Texas A&M-Fort Worth lands yet another big gift for construction downtown: $2 million

The Leo Potishman Foundation has pledged $2 million to support the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus, the Texas A&M University System announced Oct. 9.

The gift will go towards the development and construction of the campus.

“The community’s support for the new campus is surpassing our expectations, and we look forward to helping boost the local and regional economy,” said Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp in a statement.

The foundation is named after Leo Potishman, a Fort Worth businessman and philanthropist who died in 1981 at the age of 85. Potishman was a man with a “rags-to-riches” story who owned Transit Grain Co. and Vit-A-Way Inc., which developed an additive of minerals and vitamins for livestock and poultry.

He supported many causes throughout his life, including Fort Worth public schools’ athletic and music departments, Tarleton State University and TCU, where the tennis courts are named in honor of his sister, Mary Potishman Lard. He served on the Lena Pope Home ’s board for 40 years.

The Potishman foundation today supports a variety of causes including community groups, arts and education. It contributed to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s multi-million dollar overhaul of its shuttered Omni Theater IMAX to convert the dome into an immersive 8K LED venue.

Since construction began at Texas A&M-Fort Worth in summer 2023, other philanthropic organizations have also pledged support. The Amon G. Carter Foundation committed $10.75 million for the campus in May. The gift includes $5 million and four parcels near the 3.5-acre campus.

In February, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation contributed $2.5 million for the engineering programs.

The new research campus between Commerce and Jones streets is expected to spark transformative development in an underutilized corridor of downtown. As a tier one research university, city leaders say Texas A&M-Fort Worth will attract new jobs and improve workforce training , as well as ease the property tax burden on Tarrant County homeowners and businesses if the campus attracts major corporate headquarters.

The campus’ first building, the roughly $200 million Law and Education building, is under construction. Work on the eight-story structure is expected to be done in December 2025.

The design process for the Research and Innovation building , the second structure, began in August. The building will house A&M system agencies and public-private partnerships with local companies, including aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin and eye care firm Alcon, aimed at preparing students for the workforce.

The city is contributing up to $18 million for the construction of the Research and Innovation building, which is estimated to cost up to $260 million.