VISION
VISION
A Legacy of Meaningful Work
That Benefits All Utahns
Our founders had the foresight and dedication to build something enduring, a legacy that our board of directors continues to carry forward. We seek ways to make a positive impact, working side-by-side with nonprofits to invest in the people of Utah, as we envision a stronger tomorrow.
Being forward-thinking means both anticipating challenges and partnering with thoughtful and engaged nonprofits that know our communities best and can meet pressing needs now. Together, we look ahead, act with intention and build on the progress of so many, creating a place where we can all thrive for generations to come.
FARMINGTON BAY: The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
Great Salt Lake
Watershed
FARMINGTON BAY: Lisa Eccles joins Elizabeth Kitchens, Utah State Director of The Nature Conservancy of Utah, on an airboat tour of the Great Salt Lake.
"From every angle, the Great Salt Lake is teeming with life. Its vast waters are home to thousands of birds and wildlife, forming one of the West's most vital — and unique — ecosystems."
—LISA ECCLES, PRESIDENT & COO
In 2025 there has been a resurgence of collaboration and work put into the health of one of Utah's most important and vital natural resources, the Great Salt Lake. Community leaders, state officials, scientists, and nonprofit organizations have come together, united with purpose, keenly focused, and driven by a shared knowledge that the lake's health is critical to our future.
This renewed commitment is to not just preserve, but to protect and restore this precious natural wonder.
Over the years, the Foundation has supported dozens of nonprofits all working to educate about the pivotal role the Great Salt Lake plays in our lives and to safeguard the lake's future.
'Secrets of Great Salt Lake'
This year, through a $1 million grant, The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation partnered with Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation to underwrite and premiere the new documentary, "Secrets of Great Salt Lake." This film — now available in IMAX theaters across the country and the world — teaches us how crucial the lake is to life in Utah and beyond. Tens of thousands of school children and visitors will learn about this indespensible resource when the film opens as a permanent feature at the new Antelope Island State Park Visitor Center in 2026.
Ducks Unlimited (Du)
Our partners at DU have been working on wetland conservation in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem thanks to a $100,000 grant from our Foundation. This work includes improving water quality inflows, enhancing wetland infrastructure, and managing invasive species that are an ongoing threat to marsh health and bird population.
The Nature Conservancy Of Utah
A trusted partner of the Foundation for over 35 years, The Nature Conservancy of Utah has shared our desire to preserve land and water all across the state. Their leadership and deep knowledge of the Great Salt Lake can make a lasting difference. With the Foundation's $2 million contribution to their "Nature Unites Us" campaign, their work is enhancing water flow, agriculture efficiency, and education about this important ecosystem as well as other vital projects throughout the state.
Utah Headwaters Initiative
The Foundation has proudly supported the Summit Land Conservancy's efforts to enhance the wetlands, riverbanks, water bodies, and ecosystems that feed into the larger Great Salt Lake watershed. This essential work is part of their "Utah Headwaters Initiative" to contribute to a healthy lake for generations to come.
WEST VALLEY CITY: Eccles Health Campus and Eccles Hospital Groundbreaking. L to R: Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson, University of Utah President Taylor Randall, Spencer F. Eccles, Lisa Eccles, Katie Eccles, Hope Eccles, Spencer P. Eccles, Robert M. Graham
University of Utah
Eccles Health Campus
& Eccles Hospital In West Valley
On a snowy day in March, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation Board announced its largest gift to date — a $75 million investment to establish the University of Utah Eccles Health Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley. This state-of-the-art academic hospital will be a cornerstone of care, education, and opportunity, embedded in the vibrant West Valley community, the second largest city in Utah.
Recognizing the health disparities between the east and west sides of the valley, this world-class hospital will increase access, improve health outcomes, and save lives, but its impact will reach far beyond medical care. The hospital and health campus will offer educational opportunities, career pathways, and wrap-around support services onsite, a vision realized through our partnership with the University of Utah and our joint commitment to the people of Utah.
Architectural rendering; Expected opening 2028
"This beautiful—and much needed—state-of-the-art hospital in West Valley City will improve health, create new opportunities, and will truly be one of the most impactful projects our Foundation has ever supported."
— SPENCER FOX ECCLES
— SPENCER FOX ECCLES
"I'm from West Valley and ever since I heard about the hospital, I've dreamed of practicing medicine there so I can give back."
— DENNIS MENJIVAR, MEDICAL STUDENT
Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah
— DENNIS MENJIVAR, MEDICAL STUDENT
Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah
Services ranging from primary care and heart care to surgical and disease specialties will:
Save
12 MILLION+
miles of travel per year for West Valley residents
Serve
426,000+
patients per year in outpatient visits
Create
2000+
jobs at the hospital and health campus
2034 Winter Olympics
Podium 34
L to R: Spencer P. Eccles, Hope Eccles, Spencer F. Eccles preparing for the Podium34 kick-off.
"These Games – if we do them right – will ultimately have a tremendous and lasting benefit for every person in our state."
—Spencer Fox Eccles,
Speaking in 2001 just prior to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games
For years before the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games and in the decades since, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has been a proud and unwavering supporter of the Olympic ideals, investing in athletes, world-class venues, and youth programs.
In 2025, the Foundation proudly committed $20 million as a Founding Captain of Podium34 — a philanthropic initiative launched by the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (OCOG). In addition to funding, Foundation advisory board member Spencer P. Eccles serves on the OCOG board of directors and Foundation president and COO Lisa Eccles is vice chair of the OCOG Impact and Legacy Committee.
With this early and essential support, we'll ensure success in 2034 by providing premier facilities, resources for elite athletes, and a welcoming community that reflects who we are as a state.
The Utah 2034 Games have the power to bring out the best in all of us, building character, promoting healthy lifestyles, and uniting communities both here and across the globe.
Whether you're an athlete or spectator, nothing unifies the world like the Olympic spirit.
Building Upon the 2002 Games' Lasting Legacy
As the most-watched, best-attended, and financially successful Winter Games, 2002 cemented Salt Lake City and Utah as a winter sports capital. The Foundation's commitment in 2002 ran deep, investing over $27 million in state-of-the-art competition sites, the Olympic Village for athletes, and the iconic Olympic Cauldron. In the years since the Olympic flame was extinguished above Rice-Eccles Stadium, an additional $10 million has fueled youth sports, preserved Olympic culture and history, and strengthened community engagement.
This long-term vision of support and lasting impact can inspire us now and for generations to come, making the dream of a second Games in Utah a reality. And now, we are once again READY to show the world what it means to dream big. We are WILLING to work hard to make it happen. We are ABLE to support the athletes who reach for the gold, and we are EXCITED to welcome the world back to Salt Lake City and communities throughout Utah!
Opening Day, Spencer F. Eccles Olympic Mountain Center Spence, Lisa, and Katie Eccles on the Game Changer Lift (2023).
Spence Eccles, with Spencer P. Eccles, carrying the Olympic torch to light the cauldron in Ogden (2002)
Spence Eccles, Mayor of the Olympic Village (2002)