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George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Annual Giving
$27.4M
Grant Range
$0K - $75.0M
Decision Time
3mo

George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $27.4 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $893 million (2023)
  • Decision Time: 90 days (typically within one quarterly board meeting)
  • Grant Range: $390 - $5,000,000+
  • Median Grant: $20,000
  • Total Grants Awarded: 424 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Utah statewide
  • Established: 1960

Contact Details

Address: 79 S. Main Street, 14th Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Phone: 801-246-5340
Email: gseg@gseccles.org
Website: https://www.gsecclesfoundation.org
Online Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=gseccles

Overview

Established in 1960 by philanthropists George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles, the foundation has awarded nearly $1 billion in grants since 1982 to ensure their legacy extends beyond their lifetimes. With total assets of $893 million, the foundation awarded $27.4 million across 424 grants in 2023. The foundation's mission is to "invest in communities to improve the daily lives of Utahns" through strategic funding across five focus areas. President/COO Lisa Eccles oversees more than 300 funding requests annually, directing grants that range from modest assistance under $1,000 to transformational multi-million dollar investments. Recent landmark commitments include $75 million for a new University of Utah Hospital campus in West Valley City (2025) and $110 million for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine building (2024). The foundation takes a strategic, long-term approach, with Chairman Spencer Eccles emphasizing their philosophy "to make a meaningful difference long-term" in everything they support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate separate named grant programs but awards grants across five focus areas:

  • Arts & Culture: Supporting Utah's cultural institutions and artistic communities, inspired by the founders' passion for the arts. Past grants include $15 million for the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.

  • Community: Addressing needs of individuals and families statewide through social services and community development initiatives. Includes innovative program-related investments such as $3.5 million to Redemption Holding Company, the first Black-owned bank between Houston and Los Angeles (2024).

  • Education: Prioritizing excellence in higher education across Utah. Recent major grants include $110 million for the University of Utah medical school building and $12 million challenge grant for the David Eccles School of Business facilities.

  • Health & Wellness: Supporting Utah's healthcare community and medical infrastructure. The foundation awarded $75 million for the University of Utah's first off-campus hospital in West Valley City (2025).

  • Preservation & Conservation: Protecting natural lands and supporting restoration efforts across Utah's historic places and natural spaces.

Grant Size and Application Methods:

  • Grant range: $390 to over $5 million
  • Median grant: $20,000
  • Average health & wellness grants: $10,000-$25,000 (up to $500,000)
  • Application process: Two-phase (Letter of Inquiry, then full application if invited)
  • Board meets quarterly to review applications
  • Organizations may apply once annually
  • Event sponsorships require 90-day advance notice

Priority Areas

The foundation seeks organizations that demonstrate:

  • Utah-based operations: Efforts must be focused principally within Utah
  • Track record of effectiveness: History of achievement, good management, and sound financial condition with current audited financial statements
  • Distinctive community contribution: Programs that don't unnecessarily duplicate existing services
  • Measurable impact potential: Significant potential to make a measurable impact in an area of need
  • Broad-based financial support: Projects showing diverse funding sources beyond the Eccles Foundation
  • Alignment with focus areas: Clear fit within Arts & Culture, Community, Education, Health & Wellness, or Preservation & Conservation

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

  • Organizations lacking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (government units exempt)
  • Other private foundations
  • Political organizations attempting to influence legislation or elections
  • Conduit organizations or unified funds
  • Entities without fiscal responsibility for proposed projects

Ineligible Projects/Programs:

  • Contingencies, deficits, or debt reduction
  • General endowment funds
  • Direct aid to individuals
  • Conferences, seminars, or medical research
  • Initiatives outside their five specified focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with a three-member Board of Directors:

Spencer Fox Eccles - Chairman & CEO
A native of Ogden, Utah, Spencer Eccles earned his bachelor's degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Utah (1956) and a master's degree from Columbia Business School. He led First Security Corporation as Chairman & CEO for nearly two decades before its 2000 merger with Wells Fargo. He has stated: "We are stewards of their foundation. We take that very seriously, and we work every day to make them proud." On the foundation's philosophy, he emphasizes: "It's the thrill of a lifetime. It's a humbling experience. We feel very privileged to be asked to help serve for the foundation."

Lisa Eccles - President & COO
A University of Utah graduate, Lisa Eccles directs foundation operations, overseeing more than 300 funding requests annually and awarding grants totaling $20-$30 million each year. She is actively involved in advisory roles across academia, business, and nonprofit sectors. On the foundation's preservation priorities, she stated: "These historic places and natural spaces give a unique richness to Utah's future. Though our state is growing rapidly, we still have a chance to safeguard its most significant natural lands and historic treasures. It's not only a rare and exceptional opportunity – it's a responsibility." She also noted: "Our society is far more complex than it was 60 years ago... We can work with nonprofits and the state and come to the table, we hope, with meaningful ideas and hopefully funding to make a difference and to move the needle a little bit."

Robert M. Graham - Secretary, Treasurer & General Counsel
From Fairview, Utah, Robert Graham was educated at North Sanpete High School, Snow College, BYU, and earned his law degree from the University of Utah. He had a 28-year career as a tax partner with Haskins & Sells before joining the Foundation's Board in 1998.

Jennifer Napier-Pearce - Chief of Staff
A veteran journalist and strategist who most recently served as senior advisor and director of communications to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Jennifer was selected as Foundation Chief of Staff in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Phase 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
All applicants must first create an account in the online grant portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=gseccles and submit a Letter of Inquiry. The LOI determines eligibility for a full application invitation.

Phase 2: Full Grant Application
Upon LOI approval, organizations are invited to submit a Grant Application Form with required documentation:

  • CEO/Executive Director cover letter
  • Recent audited financial statements and IRS Form 990
  • 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter showing tax-exempt status (exceptions for government units)
  • Detailed project budget and organizational board roster
  • Visual materials (photographs or architectural renderings) for construction, restoration, preservation, or conservation projects
  • Two letters of organizational support

Critical Application Notes:

  • Incomplete applications may not be considered for funding
  • Organizations must promptly notify the Foundation of any significant changes to budget, timeline, or fundraising status after submission
  • Event sponsorships require submission at least 90 days prior to the scheduled event

Decision Timeline

  • Board meetings: Quarterly
  • Decision timeframe: Typically within 90 days of receiving a complete application (at the next quarterly board meeting)
  • Notification: Written notification provided within two weeks of the Board's decision
  • Application frequency: Organizations may apply once annually

Success Rates

The foundation receives more than 300 funding requests annually and awards 424 grants (based on 2023 data). Lisa Eccles has noted that the foundation receives "an increased number of applications for grants, often at higher dollar amounts, without comparable increases in Foundation funds available for distribution" and must "regrettably deny requests from time-to-time for outstanding and worthwhile projects within the Foundation's focus areas." While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, this suggests moderate to high competition for funding.

Reapplication Policy

Grant requests that are declined will not be reconsidered for 12 months following the denial of funding. Organizations may only apply once annually.

Post-Award Obligations

Grant recipients must:

  • Report on matching grant progress
  • Provide impact information demonstrating outcomes
  • Submit status reports for ongoing projects
  • Report any unexpended funds

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities:

  1. Long-term meaningful impact: Spencer Eccles has emphasized the foundation's core philosophy is "to make a meaningful difference long-term" in anything they support. Applications should articulate lasting, transformational change rather than short-term fixes.

  2. Distinctive contribution without duplication: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations that "make a distinctive contribution to the community without unnecessarily duplicating other services or programs already in place." Applications must clearly demonstrate unique value.

  3. Strong financial health and management: Required documentation includes audited financial statements and Form 990. The foundation looks for "good management demonstrating sound financial condition," indicating they prioritize well-run organizations with fiscal discipline.

  4. Broad-based funding support: The foundation favors "projects showing broad-based financial support from a variety of funding sources." Applications should demonstrate diverse funding streams and not over-reliance on a single funder.

  5. Measurable impact and effectiveness: Applications must show "significant potential to make a measurable impact in an area of need" with a "track record of effectiveness." Include specific metrics, outcomes data, and evaluation plans.

  6. Statewide Utah focus: Lisa Eccles has highlighted the foundation's commitment to addressing Utah's unique challenges as the state grows. Applications should frame projects in terms of benefiting Utah communities and citizens specifically.

  7. Strategic alignment: The foundation takes a strategic, hands-on approach. Lisa Eccles noted: "We can work with nonprofits and the state and come to the table, we hope, with meaningful ideas and hopefully funding to make a difference and to move the needle a little bit." This suggests they value collaborative partnerships and are willing to be actively involved in significant initiatives.

  8. Challenge and matching grants: The foundation has a history of offering challenge grants (e.g., $12 million challenge grant to University of Utah requiring the school to raise additional funds). Consider whether your capital campaign could incorporate a matching component.

  9. Visual documentation for construction projects: The foundation specifically requires "photographs or architectural renderings that portray and further explain visually the specific project" for construction, restoration, preservation, or conservation applications. High-quality visual materials are essential.

  10. Complete and timely applications: The foundation explicitly states "incomplete applications may not be considered for funding." Ensure all required materials are submitted and notify them promptly of any changes to project scope, budget, or timeline.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think big and transformational: With grants ranging to $75 million and a philosophy focused on "meaningful difference long-term," the foundation is willing to make major investments in projects with lasting impact. Don't underestimate appropriate ask amounts for capital campaigns or significant initiatives.

  • Demonstrate Utah statewide benefit: Frame your project in terms of improving the daily lives of Utahns and enriching quality of life across the state. Show how your work addresses Utah-specific needs and opportunities.

  • Prove financial stability and diverse funding: Come to the table with audited financials, a track record of fiscal responsibility, and evidence of broad-based support from multiple funders. The foundation wants to partner with well-managed organizations, not serve as sole funders.

  • Start with a strong Letter of Inquiry: The LOI is your gateway to a full application. Use it strategically to demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of their five focus areas and your organization's unique contribution to Utah communities.

  • Plan for quarterly decision cycles: With board meetings quarterly and 90-day decision timeframes, factor in potential 3-4 month timelines when planning your funding strategy. Submit event sponsorships at least 90 days in advance.

  • Show measurable impact: Build specific, quantifiable outcomes into your proposal. The foundation explicitly seeks "measurable impact" and organizations with a "track record of effectiveness."

  • For capital projects, invest in quality visuals: If seeking funding for construction, restoration, preservation, or conservation, professional architectural renderings or photographs are not optional—they're required and likely influential in decision-making.

  • Accept the one-chance-per-year rule: With annual application limits and a 12-month waiting period after denials, ensure your application is complete, compelling, and well-timed. Rushing a weak application means losing a full year of eligibility.

References

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