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, and Philanthropy Southwest.
Since inception, The Summerlee Foundation has awarded $65 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
We have reached the maximum number of submissions we can consider for the upcoming February 2025 Board Meeting. Please check back in March 2025 for the next opening of our grants portal.
Texas History Program
The Texas History grant portal will be accepting Letters of Interest February 3-28 for consideration at its May 2025 Board Meeting only for applicants who have already spoken with or have communicated by email with Gary Smith. For those wishing to apply for funding later in 2025, please contact Gary Smith at gnsmith@summerlee.org.org to set up a phone or Zoom appointment.
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.
