Eugene Straus Charitable Trust Grant

The Eugene Straus Charitable Trust was founded in 1974 through the will of Eugene Straus, a Dallas native from a pioneering family that settled in Dallas County in the 1840s. Mr. Straus, a prominent homebuilder and real estate developer, created the trust to benefit charitable institutions within Dallas County. His intention was to provide financial support specifically for the construction and maintenance of permanent building improvements that enhance the long-term infrastructure of local nonprofit organizations. Administered by Bank of America’s Texas Private Bank Philanthropic Solutions office, the trust focuses exclusively on capital support for organizations located in Dallas County, Texas. Grant awards from the trust are not available for general operating expenses or programmatic initiatives. Rather, the trust is dedicated solely to funding requests that support the erection, renovation, or ongoing maintenance of permanent facilities and structures. This narrow scope underscores its mission to provide enduring benefit to the community through infrastructure investment. Applications must be submitted online by July 31 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applications must be submitted on the preceding business day. The application process is managed via the Bank of America-specific GivingHub portal, which requires applicants to create an account if they have not previously used the platform. Applicants are encouraged to begin early to ensure sufficient time for resolving any technical issues during regular support hours. The majority of grants are one year in duration, although multi-year awards may occasionally be granted. There are no published minimum or maximum funding amounts, and awards are based on the merit of each application and the trust's available funds. Required attachments include current and prior year operating budgets, board list with affiliations, organizational and project budgets, and evidence of 501(c)(3) status, among other standard financial and governance documentation. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under IRS Section 501(c)(3) with a focus area and physical presence in Dallas County. Proposals that do not involve capital improvements are not considered. Organizations should contact tx.philanthropic@bofa.com for questions and must include the name of the foundation in the email subject line. Grant determinations vary by foundation but are generally communicated by email or letter, and awardees are expected to submit a post-grant evaluation within one year of receiving funds.

Begin application early to avoid technical support delays; ensure all required attachments are submitted; proposals must align strictly with the trust’s capital improvement focus.