SOURCE OF WEALTH: Carlson Capital
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Arts & Culture, Human Services & Health
OVERVIEW: Clint and Nancy Carlson conduct their philanthropy through the Carlson Foundation. Giving through their foundation largely focuses on Texas (Dallas and Houston), and often aligns with their board memberships and other personal connections. According to available tax filings, the foundation awarded over $2.2 million in grants in 2017. The couple strongly support their alma mater Rice University.
BACKGROUND: Clint D. Carlson received his BA and MBA from Rice University. He worked at Bass Brothers and also co-managed a risk arbitrage fund at Maxxam Group and affiliated companies. In 1993, he founded Carlson Capital, an alternative asset management firm that manages over eight billion dollars. Carlson’s wife Nancy also works at Carlson Capital.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The Carlsons have supported their mutual alma mater Rice University with millions of dollars in gifts. The couple has also supported UT Law School Foundation (Nancy graduated from UT Austin Law), as well as the Center for Women in Law at UT Austin School of Law. Other grantees have included Southern Methodist University, Basalt Elementary School, Dallas Children’s Advocacy School, Preston Hollow Presbyterian School, and Greenhill School.
ARTS & CULTURE: The Carlsons have supported Aspen Art Museum, Dallas Children’s Theater, Dallas Museum of Art, Orchestra of New Spain, Texas Ballet Theater, and The Arts Community Alliance (TACA). Nancy serves on the board of the Dallas Museum of Art.
HUMAN SERVICES & HEALTH: Grantees have included North Dallas Food Bank, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Planned Parenthood, and the S.M. Wright Foundation, which provides “support and stability to underprivileged children and less fortunate families through hunger relief, economic empowerment, and assistance in the areas of education, health and social services.”
LOOKING FORWARD: The Carlsons are still very much engaged in business, but their steady support of select organizations in the Dallas area can be expected to continue. Outside of Texas, it appears that Aspen is another site of philanthropy.
CONTACT:
The Carlson Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
The Carlson Foundation
2100 McKinney Ave., Ste. 1800
Dallas, TX 75201
LINK:
