The Stephens Greth Foundation is a private family foundation.
With deep roots in North Texas, the Permian Basin, and communities across Texas, the Foundation invests in organizations that create opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve lives—honoring the life and legacy of Autry C. Stephens.
To empower individuals, strengthen families, and help create a brighter, healthier, and more compassionate future for all.
The Life and Legacy of Autry C. Stephens
Autry C. Stephens spent his boyhood on a modest farm in De Leon, Texas—an upbringing he later credited for much of his approach to business. Working the land, he came to value patience and frugality, and he grew comfortable operating without guarantees. In his telling, the farm's boom-and-bust rhythms prepared him for the oil industry's own: hard stretches would come, but they could be weathered.
For more than four decades, Autry steadily and quietly assembled and developed over 350,000 acres in the Permian Basin. He was celebrated as a pioneer, an engineer’s engineer, and a stubborn independent. Outside the oil industry, Autry was largely unknown. He kept a low profile, granting few interviews, and built one of the largest privately held energy businesses in the country with discipline, an unmatched work ethic, dogged determination, resilience, acreage, and time. He referred to himself as being “highly motivated, creative, and a risk taker.”
Autry was the first in his family to attend college. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, he joined Humble Oil, a predecessor to Exxon. He took a leave of absence to serve two years in the Army, then returned to Humble. Several years later, he moved to the First National Bank of Midland. The work gave him technical grounding, but not independence. In 1979, he struck out on his own as a petroleum engineering consultant and eventually drilled his own well—founding what would become Endeavor Energy Resources.
The early years were modest and uncertain. Oil prices were a roller coaster.
Capital was hard to secure. Autry reinvested cash flow and focused on buying land—particularly undervalued West Texas acreage that major operators had dismissed. Endeavor’s growth resulted from a combination of strategic foresight and operational control. By acquiring and holding land in the Permian Basin
early, Autry positioned the company to capitalize on modern drilling techniques like horizontal drilling and shale development. Beyond timing, Endeavor built
a vertically integrated business—handling its own logistics, drilling, and transport—to lower operating costs and protect profit margins during
industry price spikes.
Through the oil industry’s ups and downs, Endeavor remained privately held. Despite persistent offers, Autry resisted selling. He loved building and working.
He resisted until he didn’t. In February 2023, Autry was diagnosed with cancer. In February 2024, he finally agreed to sell. Autry chose a structure that kept the financial upside intact while safeguarding the future of the assets he'd spent a lifetime building when he merged with Diamondback Energy.
Autry was not a flashy mogul or publicity-seeking leader. He was a builder—methodical, patient, and uncompromising. He believed in people and
their potential. The Stephens Greth Foundation was created to carry that
spirit forward.
Autry’s legacy is not simply what he built, but how he built it—guided by unyielding hard work, relentless determination, grit, discipline, humility,
integrity, and vision.
We believe meaningful philanthropy is about more than making grants. Guided by Lyndal Stephens Greth’s approach to philanthropy, our work starts with listening to and learning from the people and organizations closest to the challenges. We pair that perspective with the engineer’s instinct Autry C. Stephens brought to his own work: understand the problem, ask the right questions, and focus on practical solutions that can make a lasting difference. Together, these principles shape how we support people and organizations working to expand opportunity and strengthen their communities.
The Stephens Greth Foundation identifies prospective partners and invites organizations to apply for support. Currently, the Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant proposals or funding requests.
Focus Areas
Rooted in North Texas and the Permian Basin, The Stephens Greth Foundation supports organizations that expand opportunities and strengthen communities across Texas. Throughout our areas of focus, we place particular emphasis on people and families who face barriers to opportunity or access, including those in underserved communities and those who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Access
Welfare
and Veterans
Children
Grants Overview *
Since its founding in 2024, The Stephens Greth Foundation has awarded grants to more than 90 nonprofit organizations, supporting work that reflects a shared commitment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities across Texas. These investments span education, health, animal well-being, and other areas that make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families.
Featured Grants
Creating a Healthier Future for Children
The support of Children’s Health and UT Southwestern reflects the values that guide The Stephens Greth Foundation: compassion, opportunity, and a belief in supporting organizations working to improve health and well-being across Texas. The grant is part of a $5 billion project to create a new pediatric campus in Dallas, featuring more than 550 pediatric beds and 27 operating rooms—the first new pediatric hospital in Dallas in more than 60 years. In supporting two leading institutions in a community where the Stephens Greth family has deep roots, the Foundation is helping expand access to comprehensive, family-centered care and build a healthier future for children and families across North Texas.
Opening the Door to Opportunity
The investment in The University of Texas at Austin reflects one of the most personal parts of Autry C. Stephens’ story: his enduring belief in the transformative power of education. The Stephens Greth Foundation is helping open that same door for future generations through the Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building, a new home for students and faculty at the Cockrell School of Engineering, as well as scholarships that will help students from the Permian Basin pursue a UT Austin education. Together, these commitments will support the next generation with the knowledge, curiosity, resources, and opportunities to pursue their ambitions and build a brighter future.
Strengthening the Community We Call Home
The partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas reflects The Stephens Greth Foundation’s belief in supporting organizations with the vision and capacity to create meaningful, lasting change. The largest philanthropic gift in United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ history, it will support initiatives advancing education, income, and health while giving United Way the flexibility to address emerging needs and pursue solutions that strengthen North Texas. By supporting an organization that brings communities together, the Foundation is helping expand opportunity for more North Texans to thrive, today and for generations to come.
Expanding Care for Animals
The support of SPCA of Texas reflects the values that guide The Stephens Greth Foundation: compassion, opportunity, and a belief in supporting organizations working to improve the well-being of people and animals across Texas. The commitment will support the expansion of the SPCA of Texas campus, helping increase capacity for animal sheltering, veterinary care, adoption, and other essential services for animals in need. In supporting an organization with a longstanding commitment to animal welfare in North Texas, the Foundation is helping create a healthier, more compassionate future for animals and the communities they enrich.
Leadership
Lyndal Stephens Greth is the Director and Executive Chairman of The Stephens Greth Foundation, which she established to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve lives across Texas. Her approach to philanthropy starts with listening to and learning from the people and organizations closest to the challenges, supporting strong leaders, and investing in solutions with the potential for meaningful, sustained impact. Lyndal is the Founder of SGF Capital, a single-family office created to serve the descendants of Autry C. Stephens following the merger of Endeavor Energy Resources with Diamondback Energy. Drawing on her experience as a lawyer, as Vice Chairman of Endeavor Energy Resources for more than a decade, and as its Chair through the company's sale, Lyndal brings a disciplined, strategic perspective and a deep sense of responsibility to The Foundation’s work. With strong roots in North Texas and the Permian Basin, she is focused on helping communities address today’s needs while building greater opportunity for generations to come.
Jennifer Sampson is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of The Stephens Greth Foundation and Head of Philanthropy for Stephens Greth Capital, bringing decades of leadership across the philanthropic, business, and civic communities of North Texas. She previously served for 15 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and for ten years before that as the Chief Financial Officer then Chief Operating Officer. Over her 25-year tenure at UWMD, the organization mobilized more than $1 billion in philanthropic resources and today reaches 3 million North Texans annually. A Certified Public Accountant and Baylor University graduate, Jennifer has also served as an independent director of Comerica Incorporated and on the Community Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. She brings to The Foundation deep relationships across Texas and extensive experience bringing people and organizations together to strengthen communities and improve lives.
The Foundation Board
Lyndal Stephens Greth is Executive Chairman of The Stephens Greth Foundation, which she established to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve lives across Texas. Her approach to philanthropy starts with listening to and learning from the people and organizations closest to the challenges, supporting strong leaders, and investing in solutions with the potential for meaningful, sustained impact. Lyndal is the Founder of SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office created to serve the descendants of Autry C. Stephens following the merger of Endeavor Energy Resources with Diamondback Energy. Drawing on her experience as a lawyer, as Vice Chairman of Endeavor Energy Resources for more than a decade, and as its Chair through the company’s sale, Lyndal brings a disciplined, strategic perspective, and a deep sense of responsibility to The Foundation’s work. She also serves on the Board of Directors of The Linda C. Stephens Foundation. With strong roots in North Texas and the Permian Basin, she is focused on helping communities address today’s needs while building greater opportunity for generations to come. Locally, she serves on the Board of the Highland Park Education Foundation. She earned her Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern Methodist University.
Jennifer H. Sampson serves as Chief Executive Officer of The Stephens Greth Foundation and Head of Philanthropy for SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office serving the descendants of Autry C. Stephens. She also serves on the Board of Directors of The Linda C. Stephens Foundation. Jennifer brings decades of leadership across the philanthropic, business, and civic communities of North Texas. She previously served for 15 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and for ten years before that as Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Operating Officer. Over her 25-year tenure at UWMD, the organization mobilized more than $1 billion in philanthropic resources and today reaches 2.5 million North Texans annually. Jennifer has also served as an independent director of Comerica Incorporated and on the Community Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Her work is grounded in deep relationships across Texas and long experience convening people and organizations to strengthen communities and improve lives. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baylor University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas.
Richard W. Greth, Jr. is a principal and board member of SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office serving the descendants of Autry C. Stephens. He also serves on the board of directors of The Stephens Greth Foundation. With extensive experience in real estate, construction, and industrial development, Richard contributes a practical, entrepreneurial perspective to the work of both organizations. He previously founded and operated Bear Group, LLC, a real estate development firm. Earlier in his career, he held project management and development roles with Hillwood Investment Properties and Trammell Crow Company, where he managed large-scale industrial and commercial projects. Richard’s interest in real estate and construction began in Midland, Texas, where he worked for his father, a general contractor. His strong ties to North Texas and the Permian Basin inform his work, as does his passion for supporting veterans and first responders—one of the Stephens Greth Foundation’s principal areas of focus. Richard earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Texas Tech University.
Dan A. Odom serves as Chief Financial Officer of SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office serving the descendants of Autry C. Stephens. He leads the firm’s treasury, accounting, and tax functions, and also serves on the Boards of Directors of The Stephens Greth Foundation and The Linda C. Stephens Foundation. With nearly four decades of experience in audit, financial leadership, and corporate governance, Dan brings a disciplined financial perspective to SGF Capital and The Foundation’s work. Prior to joining SGF Capital in 2026, Dan was a Senior Audit Partner at Deloitte, retiring in 2024 after a 38-year career. He served as Audit Practice Leader for North Texas and held leadership roles in the firm’s National Office. Throughout his career, he advised large public and private organizations across the energy, healthcare, and telecommunications sectors through economic cycles and complex restructurings. Dan is active in the Dallas community, serving as Chair of the Dallas Diocese Educational Endowment Trust and as a Board member of Cistercian Preparatory School and Cristo Rey Dallas. Dan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas.
Joseph D. O’Brien III serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office serving the descendants of Autry C. Stephens. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of The Stephens Greth Foundation and The Linda C. Stephens Foundation. His decades of experience across family offices, investment management, and private markets inform The Foundation’s investment strategy, governance, and long-term stewardship. Previously, Joe served as President and Chief Executive Officer of A.G. Hill Partners, a Dallas-based single-family office with interests in real estate, energy, private equity, and public securities. Prior to A.G. Hill Partners, he was a Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Highside Capital and a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Petra Capital Partners. Earlier, he served as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in its private wealth management and prime brokerage divisions. Joe has extensive board leadership experience across corporate, investment, and philanthropic organizations, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Medical Foundation. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
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Kevin T. Keen serves as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of SGF Capital, a Dallas-based single-family office serving the descendants of Autry C. Stephens. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of The Stephens Greth Foundation and The Linda C. Stephens Foundation. Kevin brings nearly two decades of experience spanning law, finance, accounting, and nonprofit governance. He began his career with PwC and BNY Mellon before entering private law practice in the United States and Switzerland. Kevin later served as Office Managing Partner of Withers LLP’s first Texas office and subsequently founded and chaired the Texas private wealth practice at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP before joining SGF Capital. Kevin’s fiduciary experience includes service as an independent trustee for private trusts and as an independent director of private trust companies and private foundations. His prior nonprofit board service includes The X Foundation, the Texas Branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the European American Chamber of Commerce Texas, and Cancer Support Community North Texas. He earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Central Florida. Kevin is admitted to practice in Texas, Florida, the District of Columbia, and before the United States Tax Court.
As The Stephens Greth Foundation builds trusted partnerships and deepens its work across Texas, we look forward to sharing more about the organizations we support, the communities they strengthen, and the impact of their work.
