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Stanford C And Mary Clare Finney Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M

Stanford C And Mary Clare Finney Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $220,750 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/relationship-based grantmaking)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $5,000 (based on known examples)
  • Average Grant: $14,167
  • Number of Grants: 9 grants (2024), 12 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Dallas, TX; also Bentonville AR, Irving TX, New Braunfels TX, New York NY
  • Total Assets: $1,713,366 (2024)

Contact Details

Address:
Stanford C And Mary Clare Finney Foundation
4311 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100
Dallas, TX 75219-2310

Phone: 214-692-3669

EIN: 75-2809984

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or published application guidelines.

Overview

The Stanford C And Mary Clare Finney Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1999 in Dallas, Texas. Named for Stanford C. Finney (1948-2010), a Dallas businessman and philanthropist who served as General Partner of the Dallas Sidekicks Indoor Soccer Team, and his wife Mary Clare Finney, a prominent Dallas philanthropist and 2021 Crystal Charity Ball Hall of Fame honoree.

With assets of approximately $1.7 million, the foundation distributed $220,750 in grants during 2024 to nine organizations across Texas, Arkansas, and New York. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with discretionary grantmaking, making 9-12 grants annually with an average grant size of approximately $14,167. The foundation's mission centers on supporting University Park School facilities, equipment, staff and technology, as well as funding innovative research for early disease detection and patient-centered programs. Mary Clare Finney continues to serve as trustee, maintaining the philanthropic legacy she and her late husband built through decades of service to Dallas-area charities including UT Southwestern, Crystal Charity Ball, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Highland Park Independent School District, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of North Texas, and Gilda's Club of North Texas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This is a private foundation that operates through trustee discretion rather than open application processes. Grants are made on an invitation or relationship basis.

Grant Characteristics:

  • Typical grants range from $2,500 to $5,000
  • Average grant size: $14,167
  • 9-12 grants made annually
  • Total annual grantmaking: approximately $220,000

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three main areas:

Education

  • University Park School facilities, equipment, staff, and technology
  • Christian educational institutions (e.g., The Woodlands Christian Academy - $5,000 grant for "Educate Students Both Intellectually and Spiritually")
  • Highland Park Independent School District initiatives

Health and Medical Research

  • Innovative research to advance early detection of diseases
  • Patient-centered healthcare programs
  • Medical centers and health systems (strong historical connection to UT Southwestern Medical Center and Baylor Healthcare System Foundation)
  • Neuro-oncology research (The Stan and Mary Clare Finney Neuro-oncology Research Fund at UT Southwestern)

Human Services and Religion

  • Senior services (The Senior Source - $2,750 to support Dallas area seniors' well-being)
  • Addiction recovery and faith-based services (Men of Nehemiah - $2,500 for Christian-led clinical addiction services)
  • The Salvation Army
  • Church-related programs (Park Cities Presbyterian Church)

Geographic Priorities

Primary Focus: Dallas, TX and surrounding Park Cities area

Also Supports: Bentonville AR, Irving TX, New Braunfels TX, New York NY

What They Don't Fund

As a small private foundation, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their geographic areas of interest
  • Organizations without connection to the trustee's philanthropic network
  • Very large capital campaigns requiring major funding
  • General operating support for large established organizations
  • International programs (based on geographic giving pattern)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

Mary Clare Finney - Trustee (serves without compensation)

Mary Clare Finney is a prominent Dallas philanthropist with deep roots in the city's charitable community. She was inducted into the Crystal Charity Ball Hall of Fame in 2021, recognizing her decades of philanthropic leadership. She was named to the prestigious 10 Best Dressed list in 2013, 2014, and 2016, and served as chair of the Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed luncheon in 2015. She remains active with the Crystal Charity Ball Committee.

Current Affiliations and Support:

  • Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary
  • Equest (therapeutic horsemanship)
  • Baylor Scott & White
  • Crystal Charity Ball Committee

Legacy of Philanthropic Leadership:
Mary Clare was married to Stanford C. Finney for 23 years before his passing in 2010. Together, they were deeply involved in Dallas philanthropy, serving as Honorary Chairpersons of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of North Texas and as Chairmen of Gilda's Club of North Texas in 2004. Their giving benefited numerous charities including UT Southwestern Medical Center (establishing The Stan and Mary Clare Finney Neuro-oncology Research Fund), Crystal Charity Ball, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, and Highland Park Independent School District. Stanford also served on the board of the Baylor Healthcare System Foundation.

In discussing her continued philanthropic work during the pandemic, Mary Clare noted her excitement about "once again visit[ing] the beneficiaries of Crystal Charity Ball and to be able to thank in person our generous donors," demonstrating her hands-on approach to philanthropy and personal engagement with charitable work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Stanford C And Mary Clare Finney Foundation operates as a private family foundation with discretionary grantmaking. Grants are made based on trustee decisions and established relationships rather than through an open application or proposal process. There are no published application guidelines, deadlines, or online portals for submitting requests.

The foundation appears to identify grant recipients through:

  • The trustee's existing philanthropic network and affiliations
  • Organizations with which the foundation has historical relationships
  • Direct connections to the Finney family's charitable interests
  • Recommendations from trusted sources within their philanthropic circle

Getting on Their Radar

Crystal Charity Ball Network:
Mary Clare Finney is deeply involved with the Crystal Charity Ball, serving on the committee and as a 2021 Hall of Fame honoree. Organizations that are Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries or that align with CCB's mission may have better access to the foundation's network. Attending Crystal Charity Ball events or becoming involved with CCB-supported initiatives could provide networking opportunities.

Specific Funder Connections:
The foundation has demonstrated support for organizations connected to Mary Clare Finney's known philanthropic interests:

  • Salvation Army: Mary Clare serves on the Women's Auxiliary, making this a clear priority connection
  • Baylor Scott & White: Another organization she actively supports
  • Equest: A therapeutic horsemanship program she champions
  • Highland Park ISD/University Park Elementary: Primary educational focus
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center: Historic family connection through the Finney Neuro-oncology Research Fund
  • Park Cities Presbyterian Church: Faith community connection

Professional and Social Circles:
The foundation's office is located at 4311 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75219-2310, in the heart of Dallas's professional and philanthropic community. Organizations that operate in the Park Cities area (Highland Park/University Park) or serve these communities may align with the foundation's geographic and community interests.

Areas of Demonstrated Interest:
Based on known grants and the foundation's stated mission, organizations working in these specific niches may align with the foundation's priorities:

  • University Park Elementary School programs (facilities, equipment, technology, staff support)
  • Christian education initiatives
  • Senior services in Dallas
  • Faith-based addiction recovery programs
  • Medical research, particularly neuro-oncology and early disease detection
  • Patient-centered healthcare programs

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than competitive applications, the traditional "success factors" don't apply in the usual sense. However, based on the foundation's giving patterns and the trustee's documented philanthropic approach, the following factors appear to influence grantmaking:

Alignment with Trustee's Established Interests

The foundation's grants clearly reflect Mary Clare Finney's personal philanthropic commitments. Organizations that align with her documented support for the Salvation Army, Baylor Scott & White, Equest, and Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries have demonstrated alignment.

Connection to Highland Park/University Park Community

The foundation's stated primary purpose includes "support for university park school facilities equipment staff and technology," indicating a strong commitment to this specific Dallas community. Organizations serving the Park Cities area appear to be a priority.

Faith-Based and Values-Aligned Organizations

Known grants include The Woodlands Christian Academy ($5,000 "to educate students both intellectually and spiritually"), Men of Nehemiah ($2,500 for "Christian-led clinical addiction services"), and Park Cities Presbyterian Church. This suggests openness to faith-based organizations that combine spiritual mission with tangible service outcomes.

Medical Research and Healthcare Innovation

The foundation's mission specifically mentions "innovative research to advance early detection and create patient-centered programs." This reflects the Finney family's historic support for UT Southwestern's neuro-oncology research and Baylor Healthcare System Foundation. Medical organizations conducting cutting-edge research or developing patient-centered care models align with this priority.

Service to Vulnerable Populations

Grants to The Senior Source ($2,750 "to support Dallas area seniors' well-being") and Men of Nehemiah (addiction services) demonstrate commitment to vulnerable populations. Organizations providing direct services to seniors, individuals in recovery, or other underserved Dallas residents align with demonstrated priorities.

Modest, Specific Requests

With an average grant size of $14,167 and known grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, the foundation appears to make targeted grants for specific purposes rather than large general operating support. Projects with clear, defined needs in this range may be more appropriate than major capital campaigns.

Existing Relationship or Trusted Introduction

As a private foundation without public applications, access likely comes through existing relationships with the trustee or introductions from trusted sources within her philanthropic network. Organizations already connected to Crystal Charity Ball, the organizations Mary Clare actively supports, or other Dallas philanthropic circles have the advantage of proximity to decision-making.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This is a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, not open solicitation. Traditional grant writing and submission won't reach this funder.

  • Relationship-based grantmaking - Access to funding requires connection to Mary Clare Finney's philanthropic network, particularly through Crystal Charity Ball, Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, Baylor Scott & White, or Equest affiliations.

  • Small, focused grants - With 9-12 grants annually averaging $14,167 (range $2,500-$5,000), this foundation makes modest, targeted grants rather than major funding commitments. Organizations seeking six-figure support should look elsewhere.

  • Geographic specificity matters - Primary focus on Dallas/Park Cities area (especially University Park Elementary), with occasional grants in Bentonville AR, Irving TX, New Braunfels TX, and New York NY. Organizations outside these areas unlikely to receive consideration.

  • Three clear priority areas - Education (especially University Park School/Highland Park ISD and Christian education), medical research (early detection, patient-centered care, neuro-oncology), and human services (seniors, addiction recovery, faith-based programs). Proposals outside these areas unlikely to succeed.

  • Faith-based alignment welcomed - Multiple grants support Christian organizations and churches. Faith-based nonprofits that integrate spiritual mission with service delivery align with demonstrated funding patterns.

  • Personal engagement drives decisions - Mary Clare Finney's hands-on approach to philanthropy (visiting beneficiaries, personal donor engagement) suggests she values direct knowledge of organizations. Building genuine relationships with the foundation's existing network matters more than polished proposals.

References

Primary Sources:

News Articles and Feature Stories:

Tax Filings:

  • IRS Form 990-PF filings (2004-2024) available through ProPublica, Candid Foundation Center, and GuideStar

Grant Examples Cited:

  • The Woodlands Christian Academy: $5,000 grant
  • The Senior Source: $2,750 grant
  • Men of Nehemiah: $2,500 grant

Contact Information Verified Through:

  • Multiple nonprofit databases listing consistent address at 4311 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75219-2310
  • Phone number 214-692-3669 confirmed across multiple sources

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