Teach For America (TFA) Dallas-Fort Worth announced that it is the recipient of a transformative $2 million grant from The O’Donnell Foundation. Over the next two years, this generous investment will significantly bolster the region’s efforts to expand educational and economic opportunities for students across North Texas.
This funding will support a multi-pronged strategy to deepen college and career readiness efforts, in close collaboration with the Commit Partnership and the Economic Mobility Center (EMC). Building on The O’Donnell Foundation’s ongoing work with Commit Partnership and EMC, the grant will allow Teach For America DFW to increase college and career readiness for Dallas students and to increase TFA alumni impact on education systems in Texas.
Key priorities supported by the grant include:
- Increasing impact through the Ignite Fellowship Program by doubling the number of Ignite Fellows (tutors), who provide high-impact SAT tutoring to students in Dallas classrooms.
- Advancing college and career readiness for students through strategic collaboration with the Commit Partnership’s existing work. This funding will amplify aligned initiatives that increase post-secondary opportunities and economic mobility for students.
- Catalyzing TFA Alumni into leadership roles across North Texas by enhancing local initiatives that support Teach For America alumni in pursuing and advancing careers in education, helping them grow as leaders and changemakers across North Texas.
“This investment from The O’Donnell Foundation comes at a pivotal moment for our region,” said Bibi Yasmin Katsev, Executive Director of Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth. “It strengthens our collective efforts to ensure every child has access to a future filled with opportunity. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which will fuel innovation, scale impact, and support the next generation of educational leaders.”
Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth remains committed to developing and supporting diverse leaders who expand opportunities for students inside and outside the classroom. This grant serves as a bold endorsement of that mission.
“As a Teach For America 2009 Corps Member, I’ve seen firsthand how TFA recruits, develops, and supports transformative leaders who make a lasting impact in our communities. Our missions are deeply aligned, placing students and leaders at the heart of everything we do,” said Miguel Solis, President of The Commit Partnership. “Together, we’re not only preparing students for postsecondary success but also ensuring that TFA alumni are equipped and empowered to drive meaningful change across our schools and in our communities.”
Source: press release
