Join the Lone Star Prize

Lyda Hill Philanthropies has launched the Lone Star Prize, a Texas-based competition for a $10 million grant to improve the lives of Texans, adding that in these unprecedented times, finding long-term solutions to improve the lives of Texans is more critical than ever. The competition, sponsored by Lyda Hill Philanthropies and managed by Lever for Change, will focus on three key issue areas fundamental to improving the quality of life for Texans: improving health outcomes, boosting the workforce and protecting the environment. Applicants must register online by Tuesday, June 23, and applications are due Wednesday, July 22. A final grant recipient will be announced in the summer of 2021.

“Our great state of Texas has a rich history of responding to challenges with ingenuity and bold solutions. In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the Lone Star Prize is an opportunity to put good ideas into action, especially around critical statewide issues like access to healthcare and shoring up our health system’s capacity, redeploying our workforce, and protecting our environment. We must ensure Texas remains the best place to live and work for the next generation of Texans,” said Lyda Hill, founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

The Lone Star Prize is open to nonprofit organizations, for-profit teams and social enterprises. Teams and ideas from outside of the state with an existing operating presence in Texas may apply, and proposals must focus on Texas-specific needs and context. Competitive proposals will offer solutions that are feasible, scalable, evidence-based and transformative.

“Texas is a special place — famously rich in diversity, natural resources and culture — which is why those of us from Texas are so proud to call it home,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “Like every state, it faces challenges in providing opportunities for all of its residents, and so we are excited to assist Lyda Hill Philanthropies in finding solutions that improve Texans’ healthcare options, protect its environment and boost residents’ workforce opportunities.”

Lyda Hill Philanthropies is partnering with Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Advance Together, an initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas 2036 and The Texas Tribune. Partners are providing a variety of strategic support and additional promotional platforms for the competition. Lone Star Prize is also seeking funders interested in providing additional financial support to promising solutions sourced through the competition.

“The times we are living in require out-of-the-box solutions to meet an ever-growing set of challenges in a world that knows no boundaries and where the issues anywhere can affect us everywhere,” said Jim Bildner, CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. “Texas has always risen to the occasion. And now, even as we face today’s new challenges, we must do it again.”

Lyda Hill Philanthropies encompasses the charitable giving for founder Lyda Hill and includes her foundation and personal philanthropy. The organization is committed to funding transformational advances in science and nature, empowering nonprofit organizations and improving the Texas and Colorado communities. Because Hill has a fervent belief that “science is the answer” to many of life’s most challenging issues, she has chosen to donate the entirety of her estate to philanthropy and scientific research.

For more information, please visit www.lonestarprize.org.