Davey O'Brien Foundation Increased Scholarship Funding

The Fort Worth foundation has doubled its annual scholarship commitment to support local high school students.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a graduation cap resting on books, representing increased academic scholarship funding for students. — The Davey O'Brien Foundation has doubled its annual scholarship commitment to $90,000, significantly increasing financial support for top-performing high school students in North Texas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should private foundations increase financial support for local student-athletes in your area?

The Davey O'Brien Foundation has significantly increased its annual scholarship commitment to $90,000. This boost more than doubles the previous funding level for high school honorees in the North Texas area.

Why it matters

The expanded commitment aims to provide greater financial assistance to top-performing high school students. The program is supported by contributions from partners including Higginbotham and Simmons Bank.

The foundation will award $50,000 to the primary winner and $10,000 to each of the four finalists. Since 1977, the organization has distributed over $1.4 million in total scholarship and grant funds.

The players

Davey O'Brien Foundation

This Fort Worth-based organization supports student athletes and scholars while honoring the legacy of the 1938 Heisman Trophy winner.

Higginbotham

This firm is a primary underwriter for the foundation's scholarship program.

Simmons Bank

This financial institution provides underwriting support for the scholarship program.

The details

A selection committee reviews more than 100 nominees to narrow the field to five finalists. These candidates then undergo a series of in-person interviews to determine the scholarship recipients.

1938: Davey O'Brien won the Heisman Trophy.
1977: The Davey O'Brien Foundation was founded.
2010: Colt McCoy received the Davey O'Brien Award.
Nov. 17, 2026: The 2026 winner will be announced.

Culture Shift

This funding increase represents a departure from the historical scale of local academic support established since the 1977 founding of the Davey O'Brien Foundation. It reflects a growing trend of institutional investment in North Texas student development.

Local high school students now have access to a significantly larger scholarship pool, with the top award reaching $50,000. These funds are intended for long-term educational use, providing meaningful financial relief for recipients over a 10-year period.

The takeaway

Students should prepare for the application process early to be considered for the narrowed field of five finalists. This expansion highlights the importance of maintaining strong academic and extracurricular records to qualify for substantial local award opportunities.