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Nora Eccles Treadwell Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$3.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,762,144 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $131.85 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,164,940
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Utah and California
  • Founded: 1962 (became active 1978)
  • Total Grants Since 1978: Over $150 million

Contact Details

Nora Eccles Treadwell Charitable Trust

  • Location: Salt Lake City, UT
  • EIN: 94-2566167
  • Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public-facing website or published contact information. Contact details may be available through their Form 990 filings.

Overview

Established in 1962 by Nora Eccles, daughter of pioneering Utah entrepreneur David Eccles, the Nora Eccles Treadwell Charitable Trust became active in 1978 following Nora's passing. Since then, it has awarded over $150 million to further basic research in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. The foundation holds assets of $131.85 million and distributed $3.76 million in grants in 2023. Nora Eccles took an active interest in medical research and was an accomplished ceramicist who remained closely involved with the Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute's (CVRTI) work until her death. Today, the foundation is led by her nephew Spencer F. Eccles (Chairman and CEO) and Katie A. Eccles (Vice Chair), continuing a multi-generational commitment to advancing basic medical science in Utah and California. The foundation's most significant relationship is with the University of Utah, which has received over $82 million in grants, including more than $56 million to the CVRTI alone.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Their grantmaking is primarily trustee-directed and focuses on established relationships with medical research institutions.

Major Funding Commitments:

  • University of Utah Health: Over $82 million total, including $56+ million to CVRTI
  • Recent Major Gift (2021): $110 million commitment (joint with George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation) including:
    • $40 million for medical school endowment (scholarships, faculty recruitment, innovative education)
    • $40 million for cardiovascular science and heart disease research
    • $30 million for health sciences campus building construction
  • Annual CVRTI Support: Split 50% for operational costs/staff salaries and 50% for research grants to individual investigators

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Basic research in cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes research
  • Arthritis research
  • Medical education and faculty recruitment
  • Research infrastructure and facilities

Research Philosophy:

  • Supports "high-risk, high-reward research"
  • Prioritizes investigator quality over specific research direction
  • Aims to fund excellence in basic scientific research
  • Long-term institutional partnerships (52+ years with CVRTI)

Geographic Focus:

  • Utah (primary)
  • California (secondary)

What They Don't Fund

Based on their funding history:

  • Organizations outside medical research sector
  • Applied or clinical research (focus is on basic science)
  • Projects outside cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis
  • General operating support for non-research organizations
  • Programs outside Utah and California

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Spencer F. Eccles - Chairman and CEO

  • 30+ year foundation veteran
  • Nephew of founder Nora Eccles
  • Also serves as chairman and CEO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
  • Quote: "From banking to philanthropy, my goal has always been to support and advocate for the people of Utah."
  • Quote: "Higher education is the key to the future for this state... Higher education is the linchpin to our success."

Katie A. Eccles - Vice Chair

  • Attorney, "of counsel" at Ray, Quinney & Nebeker
  • Stanford University BA in History, Stanford Law School JD
  • Former Note Editor for Stanford Law Review
  • Also serves as:
    • Vice Chair, University of Utah Board of Trustees
    • Assistant Secretary, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
    • Board member, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
    • Board member, American Cancer Society

Board Members (Additional)

  • Lawrence M. Harrison
  • Kathryn C. Econome
  • Robert M. Graham
  • Kenneth W. [last name not available in sources]

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Nora Eccles Treadwell Charitable Trust operates as a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Grants are awarded based on:

  • Trustee discretion and strategic priorities
  • Long-standing institutional relationships
  • Invitation from the foundation
  • Pre-existing connections to the Eccles family philanthropic network

The foundation made 40 awards in 2023, primarily to established research institutions in Utah and California with which they have long-term relationships, particularly the University of Utah Health and CVRTI.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than an application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding their funding approach is valuable:

Foundation's Funding Philosophy

The foundation's approach to CVRTI funding illustrates their philosophy:

  • Investigator-focused: Prioritizes "the best athletes" in basic research over specific project direction
  • Long-term commitment: Has supported CVRTI for 52 years, demonstrating sustained institutional partnerships
  • Risk tolerance: Explicitly supports "high-risk, high-reward research"
  • Balanced support: Splits funding between operational sustainability (50%) and individual research grants (50%)

What They Value

Based on their $150+ million in grantmaking history:

  • Basic science research: Fundamental scientific inquiry rather than applied research
  • Institutional excellence: Major research universities with strong track records
  • Cardiovascular focus: Their longest and largest commitment (CVRTI since 1969)
  • Educational impact: Recent gift included $40 million for medical education endowment
  • Infrastructure investment: Willingness to fund facilities and equipment, not just research projects
  • Utah connections: Strong preference for Utah-based institutions, particularly University of Utah

Recent Funding Examples

  • University of Utah CVRTI: Over $56 million (52-year relationship)
  • University of Utah Health: Over $82 million total
  • 2021 commitment: $110 million to University of Utah School of Medicine (joint gift)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation makes grants through trustee discretion and invitation only. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.
  • Long-term relationships matter: Their primary beneficiary (University of Utah) has received support for over 50 years, indicating preference for sustained partnerships over one-time grants.
  • Basic research focus: The foundation funds fundamental scientific research in three specific areas: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Projects outside these areas are unlikely to receive consideration.
  • Geographic limitation: Nearly all funding goes to Utah institutions (primary) and California institutions (secondary). Organizations outside these states should not expect funding.
  • Large-scale impact: Recent grants range from individual investigator awards to multi-million dollar institutional commitments, suggesting they fund at all scales but prefer significant impact.
  • Quality over novelty: Their stated preference for funding "the best athletes" in research suggests they prioritize investigator excellence and institutional reputation over innovative but unproven approaches.
  • Connection to Eccles family: The foundation is part of a broader Eccles family philanthropic network. Organizations already known to other Eccles foundations may have better prospects.

References

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