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G.R. White Trust

Annual Giving
$2.5M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,498,249 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Texas (emphasis on Dallas/Fort Worth area, McCulloch County, and rural Texas)

Contact Details

Administrative Officer: Donald R. Smith, Vice President
Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Address: 600 Bailey Ave, TX1-3434, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2128
Phone: (817) 924-0333
Online Applications: jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants
Application Deadline: September 1 (annual)

Overview

The G.R. White Trust was established in 1965 from the estate of George Rollie White (1875-1965), a Brady, Texas rancher and banker who served on the Texas A&M Board of Regents from 1926-1955, including as chairman from 1945-1955. With total assets of approximately $37.3 million and annual giving of $2.5 million, the trust continues White's legacy of supporting Texas communities. The trust focuses on making healthcare and educational resources available to Texans, particularly those in rural areas. Under the provisions of White's will, 17.65% of trust income is dedicated to scholarships, while a selection committee administers the remainder to support agriculture, education, health, and local community initiatives across Texas. The trust has received recognition for its significant impact, including major gifts to institutions like the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Scholarships: 17.65% of trust income supports scholarships for Texas A&M students and other educational institutions
  • General Operating Support: Available for qualifying organizations
  • Project Support: Available for specific initiatives aligned with trust priorities
  • Capital Projects: Major gifts for institutional projects (e.g., $500,000 to Texas A&M AgriLife Institute)
  • Application Method: Online portal through jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants with annual deadline of September 1

Priority Areas

  • Education: Higher education, scholarships for first-generation students, natural resources management programs
  • Healthcare: Rural healthcare access, cancer patient support (Hope Lodge), hospital support
  • Agriculture: Agricultural science initiatives, programs benefiting rural communities
  • Children and Youth: Programs serving young people
  • Community Development: Local infrastructure and services
  • Fire Departments: Support for local fire services
  • Social Services: Programs serving community needs
  • Public Interest Law: Fellowships for legal services to underrepresented communities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the trust has a clear Texas-focused geographic restriction.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Administrative Officer: Donald R. Smith, Vice President, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Fort Worth

Selection Committee Members:

  • Bart Wulff (Chair) - Brady and Dallas
  • Clay Jones - Brady
  • Joe T. Lenamon - Fort Worth (served until his passing in April 2022)

Leadership Insights

Bart Wulff (Trust Committee Chair): "The idea... has been to provide seed money to get new concepts started."

Joe Lenamon (former Trust Committee member): "Mr. White was a forward-thinking man... He loved being an Aggie."

The selection committee's philosophy centers on supporting innovative initiatives that can demonstrate societal benefits, particularly in the areas of agricultural science, education, and healthcare access for rural Texans.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants with an annual deadline of September 1. Contact the administrative officer at JPMorgan Chase Bank in Fort Worth at (817) 924-0333 for application assistance or questions about eligibility.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the September 1 deadline, decisions are likely made in the fall or winter following the application deadline.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust made 37 grants in 2024, 32 grants in 2023, and 34 grants in 2022, indicating consistent annual grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the administrative officer for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented funding patterns and leadership statements, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Alignment with George Rollie White's legacy: Projects should connect to White's vision for supporting agriculture, education, and healthcare in Texas, particularly benefiting rural communities and Texas A&M University.

  2. Seed funding for innovative concepts: As Bart Wulff stated, the trust seeks to "provide seed money to get new concepts started," suggesting preference for projects that can launch new initiatives rather than simply sustaining existing operations.

  3. Societal benefit focus: The trust supports "institutional projects focused on scientific concepts that will benefit society," indicating applications should articulate broad community impact.

  4. Texas connections: Strong preference for organizations serving Texas communities, especially the Dallas/Fort Worth area, McCulloch County (Brady area), and rural Texas populations.

  5. Support for underserved populations: Recent grants demonstrate commitment to first-generation students, rural healthcare access, cancer patients needing lodging during treatment, and legal services for underrepresented communities.

Recent Funded Projects (examples of successful grants):

  • $500,000 to Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (endowed professorship in precision nutrition)
  • Support for American Cancer Society Gene and Jerry Jones Family Hope Lodge in Dallas
  • Scholarships through Texas Tech University Department of Natural Resources Management
  • Public interest law fellowships through University of Texas School of Law

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply by September 1: Single annual deadline means careful planning is essential; missed deadlines mean waiting a full year.

  • Emphasize innovation and seed funding potential: The trust explicitly values providing "seed money to get new concepts started" rather than ongoing operational support.

  • Connect to George Rollie White's values: Demonstrate alignment with White's commitment to Texas A&M, rural Texas communities, agriculture, education, and healthcare access.

  • Focus on rural Texas impact: While Dallas/Fort Worth area organizations receive support, the trust shows particular interest in serving rural and underserved Texas populations.

  • Articulate broad societal benefits: Beyond immediate project outcomes, explain how your work contributes to long-term community and scientific advancement.

  • Consider geographic priorities: Organizations in McCulloch County (Brady area), Dallas/Fort Worth, and rural Texas communities appear to have geographic alignment advantages.

  • Contact administrative officer for guidance: Given limited public information about application processes, direct communication with Donald R. Smith at JPMorgan Chase may provide valuable application insights.

References

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