George and Fay Young Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4,597,785 (2023)
Grant Range: Approximately $50,000 - $300,000
Average Grant Size: ~$92,000
Decision Time: 1.5-2 months from deadline
Geographic Focus: Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Texas
Application Deadlines: April 15 and September 15 (bi-annual)

Contact Details

Address: 14850 Montfort Dr., Ste. 269, Dallas, TX 75254-7077

Website: gfyfoundation.org

Note: The foundation's website contains application guidelines and a Grant Proposal Summary Form.

Overview

The George and Fay Young Foundation was founded as a charitable trust in 1985 and incorporated in 1993 as successor to the George & Fay Young Charitable Foundation. George and Fay Young, long-time Dallas residents, believed strongly in giving back to the community, and their legacy is carried on by second and third generation family members working at the Foundation. In 2023, the foundation distributed $4,597,785 across 50 grants (down from 61 grants in 2022), making it a significant mid-sized funder in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The foundation seeks to foster learning by improving access to opportunity and strengthening communities through sustainable solutions, with a strong emphasis on programs with proven impact and long-term sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a bi-annual grant cycle with two application deadlines per year:

Spring Cycle: April 15 deadline for June funding decisions
Fall Cycle: September 15 deadline for November funding decisions

Grant Size: Grants typically range from $50,000 to $300,000, with an average award of approximately $92,000. Gifts exceeding $50,000 may be considered for multi-year status to be given over a 3-year period.

Priority Areas

The Foundation has identified the following focus areas:

Education

Scholarship programs: traditional and non-traditional programs providing students with greater opportunities toward advancement
Arts and Culture: hands-on programs using art as a catalyst for learning and inspiration
Environmental Advocacy: programs promoting preservation of the environment and its natural resources
Primary focus on early childhood (0-5 years) and primary and secondary education

Individual, Family, & Community Intervention

Programs working to break destructive cycles and promote positive change
Initiatives fostering self-reliance for families
Youth-oriented programs

Health

Research and support for cancer, diabetes, and vision loss
Programs promoting healthy living environments

Animal Awareness

Programs in which animal welfare is the core component

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not support:

Deficit funding or debt retirement
Special events or fundraising event underwriting
Start-ups less than 3 years old
Organizations outside the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex
Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by an executive management team, with second and third generation family members of George and Fay Young continuing the founders' philanthropic legacy. The foundation maintains a board that meets twice annually (in May and October) to review grant applications and make funding decisions.

Specific names of current trustees and officers are available in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings but are not publicly disclosed in marketing materials. Applications require a listing of the applicant's board of directors, trustees, officers and other key people and their affiliations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through a written proposal process. An application form is not required, but applicants should download and complete the Grant Proposal Summary Form available on the foundation's website (gfyfoundation.org).

Required Materials:

Grant Proposal Summary Form
How the project will be sustained once grantmaker support is completed
Copy of IRS Determination Letter
Brief history of organization and description of its mission
Copy of most recent annual report/audited financial statement/990
Financial status of organization and two years' operating statements
How project's results will be evaluated or measured
Listing of board of directors, trustees, officers and other key people and their affiliations

Submission Guidelines:

Submit one copy of the proposal
Binders and notebooks are not accepted with applications submitted via mail
The initial approach should be a proposal

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a structured bi-annual timeline:

Spring Cycle:

April 15: Application deadline
May: Board meeting to review applications
June: Final notification sent to applicants

Fall Cycle:

September 15: Application deadline
October: Board meeting to review applications
November: Final notification sent to applicants

Total Timeline: Approximately 1.5-2 months from application deadline to final notification.

Success Rates

The foundation made 50 awards in 2023 and 61 awards in 2022, demonstrating consistent grantmaking activity. Specific data on the number of applications received is not publicly available, so a precise success rate cannot be calculated. However, the foundation's clear eligibility criteria (established 501(c)(3)s with 3+ years operating history in the Dallas/Fort Worth area) suggest that eligible applicants who align well with funding priorities have a reasonable chance of success.

Reapplication Policy

While the foundation does not publish a specific reapplication policy, organizations should note that the bi-annual cycle provides two opportunities per year to apply. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles. The foundation has demonstrated long-term relationships with some grantees, as evidenced by Bishop Arts Theatre Center receiving grants in both 2008 ($31,250) and 2022 ($100,000), indicating they support organizations over time.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences and grant history, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Proven Impact and Sustainability The foundation emphasizes supporting "programs with proven impact" and requires applicants to explain how projects will be sustained after grant funding ends. Organizations must demonstrate a track record of success rather than experimental or unproven approaches.

2. Established Organizations With a requirement that organizations be at least 3 years old and provide two years of operating statements, the foundation favors stability and demonstrated organizational capacity over innovation or risk-taking.

3. Youth and Family Focus The foundation prefers "youth oriented" and "family support" requests. Programs directly serving children (especially early childhood through secondary education) and families are prioritized.

4. Alignment with Educational Mission The foundation's mission centers on "fostering learning by improving access to opportunity." Even in non-education sectors (health, animal welfare, community intervention), framing proposals around learning, opportunity, and empowerment resonates with their values.

5. Geographic Connection Strong ties to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex are essential. The foundation funds "primarily in Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, and the surrounding areas."

6. Long-term Sustainability Focus As evidenced by the Bishop Arts Theatre Center grant, the foundation appreciates gifts that "strengthen the organization for long-term sustainability." The $100,000 grant in 2022 was described as having "its sole purpose was to strengthen the organization for long-term sustainability," indicating that capacity-building and organizational stability are valued outcomes.

7. Clear Evaluation Metrics Applications must include "how project's results will be evaluated or measured," demonstrating the foundation's commitment to accountability and measurable outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Timing is everything: Submit by April 15 for June decisions or September 15 for November decisions. The foundation operates on a strict bi-annual schedule.
Maturity matters: Don't apply if your organization is less than 3 years old. The foundation explicitly excludes newer startups.
Think multi-year: Requests over $50,000 can be structured as multi-year grants (up to 3 years), which can be strategic for larger projects requiring sustained support.
Sustainability sells: Demonstrate both the immediate impact and long-term sustainability of your program. The foundation wants to know their investment will have lasting effects.
Keep it simple: No binders or notebooks. Submit a straightforward proposal with the required materials listed. The foundation values substance over elaborate presentation.
Geographic fit is non-negotiable: If you're not serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, this foundation is not for you.
Build relationships over time: The foundation has supported organizations repeatedly over many years (e.g., Bishop Arts Theatre in 2008 and 2022), suggesting that successful grantees can return for future funding.

References

All sources accessed December 24, 2025