A Family Legacy: Carmen and Don Godwin Support ESD Endowment
August 11, 2025
For Carmen and Don Godwin, their journey with The Episcopal School of Dallas is a testament to the school's enduring impact. It began with their daughter, Natalie '94, and has come full circle with their grandsons, Mason and Judd. Mr. Godwin also served on the ESD board of trustees from 2005 to 2008. This decades-long connection has given the Godwins a unique perspective on the school’s mission of "igniting lives of purpose."
Their gratitude and deep reflection led them to make a powerful gift to the Our Time to Soar campaign. Inspired by Head of School Dave Baad's vision for ESD 2030: Great Teachers Make Great Schools, the Godwin family established two new endowment funds.
The Carmen and Don Godwin Family Endowment Fund I provides permanent support for the Associate Head of Lower School position, currently held by Amy Cuccia. This ensures that a key leadership role in the Lower School will have lasting funding.
Their second endowment, the Carmen and Don Godwin Family Endowment Fund II, establishes the annual Godwin Family Teaching Award. This award, to be presented each May, beginning May 2026, will honor teaching excellence in the Middle School, celebrating the talented educators who are fundamental to the ESD experience. As Hobson Family Head of School Dave Baad has stated, a crucial part of ESD 2030 is to "attract the best possible people to work and learn here," and the Godwins’ gift directly supports this goal.
Support for the Our Time to Soar campaign continues a legacy of philanthropy. The Godwins’ commitment to ESD's people and programs extends beyond these two new endowments. In 2021, during the Together, We Will campaign, they created The Carmen and Don Godwin Family Endowment, which provides tuition assistance for qualified students with demonstrated need. Carmen and Don’s holistic approach to philanthropy, supporting both students and faculty, showcases the family’s dedication to the ESD community.
Their support is a powerful example of the generational bonds that strengthen the school. From being parents to alumni parents to now grandparents, the Godwins have experienced the full cycle of life as part of the ESD family. Their investments will ensure that ESD continues to attract and retain the best teachers and students, securing a bright future for generations to come.
Our Time to Soar - a Campaign for The Episcopal School of Dallas is inspired by the strategic plan ESD 2030, which aims to add significantly to the school’s endowment, all as further investment in ESD’s people and programs. To date, we have raised $43,000,000 toward our goal of $50,000,000. For more information about the campaign, including a complete listing of campaign leadership and the video announcing the campaign, visit - www.esdallas.org/our-time-to-soar. Leadership giving opportunities remain, as do opportunities at all levels, to join in support.
