The Meadows Foundation
Algur Hurtle Meadows built General American Oil Company of Texas into one of the nation's most successful independent oil and gas production companies. After his phenomenal financial success, Meadows felt he should give back to the community from where he derived his success. Meadows decided to share his wealth with charitable throughout Texas. Together with his wife Virginia, Algur Meadows established The Meadows Foundation in 1948 for the benefit of all Texans.
The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for all Texans. Since 1948, the Foundation has distributed more than $550 million in grants and direct charitable contributions to more than 2,000 Texan organizations. The Meadows Foundation strives to address basic issues such as educational advancement, environmental protection, cultural enrichment, encouraging community cooperation, and providing assistance to those most in need.
For 2009, the Meadows Foundation is looking for ways to prevent home foreclosure, provide job training for the unemployed, and healthcare for the uninsured. The Foundation is also seeking to provide provide emergency operating funds to enable nonprofit agencies to survive in these difficult economic times. In order to encourage environmentally friendly practices, the Foundation gives preference to projects that meet the Foundation's goals for reducing water and energy consumption.
Grants are made in five categories:
- Arts and Culture
- Civic and Public Affairs
- Health
- Human Services
- Education
Within these categories of giving, the Meadows Foundation places special emphasis on environmental initiatives, improving education, and supporting mental health services. The Foundation also looks for self-sustaining projects that will last long after the grant period is completed.
Robert A. Meadows is the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The President is Linda P. Evans, and Gregory C. Dowell is the Vice President and Senior Investment Officer.