AAF has moved to a permanent location on the corner of 10th and Polk.   The new facility creates space for nonprofit organizations to host events at virtually no expense.

A new initiative from the Amarillo Area Foundation and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute aims to improve mental health access in the Texas Panhandle by integrating care within primary care settings. Partnering with BSA Healthcare System, Family Medicine Centers, and the Coalition of Health Services, the program will focus on

Mr. John Bourdon Hines created the Amber Fund to honor his deep admiration for Amber. The Amber Fund provides animal welfare grants to 9 Counties in our region.

The largest grant distribution in AAF’s history: $21,838,752 dollars distributed. $2,436,807 being donor advised distributions, $1,974,700 being Scholarship distributions and $17,427,246 being Grant distributions.

Louise and Gene Rahll took their education vision a step further. They established a $1.5 million endowed fund at AAF to help pay all tuition and fees in perpetuity for qualified students who graduate from Dalhart High School and attend FPC Rahll Campus.

The pandemic made things challenging but caused the region to come together even closer to shine, which resulted in AAF and The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation activating the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund and allocating $200,000 for distribution.

Frank Phillips College and Amarillo College teamed up to create the Rural Nursing Education Consortium through a grant from AAF. This grant allowed more nursing students and focused filling shortages in our region.

The new launch of the THRIVE Scholarship Program was approved through much collaboration between the Amarillo Area Foundation, Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo College and AISD Boards

In an unprecedented move, the Amarillo Area Foundation partnered with the City of Amarillo in a strategic effort to bring about the Charles E. Warford Activity Center by endowing a grant of $250,000.

  Amarillo Area Foundation receives assets from HRMC and forms a new entity (AAF Community Health Foundation) that functions as a supporting organization of the Foundation.     Pattern Panhandle Wind establishes the Panhandle Wind Civic Fund and Education Fund to benefit residents in Carson county by competitive grants.

Community Development Philanthropy (CDP) project established to help promote endowment building to communities that already held funds at the Foundation. The following funds “graduated” to CDP Affiliate Funds: Donley County Community Fund, Future of Nazareth Affiliate Fund, Oldham County Affiliate Fund, Spearman Community Fund, Swisher County Affiliate Fund, Wellington Community

Receives $100,000 in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create a community partnership. That plan then established ‘No Limits, No Excuses’ (NLNE). Louise Bowers Slentz Foundation Fund established.

ACE extension into Tascosa High School.

Gift of $3.6 million from R. C. and Betty Fay Neely. Raised and distributed over $680,000 for Panhandle Wildfire Relief.

Expanded ACE Scholarship Program to Caprock High School. Began $1 million education campaign for teen pregnancy.

Gift of $4.4 million from Pete and Wanda Gilvin. First ACE class graduated with 129 receiving an ACE scholarship. Began Partnership with Metropolitan Opera to produce operas in the traditional style in keeping with Mrs. Harrington’s wishes.

Initiated an innovative program called ACE, Achievement Through Commitment to Education at Palo Duro High School. Provided $12,405,925 gift for development of Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy.

Became major grantmaker. Facilitated development of Texas Tech School of Pharmacy and expansion of Texas Tech School of Medicine.

The Don & Sybil Harrington Foundation and it’s $68 million in assets changed from a private foundation to public supporting organization of the Amarillo Area Foundation, of which 15% was unrestricted, enabling AAF to start many new initiatives.     Jim Allison hired as president and CEO.

  Nonprofit Service Center opens with grant from the Meadows Foundation.     New Northwest Texas Hospital opens in Medical Center.

The Foundation became a membership organization.     Groundbreaking of Harrington Cancer Center.

$2M bequest from the Don Harrington estate to operate the Foundation with professional staff.

First dirt moved on 350 acre Medical Center site.

300 acres of land acquired through cooperative efforts of Potter County, the Amarillo Hospital District, landowners and private parties to build the Medical Center.

The Foundation was formed and granted Charter of Incorporation by the State of Texas.