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Texas 2036

Website:

texas2036.org/
Location:

Dallas, TX
Tax ID:

81-3063099
Budget (2021):

Revenue: $17,337,976
Expenses: $7,958,352
Assets: $17,479,949
Type:

Think Tank
Interim CEO:

Justin Coppedge

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Texas 2036 is a center-left think tank focused on Texas-specific public policy advocacy. Former Texas 2036 CEO (and George W. Bush administration Secretary of Education) Margaret Spellings, who later became Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) president and CEO, has said that the center-left BPC’s thesis is “pretty much the same” as Texas 2036’s thesis, except with a focus on federal policy issues. 1

Named after Texas’s bicentennial year, 2 Texas 2036’s focuses are education and workforce, 3 health care, 4 infrastructure and natural resources, 5 justice and safety, 6 and government performance issues in the state. 7 8 Texas 2036 supports the left-of-center concept of an “equitable education,” contends that what it identifies as structural inequities impact certain groups in the state, 9 and has included the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity in some of its metrics to represent progress on goals. 10

In 2022, Texas 2036 received $1,250,000 from the left-of-center California Community Foundation and $1,056,194 from Communities Foundation of Texas. 11 Texas 2036 also received $1,500,000 from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and $583,786 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2021. 12 13

History and Leadership

Texas 2036 was founded in September 2016 by Dallas attorney Tom Luce. 14 In 2017, the organization received tax-exempt status from the IRS. 15

Texas 2036 founder Tom Luce worked on the 1992 presidential campaign of Texas businessman Ross Perot 16 and was an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education during the George W. Bush administration. He is also on the board of the Texas Education Reform Caucus, Education is Freedom, and Dallas Citizens Council. 17

As of October 2023, Justin Coppedge is the interim president and CEO of Texas 2036. Prior to joining Texas 2036, Coppedge worked in the Dallas Independent School District. He is an alum of the Teach for America Program. 18

Margaret Spellings was the president and CEO of Texas 2036 from until 2023, when she left to join the center-left Bipartisan Policy Center as its CEO. 19 Previously, Spellings was the U.S. Secretary of Education in the George W. Bush administration and president of the George W. Bush Foundation, which operates as the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 20  In 2022, she was appointed by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) to co-chair a commission on university governance in North Carolina. 21

Texas 2036 is headquartered in Dallas and has a satellite office in Austin. 22

Activities and Funding

Texas 2036 is a center-left think tank that is focused on Texas-specific issues. Texas 2036’s name is designed to encourage long-term thinking about Texas’s future as 2036 is Texas’s bicentennial year. 23

Former Texas 2036 CEO  and later Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) CEO Margaret Spellings has said that center-BPC’s thesis is “pretty much the same” as Texas 2036’s thesis, except with a focus on federal policy issues. 24 The critical race theory-influenced concept of equity is included as a component of Texas 2036’s approach to primary metrics to represent progress on goals it calls “The Pyramid.” 25 Texas 2036 also advances the left-wing concept of an “equitable education” and claims that what it identifies as decades of structural inequities impact certain groups in the state. 26

Policy Advocacy

Texas 2036 publishes a strategic framework for its policy vision for the future of Texas and conducts polls of Texas voters to understand their preferences on major state policy issues. 27 28 The organization aims to influence lawmakers and the broader public to address education and workforce, 29 health care, 30 infrastructure and natural resources, 31 justice and safety, 32 and government performance issues in Texas. 33 34

To support these objectives, Texas 2036 produces and distributes policy memos, legislative reports, voter brochures, and other voting-related materials to advance its objectives, with a focus on economic security, workforce, and state politics. 35 During the 2023 Texas legislative session, 77 Texas 2036-endoresed bills and constitutional amendments passed into law. 36

Texas 2036 also supports expanded broadband access across Texas and has praised Biden administration approaches to broadband, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Bill). 37

Funding

Texas 2036 receives funding from individual contributions and grants. 38 In 2021, Texas 2036 reported revenue of $9,172,626 and expenses of $10,745,456. In 2020, the organization reported revenue of $17,337,976 and expenses of $7,958,352. 39

In 2022, Texas 2036 received $1,250,000 from the left-of-center California Community Foundation and $1,056,194 from Communities Foundation of Texas. 40 Texas 2036 received $1,500,000 from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and $583,786 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2021. 41 42 The Episcopal Health Foundation also gave Texas 2036 $125,000 in 2018 43 and 2019. 44

Other supporters of Texas 2036 include Ann and John Newman Family Fund, Arnold Ventures, Byrne Family Foundation, Clements Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Global Policy Group, Google, Greater Texas Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Lori Henning, Hibbs Family Foundation, Hoglund Foundation, Wallace Jefferson, JP Morgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Texas Women’s Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, the Perot Foundation, Rees-Jones Foundation, Hirsch Family Foundation, and Google Community Fund. 45

References

  1. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  2. “About.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/about/.
  3. “Education and Workforce.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/education-workforce/
  4. “Health.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/health-human-services/.
  5. “Infrastructure and National Resources.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/infrastructure/.
  6. [1] “Justice and Safety.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/justice_safety/.
  7. “Government Performance.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/government-performance/.
  8. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  9.  “Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Framework for Texas.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Texas-2036-2020-Strategic-Framework-Report.pdf.
  10. “Shaping Our Future.” Texas 2036. 2022. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Texas-2036-2022-Strategic-Framework-Report.pdf.
  11. “Texas 2036.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/texas-2036,813063099/
  12. “Texas 2036.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2021/05/inv033403.
  13. “Texas 2036.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/texas-2036,813063099/
  14. “Who We Are.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/about/.
  15. “Notice of Determination.” Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service. 2017. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_81-3063099_TEXAS2036_06302017_02.tif.
  16.  Shogan, Robert. “3 Key Aides Help Perot Navigate Uncharted Waters: He recently hired political pros, but two longtime associates and a former editor are at the controls.” Los Angeles Times. June 17, 1992. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-17-mn-483-story.html.
  17. “Tom Luce.” Southern Methodist University Office of the Provost. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.smu.edu/Provost/Ethics/Events/EthicsAward/Luce.
  18. “Justin Coppedge.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://texas2036.org/posts/staff_members/coppedge-justin/
  19. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  20. “Leadership and Staff.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://texas2036.org/staff/.
  21. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  22. “Contact.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/contact-us/.
  23. “About.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/about/.
  24. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  25. “Shaping Our Future.” Texas 2036. 2022. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Texas-2036-2022-Strategic-Framework-Report.pdf.
  26. “Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Framework for Texas.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Texas-2036-2020-Strategic-Framework-Report.pdf.
  27.  “Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Framework for Texas.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Texas-2036-2020-Strategic-Framework-Report.pdf.
  28. “7th Texas Voter Poll.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/poll/.
  29. “Education and Workforce.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/education-workforce/.
  30. “Health.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/health-human-services/.
  31. [1] “Infrastructure and National Resources.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/infrastructure/.
  32.  “Justice and Safety.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/justice_safety/.
  33. “Government Performance.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/government-performance/.
  34. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  35. “Resource Library.” Texas 2036.0 Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/resources/?_gl=1*1cqqq90*_ga*MTE0NDA2NzUxOC4xNjk2MzAxODcx*_ga_33603HPQJ8*MTY5NjM4NDE1My40LjEuMTY5NjM4NDE3MC40My4wLjA.&_ga=2.196176940.1805463221.1696301871-1144067518.1696301871.
  36. Martin, Arcelia. “Former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to leave post as CEO of Texas 2036. June 23, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2023/06/23/former-us-education-secretary-margaret-spellings-to-leave-post-as-ceo-of-texas-2036/.
  37. Avini, Mitrah. “The need for broadband access: Strategic Framework.” Texas 2036. January 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/posts/the-need-for-broadband-access-strategic-framework/.
  38. “Support Us.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://texas2036.org/support-us-form/.
  39. “Texas 2036.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/813063099/202311529349300621/full.
  40. “Texas 2036.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/texas-2036,813063099/
  41. “Texas 2036.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2021/05/inv033403.
  42. “Texas 2036.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/texas-2036,813063099/
  43. “Episcopal Health Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/462599162/201913189349302241/full.
  44. “Episcopal Health Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/462599162/202023169349306137/full.
  45. [1] “A Special Thanks To Our Supporters.” Texas 2036. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://texas2036.org/supporters/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 2017

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $17,337,976 $7,958,352 $17,479,949 $2,445,519 N $17,287,976 $50,000 $0 $1,349,004
    2020 Dec Form 990 $7,266,075 $9,860,381 $8,771,801 $3,116,995 N $7,266,075 $0 $0 $955,129 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $9,151,696 $4,676,489 $8,324,022 $251,056 N $9,151,696 $0 $0 $650,339 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $6,521,654 $2,923,895 $3,763,637 $165,878 Y $6,521,654 $0 $0 $204,167 PDF

    Texas 2036

    3889 Maple Avenue, Suite 210
    Dallas, TX 75219-3911