# Moody Foundation

Moody Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Galveston, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Galveston, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 2302 Post Office St Ste 704, Galveston, TX 77550, United States
- **Founded:** 1942
- **Assets under management:** 4189 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** moodyf.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-moody-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The Moody Foundation was established in 1942 by William Lewis Moody Jr. and Libbie Rice Shearn Moody. Descendants continue to serve as trustees and officers, preserving family oversight of the endowment. Grant activity targets education, health, and social services inside Texas. The foundation maintains a 5.2 percent allocation to private equity and owns real assets including Moody Gardens valued at $300 million and Shearn Moody Plaza. It also holds minority interests in Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation properties such as the Menger Hotel. Geographic reach stays concentrated in Texas with selected support for institutions such as the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin. The organization employs 18 professionals at its Galveston headquarters. It maintains separate but related vehicles including the Mary Moody Northen Endowment and the Moody Endowment. In October 2024 the foundation sponsored the Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference. Stakes in Moody National Bank and Moody Medical Research Institute remain under direct foundation ownership. Family trustees occupy the principal governance seats, with Frances Moody-Dahlberg serving as chairman and CEO. This structure separates philanthropic decision-making from operating businesses such as the 2022 sale of American National Insurance Company to Brookfield Reinsurance. Legal counsel has been provided by Greer, Herz & Adams LLP for decades.

## Sectors

- Education
- Healthcare
- Community Development

## People

- Frances Moody-Dahlberg — Chairman, CEO, and President
- Ross R. Moody — Vice Chairman

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Moody Foundation?

Frances Moody-Dahlberg serves as chairman, CEO, and president. Ross R. Moody acts as vice chairman. Elizabeth 'Elle' Moody holds the treasurer and trustee positions. Investment consultants Mercer and Cambridge Associates provide external advice.

### Does the Moody Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation maintains a 5.2 percent allocation to private equity. It also holds direct ownership of real assets and operating companies including Moody Gardens and Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation.

### What investment stages does the Moody Foundation typically target?

The foundation focuses on grant-making rather than venture stages. Its private equity exposure covers buyout and growth strategies through external managers.

### How is the Moody Foundation related to Moody National Bank?

The foundation owns a majority stake in Moody National Bank through Moody Bancshares, Inc. The bank's trust department has administered foundation finances since 1942.

### What is the Moody Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation allocates 5.2 percent to private equity and works with investment consultants. No specific co-investment mandates with external GPs are disclosed in available records.

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- [City and County of Swansea Pension Fund](https://altss.com/profile/city-and-county-of-swansea-pension-fund)
- [Committed Advisors](https://altss.com/profile/committed-advisors)

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Last updated: 2026-08-10T15:58:45.833Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/moody-foundation

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