Fmh Foundation

## How to Approach the FMH Foundation

The FMH Foundation operates an invitation-only grantmaking process, which means organizations cannot simply submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation was established by Florence Marie Hall in 2011 to continue her legacy of giving back to West Texas, and it follows her principles of philanthropy: fostering a spirit of passionate quest for innovation and excellence.

What They Prioritize: The foundation values innovation, collaboration, and multi-disciplinary approaches above all else. They are looking for programs that demonstrate excellence and creativity — not just maintaining the status quo. Their theory of change centers on being a catalyst for nonprofit organizations, helping them grow capacity and deliver measurable community impact across the Permian Basin.

Alignment Signals: To align with FMH Foundation priorities, applicants should demonstrate: (1) innovative approaches to persistent community challenges, (2) collaborative partnerships with other organizations, (3) clear impact on underserved populations in the Permian Basin, and (4) organizational capacity to execute and report on the project. The foundation conducts 45-minute site visits for every applicant, indicating they value personal relationships and operational transparency.

Key Relationship Building: Since the process is invitation-only, the most important step is making a strong first impression through the online eligibility quiz and inquiry. Organizations should invest time in clearly articulating how their project aligns with the foundation's three focus areas (health, arts, community development) and how it embodies innovation. The foundation has provided over 850 grants to over 170 agencies, suggesting they are willing to fund new organizations but also maintain long-term partnerships with proven grantees.

## Funding Patterns and Distribution

Grant Volume and Scale: The FMH Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in West Texas with approximately $537 million in total assets (2024). Their annual grantmaking fluctuates significantly — $27.5 million across 82 grants in 2023, compared to $14.2 million across 54 grants in 2024. Over its history, the foundation has awarded more than 850 grants to over 170 agencies.

Grant Size Distribution: Award sizes range dramatically from $5,000 to $7,020,000, with a median grant of approximately $75,000. The 2024 data shows a concentration pattern: a few large capital grants ($1M-$4M) for healthcare and infrastructure projects, a middle tier of $100K-$400K grants for facility improvements and program support, and numerous smaller grants in the $5K-$75K range for program expenses and community services.

Sector Focus Breakdown (2024): - Healthcare and mental health: ~35% of dollars (largest single grants) - Community infrastructure and emergency services: ~25% (fire trucks, broadband, facility improvements) - Arts and culture: ~15% (ballet, museums, sculpture, music programs) - Education and youth services: ~15% (YMCA, education foundations) - Social services and food security: ~10% (food banks, crisis centers, counseling)

Geographic Distribution: All grants are restricted to the Permian Basin geographical area of West Texas, covering approximately 40+ counties. While Midland and Odessa receive the most grants, the foundation actively funds in smaller communities including Seminole, Snyder, Rankin, Monahans, Big Spring, and Levelland. This rural reach is a distinguishing characteristic.

Frequency: Grants are awarded four times per year at quarterly board meetings, creating a predictable funding cycle.

## Peer Comparison

The FMH Foundation operates within a distinctive philanthropic ecosystem in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Below is a comparison with peer foundations in the region:

Relative Positioning: The FMH Foundation is the newest major foundation in the Permian Basin but has rapidly become one of the largest by assets. Its $537M asset base exceeds the Abell-Hanger Foundation and is comparable to the Permian Basin Area Foundation (a community foundation with a different operating model).

Distinguishing Characteristics: Unlike the Abell-Hanger Foundation, which has a 70-year track record and tends toward steady, established grantmaking, the FMH Foundation explicitly emphasizes innovation and has a higher tolerance for capital projects and transformative investments (e.g., $4M for a behavioral health center, $1.7M for a YMCA youth center). The foundation's invitation-only process with eligibility quiz screening is more structured than most peer foundations.

NTEE Category Context: As a private foundation classified in philanthropy/grantmaking, the FMH Foundation's asset-to-giving ratio (approximately 3-5% annual payout) is consistent with IRS minimum distribution requirements and standard practice for large private foundations. Its giving per capita in the Permian Basin is exceptionally high relative to the region's population of approximately 600,000.

## Recent Activity and Strategic Shifts

2024 Grant Highlights: The FMH Foundation's most notable recent investment was a $4 million grant to the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center for a building capital project, signaling a significant commitment to addressing mental health infrastructure in the region. Other major 2024 grants include $1.705 million to the YMCA of Big Spring for facility improvements to a youth center and $1 million to Martin County Hospital District for a medical office building and outpatient center.

Healthcare Infrastructure Focus: A clear trend in recent grantmaking is the foundation's growing investment in healthcare infrastructure across the Permian Basin. Multiple hospital districts (Martin County, Rankin County, Ward Memorial, Andrews County, Lynn County) received grants, along with specialized services like the American Heart Association's CPR training in rural Permian Basin communities and aquatic/equine therapy through the Midland Children's Rehab Center.

Community Resilience Investments: The foundation has expanded its community development portfolio to include emergency services infrastructure (fire trucks for multiple volunteer fire departments) and broadband infrastructure ($650K to the Development Corporation of Snyder), reflecting awareness of rural connectivity challenges.

Leadership: Executive Director Joni Hires leads the foundation's operations. Florence Marie Hall, the founder, passed away in 2017, but her philanthropic vision continues to guide the foundation's direction through the principles she established.

Grant Volume Trends: The foundation's grantmaking has shown steady growth: 68 awards in 2020, 74 in 2021, 87 in 2022, 82 in 2023, and 71 in 2024 (with a lower dollar amount in 2024 compared to 2023). This suggests the foundation is maintaining a robust grant pipeline while potentially being more selective with larger grants. The $1.5 million grant to Fix West Texas for a clinic opening also demonstrates continued willingness to fund significant capital projects.

## Application Tips for the FMH Foundation

1. Master the Eligibility Quiz: The FMH Foundation's process begins with an online eligibility quiz that serves as a gatekeeping mechanism. Before starting, ensure your organization is a 501(c)(3) or 170(c) entity located in the Permian Basin. Clearly understand which of the three focus areas (health, arts, community development) your project fits, as the quiz will assess alignment.

2. Craft a Compelling Inquiry: Since the foundation reviews inquiries at quarterly board meetings, your written inquiry is your primary opportunity to make a strong first impression. Focus on demonstrating innovation, collaboration with other organizations, and measurable community impact. The foundation explicitly values "passionate quest for innovation and excellence" — generic program descriptions will not advance.

3. Prepare a 3-Year Master Plan: The full application requests a 3-year organizational master plan. Having this ready before you apply signals organizational maturity and strategic thinking. Include measurable outcomes, sustainability plans, and how the requested grant fits into your broader organizational trajectory.

4. Prepare for the Site Visit: Every applicant receives a 45-minute in-person site visit. This is not a formality — it is a critical evaluation step. Prepare your facility, have key staff available to discuss the project, and be ready to answer detailed questions about need, implementation, and expected outcomes. The foundation values personal connection and operational transparency.

5. Demonstrate Regional Impact: The FMH Foundation is deeply committed to the Permian Basin specifically. Proposals that demonstrate understanding of regional challenges (healthcare access in rural counties, limited arts programming, economic diversification) and that serve underserved communities within the 40+ county footprint will resonate more strongly than generic proposals.

6. Respect the Timeline: Allow up to three months from inquiry submission for the board to respond. Submit your inquiry well ahead of when you need funding. Only one inquiry per year is allowed, so make it count. The foundation recommends submitting applications ahead of deadlines to avoid technical issues.

7. Plan for Reporting: If funded, the foundation requires interim and/or final reports depending on project timeline. Failure to submit reports by the deadline impacts future funding eligibility. Build reporting into your project plan from the start.