As we reflect on a significant milestone achieved in 2025, we are thankful for the immense generosity and giving spirit of our community, donors, and partners to advance medical progress.
2025: Celebrating Shared Milestones
With sincere gratitude, we thank our Trustees, Honorary Trustees, donors, partners, and friends for their generosity and trust, which continue to advance Southwestern Medical Foundation’s mission.
In 2025, Southwestern Medical Foundation crossed a major threshold: more than $1 billion in grants awarded for medical progress since 1939.
That milestone was made possible by generations of donors whose investments have carried this mission forward. Its significance lies in what those grants have helped make possible: scientific discovery, medical education, and better care for patients.
Last year, we were honored to welcome 11 new leaders to our Board of Trustees: Kasim Alfalahi, Jim Burke, Mona Carlton, Amanda George, Michelle Lobel, R. Kent McGaughy Jr., Joe O’Brien, Adriana Perales, Karen Pollock, John Poston, and Nicole Sheridan. We are grateful for the perspective and leadership they bring to the Foundation.
We were also proud to mark two important anniversaries in 2025: the 10th year of The Cary Council and the 30th year of The Wildenthal Society. The Cary Council brings together a rising generation of civic-minded and philanthropic leaders who continue to catalyze support for medical progress, and The Wildenthal Society recognizes those who have made a lasting commitment through planned gifts to Southwestern Medical Foundation or UT Southwestern Medical Center.
For the second consecutive year, Southwestern Medical Foundation was named a Best Place to Work by the Dallas Business Journal. That recognition reflects the dedication of a team committed to serving this mission and stewarding your support with care.
As we look ahead, we do so with appreciation for all who have helped bring us to this moment. With your continued partnership, we will keep investing where it matters most for the health of our region: research, education, and patient care. Thank you for your confidence in Southwestern Medical Foundation.
Michael McMahan
President & CEO
Sarah Fletcher
CFO
The Power of Philanthropy Over Time
In 2025, Southwestern Medical Foundation surpassed $1 billion in grants awarded since 1939. This milestone reflects decades of donor partnership and a shared commitment to strengthening the health of our region.
The Growth of Our Community
As North Texas has grown, philanthropic investment has helped shape a leading medical community and support the people and institutions at its center. The progress visible today is a powerful reminder that lasting change is built over time through vision, consistency, and belief in what North Texas can become.
Left: The Hoblitzelle Foundation donated funds to Southwestern Medical Foundation to purchase 62 acres, doubling the size of the medical campus, 1945. Right: Aerial view of UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2025.
Impact in Focus
The stories that follow highlight how philanthropic support helps drive medical discovery, prepare future health care leaders, expand access to excellent care, and gather like-minded individuals for conversations that turn into action.
Medical Discovery
Turning Bold Ideas into Reality
UT Southwestern researchers are shaping and advancing the medical landscape with new breakthroughs every year, which are made possible through the kind and generous support of donors and partners across our region.
Education
Supporting Tomorrow’s Health Care Leaders
Your funding supports the next generation of medical talent and bolsters the work of today’s doctors and promising researchers, allowing them to keep medical progress in North Texas.
Patient Care
Growing Capacity for Growing Needs
Your support helps expand access to exceptional patient care across North Texas and other communities. Steady funding ensures consistency in quality care and strengthens our ability to meet evolving health needs.
Convening
Gathering Leaders for Change
Your support helps conduct gatherings of community leaders, medical experts, and industry executives to share ideas, recognize successes, and find new solutions by working together.
Our Financial Report
Our portfolio is designed to participate in up markets and protect capital in down markets. Since its inception in September 1989, the portfolio has generated an annualized return of 8.1%, consistent with the Foundation’s long-term investment objective of maintaining its real value for supporting advances in medical research, education, and care.
Financials as of 12/31/2025.
Since inception, we have received gifts totaling
$1B+
We have
awarded grants
totaling
$1B+
We hold
total assets of
$1.473B
Here’s What Our Endowed Funds Support
Endowed giving signals a belief in what’s possible. Southwestern Medical Foundation proudly manages 584 endowed funds, ensuring long term financial support for the infrastructure, programs, and talent required to drive positive change in medicine.
207 Chairs & Professorships
168 Research Centers & Programs
85 Student Benefit
53 Special Programs & Projects
71 Board Designated
584 Endowed Funds
Endowed chairs and professorships are differentiators for attracting and retaining leading talent. With steady funding, innovators are encouraged to pursue ambitious projects that might not otherwise be feasible.
Endowed support for a center or its programs sustains what’s needed to make life-changing medical breakthroughs and discoveries.
These funds provide financial support and inspiration for bright young minds to boldly pursue their futures.
When a donor places their trust in our mission, the intent behind their investment is honored in perpetuity. We are honored to manage 53 funds across a variety of fields that are driving medical progress forward.
Southwestern Medical Foundation’s Board of Trustees maintains strength in support for initiatives that lead medical progress forward, both at UT Southwestern and for other beneficiaries.
Investing for a Healthy Future
We believe that sustainable funding is critical to medical progress and work closely with our Board of Trustees and financial partners to strategically manage a portfolio that is built to weather market volatility.
Trusted by Charity Watchdogs
The Foundation continually upholds best-in-class practices to ensure gifts are stewarded to maximize impact. We continue to achieve top ratings with the most prominent charity watchdogs in the nonprofit industry.
Thank You to Our Donors
In 2025, donors provided meaningful support for priorities that will help shape the future of health in our region. We are especially grateful for significant investment in the new pediatric campus, UT Southwestern’s Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, the Center for Cellular Therapies and Cancer Immunology, and students in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. These gifts, alongside broader support for medical research, education, and clinical care, reflect a strong commitment to advancing knowledge, expanding opportunity, and improving care. Southwestern Medical Foundation is proud to help carry that support forward.
Thank You to Our Partners
Our partners generously provide their expertise to bolster our organization and help our operations run smoothly. We appreciate your continued support in 2025.
Financial Partners
Bank of America
Comerica
Fund Evaluation Group
Hilltop Securities
JP Morgan
Northern Trust
Legal
Holland & Knight
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Audit & Risk
Forvis Mazars
Marsh McLennan
Whitley Penn
Event Production
Brigade Events
Human Resources
People Performance Resources
Information Technology & Cybersecurity
Armanino
BlackBox
NCC Data
Public Relations, Communications
& Creative Services
Casual Astronaut
LDWW
O&H Brand Design
StoryBird Design
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