 74-2816894
  • Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation (since May 1998)

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or provide public contact information for grant inquiries, as they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Truchard Foundation was established by Dr. James J. Truchard, co-founder and former CEO of National Instruments (NI), a leading engineering software and hardware company. The foundation has grown substantially since receiving major contributions in 2017-2018, building its asset base from approximately $643,000 in 2011 to $81.8 million by 2023. In fiscal year 2023, the foundation distributed $2.1 million in grants while maintaining total assets of $81.8 million with zero liabilities. Since his retirement from National Instruments in 2017, Dr. Truchard has focused his time, expertise, and resources on furthering education and innovation in engineering and software technology, as well as supporting Alzheimer's disease research. The foundation operates as a private foundation with all leadership positions held by family members who serve without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations.

Primary Focus Areas Observed:

  • Engineering Education: Major endowed chairs and facilities at universities ($500,000 - multi-million dollar commitments)
  • Alzheimer's Disease Research: Significant grants to research institutions ($500,000 - $900,000)
  • STEM Innovation: Support for engineering design facilities and student project labs

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and Dr. Truchard's philanthropic pattern, the foundation prioritizes:

Education:

  • Engineering and computer science programs at major universities
  • Endowed faculty chairs in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science
  • Student innovation facilities and design laboratories
  • STEM education initiatives

Research:

  • Alzheimer's disease research, particularly novel treatment approaches
  • Engineering and technology research initiatives
  • Scientific innovation in areas aligned with founder's technical background

Geographic Emphasis:

  • Strong preference for Texas institutions (particularly University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Rice University, University of Texas San Antonio)
  • National reach for specific research initiatives (e.g., Stanford University)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This effectively excludes:

  • Organizations without a pre-existing relationship with the foundation or its trustees
  • General operating support requests from unknown organizations
  • Projects outside engineering education and Alzheimer's research focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

James J. Truchard - Trustee/President (unpaid)

  • Co-founder and former CEO of National Instruments (retired 2017)
  • Holds doctorate in electrical engineering and master's and bachelor's degrees in physics, all from University of Texas at Austin
  • Member of National Academy of Engineering
  • Recipient of IEEE Founders Medal and ASME Richard J. Goldstein Energy Lecture Award
  • Member of UT Chancellor's Council and Engineering Foundation Advisory Council

Family Leadership: The foundation is governed by family members who serve as directors and officers, all without compensation. This structure is typical of private family foundations where trustees exercise discretion in selecting grant recipients based on personal knowledge and relationships.

Dr. Truchard's Philanthropic Philosophy: While the foundation does not publish formal statements, Dr. Truchard's giving pattern demonstrates commitment to:

  • Supporting institutions where he has personal connections (his alma mater UT Austin)
  • Advancing engineering and computer science education
  • Enabling student innovation through hands-on facilities
  • Supporting cutting-edge scientific research, particularly in Alzheimer's disease

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Truchard Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has explicitly indicated that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees (Dr. James Truchard and family members)
  • Organizations are selected based on pre-existing relationships with the foundation
  • Major grants typically involve institutions where Dr. Truchard has personal connections (alumni relationships, board membership, previous engagement)

Getting on Their Radar

Connection to University of Texas System: Dr. Truchard maintains strong ties to UT Austin through the Chancellor's Council, Engineering Foundation Advisory Council, and his role as a distinguished alumnus. Organizations with collaborative relationships with UT engineering programs may have indirect pathways to visibility.

Engineering and Technology Sector Connections: Given Dr. Truchard's background at National Instruments and his focus on engineering innovation, organizations operating in similar spaces with notable leadership in electrical engineering, computer science, or instrumentation technology may attract attention through professional networks.

Alzheimer's Research Excellence: The foundation has supported both established researchers (Stanford's Barron Lab with $900,000 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2024) and created prize programs (The Oskar Fischer Prize at UTSA). Researchers with innovative approaches to Alzheimer's disease, particularly those exploring novel treatment modalities, have received support.

Professional Recognition: Dr. Truchard's engagement with organizations like ASME (where he donated his award honorarium to create scholarships) and IEEE suggests that excellence recognized by major engineering professional societies may create visibility.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a published grant cycle. Major commitments appear to be made through direct engagement between trustees and recipient organizations.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As the foundation only makes grants to preselected organizations, there is no traditional application success rate.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the concept of "application success factors" differs from traditional grantmakers. However, analysis of successful grant recipients reveals:

Institutional Characteristics of Recipients:

  • Educational Excellence: Recipients include top-tier universities (Stanford, UT Austin, Texas A&M, Rice) with nationally recognized engineering programs
  • Texas Connections: Strong preference for Texas institutions, particularly those with which Dr. Truchard has personal history
  • Engineering Focus: All educational grants support electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science programs

Research Characteristics:

  • Innovation in Approach: The Barron Lab at Stanford received major funding for investigating "the true causes of Alzheimer's Disease, including P. gingivalis Virulence Factor Effects, and Development of Novel Prevention and Treatment Modalities including CAMP gene induction and Red/NIR light therapy" - indicating interest in novel, potentially paradigm-shifting research
  • Track Record: Recipients demonstrate research excellence and credibility in their fields

Relationship Elements Observed:

  • Alumni relationships (Dr. Truchard's UT Austin connection)
  • Board/advisory involvement (Dr. Truchard served on UT's Engineering Foundation Advisory Council)
  • Professional society recognition (recipients of major engineering awards)
  • Prior engagement (multiple grants to same institutions over time)

Funding Patterns: Recent documented grants include:

  • Stanford Barron Lab: $900,000 (2023) and $500,000 (2024) for Alzheimer's research
  • Texas A&M: Endowed chairs in Computer Science and Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Rice University: Approximately $6.5 million total, including support for the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
  • UT Austin: Multiple endowments including the Truchard Foundation Chair in Engineering, $10 million for the National Instruments Student Project Lab
  • UTSA: Funding for The Oskar Fischer Prize program for Alzheimer's research

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant seeking approaches will not be successful.

  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: All observed grants stem from personal or institutional relationships with Dr. Truchard, particularly through his University of Texas connections, National Instruments network, or professional engineering society involvement.

  • Two Primary Funding Areas: Engineering education (especially electrical engineering and computer science) and Alzheimer's disease research represent the overwhelming majority of documented grants.

  • Significant Grant Sizes: When the foundation commits to a project, grants tend to be substantial (typically $500,000+), often structured as endowments or multi-year commitments rather than annual project grants.

  • Texas Emphasis: While the foundation makes some national grants (e.g., Stanford), there is clear preference for Texas institutions, particularly those in the UT System where Dr. Truchard has deep connections.

  • Long-Term Commitment Pattern: The foundation demonstrates sustained engagement with recipient institutions over time, making multiple grants to the same organizations (e.g., repeated support for Stanford's Barron Lab, ongoing UT Austin commitments).

  • Excellence Requirement: All identified recipients are top-tier institutions or researchers with national recognition in their fields, suggesting high standards for grant recipients even within the preselected group.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory