Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Lolie Eccles as Lisa Eccles’s grandmother. Lolie Eccles was Lisa Eccles’s great-aunt.
Lisa Eccles has spent the last three decades quietly shaping philanthropic efforts in Utah through her leadership at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. With a career rooted in the principles taught by her parents — responsibility, service and generosity — Eccles has become a pivotal figure in community development and charitable giving.
Eccles’s journey into the world of philanthropy began unexpectedly. Fresh out of college with a degree in art history, Eccles was living in Boston when the chairman of the Foundation reached out to her about a position. Although the assistant role he offered her was part-time, it marked the start of what would become Eccles’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy. “It sounded interesting, but I knew nothing about foundations. It really was learning by doing,” she says.
Her education in art history prepared Eccles for philanthropy, as the Foundation has a heavy arts focus born of family history. Eccles’s great-aunt, known to her family as “Lolie,” was passionate about the arts and played a pivotal role in establishing institutions such as the Utah Symphony and the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition.
One of Eccles’s favorite projects has been the development of the Eccles Theater. Initially, there were plans to position the theater in a suburban location, but Eccles and the Foundation advocated successfully for its placement in downtown Salt Lake City.
“Our downtown core needs to be vibrant,” she says. “Placing the theater downtown was essential for economic development and cultural vibrancy.” The Eccles Theater is now a cornerstone of Salt Lake City’s cultural scene, drawing in Broadway shows and other high-profile performances that enrich the community and stimulate local businesses.
Beyond her work in promoting the arts, Eccles has made significant contributions to higher education. Serving on the University of Utah’s board of trustees, she has seen firsthand the profound impact of educational support. “Supporting our students and the next generation of thinkers and researchers has been some of my most meaningful work,” she says. Her involvement with the new Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine building highlights her commitment. The 185,000-square-foot facility was funded in part by a $110 million gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation.
Eccles has a hands-on approach to her work. “Philanthropy is so much more than writing a check,” she says. “It’s about engaging deeply into the community.” This philosophy is evident in her extensive travel across Utah to connect with nonprofit organizations — the Foundation funds about 400 of them each year.
A humble leader, Eccles often works behind the scenes to influence major projects and ensure the preservation of Utah’s unique cultural and environmental heritage. From negotiating urban aesthetic standards to supporting the efficient management of arts institutions, her work is both quiet and impactful.
Eccles envisions a bright future for Utah, buoyed by continued philanthropic efforts and community engagement. She is dedicated to mentoring the next generation within her family and the broader community, ensuring the Foundation’s mission endures. “We’re here for the long haul, totally committed to this work,” she says. To Main Page