SPARK!, the innovative educational facility fostering creativity in youth, has announced two new board members: Dr. Nell Bush and Timmy Newsome.
Dr. Bush brings a deep background in child development, parent education and community leadership to SPARK!. An author, speaker and child development specialist, she has broad experience in working with children, families and educators across North Texas.
A former Dallas Cowboys running back, entrepreneur and founder of Newtec Business Solutions, Timmy Newsome brings decades of leadership, innovation and community service to SPARK!. His commitment to education, youth empowerment, and creating opportunities makes him a powerful addition to the board.
Central Storehouse, a free food market and life transformation organization serving Fort Worth, celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new 15,000-square-foot facility with two community events held March 24 and March 26. The new space more than triples its previous 4,000-square-foot location, expanding its ability to serve families facing food insecurity across the region.
The expansion marks a significant step forward in meeting the growing need across Fort Worth. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and District 5 City Councilmember Deborah Peoples, along with elected officials and community leaders, attended the March 24 ceremony to recognize the milestone and its impact on local families. The project was made possible through the support of the community, whose generosity helped Central Storehouse successfully complete a financial campaign and open the new facility completely debt-free.
Mayor Mattie Parker emphasized the deeply personal impact of addressing food insecurity, sharing that her family’s journey shaped her understanding of its urgency. Having adopted her oldest daughter at age 10, Parker pointed to her family’s story as a powerful example of the critical role community resources can play in shaping lives.
“When we met her, my husband and I learned what food insecurity really does to children,” Parker said. “It was a small pantry in her hometown that helped keep her alive and thriving.”
Parker noted that Central Storehouse represents that same lifeline at a much greater scale, made possible through the collective strength of Fort Worth’s faith and community partners.
“Food insecurity is a significant problem. It’s a significant problem here in these neighborhoods. Because of your generosity and focus to make this happen, you will have families fed. You will have children that don’t have to worry about what they eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You’ll have a mom or dad that can focus on the caregiving of their family, which is so special.”
That same focus on meeting both immediate needs and long-term challenges is at the heart of Central Storehouse’s work, according to Central Storehouse founder Jon Rhiddlehoover.
“This new space represents our community coming together to serve one another,” said Rhiddlehoover. “It creates more opportunity to meet families where they are, build meaningful relationships and stay and walk alongside them in their faith.” Central Storehouse operates a client-choice food market designed to feel like a grocery store, allowing families to select their own food in a dignified and welcoming environment. More than a traditional food pantry, the organization focuses on building relationships and fostering community, while also offering opportunities for neighbors to receive encouragement and engage in conversations about faith. The need in Fort Worth remains urgent. More than 170,000 residents face food insecurity, including one in four students experiencing childhood hunger. Central Storehouse currently serves more than 300 families each week and distributes more than 100,000 pounds of food monthly while also building meaningful relationships that support long-term stability.
The expanded facility will allow Central Storehouse to increase food distribution, create a more dignified and welcoming shopping experience for families and strengthen opportunities for connection, mentorship and holistic support. A cornerstone of this work is the Storehouse Students Initiative, which partners with nine local schools to support children experiencing food insecurity. Each week, volunteers prepare and deliver more than 550 weekend food bags, ensuring students have consistent access to nutrition beyond the classroom.
“Our faith calls us to serve with compassion and to see the inherent worth in every person,” Rhiddlehoover said. “This expansion allows us to not only meet immediate needs, but to invest in the next generation and build the kind of support systems that help families thrive.”
Supported by more than 150 dedicated volunteers, Central Storehouse continues to meet both immediate needs and long-term challenges, focusing on human dignity, healthy relationships and investment in the next generation. The ribbon cutting ceremonies marked a major milestone for the organization and brought together community members in support of its mission. Event photos are available at the drive link here
For more information, to volunteer or to support Central Storehouse, visit central-storehouse.org.
Mayor Mattie ParkerCentral Storehouse new facilityRibbon Cutting
Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ IF/THEN® Initiative Presents #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers, Showcasing Contemporary STEM Innovators in Sports
For the first time, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival™ at Fair Park in Dallas, Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ IF/THEN® Initiative will debut #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers, a monumental display of 26 life-size, 3-D printed statues celebrating leaders whose work demonstrates how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fuel the world of sports.
In collaboration with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, the interactive exhibit will be on public display from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, July 19, at the Fan Festival at Dallas’ Fair Park, located at 3809 Grand Avenue. Coinciding with the full World Cup tournament, fans can enjoy free live match screenings, food, music, and entertainment. Entry to the Fan Festival and the exhibit is free.
The Game Changers include sports professionals like Julie Foudy and Lucy Li, along with Cynt Marshall, Dr. Colleen M. Hacker, and others whose work spans fields ranging from elite athletic performance and sports medicine to data analytics, stadium engineering, biomechanics, and fan technology. The installation shines a light on the STEM careers that shape and power today’s global sports industry.
“The World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events on the planet, making it a powerful moment to showcase the STEM behind the sports we love,” said Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, LH Capital, Inc. and Co-Founder of IF/THEN®. “This exhibit highlights the innovators transforming sports and helps the next generation see how science and technology open doors on and off the field.”
Each statue includes a QR code that unlocks videos and images that bring these women’s journeys to life. Through these stories and videos in the IF/THEN® Collection, audiences can explore how technology improves performance, how biomedical science primes athletes for the field, how data informs sports strategy on and off the field, and how engineering and innovation elevate the game for athletes and fans alike.
The lime green statues, made of a UV-cured acrylic gel, will be 3D printed in Dallas, TX. Each statue is a life-sized depiction of a Game Changer, complete with tools that reflect her work from soccer balls, to surf boards, ski helmets, microscopes, and drawing boards.
#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers marks the second IF/THEN® statue exhibit, following the historic debut of #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit, which featured 120 statues of contemporary women in STEM. That first exhibit made history as the largest assembly of statues of real women ever displayed at one time, inspired by a study that found the ten largest U.S. cities displayed fewer than a half-dozen statues of real women in publicly accessible places. It was shown at ten pop-up installations, including the Central Park Zoo, Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Kendall Square, Dallas Love Field Airport, Dallas’ NorthPark Center, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, reaching more than five million visitors since 2021.
The IF/THEN® Initiative was launched in 2019 to empower current STEM innovators and inspire the next generation of pioneers by elevating women in STEM as role models. While rooted in the same mission of visibility and inspiration, #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers expands the initiative’s reach into sports, one of the world’s most influential cultural platforms, during the largest sporting event on the planet.
“It is an honor to display these incredible statues of influential women who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in sports during FIFA Fan Festival Dallas,” said Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “Dallas and the North Texas region will be on full display during the FIFA World Cup 2026, and FIFA Fan Festival Dallas will be a perfect place for guests to enjoy the matches while also observing and learning about the great achievements of these inspirational women in sports.”
“When we invest in STEM talent, we invest in solutions for our future,” said Lyda Hill, founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. “We hope these statues spark inspiration, conversation, and lasting impact on the next generation long after the final match. If they can see it, then they can be it!”
The exhibit is free and open to the public throughout the World Cup Fan Festival. More information, including the complete list of Game Changers, will be published at ifthenshecan.org.The full IF/THEN® Collection may be viewed at ifthencollection.org.
The ExhibitLydia Hill at North Park Center Debut 2021
Goodwill North Central Texas celebrated a strong and enthusiastic community response at the grand opening of its new Mansfield retail store on Friday, March 27, 2026, welcoming 538 shoppers at the organization’s largest location in the region.
The new store, located at 989 N. Walnut Creek Drive, Suite 151, officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., attended by Goodwill leadership, community partners and local residents. Eager shoppers began lining up as early as 7 a.m., ahead of the store’s 9 a.m. ribbon cutting, signaling strong community anticipation for the new location. Throughout the day, shoppers filled the nearly 20,000-square-foot space, exploring expanded inventory and enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere featuring a live DJ and complimentary Kona Ice for the first 200 guests.
“This turnout speaks volumes about the Mansfield community and their support of our mission,” said Rosemary Cruz, Vice President of Retail & Donated Goods for Goodwill North Central Texas. “Every purchase made today helps fund free education, job training and employment services for individuals across North Central Texas. This store represents more than retail, it’s an investment in people and opportunity.”
The newly relocated, 19,677-square-foot store was designed to meet the needs of Mansfield’s growing population, offering increased access to affordable goods, a more spacious shopping experience and the creation of new jobs in the area.
As with all Goodwill North Central Texas retail locations, revenue generated from donated goods funds programs that serve individuals with disabilities, veterans, at-risk youth, the formerly incarcerated and those experiencing homelessness, helping people build skills, find employment and achieve greater independence.
The Mansfield store is now open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about Goodwill North Central Texas and its programs, visit www.GoodwillNorthCentralTexas.org.
Zelle® and Bank of America announce a first-of-its-kind application of Zelle to enable charitable disbursements from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). The new capability allows nonprofits to receive charitable grant funding in near real time, replacing the traditional multi-week, paper-based process with fast and reliable digital payments using the Zelle network.
This new capability is part of Zelle® Forward, the network’s innovation agenda. Zelle is working with financial institutions to explore ways to expand into new, practical use cases. Americans now send more than $1.2 trillion annually using Zelle and increasingly rely on it for everyday needs like rent and childcare.
The new DAF proof of concept is being introduced through Bank of America’s Charitable Gift Fund, the bank’s donor advised fund, allowing donors to send charitable grants to a select group of nonprofit organizations via Zelle. The speed and security of this delivery could help transform how charitable dollars flow from routine, planned donations to urgent situations like natural disasters and community‑level crises, helping nonprofits access resources more quickly when they are needed most.
While the initial proof of concept is with Bank of America’s Charitable Gift Fund, the goal is to support broader use by financial institutions that offer Zelle and have donor advised fund programs.
“Zelle is a staple of the American economy and Americans are ready for it to do more,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. “Through Zelle® Forward, we are advancing practical new applications of the Zelle network, and this charitable grant delivery capability represents the first of many ways Zelle will continue to innovate and grow. By bringing the speed and reliability of Zelle to charitable grant delivery, we are helping funds reach nonprofits faster so organizations can stay focused on their missions.”
Bank of America’s Charitable Gift Fund provides clients with an organized, flexible, and tax-efficient way to support the causes they care about. Donors can contribute a variety of assets, invest for potential long-term impact, and involve family members. In 2025 alone, the Charitable Gift Fund distributed more than 100,000 grants, totaling over $1.3 billion to nonprofits.
“For nonprofits, deploying their resources quickly and effectively matters – whether responding to community needs or scaling vital services,” said Donald Greene, Donor-advised Fund Executive, Bank of America Private Bank. “By partnering with Zelle to develop this innovation, we’re giving both donors and nonprofits a more modern and responsive way to take in and make use of charitable contributions. This advancement strengthens our clients’ ability to support the causes they care about and accelerates the impact of nonprofits.”
Throughout 2026, Zelle will continue to explore additional innovations to help bring new capabilities to Zelle and deliver additional value across the American economy. Each program considers the evolving roadmap of the Zelle platform — ensuring innovation remains continuous, responsible, and aligned with real-world consumer needs.
Zelle® Zelle® powers fast, reliable person-to-person digital payments, moving more than $1 trillion between millions of consumer and small business accounts at United States banks and credit unions. Available through a network of more than 2,300 financial institutions, Zelle® enables people to send and receive money directly – without cash, checks or third-party apps. Zelle® is owned and operated by Early Warning Services, LLC, which works with America’s banks, credit unions and government agencies to drive prosperity, deliver bold innovation and improve how payments are made. Learn more at www.zelle.com.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Jewish Family Service of Dallas (JFS Dallas) celebrated the grand opening of its new 100,000-square-foot campus in Addison with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and mezuzah ceremony, marking a major milestone for one of North Texas’ longest serving nonprofit organizations.
The new campus, including The Karla and Larry Steinberg Building, is the result of the successful $40 million “Meeting the Moment” campaign, led by 13 donors of $1 million or more and supported by more than 1,400 individual, foundation and corporate donors.
The event brought together 300 JFS Dallas leadership, board members, donors, community partners and elected officials to mark the opening of a campus thadt brings the full scope of JFS Dallas’ work into one centralized location for the first time. The new campus integrates medical, mental health, nutritional and social services under one roof, expanding access to coordinated, whole-person care for individuals and families across North Texas.
“For more than 75 years, JFS Dallas has evolved alongside the needs of our community,” said Cathy Barker, president and chief executive officer of JFS Dallas.“This new campus brings our services together in one place, allowing us to care for the whole person and serve more North Texans in a way that reflects the true scale and impact of our work. Rooted in Jewish values, we are proud to serve people of all religions and backgrounds, regardless of ability to pay.”
The new JFS Dallas campus brings together a broad range of programs and services, including:
Primary medical care, including JFS Dallas’ second medical clinic
Mental and behavioral health counseling
Nutritional support, including a food pantry and kosher home-delivered meals
Case management and social services
Services for older adults and Holocaust survivors
Play therapy rooms and a sensory gym for children with special needs
Workforce, financial and career coaching programs
The JFS PLAN Clubhouse for adults living with serious mental illness
This new location will expand access to comprehensive primary and preventative care in a medically underserved area. The organization expects to meet federal requirements to operate under the Federally Qualified Health Center model, strengthening long-term sustainability and access to affordable medical services. A dental clinic is planned for 2028 as part of this broader medical expansion.
Speakers at the ceremony included:
Cathy Barker, president and CEO, JFS Dallas
Julie Gothard, board chair, JFS Dallas
Reuben Rotman, president, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins, Dallas County judge
Donald Zale, JFS Dallas campaign leadership
Deizel Sarte, COO, JFS Dallas
Rabbi Mordechai Harris, chief impact officer and rabbi in residence, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
Rabbi Harris led the mezuzah blessing—a Jewish dedication in which a sacred prayer scroll is affixed to a doorpost to bless a new residence—prior to the official ribbon cutting. Guests then toured the campus and learned more about the programs now operating from the new location.
Located off the Dallas North Tollway and Keller Springs Road, the Addison campus expands JFS Dallas’ presence into the Metrocrest area of northwest Dallas County, an area with limited access to integrated physical and mental health services. The campus serves communities including Addison, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Far North Dallas, Plano and beyond.
Jewish Family Service of Dallas Grand OpeningCeremony SpeakersRibbon Cutting CeremonyKarla and Larry Steinberg Building
With 42% of Tarrant County households struggling to afford basic needs and nonprofits facing unprecedented demand, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) announced the launch of the United Way Institute, a new regional hub for research, innovation and nonprofit capacity building designed to transform how the community understands need, designs solutions and delivers impact. The initiative, made possible by technology leader Dell Technologies, is scheduled to open this spring in Fort Worth.
By integrating countywide data, fostering collaborative innovation and equipping nonprofits with access to critical technology and tools, the Institute will accelerate program development aimed at Tarrant County’s complex social challenges affecting its residents, particularly ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
In addition to Dell Technologies, AT&T is a strategic collaborator on the project bringing its Connected Learning Center to the space. The United Way Institute has additional support from GXA Technologies and the Sid Richardson Foundation.
The United Way Institute will bring together subject matter experts, data specialists and community partners to strengthen the organizational capacity of nonprofits, launch innovative pilot programs and build shared solutions that improve workforce mobility, financial stability, literacy, health access and resilience for thousands of North Texas residents.
“At United Way of Tarrant County, we know that isolated efforts cannot solve systemic challenges,” said Adam D. Powell, president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “The United Way Institute represents a transformational leap forward. Research shows leaders should embed innovation and encourage new ideas, yet this often conflicts with the urgent operational demands of running a nonprofit. We want to foster a nonprofit ecosystem that embraces creativity, experimentation and adaptability, while providing resources to strengthen program management and evaluation. We then create a multiplier effect that strengthens the entire community by ensuring every family is supported and every resident is seen.”
Through the United Way Institute, Tarrant County will have unified, accessible data dashboards and research products that highlight service gaps and emerging needs. The Institute’s staff will produce research briefs and integrate United Way ALICE data with open-source and community-level datasets. This will provide nonprofits, funders, policymakers and regional partners with information to align investments around what works strategically.
“Access to advanced technology, skills and innovation is critical for communities to accelerate impact and human progress,” said Carly Tatum, head of Giving & Impact, Dell Technologies. “As a Texas born company, we want to strengthen the backbone of the places we call home while also driving impact and progress around the world. By supporting the United Way Institute’s technology infrastructure and innovation efforts, we’re equipping nonprofit leaders across Tarrant County with the tools, expertise and insights they need to accelerate their important work and close opportunity gaps.”
Beginning in April, the Institute will offer labs, workshops, cohort-based collaboration sessions and individualized technical assistance. Participants will have access to tools to evaluate real data, explore new technologies and receive peer and expert feedback.
“Connectivity, accessibility and innovation are essential to expanding opportunity,” said Linda Caram, AT&T External Affairs. “We’re excited about this collaboration with United Way of Tarrant County and Dell Technologies and look forward to seeing our technology used in ways that will have real impact in the community.”
The J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall is moving forward with a strategic fundraising initiative to replace and expand the natatorium’s roof. To accelerate its $5.2M capital campaign, the Y has been offered a $500K challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation. The Y must raise additional funds in community support to unlock funds.
To unlock the Mabee Foundation’s funding opportunity, the Y must raise $892,670 in additional community support by January 13, 2027. Meeting this challenge will provide the final momentum needed to modernize the branch’s most heavily used spaces, ensuring the Y remains a central point of healthy living, safety, and a place for all. Rockwall County is the second fastest-growing community in the nation, making this update critical for residents. “We are deeply grateful for the early momentum and generous support we’ve had to jumpstart this project,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “We’re on the path to creating a more robust Y for North Texans. We invite the rest of our community and neighbors to join us in crossing the finish line to provide a YMCA experience that is equipped for the future.”
The capital campaign focuses on three critical areas of the branch designed to improve accessibility and expand programming capacity: ● Natatorium Transformation: The project will rebuild and winterize the roof and exterior walls, allowing for year-round use of the pool. Enhancements include a new changing room and upgraded safety features to support water safety programs, recreational swim and competitive swim sports. ● New Group Exercise Studio: To meet the increased demand for wellness programs, a new studio will be added to allow for expanded class offerings and more opportunities for members to connect through fitness. ● Parking Lot Expansion: Accessibility will be significantly improved with an expanded parking footprint to accommodate the growing number of families and individuals visiting the branch daily.
From life-saving swim lessons to senior wellness initiatives, the planned updates ensure the facility remains a safe and welcoming “third space” for all. “The Y has been a place of belonging for my family for over half a century,” said Brett Packer, Member of the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall Board of Managers. “It’s time to ensure it remains that place for another half-century and beyond. When you support this renovation, you’re investing in lives, in memories, and in a community united by shared values of service, faith, and belonging.” To donate to the J.E.R. Chilton Family YMCA at Rockwall and help meet the challenge grant, please visit this link.
Grants will provide a multi-year funding opportunity to support sustained community impact and organizational stability. To be eligible for support, organizations are required to attend a virtual orientation session to learn more about this year’s grant cycle and application process.
The BEACON (Building Economic Access, Community, Opportunity & Networks) Fund drives community development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. This grant cycle builds on the work accomplished by North Texas Community Foundation’s (NTCF) grantees, community leaders, and advisory committee members, whose valuable insights guide our work. The BEACON Fund reflects the priorities identified by those working directly in our communities, ensuring that resources are aligned to meet the most pressing needs. By providing operational support to organizations focused on housing, jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential elements required for a thriving community, BEACON aims to illuminate the path for nonprofits to create equitable, community-driven change.
Certain communities face disproportionate challenges due to systemic inequities. Factors such as wage disparities, rising housing costs, limited access to quality healthcare, and inadequate transportation infrastructure create barriers to economic mobility and overall well-being.
Teens from across the state will meet with elected officials and take part inleadership development activities in first Summit held outside of Austin in event history
Nearly two dozen youth leaders from across the state are visiting North Texas this week as Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) hosts the 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs Texas Summit featuring the annual Texas Youth of the Year competition. This marks the first time the Summit will be held outside of Austin since the event’s inception in 2010. Celebrating 100 years of service, host chapter BGCGTC serves more than 88,000 youth each year and is the largest Boys & Girls Club chapter in Texas.
During the Summit, 23 outstanding teens will compete for the state Youth of the Year title and the opportunity to advance to regional and national recognition. The competition recognizes young people for leadership, service, academic achievement and commitment to healthy lifestyles. Youth of the Year finalists will participate in leadership development activities and have opportunities to share their personal stories and vision for the future with a panel of community judges.
Ja’Miyah G., the 2026 Youth of the Year for BGCGTC, will represent the host organization. Local leaders and elected officials will also engage with candidates and celebrate their achievements. Winners of the Texas Youth of the Year and Texas Military Youth of the Year titles will be announced during the summit, and those individuals will go on to represent the state in regional competition.
