Legacy
Utahns take immense pride in our heritage defined by a legacy of hardworking, resilient individuals who come together to strengthen our communities. Our vibrant cities and tight-knit rural communities hold a rich history that deserves to be preserved. Nonprofits play a crucial role in protecting this legacy, ensuring that our stories and values endure for generations to come. Awarding more than $800 million in grants since 1958, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation is committed to our founders’ legacy of generosity and giving back.
MUSEUM OF UTAH / STATE OF UTAH
Utah’s rich and unique history has many stories to tell – from its pioneer heritage to the growth of the railroads to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and more. The future Museum of Utah will celebrate these fascinating aspects of our history, engaging visitors of all ages, and from all over the world. Through a $1 million grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the museum’s Utah Inspires Theater will showcase the state’s distinctive achievements, attractions, and innovations. As a part of the Capitol Hill campus, the museum will weave the beloved stories of Utah’s past and build excitement for the future of our state and communities.
National Park Foundation
Known for our Mighty Five National Parks – Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce, and Capitol Reef – Utah has some of the most spectacular geography in the country. For over a decade, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has provided more than $1.3 million in grants to support our state’s 17 national parks, monuments, and historical sites. These sacred sites are truly national treasures, and it’s our responsibility to steward and protect these iconic landscapes for future generations.
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera has been the Foundation’s partner for decades. Our founders were champions for the arts and that advocacy continues today, with over $40 million in grants to date. Utahns from across the state have found inspiration and joy through Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performances and education programs. The organization engages residents in all 29 counties by taking events on the road to offer free concerts in Utah’s spectacular rural landscapes. And, of course, this treasured institution is an anchor arts organization in our capital city, bringing world-class performances to the magnificent Abravanel Hall, which was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo
Just as the Ogden Pioneer Days and Rodeo celebrated its 90th Anniversary this year, so did Foundation Board Chair and CEO Spence Eccles! With help from a $800,000 grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, this year’s celebration also featured the unveiling of the newly renovated Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium. For four generations, the Eccles family has attended the rodeo, dating back to the 1920s when Grandfather Fox started the Wild West Show, the precursor to today’s rodeo. Both the Rodeo and the Eccles family take pride in their frontier heritage and western values.