The Foundation
Established in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Garrison Stuart Meadows, The Meadows Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to improving the quality and circumstances of life for the people of Texas, now and in the future. Al and Virginia Meadows believed all Texans deserve the same gift they were afforded – the opportunity to live a happy, healthy, and productive life. Over the past 77 years, the Foundation has dispersed more than $1.4 billion to 3,800 organizations across Texas in arts and culture, civic and public affairs, education, environment, health, and human services. Specific initiatives include postsecondary education completion, educator preparation, water conservation, mental health, and homelessness.
The Foundation’s governance and long-term stewardship are entrusted to Al and Virginia’s family and trusted banking, legal, and public-spirited advisors through a 15-member board of directors. With almost $800 million in assets and headquartered in its program-related investment property in Dallas’ Wilson Historic District , the Foundation’s work is supported and advanced by 40 staff members.
The Meadows Foundation provides grants throughout Texas within its program areas (Arts & Culture, Civic & Public Affairs, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services) and also its initiatives in education, environment, homelessness, and mental health.
The Opportunity
The Meadows Foundation is preparing for a new chapter with the arrival of a new President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2026. As the Foundation looks ahead, it seeks a steady and strategic Vice President of Grants to build on recent efforts to enhance the efficiency and modernization of its grantmaking. This is a key leadership role to ensure that the Foundation’s philanthropic work remains thoughtful, effective, and increasingly impactful.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of leading complex grantmaking strategies and managing multiple priorities with clarity and focus. The Vice President of Grants should demonstrate the ability to think both strategically and operationally, balancing immediate funding decisions with long-term impact planning. While serving as a trusted representative of the Foundation to external partners and the broader community, this individual will oversee a talented team that includes three program officers as well as administrative and research staff and will work closely with the President and CEO to sustain an intentional, mission-driven culture that supports learning, partnership, and continuous improvement in the Foundation’s philanthropic work.
The Vice President of Grants is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing grantmaking strategies for the Foundation. The VP of Grants manages and coordinates the work of the grants program, administrative, and learning and evaluation staff and serves as an ambassador of the Foundation to external audiences.
Under the supervision of the President and CEO, this role is responsible for informing and implementing the strategic and charitable priorities of the Foundation. Specifically, the Vice President of Grants will:
Lead efforts to maximize impact through the Foundation’s grantmaking process.
- Research and evaluate grant requests.
- Oversee post-grant activities, including evaluation.
- Approve and coordinate recommendations developed by program staff; set grants agenda with the President and CEO before finalizing proposals for the Board of Directors.
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Operations on the Internal Wilson Historic District Committee in vetting tenants in the District.
- Deliver formal presentations to the Board of Directors and address questions and/or informational requests related to recommended grants.
- Identify and develop short- and long-term grantmaking goals and opportunities to advance the Foundation’s mission.
Build relationships and inform strategy to support the program work of the Foundation.
- Make site visits to grantee location(s) and key partners of the Foundation.
- Serve as liaison to assigned membership organizations on behalf of the Foundation.
- Help maintain the presence of the Foundation in critical settings and conversations across Texas.
- Collaborate with other foundations on grantmaking strategies.
- Collaborate with the Grants department staff to support the long-term vision for grantmaking.
Deliver presentations on behalf of the Grants department to internal and external audiences.
Oversee day-to-day Grants department activities.
- Supervise all activities related to the program, learning and evaluation, and administration teams in the department.
- Review department budget data and prepare the annual department budget along with the President and CEO.
- Provide a professional development framework and growth opportunities for department staff.
- Provide knowledge-sharing opportunities to increase the department’s effectiveness.
Serve on the Foundation’s executive team, thereby supporting and contributing to the leadership and strategic direction.