Welcome to the Summerlee Foundation
Founded in 1988, The Summerlee Foundation is a mission-driven, proactive organization dedicated to the support of animal protection and the preservation of Texas history.
Today, the foundation is governed by a seven member board of directors composed of animal and history experts and community leaders and remains actively involved in the broader philanthropic sector as members of national and regional philanthropy serving organizations including Animal Grantmakers, Exponent Philanthropy, Philanthropy Southwest, and Texas Rural Funders.
Since inception, The Summerlee Foundation has awarded $60 million dollars in grants and has been recognized as the Outstanding Foundation by the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Please note that the Summerlee Foundation is no longer accepting Letters of Interest (LOI) or grant applications by mail or email. We are transitioning to a new and convenient online application and grants management system designed to assist you in submitting an LOI and a full proposal. For detailed instructions, please go to the How to Apply sections for either the Animal Program or the History Program.
Animal Protection Program
Due to the large number of proposals already under consideration, our next window for submitting LOIs will be July 1-July 8 for possible consideration at our September 21, 2024 Board of Directors meeting. Please note the portal may close earlier if 150 LOIs have been submitted.
Texas History Program
If your organization has already received permission to submit an LOI in this cycle—please proceed now (deadline June 14, 2024). Otherwise, this cycle is now closed to new applicants as we have reached our limit for the September 17, 2024 Board of Directors meeting.
Next cycle: Organizations that wish to apply for a Texas History Grant in a future cycle, please email Gary Smith on the How to Apply page to schedule a consultation before September 30, 2024.
What We Fund
The Foundation makes grants for two specific purposes: to alleviate fear, pain and suffering of animals and to promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty to animals, and to research, promote and document all facets of Texas History.
