This week: Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, Southwest Transplant Alliance, ACH Child & Family Services, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County
The National Apartment Association (NAA) has announced Kin Oldham, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (AAGD), as the 2025 NAA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in the association staff category.
Southwest Transplant Alliance proudly announced that Leigh Strope has joined the nonprofit as the new Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer. Strope’s hire will help promote STA’s mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation by managing the organization’s overarching external strategy, which includes communications, marketing and stakeholder relations.
Girls Inc. of Tarrant County welcomes Sarina Lora Davidson as our Director of Fund Development! Sarina brings deep passion and years of experience connecting donors to impact and advancing what’s possible for young people.
The Zan Wesley Holmes Outreach Center promotes economic and community development in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhoods. The FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program offers a 5:1 match of FHLB Dallas member contributions – up to $25,000 per member – to support community-based organizations (CBOs) involved in affordable housing or economic development activities that complement other FHLB Dallas community investment programs.
The PGP is funded on an annual basis, and funds are distributed through participating FHLB Dallas members.
Zan Wesley Holmes Outreach Center celebrated the opening of its Wahoo Property in South Dallas today. The building will be used for classes and training opportunities South Dallas residents. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas contributed $120,000 in two Partnership Grant Program awards toward this milestone.
Child Care Associates was Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the 6th year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Child Care Associates. This year, 73% of employees said it’s a great place to work – compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S. company.
“We are thrilled to receive this certification. It’s more than just a badge – it’s a testament to the commitment and heart of our team,” said Kara Waddell, President and CEO. “We’re grateful to our staff for being open about their experiences, and we’re excited to share what’s working, identify opportunities for growth, and continue building a strong, supportive community for our employees, children and families.”
Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.
“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Child Care Associates stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.” According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.
The Dallas Foundation’s Spring Grants Cycle will support nonprofits making a tangible difference across Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Specialized Health & Disability Programs, and Domestic Violence Support.
📅 Application Window: January 14–28, 2026
Before applying, join an information session to learn more about the process and priorities:
Grant Halliburton Foundation held its 16th annual Hope Party on Nov. 21 at The Statler in downtown Dallas with more than 530 supporters in attendance. The event raised a record-breaking $620,000+ through sponsorships, underwriting, tickets, live and silent auctions, a wine and spirits pull, and the Sips and Sparkles champagne wall, where attendees played for a chance to win a one-carat diamond donated by Sue Gragg Precious Jewels. Funds raised support the Foundation’s work providing mental health education, resources and support to North Texas youth and their families.
At the Welcome Reception, DJ RomiQ spun lively music to create a party atmosphere. Attendees sipped beverages and visited with friends, all while perusing and bidding on more than 250 silent auction items. The Platinum and Ruby Sponsors and VIPs were invited to the VIP Lounge to enjoy small bites and a private bar, underwritten by Martha and Hon. Douglas Lang.
The ballroom featured Bordeaux red accents and beautiful floral creations by Floral and Décor Underwriter, CONCEPTO. The stage was draped in dramatic red draping thanks to PARTY! DallasandTodd Fiscus.
The emcees were Emmy-winning local TV personalities Steve Noviello from Fox 4 and Jenny Anchondo from CW33. Event co-chairs were Karla Noone, who volunteered on the 2024 event committee, and Reed Robertson, who co-chaired the 2024 Hope Party.
Robertson thanked Christopher Barkley Foundation for being the presenting sponsor for the third year in a row. “You never know whose life you might be changing by simply standing shoulder to shoulder with them and helping to build a better, more inclusive cornerstone for tomorrow, one veil lifted at a time.”
Noone told about her involvement with youth mental health, especially through Hope Squad, where her two sons are both members. “Grant Halliburton Foundation’s programs equip students not only to recognize the signs of struggle sooner; they teach them to speak up earlier and to support each other without fear.”
Rev. Doyle Dietz Allen gave the invocation. Evan Knight then played the saxophone while guests enjoyed their dinner.
After a mission video, Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, spoke about the collaborations with other groups to reach even more youth with life-saving mental health programs. He also told how the Foundation assembled trauma and grief resources during the devastating Texas Hill Country floods through its Here For Texas mental health provider network.
Amy Halliburton McCloskey, Grant’s sister and Grant Halliburton Foundation co-founder, said, “While we are still heartbroken, we also feel immense gratitude for Grant’s life and for the enduring mission of this Foundation that has helped so many families and saved so many lives. Every call answered, every person educated, and every life saved renews our dedication to this critical mission.”
Auctioneer Jake Addams conducted the live auction featuring sports suites, travel destinations and a concert. The most popular item was the private home in San Miguel, which fetched top dollar and sold to three different people, thanks to the donor. The fundraising concluded with the paddle raise where generous donors contributed to the Foundation.
AURA played while guests danced and socialized. After the event concluded, some stayed for The Encore After Party featuring DJ Lucy Wrube, presented by Sagefield Capital, where the party continued.
Special thanks to these generous sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor (Presenting): Christopher Barkley Foundation
Ruby: Alexander Family G3 Giving Fund, Khaite, Lockton, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Maria and Jock Stafford
Emerald: Shelley and Jeff Becker, Jennfer and Tom Karol, Sloan and Tyler Milton, Nancy and Mitchell Spector, Tom Ford
The Addy Foundation recently met for its final meeting of the year and approved over $3.5 million in grants to some of the following organizations.
Bishop Arts Theater Dallas Free Press Equest Housing Forward Lone Star Justice Alliance Nomi Network Texas Discovery Garden Visiting Nurse Association Wipe Out Kids Cancer Crossroads Community Services Dallas Education Foundation Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center United to Learn
Tradition Homes, a leader in luxury homebuilding in North Texas, is proud to announce a long-term charitable commitment to ManeGait in northwest McKinney. Beginning in 2026, the company will donate $2,000 for every home sold over the next three years, for a total contribution of up to $1,000,000. The funds will support ManeGait’s Beacon Project and the organization’s mission of serving children and adults with disabilities through the healing power of the horse.
Starting with two horses and four riders, ManeGait was founded in 2007 by philanthropists Priscilla and Bill Darling, and their daughter, Landon Darling Schneider. Today, ManeGait serves 150 individuals with disabilities each week, supported by 30 therapy horses and 285 volunteers. The nonprofit is recognized as one of the premier equine therapy and brain building centers in the country. Participation continues to rise as the organization prepares for its most significant expansion to date.
Tradition Homes, founded by Zach Schneider and his father-in-law Bill Darling, continues a family legacy of serving the community with this new charitable giving program. The company is proud to strengthen the long-standing connection between the Dallas/Ft. Worth homebuilding industry and ManeGait. Throughout ManeGait’s history, many builders, developers and industry partners have played key roles in supporting its expansion and success.
“Tradition Homes believes strongly in giving back to the communities we serve,” said Zach Schneider, President and CEO of Tradition Homes. “We are proud partners of ManeGait. Our commitment of $2,000 per home sold will help ManeGait continue its essential work and expand services to even more individuals and families across North Texas.”
Once The Beacon Project is completed in early 2026, the expansion will allow ManeGait to serve 300 individuals each week, increasing capacity for volunteers and horses. It also includes planned growth in ManeGait’s GaitWay to the Brain, mental health, and veterans programs.
The Beacon Project carries a total budget of $13.2 million. As of November 2025, ManeGait has raised $11.3 million with support from generous donors, including but not limited to, REX Real Estate, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Chandler Cabinets, Perry Homes Foundation, Rockhill Capital & Investments, Shaddock Homes, Southwestern Interiors, SRS Raise the Roof Foundation, and the Tomes Auto Group.
Tradition Homes’ contribution will support the completion of the Beacon Project and help meet the needs of the many North Texans currently enrolled in ManeGait’s programs, as well as the hundreds more waiting for services.
For more information about Tradition Homes, visit TraditionHomes.com. To learn more about ManeGait and the Beacon Project, visit manegait.org.
M2G Ventures, a North Texas-based real estate investment and development firm, recently hosted its sixth annual fundraising gala, Art of the Mind, raising more than $500,000 for M2G’s Mental Health Initiative (MHI) through an auction featuring art and experiences.
M2G’s cofounders, Jessica Miller Essl and Susan Miller, launched the M2G Mental Health Initiative (MHI) in 2019 following the loss of a loved one to bipolar disorder. MHI earned 501(c)(3) status in 2022 to change the way the world diagnoses and treats mental illness. Since it began, the initiative has raised more than $2 million.
“MHI’s philanthropic beneficiaries are notable institutions doing great work, and these are long-term partnerships for us,” Miller said. “Their work and research-based care set the standard for future partnerships. We are growing and evolving MHI and understand the importance of backing change-makers. We are their biggest cheerleaders and can’t wait to see how we can support them in the future.”
One beneficiary, the UT Southwestern CDRC, brings its services, studies and resources to children and young adults in Tarrant County and across North Texas, and is nationally acclaimed for innovative research in unipolar and bipolar depression, among other advances.
The other beneficiary, JEHF, hosts an annual Summit for Research conference that brings together 20 of the world’s leading suicidologists to collaborate and determine how their work can influence JEHF programming. According to JEHF’s 2024 Impact Report, this summit contributed to broader efforts that helped achieve a 75% decrease in suicide in the schools JEHF serves.
M2G, known for integrating immersive art into its development projects, strategically partnered with local, regional and national artists to commission fine art that was auctioned during Art of the Mind’s live auction.
Included in the auction lineup were works by well-known artists Katie Murray, Knox Kronenberg, Captain Casual, Lindsey Meyer, Erin Davies Miller, Michael Wayne Hall, Gregory Gove, Elle Caerbert and Carroll Swenson-Roberts. Experience-based items included an exclusive culinary experience donated by Chef Tim Love, an exclusive fishing trip to the Amazon, a luxury yachting adventure launching from Miami and several more custom opportunities.
“The impact of this event grows each year because our community continues to show up with compassion, generosity and a collective passion for change,” Essl said. “The art moves us, the shared understanding inspires us, and the collective support brings us closer to transforming the way mental illness is understood and treated.”
M2G’s second annual impact wall, which honors loved ones who have lived or currently endure mental health struggles, was showcased with an interactive feature, a custom scarf made by Wild Silks. Guests had the opportunity to chainstitch their loved one’s name, initials, etc., providing a meaningful memento to honor and remember their loved ones, in partnership with W Durable Goods
Entertainment was provided by Fort Worth native Armond Vance, and a private concert by Hans Williams closed the evening.
“Art of the Mind was created from an idea that ties together our love of art with our passion to change outcomes for those living with mental illness,” said Katie Wharry, M2G’s director of social impact. “This event would not have been possible without our generous donors. We want to extend a special thank you to Simmons Bank, Winstead PC and Balfour Beatty. Through their generosity, we were able to create an evening of discussion, hope and inspiration.”
Community participation in the MHI initiative is welcome. Information about how to invest in the future of mental health, as well as more about M2G’s Mental Health Initiative, is available at the company’s social impact page.
FHLB Dallas Pathway Fund Helps Organizations Prevent or Remediate Property Title Issues
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has awarded more than $4.3 million in Pathway Fund grants to assist 42 organizations with preventing or remediating heirs’ property issues, such as resolving issues with a property title or establishing a will.
The grants, awarded through 15 participating FHLB Dallas members, will be used to clear an estimated 3,020 titles and prevent heirs’ property issues by executing wills or deeds for more than 7,520 individuals. The funding is also expected to assist nearly 31,000 people with training and education.
“Pathway is more than a funding program—it’s a commitment to preserving family legacies and stabilizing communities,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “These grants empower organizations doing the hard work of helping families secure clear title to their homes and land, which is foundational to building generational wealth.”
Pathway Fund grants are awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions to support homeowners within FHLB Dallas’ five-state District. No grants were awarded in New Mexico this year. The following shows funds awarded by state:
Arkansas: $150,000
Louisiana: $1,767,402
Mississippi: $600,000
Texas: $1,821,519
Heirs’ property refers to property inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership. As property is passed down, each successive generation generally results in more heirs being added to the inheritance. The absence of a deed or will can make it more complicated to obtain a clear title to land or homes as time passes. The inability to provide clear title can make it very difficult for families to transfer, or obtain loans on, the impacted property.
32 organizations across the U.S. receive a total of $102.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to connect families with housing and hope.
Under 1 Roof, a housing and support services nonprofit serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding counties, today announced that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are recognizing the organization with a $1.25 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This investment is the largest gift in the nonprofit’s history. Under 1 Roof is part of the eighth annual cohort of organizations across the country receiving funding from the Day 1 Families Fund to deepen their work to help every family have a safe, stable place to call home.
“I am thrilled about the opportunities these funds create. Our board is energized and united in our commitment to expand affordable housing and strengthen community programs. These resources will allow us to accelerate emergency housing assistance, invest in sustainable development projects, and deepen outreach efforts that empower families to achieve long-term stability,” said Kathy Farruya, Vice President, Board of Directors of Under 1 Roof.
Under 1 Roof will use its Day 1 Families Fund grant to serve even more families experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding counties, with the goal of ensuring no child in our community sleeps outside. Specifically, Under 1 Roof plans to use this one-time grant over the next five years to continue its mission of providing housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible, and to ensure each client leaves the program with stable housing and the tools and skills to remain self-sufficient.
Under 1 Roof was identified to receive this grant by a group of national advisors who are leading advocates and bring expertise on homelessness, housing policy, and effective approaches and solutions to family homelessness.
“I was pregnant and had three young children when my relationship ended. I had nowhere to go and no family to help. I was referred to Under 1 Roof and applied for housing assistance. My case manager was the best. She worked with me to put together a plan with goals and steps to achieve stability. I went to school, received a teaching certificate, got a job, and then took a financial education program. Now I have a home, my children are thriving, and we are finishing the program. I am a little nervous about going out on my own, but I know Under 1 Roof will be there if I need guidance or a pep talk,” said Patricia, a client of Under 1 Roof.
Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $850 million to organizations serving families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Day 1 Families Fund grant recipients have tremendous flexibility to use the funds in the ways that are most impactful in their communities, making the grant a game-changer for organizations on the frontlines of the family homelessness crisis. Recipients will use their funds to support families experiencing homelessness to access critical services, regain stable housing and achieve well-being.
