The Leland Fikes Foundation, established in 1954 by Leland Fikes, a distinguished figure in oil, gas, and real estate, is a private grantmaking entity based in Dallas, Texas. Historically funding a wide range of initiatives, the Foundation has in recent years focused its efforts on supporting organizations within four key areas: reproductive health, rights, and justice; civic engagement; local human services in the Dallas area; and medical research. Its mission emphasizes the advancement of equity, particularly racial equity, across all its grantmaking priorities.
The Leland Fikes Foundation's grant program is designed with a clear commitment to supporting organizations engaged in four strategic priorities: reproductive health, rights, and justice; fostering civic engagement and a robust democracy; enhancing local human services within the Dallas area; and backing select medical research initiatives. Grants are allocated for general operations, programs and direct services, advocacy, capital, and capacity building efforts. An essential facet of their grantmaking philosophy is the integration of racial equity considerations into program development and implementation. The Foundation offers grants on an annual basis, with applications reviewed quarterly. Organizations interested in applying are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) if they are new applicants or if their last grant was awarded before 2021. Current grantees, defined as those receiving grants in the years 2021 through 2023, can directly apply without an LOI. The Foundation encourages applicants to deeply engage with and address systemic racism and injustice within their proposed projects, aiming to create a more equitable society through their strategic focus areas. Applications are open from mid-October each year, with specific deadlines set for each quarter.