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Sid W. Richardson Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.8M
Grant Range
$53K - $2.5M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
15%

Sid W. Richardson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22,830,417 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive - receives far more requests than can be funded
  • Decision Time: 10-14 business days for LOI review; decisions made at biannual board meetings
  • Grant Range: $53,000 - $2,500,000+ (typical range varies by program area)
  • Geographic Focus: Texas statewide for education and health; Fort Worth area only for human services, K-12 education, and cultural programs

Contact Details

Website: https://sidrichardson.org
Phone: 817-336-0494
Email: info@sidrichardson.org
Grant Portal Contact: Shelley Wujcikowski at swujcikowski@sidrichardson.org
Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=sidrichardson

Overview

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation was established in 1947 by Sid W. Richardson (1891-1959), a Texas oil magnate who built his fortune in the petroleum industry. Since beginning its major grant distribution program in 1962, the Foundation has donated over $545 million to Texas organizations. As of 2020, the Foundation held assets of $716.8 million. Headquartered in downtown Fort Worth's historic Sundance Square, the Foundation focuses on public-private partnerships in education, health, human services, and the arts. The Foundation's charter stipulates that all grants must be awarded to recipients within Texas. President and CEO Pete Geren emphasizes Richardson's belief in "giving people a hand up," noting that "education provides the greatest hand up that society can offer."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education (Statewide)

  • Higher education programs and research: $75,000 - $2,500,000
  • K-12 education (Fort Worth area only): $53,000 - $801,399
  • Teacher development and educational reform initiatives
  • Charter school establishment and operations
  • Application method: Online portal, biannual deadlines

Health (Statewide)

  • Medical research and healthcare programs: $75,000 - $500,000
  • Maternal health initiatives
  • Hospital and clinical programs
  • Application method: Online portal, biannual deadlines

Human Services (Fort Worth Area Only)

  • Housing and homelessness: $125,000 - $1,000,000
  • Food security programs: $200,000
  • Crime prevention and safety initiatives: $125,000
  • Application method: Online portal, biannual deadlines

Cultural Arts (Fort Worth Area Only)

  • Museums and performing arts organizations: $600,000 - $750,000
  • Operational support for established cultural institutions
  • Application method: Online portal, biannual deadlines

Priority Areas

The Foundation actively funds projects that:

  • Serve the people of Texas through educational advancement
  • Support healthcare access and medical research
  • Address human service needs in Fort Worth communities
  • Sustain cultural institutions and arts programming
  • Create public-private partnerships for systemic change
  • Provide operational support to established organizations
  • Support transformational reform in public education

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals
  • School trips or field trips
  • Testimonial dinners
  • Fundraising events or galas
  • Marketing events
  • Private foundations (must be 501(c)(3) public charities or qualified public entities)
  • Organizations outside of Texas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Edward P. Bass - Chairman (grandnephew of Sid W. Richardson)
Sid R. Bass - Vice President (grandnephew of Sid W. Richardson)
Lee M. Bass - Vice President (grandnephew of Sid W. Richardson)

The Bass brothers are the sons of Perry R. Bass (1914-2006), who was Sid Richardson's nephew. Since Richardson's death, the Foundation has been managed by a four-person board of directors, most of whom are family or former business associates of Richardson.

Foundation Staff

Pete Geren - President and Chief Executive Officer
Beckie Wach - Grant Director, Health & Human Services
Marie Hunzeker - Controller
Carolyn Johns - Senior Administrative Officer and Executive Assistant
Janine Cox - Executive Assistant to the President
Shelley Wujcikowski - Office Manager (contact for grant portal inquiries)

Leadership Perspective

Pete Geren on Sid Richardson's legacy: "He was born and lived in a different era, but you can deduce from his philanthropy how important he believed education was for this state and the people of this state. It's the Texas tradition of giving people a hand up. Education provides the greatest hand up that society can offer."

On the Foundation's approach: "Sid Richardson was an extraordinary man who was born without any means and became immensely wealthy. He never married and had no family, so he left his fortune to create this foundation to help the people of Texas by giving money to social services, healthcare services, performing arts organizations, and public education."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For New Applicants:

  1. Create login credentials at the Grant Interface portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=sidrichardson
  2. Complete an eligibility quiz to determine if your organization qualifies
  3. Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the online portal
  4. Wait 10-14 business days for Foundation review
  5. If invited, complete and submit full application by the deadline

For Returning Grantees: Previous recipients may access the portal directly and indicate prior funding history to expedite the eligibility process.

Application Deadlines:

  • Spring Process: February 1
  • Fall Process: September 15

Important Limitations:

  • Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year
  • New applicants must submit a preliminary inquiry (LOI) before formal application
  • Applications must be submitted through the online portal

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Review: 10-14 business days after submission
  • Board Meetings: Twice annually (following February 1 and September 15 deadlines)
  • Notification: All applicants notified following board meetings
  • The Board of Directors makes final funding decisions at their biannual meetings

Success Rates

The Foundation receives funding requests far in excess of its ability to fund, so only a small portion of requests can be approved. In 2021, the Foundation made 207 grant awards. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation emphasizes that "a decision not to fund a proposal does not reflect on the merits of the Applicant or the value of the proposal."

Reapplication Policy

While the Foundation states that unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply in future years, organizations are limited to one application per calendar year. Specific restrictions or waiting periods for reapplication are not explicitly stated in public materials. The Foundation's statement that rejection "does not reflect on the merits" suggests they are open to future applications from previously declined organizations.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical Carefully review geographic restrictions. Human services, K-12 education, and cultural grants are limited to Fort Worth area organizations only. Statewide consideration applies only to higher education and health initiatives.

Operational Support for Established Organizations The Foundation shows a strong pattern of providing operational support to established institutions rather than seed funding for new initiatives. Examples include $750,000 grants to Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Public-Private Partnerships and Systemic Change The Foundation prioritizes projects that create lasting systemic change through collaboration. Their $700,000 grant to Fort Worth Education Partnership for "transformational reform in the operation and accountability of the public school system" exemplifies this approach.

Clear, Mission-Aligned Proposals President Pete Geren's emphasis on "giving people a hand up" through education and opportunity should inform application language. Frame proposals around how they provide opportunities for Texans to improve their circumstances.

Multi-Year Relationships Evidence suggests the Foundation values ongoing relationships with proven organizations. Many recipients receive "continued operational support," indicating multi-year funding patterns.

Professional Grant Portal Presentation All applications must be submitted through their GrantInterface system. Ensure technical compliance with portal requirements and complete all fields thoroughly.

No Commemorative Gifts The Foundation explicitly requests that grantees refrain from providing "commemorative gifts" recognizing the foundation or its leadership - focus resources on program delivery instead.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know your geography: Verify your organization's location qualifies for your program area - Fort Worth only for human services, K-12 education, and culture; statewide for higher education and health
  • Think big and systemic: Recent grants show preference for substantial investments ($75,000+) in transformational projects, not small pilot programs
  • Start with the LOI: New applicants must begin with a Letter of Inquiry and wait 10-14 days for response before submitting full application
  • One shot per year: With only one application allowed per calendar year and two decision cycles, timing and preparation are critical
  • Emphasize operational sustainability: The Foundation provides significant operational support to established organizations - demonstrate your institution's track record and stability
  • Frame around opportunity creation: Align language with Richardson's philosophy of "giving people a hand up" through education and services
  • Plan for high competition: With $22.8 million distributed annually and hundreds of requests, success rates are low - applications must be exceptionally strong and well-aligned with stated priorities

References

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