IMPACT YOUR PHIL ANTHROPY MAGAZINE
“My hope is to see communities heal – and that we discover that what makes us different can also be the magic that unites us.” — ZHEN BARRIENTOS, 2021 ALUMNA , CF T’S EMERGING LEADERS IN PHIL ANTHROPY
WHAT MATTERS MOST EMERGING LEADERS ALUMNI HELP THEIR COMPANY HONE GIVING PRIORITIES
Read the story about CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy alumni in action on page 6
2021 | VOLUME 1
FE AT U R E S
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CFT’s Recent Grant Impact Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Fund Holder Spotlight: Eric and Jeannie Nadel Faces in Our Community North Texas Giving Day Fund Holder Spotlight: McKissack Family Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund Educate Texas: RGV FOCUS CFT for Business: Be In Good Company Upcoming Events
Leadership Dave Scullin Beth Bull John Fitzpatrick Noelle LeVeaux Sarah Cotton Nelson Monica Egert Smith George Tang
IMPACT Creative Team: Noelle LeVeaux Nicole Paquette Madison Asher Lindsay Benedetto Chris McSwain Nakoya Moss Morgen Brown
Pictured: Marisa Roberson, 2021 alumna, CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Read inspiring quotes from Marisa and other members of our recent cohort about their hopes for the future at:
C F T E X A S . O R G /N O W/E L P
Board of Trustees Alfreda Norman, Chair Florence Shapiro, Vice Chair Jim Bass, Immediate Past Chair Arcilia Acosta Richie Butler Greg Campbell Michael Dardick Matrice Ellis-Kirk José (Pepe) Guevara Kenneth Hersh Gunjan Jain Chris Kleinert Sarah Losinger Tom Montgomery Connie O’Neill Nicole Small G. Stacy Smith Debra Brennan Tagg Rob Walters
Want to receive this magazine? Email IMPACT@CFTexas.org
IMPACT is published by Communities Foundation of Texas
L E T T E R F R O M O U R P R E S I D E N T: A THRIVING COMMUNIT Y S TART S WITH GIVING
2020 and 2021 have continued to remind us of the importance of relationships and alignment with community stakeholders toward shared goals and helping others. Our fund holders, donors, and nonprofit and community partners have been critical to our ability to learn, adapt, and respond during what continues to be one of our community’s most challenging times in recent history.
“As we look to the future, we are laser focused on growing community giving, advancing community equity, and expanding community impact. And our impact must be meaningful, measurable, and enduring.”
Through trusted relationships and collaboration, we’ve been able to mobilize more than $220 million in the past year and a half through our leadership of community relief efforts including North Texas Cares, North Texas Giving Day, and North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, through the generosity of our donor-advised fund holders, and the creation of 10 different COVID-19 relief funds. And while we’ve placed a great emphasis on grantmaking during the pandemic, which you can learn about in the following pages, CFT has continued to grow, by engaging new donors, receiving significant gifts into existing funds, and through the outstanding work of our Investment Committee. Our assets are the community’s assets. We have grown them significantly, but we need to continue to grow them to achieve our vision of a thriving community for all. We’ve spent the last few years building scale as an organization. We’ve clarified our grantmaking focus across the areas of health, wealth, living, and learning – critical components for thriving individuals and communities. We’re working to incorporate equity and inclusion into every fabric of our work. We are laser focused on growing community giving, advancing community equity, and expanding community impact. And our impact must be meaningful, measurable, and enduring. We’re grateful for your partnership. With gratitude for your generosity,
PRESIDENT AND CEO COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEX A S
P.S. Now through September 23, join us to #BETHEGOOD, right where you are, by giving online to any of 3,350+ nonprofits in need at NTXGivingDay.org.
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GIFTS AND GRANTS
CFT GRANTS IN ACTION $200,000 to Southern Gateway Park’s Equitable Development Plan Historically, highways have served to divide as well as to transport. In the Southern Sector, there is an emerging East-West divide on either side of I-35. A plan to build a five-acre deck park over I-35 aims to reconnect historic Oak Cliff and unite this area in ways that spur greater connectivity and shared prosperity, rather than further displacement. The hope of Southern Gateway Park is that it will become the heart of Southern Dallas, creating a central gathering place where everyone is welcome. In 2019, with a goal to advance community equity, Communities Foundation of Texas invested $200,000 in the creation of the Southern Gateway Park’s equitable development plan to help ensure that the park and its planning are by the community, in the community, and for the community. Spanning I-35E between Ewing and Marsalis avenues, the future five-acre deck park will reconnect historic Oak Cliff and ignite environmental, economic, and community revitalization.
WHAT IS EQUITABLE DE VELOPMENT ?
Equitable development is an approach to meet the needs of underserved communities and individuals through projects, programs, and/or policies that reduce disparities while fostering places that are healthy, vibrant, and diverse. It is generated through a participatory process that enables lower-wealth residents to influence decisions that affect their neighborhood, and works to ensure that everyone participates in and benefits from an area’s economic transformation. Learn more about Southern Gateway Park’s plans at southerngatewaypark.org.
RECENT GR ANTS CFT grants $35 million to nonprofits
S
ince the pandemic began in March 2020, CFT’s Philanthropy Department has been hard at work reviewing 2,000+ grant proposals and granting dollars from our relief and recovery funds, discretionary funds, and partnering with our charitable fund holders to help support their grantmaking to nonprofits. Throughout the pandemic, CFT funded $19 million in emergency requests from more than 400 local nonprofits received via the collaborative North Texas Cares online grant application portal. These grants were made from CFT’s North Texas Community Response Fund, supplemented by CFT’s discretionary dollars, including CFT’s W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund. An additional $16 million has been granted through CFT’s grant application processes to 35 nonprofits across our focus areas of health, wealth, living, and learning, toward our goal of equity and belonging for all, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million. Learn more about these recent grants to local nonprofits at C F T E X A S . O R G /R E C E N TG R A N T S Questions? Contact our expert: S A R A H COT TO N N E L S O N Chief Philanthropy Officer snelson@cftexas.org | 214-346-5501
A rendering of the Southern Gateway Park
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CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
Below are some of CFT’s largest recent grants: KEY: FOCUS AREA
HEALTH
WEALTH
GRANTEE ORGANIZATION
LIVING
LEARNING PROJECT PURPOSE
AMOUNT AWARDED
Baylor Health Care System Foundation
To support the Integrated Population (I-POP) Health Trial study assessing the impact of community health workers (CHWs) on population health outcomes in South Dallas
$600,000
City Year, Inc.
To recruit and train a diverse group of Corps Members to serve in DISD schools and support students struggling with learning gaps due to the disruptions of the pandemic
$500,000
Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region, Inc.
To help ensure mental health services are available and accessible for at-risk students across Dallas County
$500,000
Fair Park First
To support community engagement in the design of the South Dallas Community Park as well as the construction of the new park and amenities
$1,500,000
Genesis Women's Shelter
To provide safety, shelter, and support for women and children who have experienced domestic violence
$500,000
Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP)
To support an interactive education platform and provide access to additional capital and infrastructure resources to promote the continued success of PEP participants and graduates
$500,000
Promise House, Inc.
To support the Clinical Services program, including support for counseling assessments and supplies used in individual therapy, group therapy, play therapy, and art therapy, as well as the expansion of Clinical Services staff
$500,000
Safe Haven of Tarrant County
To provide no-cost services to domestic violence victims, including client advocacy, case management, therapeutic services, and children’s programs
$500,000
Texas Health Resources Foundation
To address inequities in COVID-19 vaccine access/distribution in underserved communities through communication and education and to expand mobile vaccine registration and clinics
$1,000,000
TexProtects
To support the implementation of Family Connects, an evidence-based model providing mothers of newborns tailored support and access to community resources using a social determinants of health approach delivered through registered nurses
$500,000
The Family Place
To provide for the increased need of emergency shelter, counseling, and education for survivors of domestic violence since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
$500,000
The Trust for Public Land
To fund continued community engagement through design and development, and to support the construction and opening of the new Judge Charles Rose, Sr. Park
$895,000
University of Texas at Arlington
To support the study and pilot of a motivational smartphone application aimed at increasing physical activity and improving mental health among older adults
$535,000
Urban Teacher Center
To support teachers in the delivery of quality virtual and hybrid instruction and provide improved social and emotional support to students and families
$500,000
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EMERGING LEADERS IN PHILANTHROPY Alumni help their company hone giving priorities
A
fter graduating from CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELP) program, alumni members and colleagues Tyler Floyd, Devin DeLapp-Carnes, and Taylor Nipp helped launch a Community Engagement Committee at their company, SFMG Wealth Advisors. Through the ELP program, Tyler, Taylor, and Devin learned how to set personal strategies for giving and work through grantmaking processes. The trio felt inspired by what they had learned and wanted to help ensure their employer had a structured corporate social responsibility program of its own. SFMG has a history of giving back and volunteering in partnership with CFT. A long-time CFT for Business member, the organization joined CFT4B’s new Be In Good Company program in 2020. With SFMG's Melissa Hawkins leading their efforts, SFMG employees have participated in CFT’s Freedom Day since 2014, helping make Freedom Day one of the largest community volunteer events in North Texas. Melissa won CFT's Freedom Day Engagement Captain of the Year award in 2016, and the organization and its employees also participate in CFT’s North Texas Giving Day. In 2020 alone, employees donated over $17,000 through Giving Day.
Floyd believes that hearing directly from nonprofit leaders through ELP made a lasting impact on his drive to give back, and he credits CFT’s ELP program for providing the framework to launch SFMG’s Community Engagement Committee. “Without our knowledge from the ELP program and CFT’s grantmaking methods, our efforts would have been much less organized and likely less aligned with our core company values,” said Floyd. In 2020, the six-member committee worked with CFT staff to establish interests, priority issue areas, core giving values, and purpose. The identified purpose is to proactively impact the community through coordinated, specific efforts available to everyone at the firm, and the collective values identified were community, compassion, innovation, opportunity, and relationships. A giving statement was soon drafted and adopted to guide the committee’s decisions and goals:
“At SFMG, we are passionate about making everyday life better for individuals by creating opportunity and access through strong, longlasting relationships in our community.”
Seventeen SFMG employees participated in a project benefiting Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.) for CFT4B’s 19th annual Freedom Day 6
CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
“One of the things we learned firsthand in CFT’s ELP program is that while monetary donations are very helpful for nonprofits, the time, effort, and skills that volunteers bring make a huge impact on organizations. We’re not just saying ‘hey, here’s a check.’ It’s about asking how we can help in as many ways as possible.” – Tyler Floyd, associate wealth advisor, SFMG Wealth Advisors
SFMG aims to support one to two nonprofits annually through donations and volunteer opportunities, including skills-based volunteering. SFMG offers a day of paid volunteer time off annually for its 33 employees, and Tyler, Taylor, and Devin are excited to have new ways to encourage colleagues to use these days by supporting their chosen nonprofits. They believe their work thus far has already boosted morale. CFT staff helped identify nonprofits that aligned with their values and purpose, and the two they selected to work with in 2021 are Hendrick Scholarship Foundation (HSF) and City House. City House protects and transforms the lives of children and young adults suffering from homelessness, abuse, or neglect. HSF supports Plano ISD graduates who’ve overcome adversity through scholarships, mentoring, and academic planning. “We’re really excited to be positively impacting youth in Plano where we’re headquartered,” said Floyd. SFMG is a notable example of how companies of all sizes can engage employees and strengthen corporate culture through giving and commitment. Through CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program, these rising young stars were empowered to unite SFMG’s employees in giving back in the ways that matter most to them.
EMERGING LEADERS IN PHILANTHROPY
C
FT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELP) is a ninemonth program with a mission to engage, educate, and connect North Texas young leaders in taking an active role in building thriving communities for all, and to strengthen the philanthropic impact of the next generation of leaders in North Texas. The program launched in September 2018 and now has over 200 graduates. Applications are annually accepted from young leaders age 25 to 40 who are interested in learning about strategic giving, grantmaking, and philanthropy. Applications are open until September 30 at CFTexas.org/ELP for the 2021–2022 cohort.
2020–2021 COHORT RECAP: Through a guided exploration of community issues, and after hearing from a variety of community leaders, philanthropists, and nonprofits, the virtual 2020–2021 cohort worked together to identify their priority issue areas. They selected: education, with an emphasis on early education, digital access and technology, and multigenerational programming; and economic security and opportunity, with an emphasis on workforce development, financial literacy, and access to capital and safe lending practices. The group also chose collective values: effectiveness with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In May 2021, 80 young leaders graduated from the program after having the opportunity to collectively grant $25,000 to area nonprofits of their choosing. They ultimately selected one nonprofit aligned with their giving priorities to award the full $25,000 to, For Oak Cliff, to help provide financial relief to families participating in their dual-generation programming. Learn more about For Oak Cliff at ForOakCliff.org. Questions? Contact our CFT staff expert, JJ Ponce, at jponce@cftexas.org.
Read inspiring quotes from members of our '20-'21 cohort about their hopes for the future:
C F T E X A S . O R G /N O W/E L P
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T URNING G R ATIT UDE IN TO G I V ING
The Eric and Jeannie Nadel Charitable Fund
E
RIC AND JEANNIE NADEL established their
Jeannie is a retired special education teacher and spent
donor-advised fund, the Eric and Jeannie Nadel
more than 20 years as a phone counselor for a crisis
Charitable Fund, in April 2020. They have also included
hotline. Both Eric and Jeannie think it’s important
CFT and their fund in their estate plans.
to promote mental health awareness and erase the stigma surrounding it. Eric and Jeannie have been
From a young age, Eric was taught the joy of giving.
very involved with numerous nonprofits over the years,
Eric recalls witnessing his mom volunteering to support
many of them focused on mental health, animals,
mental health causes, and his father, who was a dentist,
food insecurity, and inspiring youth. Some of these
would drive to his office at any hour of the night or on
nonprofits include Café Momentum, where he’s put
weekends to help patients who had an emergency. Both
on a concert series, the Elizabeth Jordan Harris
he and Jeannie were taught to use their platforms for
Foundation, and numerous animal-focused nonprofits.
good however they could, and they’ve lived by that creed
Eric, a music lover, also hosts his annual birthday
their entire lives.
benefit at the Kessler Theater, where all proceeds go to
Eric has spent more than 43 years serving as the
support the Grant Halliburton Foundation.
legendary voice of the Texas Rangers. He won the Ford
The couple was first introduced to CFT through
C. Frick Award for Broadcasting Excellence from the
their support of The Dallas Morning News Charities
National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. “I’m so proud
campaign, which is administered in part by CFT. Eric
of the Texas Rangers. I feel grateful every time I walk
had also been part of the grant application process on
into a game and still can’t believe I’m getting paid to
the nonprofit side, supporting causes important to him,
watch a game and bring joy to people’s lives through
including establishing one of the first off-leash dog parks
broadcasting,” said Eric.
in the area. “Eventually, my tax advisor encouraged us to establish a fund to keep track of our giving and to better manage the tax receipts,” recalls Eric. “I remember watching my mom sit down at the table each December, writing out checks to nonprofits, and here we were, finding ourselves doing the same so many decades later. It’s much easier now to give online through our donor-advised fund at CFT. I only wish we had done it sooner. CFT has so many resources available to us, and it’s extremely convenient,” said Eric. Eric and Jeannie put money into their charitable fund
CFT fund holders Eric and Jeannie Nadel with their pup, Kirby
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at the beginning of the year, and Eric says he feels like Santa Claus over the following 12 months distributing
CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
FUND HOLDER SPOTLIGHT
money they’ve put into their fund. “Once the money is in there, it’s already been designated to give away, and it’s been gratifying determining which organizations to make grants to. Our fund has allowed us to focus a bit more, be more conscious, and we’re no longer waiting until December to make gifts,” he says. “I encourage everyone to think seriously about their expendable income and where it goes and how much they can afford to help others, and to look into opening a charitable fund,” said Eric. “People are hurting. They need food and jobs, and we’ve utilized our fund in support of a number of food banks during the pandemic. I really believe that it doesn’t take a whole lot to make somebody’s life a whole lot better.” Eric and Jeannie also appreciate the convenience their fund provides in updating the charitable portion
CFT fund holders Eric and Jeannie Nadel at Zion National Park
of their estate plans, as their priorities and favorite nonprofits may change over the years. “Instead of redoing our will each time our priorities change, we can simply update our plan with CFT and we’re fully confident that CFT will support the charities we chose long beyond our lifetime,” said Eric. Eric and Jeannie center their life around gratitude and generosity. Jeannie can often be found saying, “Be the light of the world,” and reminding others to live each day doing what you can do to make a difference. Eric would add a few phrases to that: “Work hard, be kind, lead by example, and have fun while doing it.”
“Jeannie and I don’t have children, and we want our legacy to be what we did to make the world a better place. We plan to give the majority of our estate to nonprofits we care about through our fund at CFT.” – Eric Nadel CFT fund holder, Eric and Jeannie Nadel Charitable Fund
Questions? Contact our expert: C A R O LY N A . N E W H A M , J D Senior Director of Donor Relations & Services cnewham@cftexas.org | 214-750-4226 In partnership with the Texas Rangers Foundation, CFT fund holder Eric Nadel also established the Eric Nadel Excellenc in Sports Broadcasting Scholarship at UNT for journalism students. I M P A C T : Your Philanthropy Magazine | 2 0 2 1 V O L . 1
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CFT CELEBRATES BOARD CHAIR CELEBRATION
CFT honored our current board of trustees and past trustees at our annual Board Chair Celebration. This year’s event included a special toast from our current board chair, Alfreda Norman. We appreciate the deep expertise and talents our trustees bring to our organization, which have enabled us to accomplish what we have today and over the last 68 years. Photo Credit: Kim Leeson
CFT Board Chair Alfreda Norman raises a special toast to our community’s future
Richie Butler, Dave Scullin, Chris Kleinert, Pepe Guevara
April Allen, Rob Walters, Ashlee Kleinert, Chris Kleinert
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April Allen, Brent Christopher, Connie O’Neill, Noelle LeVeaux
Jim Bass, Hong Bass, Alfreda Norman, Joe Norman
CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
CFT RECOGNITION D CEO AWARDS
Mark Frederiksen, Frederiksen & Frederiksen; Tracey Hull, Cafe Momentum; Bill Jackson, Texas Mutual Insurance Company
Will Akins and Demetra Brown, The DEC Network
CFT was proud to partner with D CEO on the fourth annual Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards. In a year that called for extraordinary service, the program received more than 500 nominations – a record-breaking number for any D CEO awards program. After several judging sessions by the editors, a total of 112 finalists were named. View the list of finalists and award winners and see more event photos at: Dmagazine.com/NPCC2021. Photo Credit: Bret Redman
Peter Sullivan, Darren James, Jason Brown, Brian Luallen, Alyssa Arnold, Fair Park First
BE IN GOOD COMPANY CFT FOR BUSINESS
CFT for Business and Be In Good Company members gathered at the D CEO headquarters to network and celebrate a special section about good corporate citizenship in the September issue of D CEO.
D CEO editor Christine Perez and Sanya Syed, Kimiya International
Michelle George from Texas Capital Bank connects with attendees
Photo Credit: Bret Redman
CFT for Business’ new director, JJ Ponce, shared his passion for growing corporate citizenship across North Texas
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Members and CFT staff connect in person
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L to R: Vickie Yakunin of Amazon, Chris Howell Foundation staff, Representative Toni Rose, and Chris McSwain from Communities Foundation of Texas during a special Surprise and Delight Giveaway
BE THE GOOD AND GIVE!
CFT’s 13th annual NTX Giving Day is back to bring hope to our community
N
orth Texas Giving Day is back in its 13th year, celebrating the most generous day of the year on Thursday, September 23, 2021! From 6 a.m. to midnight, our region will support the nonprofits that are doing critical work, ensuring that communities and neighbors have what they need to live healthy, whole, thriving lives. With more than 3,350 nonprofits from 27 cause areas and a region full of ready, willing, and excited givers, we anticipate that North Texas Giving Day 2021 will be the best yet! Our community continues to rally and lead the nation in the largest one-day community event – a true and shining example of where we live and the people who call this region home. This year, part of the superpower of North Texas Giving Day is its first-ever partnership with Amazon. As the first presenting sponsor in the history of North Giving Day, this global brand has come alongside Communities Foundation of Texas to engage more people in the movement of community support and celebration and showing us all what it means to come together to be the good. A large employer in the region, Amazon is partnering with CFT as a good neighbor and bringing joy, surprise, and the power of their global brand to the day. We are asking donors, volunteers, ambassadors, and lovers of community to show up strong and together. As we’re asking each of you to #BeTheGood, we’re calling on you to do what you can, with what you have, to support those who need us most. And what we know after nearly 13 years is that we all need each other. Join us on North Texas Giving Day to make a big impact, in big ways, for the big hearts of North Texas.
#BeTheGood and give on September 23, 2021: NorthTexasGivingDay.org
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CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
NT X GIVING DAY
GET INVOLVED! GIVE NOW Search 3,350+ nonprofits from 27 cause areas and 20 North Texas counties on NorthTexasGivingDay.org.
CREATE A FUNDRAISING PAGE Visit NorthTexasGivingDay .org/FUNdraise to learn how to raise funds for your favorite nonprofit. SPREAD THE WORD Download social media tools and graphics to share about North Texas Giving Day to your networks at NorthTexasGivingDay.org/ ForGivers.
DONOR-ADVISED FUND GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS CFT fund holders can make grant recommendations through donor-advised funds for North Texas Giving Day with no fee, and grants are eligible for bonus funds! Visit portal.cftexas.org or contact your CFT relationship manager to learn more. 13
GIFTS AND GRANTS
HELPING WE ATHER THE S TORM
CFT fund holders support CFT’s North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund
M
argaret Elizabeth and Michael McKissack established the McKissack Family Fund in December 2020. They had been giving to nonprofits directly and through CFT’s North Texas Giving Day for quite some time, and their new charitable fund at CFT allows them to streamline their giving and lean on CFT’s staff expertise when needed. In February, even while they were without power and heat and displaced from their home during one of the worst winter storms our community has seen, the McKissacks made their first gift from their fund to CFT’s North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund. Margaret Elizabeth worked at Buckner International for 10 years in service to Dallas neighborhoods and had seen firsthand how vulnerable families who are already struggling to care for their children are impacted significantly when a natural disaster occurs. Margaret Elizabeth and Michael thought about their own personal experience during the storm with their three young children when they were without electricity and water and their home temperature was dropping below 40 degrees. While they were eventually able to travel safely to stay with friends and family members, their hearts were with the families in extreme distress and survival mode who didn’t have a place to go.
“It was hard for us to navigate
“We are excited to join this incredible community of philanthropists through CFT and to become even more informed givers by learning from CFT’s experts regarding where our dollars can have the most impact in helping our community.” – Margaret Elizabeth McKissack CFT fund holder, McKissack Family Fund
“The winter storm in February caused devastating loss to many buildings on the Fowler campus. We are most grateful for this financial support of children, youth, and aging adult residents at Juliette Fowler.”
our own storm crisis and to not be out in the community serving and helping when we knew how great the needs were, so we wanted to make a gift to help support other families. When – Nicole Gann disaster occurs, it’s hard to know President and CEO, Juliette where to give or how to help, but Fowler Communities it was so easy to reach out to CFT and share how we wanted to help support families and the nonprofits that serve them that were affected by the weather. We are proud to partner with CFT to make Dallas stronger for its children and their families,” said Margaret Elizabeth.
CFT fund holders Margaret Elizabeth and Michael McKissack with their children
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To learn more about charitable funds or disaster relief and
CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund: Grants and Gifts NONPROFIT GRANTEES: Over $1 million was awarded to the following nonprofits via grants of up to $50,000 to help meet their insurance deductible claims due to winter storm damage. 29 Acres ACH Child and Family Services Adventure Time Learning Center Inc. All Stars Project of Dallas Ann & Nate Levine Academy Athletes For Change Austin College Bishop Arts Theatre Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County Camp Fire First Texas Care365 Catholic Charities Dallas Celebrate Forever Families Center for Animal Research and Education Christian Care Communities and Services City of Hope Dallas City Homes Dallas Holocaust Museum Dallas Women’s Forum Destiny Empowerment Enterprises, Inc. East Fort Worth Montessori Academy ENCOUNTER365 Exodus Ministries For the Nations Refugee Outreach Forefront Living Foundation Foundation Communities Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Good Shepherd Catholic Parish Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange Hill School of Fort Worth Inc. Hope Center for Autism Jewish Community Center of Dallas John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Jonathan’s Place Journey to Dream Foundation Juliette Fowler Communities Lena Pope Home, Inc. Life School Mission Central Metroplex, Inc. Momentous Institute Network of Community Ministries Project Transformation National Refuge for Women North Texas Rising Star Baptist Church Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
Krishna Kurapati Lynne and Allen Mabry Charitable Fund of CFT Maus Family Charitable Fund of CFT Mr. A. P. McEvoy Jr. The Kevin and Alicia McGlinchey Family Fund of CFT Liz & Tim McHugh McKissack Family Fund of CFT MetaBank Granville C. and Gladys H. Morton Fund of CFT Mathile Family Foundation Eric and Jeannie Nadel Charitable Fund of CFT Gregg Nerase Carolyn and Denton Newham Fund of CFT Ms. Agnes B. Y. O’Keefe Pioneer Natural Resources Company Nina Radford Katherine and Eric Reeves Ela and James Rix Mrs. Krista Rosen Brenda Rudd Charles A. and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Fund of Triangle Community Foundation Julia Sands Santander Consumer USA Foundation Schulze Family Fund of Fidelity Charitable Rachael Schwab Dave and Susan Scullin Fund of CFT Sempra Energy Foundation William F. Shanley III Theresa Sinacola Sozosei Foundation Sandy Stansbury Deborah and Craig Sutton Fund of CFT The Associated The Taylor Fund of CFT The TJX Foundation, Inc. Traylor Family Fund of CFT Trinbrook Fund of CFT TXU Energy Douglas Vaughn Weil, Gotshal & Manges Foundation Josh and Emily West of The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Wood Next LLC
Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth Senior Source Shakespeare Festival of Dallas Southwest Christian School, Inc. St Catherine of Siena – Hebron Trails Storey Lane Independent Living Texas Wesleyan University The Coventry Reserve The Family Place The Gatehouse The Legacy Willow Bend The Perot Museum of Nature and Science The Texas International Institute of Health Professions The Thanks-Giving Foundation Victory Therapy Center Volunteers of America Texas Wings of Hope Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation Youth Believing in Change
THANKS TO OUR DONORS* 4-J Family Fund of The Columbus Foundation B6 Community Relief and Recovery Fund Zach Balod Susan Bannon Laura Wei Bass Fund of CFT Begin Again Foundation Katherine Blakeley Brodsky-Schneidler Family Fund of CFT Carter Family Fund of CFT Catalyst Institute Inc. Michael Ernst Sara Evans GAP Foundation Sherry Geldin Fund of The Columbus Foundation Lynn Gray Lloyd Hannon Lyda Hill Fund of CFT Hoblitzelle Foundation Helene & Mark Honeybone IMA Foundation In-N-Out Burgers Andrew Ivankovich George and Eleanor Jones Fund of CFT Patricia Kelly
*Gifts of $500 or more
C A R O LY N A . N E W H A M , J D
recovery efforts at CFT, contact Carolyn Newham.
Senior Director of Donor Relations & Services cnewham@cftexas.org | 214-750-4226
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TRANSFORMING EDUCATION ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY CFT’s Educate Texas releases regional scorecard
R
GV FOCUS is measurably improving education across all four counties of the Rio Grande Valley. CFT’s Educate Texas founded RGV FOCUS in 2012 with the vision of building a community partnership to make sure all students in the Rio Grande Valley get the education they need and deserve to achieve meaningful careers and lives.
The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., home to 1.36 million people along the TexasMexico border. Comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties, it is a young, bilingual and bicultural community, where 92% of residents are Latino and the median household income is $39,000. Thirty percent of the population lives in poverty, compared to 15% Texas-wide.
58%
45%
54%
of RGV high school students are immediately enrolling and beginning instruction in higher education, exceeding the state average of 51%
of RGV high school students are achieving college readiness on assessments, exceeding the state average of 44%
of RGV high school students are completing Advanced Placement or Dual Credit courses, exceeding the state average of 45%
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ALONG THE CRADLE-TO-CAREER EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY
RIO GRANDE VALLEY STUDENTS OUTPERFORM THEIR TEXAS PEERS IN 9 OUT OF 10 KEY SUCCESS INDICATORS! PRE-K ENROLLMENT
RGV Baseline
STAAR 8TH GRADE MATH****
FAFSA COMPLETION**
AP/DUAL CREDIT COMPLETION*
59%
---
68%
54%
---
31%
59%
32%
STAAR 3RD GRADE READING****
4-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE*
COLLEGE-READY GRADUATES*
HIGHER ED. IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT RATE*
RGV
---
93%
45%
58%
Baseline
31%
87%
---
56%
*Data is for Graduating Class of 2019 | **Data is for Graduating Class of 2020 | ***Due to the consolidation of 4-year institutions of higher education in the RGV, a 4-year standard baseline is not applicable | ****Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 in the 2019–2020 school year with STAAR testing, these indicators were not tracked by the Texas Education Agency.
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CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
EDUCATE TEX AS
As we look forward, Educate Texas and RGV FOCUS know there is still critical work to do. When it comes to high school graduation, the end is only the beginning – and we will continue to work together with education, business, and community leaders to ensure more students find their place on a path that is right for them.
“Each one of the parents who are sitting with us at the table and are talking about education – it’s coming from the heart. It is coming from this hambre, this hunger that we have as parents for our kids’ success and for our own education as well.... RGV FOCUS became a teacher to our leaders and our parents, which was a gift, un regalo de Dios para nosotros, in our committee.”
LOURDES FLORES ARISE President and Chair of the Equal Voice Network Education Working Group
PUBLIC HIGHER ED. GRADUATION RATE 2-YEAR
HIGHER ED. GRADUATES EMPLOYED/ENROLLED 2-YEAR
29%
90%
17%
92%
READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE Learn more about our expanded annual scorecard and read the latest stories about our work with partners to impact student outcomes at:
RGVFOCUS.ORG PUBLIC HIGHER ED. GRADUATION RATE 4-YEAR***
HIGHER ED. GRADUATES EMPLOYED/ENROLLED 4-YEAR
30%
80%
Questions? Contact our expert:
---
78%
G EO R G E TA N G Managing Director, Educate Texas
Matches or exceeds state performance
gtang@cftexas.org | 214-750-4124
To view our sources, please visit edtx.org/documentsources.
I M P A C T : Your Philanthropy Magazine | 2 0 2 1 V O L . 1
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CFT FOR BUSINESS
ARE YOU IN GOOD COMPANY? Communities Foundation of Texas for Business
cultures. CFT partners with companies of all sizes to offer a wide range of philanthropic services to help start or grow a company’s giving and community engagement program, guiding them through their Corporate
ES
ITI COMMUN
corporate citizenship and volunteerism. Thriving teams create thriving
D AT I O N o f T EX A
USINESS rB
making a difference in our community with their commitment to
UN
fo
Company program recognizes North Texas businesses that are
FO
S
C
OMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS’ Be In Good
B E I N G O O D C O M PA N Y
Social Responsibility initiatives while aligning with the United Nations'
- 2021 -
Sustainable Development Goals. CFT’s Be In Good Company program recognizes companies that meet these pillars of excellence: Thriving Teams, a Thriving Culture, and a Thriving Future.
Thank you to our 2021 Be In Good Company Members American Airlines Arcosa Asava Consulting, Inc. Atmos Energy Axxess B-TRNSFRMD Badmus & Associates Bank of Texas BFS Advisory Group Bioworld Merchandising Inc. Boeing Capital One Services, Inc. CONTI Organization Cyber Group D CEO Magazine / D Magazine
The Dallas Morning News Dallas Regional Chamber Deloitte DHD Films EO Dallas Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Fibroid Institute Dallas Goextele Communications Software & Technology, LLC Granite Properties Hazel’s Expedited Freight HCK2 Hilti HumCap LP Hunt Consolidated, Inc. Independent Financial
Istation Legacy Knight : Multi-Family Office Marketwave Marsh & McLennan Agency Montgomery Capital Advisers NectarOM NETSCOUT Pecan Grove Farms & Nursery RealCom Solutions Risch Results Seeds 2 STEM SFMG Wealth Advisors Shields Legal Group Shiftsmart Stewart Law Group PLLC
To learn more and join for 2022, visit
C F T E X A S . O R G /G O O D C O M PA N Y
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CO M M U N I T I E S FO U N DAT I O N o f T E X A S
Sunwest Communications Sutton Frost Cary LLP Texadia Systems Texas Capital Bank Texas Health Resources Texas Mutual Insurance Company Thompson and Knight, LLP Thomson Reuters TruePoint Communications Truist Two Roads Consulting University of North Texas System Weaver West Monroe Partners work/REFINED
Questions? Contact our expert: J J P O N CE CFT for Business, Director jponce@cftexas.org | 214-750-4111
CFT FOR BUSINESS
“ Businesses are a
platform to solve social issues. Be In Good Company creates a structure, a bridge, to engage this powerful force for good. To lift ourselves up, we must lift up our community.”
WELCOME, JJ PONCE! Director of CFT for Business
– Debra Brennan Tagg, BFS Advisory Group, CFT Trustee
We’re thrilled to announce that JJ Ponce has joined us at the helm of our growing CFT for Business initiative! JJ spent the past decade in the financial industry, most recently as senior vice president of community development at Texas Capital Bank. His banking career also includes a stop at Bank of America, where he was a vice president and trust officer in Bank of America’s private bank.
“One of my key priorities
is promoting business as a force for good, and a primary way to do that is by giving back to our community. I am proud to be an ambassador for CFT’s Be In Good Company initiative and to commit to and demonstrate good business values that align with the program’s pillars of excellence. Together, we can uplift North Texas as a leader in creating an engaged and generous business community.”
– John Olajide, Founder and CEO, Axxess
JJ was born and raised in Oak Cliff, and still resides there with his wife and daughter. JJ earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from Texas Wesleyan School of Law in Fort Worth. He is active in a number of community organizations, including the Dallas Regional Chamber, The Real Estate Council, and the Oak Cliff Chamber. JJ is also a proud Leadership Dallas alumnus and an advisory board member for the North Texas Food Bank and Dallas ISD Superintendent Hinojosa. JJ is looking forward to working with companies of all sizes to grow and strengthen their community engagement and philanthropy. Join us in wishing him a warm welcome at jponce@cftexas.org.
I M P A C T : Your Philanthropy Magazine | 2 0 2 1 V O L . 1
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 4339 Dallas, Texas
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 1-23
SEPTEMBER 23
E A R LY G I V I N G FO R N T X G I V I N G DAY
N O R T H T E X A S G I V I N G DAY
Starting September 1, you can make your gifts to your favorite nonprofits early! Search 3,350+ nonprofits from 27 cause areas and give early between September 1–23 at NorthTexasGivingDay.org.
Save the date! During North Texas Giving Day, everyone can be a philanthropist online from 6 a.m. to midnight. Will you join us? In 2020, more than $58 million was raised for 3,200 local nonprofits.
OCTOBER 5
OCTOBER 28
NOVEMBER 3
CO CK TA I L S & CO N V ER S AT I O N FO R PRO FE S S I O N A L A DV I S O R S
WO R KPL ACE WEL L-B EI N G & WO R KL I FE B A L A N CE WI T H B E T H K A N T ER
FU N D H O L D ER A PPR ECI AT I O N CEL EB R AT I O N
Professional advisors are invited to our Cocktails & Conversation business casual networking event on Tuesday, October 5, at Communities Foundation of Texas. Join us for light bites and drinks from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. with brief remarks from CFT at 6:00 p.m.
Calling all nonprofits: Join CFT on October 28 as we host Beth Kanter, nonprofit thought leader, facilitator, and author of The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit for an interactive workshop on how to build your personal resilience and maintain work/ life balance in a post-COVID world.
CFT fund holders are invited to join us on November 3 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for an evening of appreciation and a celebration of our community’s resiliency. Additional details and formal invitation to follow.
SEPTEMBER 30
A PPL I C AT I O N D E A D L I N E : CF T ’ S 202 1–202 2 E M ERG I N G L E A D ER S I N PH I L A N T H RO P Y CO H O R T Young leaders: Interested in learning more about philanthropy and grantmaking? Apply to be part of our Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program before Sept. 30 at CFTexas.org/ELP.
V I S I T C F T E X A S .O R G / E V E N T S F O R D E TA I L S A N D R E G I S T R AT I O N