Agency seeks strategic, purpose-driven leader to guide multi-market growth and advance mission of transforming lives across Texas
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, one of the nation’s largest and independent Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates, today announced the start of a nationwide search for its next Chief Executive Officer. The new CEO will lead the organization’s nearly century-long mission of transforming young lives through mentoring across Texas.
BBBS Lone Star serves approximately 6,500 mentoring matches and creates nearly 2,000 new matches annually, generating more than $15 million in revenue with a team of 160 dedicated staff members. Operating through a decentralized model across five markets—with plans to expand to a sixth in 2026—the organization seeks a visionary leader who combines strategic enterprise thinking with operational excellence, proven fundraising talent and a deep commitment to youth development.
“This is an exciting moment for BBBS Lone Star,” said Rob Bowlby, Chair of the Executive Board. “We are looking for a servant leader who can inspire, innovate, and guide our organization through growth and change while staying true to our mission of igniting the potential of every child.”
The ideal candidate will bring:
Proven experience leading complex, multi-site organizations
A track record of fundraising success, diversification and donor confidence-building
Strong financial acumen and ability to make data-driven decisions
Expertise in navigating organizational change and fostering a culture of excellence
The CEO will report to the Executive Board of Directors and oversee the Lone Star Leadership Team, which includes five Market Presidents and Central Service leaders.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to BBBSCEOsearch@bbbstx.org by December 19, 2025. BBBS Lone Star encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
The most consequential campus addition in UNT Dallas’ history, the innovative building will open January 2026, expanding pathways to high-demand medical and nursing careers
The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) marked a major milestone today, celebrating the ribbon cutting of its highly anticipated $100 million STEM facility – a transformational academic center designed to strengthen North Texas’ healthcare and science workforce pipeline.
The 120,220-square-foot building, completed just two years after its September 2023 groundbreaking, will welcome students when the Spring 2026 semester begins Jan. 12. It stands as the most consequential addition to the UNT Dallas campus in university history.
University leaders were joined by elected officials, healthcare partners and community stakeholders, along with UNT Dallas students, for the dedication of the four-story complex. Speakers included UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach; Dr. Michael Williams, Chancellor of the University of North Texas System; State Senator Royce West; and Isabelle Chung, a senior biology major who will graduate next month.“Today we celebrate opportunity – for our students, for employers across North Texas and for the communities we serve,” said UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach. “This state-of-the-art STEM facility allows UNT Dallas to help meet urgent healthcare and workforce needs at a time when the demand for nurses and other practitioners continues to dramatically outpace supply.”
Texas continues to experience one of the largest nursing shortages in the country. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the state faces a deficit of more than 48,000 registered nurses in 2025, growing to 50,000 by 2027 and 57,000 by 2032. The unmet demand for RNs will remain a persistent 15-16% gap each year, with hospitals shouldering the greatest need. Additional statewide data shows 64% of Texas hospitals have reduced services due to staffing shortages.
The new STEM facility directly responds to these challenges by expanding UNT Dallas’ capacity to train future healthcare professionals through accelerated pathways to medical and health careers, including nursing, dental, pharmacy, optometry and other fields. These programs are offered in collaboration with UNT Health Fort Worth’s Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The STEM program will be part of UNT Dallas’ School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The cutting-edge building features 18 classrooms; 12 laboratories, including nine teaching labs and three research labs; a dedicated Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) office; multiple collaborative spaces, faculty offices and a large event venue. The structure also features extensive natural light, energy-efficient design and outdoor study areas that reflect UNT Dallas’ Tree Campus USA designation. Programs housed in the building at launch include biology, chemistry, mathematics and neuroscience.
High-impact instruction will prepare students for careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry, and a robust STEM Pre-Health Professions Program will guarantee medical-school admission opportunities for eligible students.
Smaller class sizes and direct access to faculty will help students develop personalized academic roadmaps, supported by one-on-one mentorship for pre-health majors – many of whom are first-generation college students seeking clear pathways into stable, in-demand and well-paying careers.
The building was designed by Stantec and HarrisonKornberg Architects, with Vaughn Construction serving as general contractor. Funding for the STEM facility was awarded by the Texas Legislature during the 2021 legislative session.
As the only public, four-year university located in the city of Dallas, UNT Dallas continues to expand access and upward mobility for its more than 3,500 students. The new STEM facility strengthens the university’s role in preparing career-ready professionals for high-demand healthcare and STEM fields, while supporting regional employers and advancing economic development in southern Dallas.
As part of their ongoing commitment to serving veterans, active-duty service members and military families, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) announces the award of $330,000 in Mission United Veterans Fund grants to nine local nonprofits across Tarrant County.
These organizations provide critical programs that help veterans successfully transition to civilian life, offering counseling, career and financial coaching, substance abuse treatment and other essential services. Their efforts align with UWTC’s four impact areas: healthy community, education and youth opportunity, financial security and community resiliency.
A panel of community volunteers, many of them veterans themselves, reviewed and scored each application package based on established criteria, ensuring funding supports programs with meaningful, measurable impact.
UWTC launched its Veterans Fund in 2013 with founding corporate contributions from Lockheed Martin and Bell. This year’s funding recipients include:
Veterans Fund Recipient
Impact Area
Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County
Community Resiliency
Seasons of Change, Incorporated
Community Resiliency
Volunteers of America Texas
Financial Security
Helping Restore Ability
Healthy Community
Community Learning Center, Inc.
Financial Security
Recovery Resource Council
Healthy Community
STEPS With Horses
Healthy Community
Lift Fund
Financial Security
Pathfinders of Tarrant County
Financial Security
About Mission United
Mission United is UWTC’s military and veterans outreach initiative that connects service members, veterans and their families to a broad range of resources, including primary and mental health care, job training, housing assistance and educational support.
Mission United uses the Texas Veterans Network, innovative technology operated in partnership with Combined Arms, to quickly link veterans to trusted services and support. Through this system, Mission United serves hundreds of individuals each week across North Texas and in 2024 alone, supported more than 40,000 veterans and military families across Texas.
The Welman Project announced they are moving to the iconic Kimbell Milling Company building on South Main. As an organization dedicated to reuse and reimagining, the opportunity to transform this piece of Fort Worth’s history is a privilege that aligns perfectly with their mission.
They can’t wait to create a vibrant hub for arts, education, and sustainability in the Near Southside, with five times the space to be able to better serve the community!
Securing this space is a pivotal first step in their expansion, and they’re counting on continued community support to see it through. They look forward to partnering with the community to build the inclusive, creative space our city deserves.
The Welman Project sends a big thank you to everyone who’s gotten them this far, especially the building owner, local foundation support, and Grant Huff and Tracy Cliburn at Formation Real Estate.
Shaped by listening and proximity the King Foundation is making several shifts in its application process for 2026. One of the biggest: they’re eliminating Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) — a step that often added delay instead of clarity. Removing it helps them get resources out the door faster and reduces unnecessary friction for nonprofits.
This week: Tarrant Area Food Bank, Recovery Resource Council, Tarrant To and Through Partnership, The Salvation Army of North Texas, Bonton Farms, Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Good Will North Central Texas, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas
Nate Starmer has moved from the position of Tarrant Area Food Bank’s Director of Community Engagement to Director of Philanthropy.
Danny Stone, CFRE, previously with the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, has joined Recovery Resource Council as their Grants Manager.
Tarrant To and Through Partnership welcomes Nathaniel G. Aranda, CFRE to the T3 team! Nathaniel is a deeply respected leader across North Texas, having raised more than $25 million throughout his impressive career.
Aliah Henry, MBA, CPC, is excited to share that in October she joined The Salvation Army of North Texas as the County Director of Community Relations & Fundraising. She’shonored to lead their work across Dallas and Rockwall Counties, and is looking forward to serving our neighbors with compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Bonton Farms announces that Mark Jones has been selected as their new President and Chief Executive Officer, marking an exciting new chapter in their mission to cultivate health, wholeness, and opportunity in South Dallas.
The Friends of the Dallas Public Library (FoDPL) has named Denise McGovern as its next Executive Director, beginning January 2026. Known for her leadership at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and her dedicated service on the FoDPL Board, McGovern will guide strategy, strengthen community partnerships, and expand philanthropic support for the Dallas Public Library system.
Goodwill North Central Texas announced today that DeAndre’ Johnson has been promoted to Director of Workforce Development, Opportunity Accelerator®. The OA provides job training and placement support to a wide range of job seekers through programs including the Job Resource Centers, VetWorthy, and Relaunch, which helps individuals who were formerly incarcerated successfully re-enter the workforce.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas (BGCD) has named Julie Jennings, Managing Director at Capella Partners, as its new Board Chair and added two North Texas executives, Jamie Paterson and Nichole Babiak, to its Board of Directors.
On November 15, 2025, the Folds of Honor North Texas Gala brought more than 1,700 guests to the field at AT&T Stadium, raising over $4.6 million for educational scholarships.
A highlight of the evening was a fireside chat between former President George W. Bush and Folds of Honor CEO and Founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, whose conversation on service and sacrifice set a powerful tone for the night. The program also featured a moving testimony from Ginger Gilbert Ravella, widow of Major Troy Gilbert, whose children have received five Folds of Honor scholarships.
The event included a VIP reception, field-level dinner, and a high-energy live auction with one-of-a-kind items that drove enthusiastic bidding, helping push the gala to a record fundraising total.
This holiday season, 19 North Texas non-profits have been awarded a grant from Park Place Dealerships. Nearly 600 charitable organizations applied for a 2025 Season of Giving grant. The 19 organizations chosen align with one of Park Place’s Four Pillars of Giving: Arts, Education, Advocacy, and Medical Research.
“With this year’s recipients, Park Place Dealerships has now awarded half a million dollars to 103 local nonprofits across North Texas since 2020,” said Kara Connor, Community Engagement Manager for Park Place Dealerships. “Each of these nonprofits create lasting change in our community and we are happy to bring awareness to another 19 that typically don’t receive a lot of exposure.”
Under Park Place Cares, Park Place Dealerships’ philanthropic arm, the Season of Giving program provides a one-time grant ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Each submission was carefully reviewed and considered by a committee of Park Place Members. The 19 nonprofits receiving a Park Place Dealership’s 2025 Season of Giving grant include:
Adriana’s Angels(FORT WORTH)Adriana’s Angels provides financial assistance, essential resources, and emotional support to children and families battling a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Be the Difference (DALLAS) Created by four ovarian cancer survivors, Be the Difference improves lives through education, support, and research for those affected by ovarian cancer.
Elmwood Farm (DALLAS) In the heart of Oak Cliff, Elmwood Farm is a one-acre urban farm that cultivates healthy relationships between land and neighbor.
EmpowerPix (DALLAS) The organization uses the art of photography, instruction in digital literacy and mentorship to help high school and college graduates discover their purpose.
Evergreen Life Services (FORT WORTH) Serves and advocates for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Families to Freedom (ADDISON) The non-profit focuses on serving and protecting survivors of domestic abuse.
Friends of Rescue Animals (ROWLETT) Friends of Rescue Animals is a 100% volunteer-operated nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of homeless pets in North Texas.
Frisco Fastpacs (FRISCO) Feeds at-risk children who rely on supplemental food assistance by providing weekend meal packs.
Givingmas (DALLAS) Strengthens communities by providing families facing hardships with short-term and personalized assistance, connections to donors and community resources.
Hearts for Homes (DENTON) Heart for Homes provides no-cost home repairs for low-income seniors in Denton County.
Little Hearts of Hope (MCKINNEY) Supports children who have a family member battling cancer.
Living Hope (PONDER) Provides hope and healing to veterans, children, and adults through equine therapy.
Plano Metropolitan Ballet (PLANO) This organization is dedicated to provide affordable, high-quality dance opportunities while instilling a love of dance in its company members.
Refresh NTX (FRISCO) Since 2019, Refresh NTX has helped children in the community through quarterly distributions of Refresh Packs – customized hygiene kits designed to meet each child’s needs and help them feel healthy and confident.
The Love Pit (DALLAS) The Love Pit advocates for and protects bully breed dogs through rescue programs, education and community outreach.
The Way Back (RICHARDSON) Restores families and strengthens communities by helping previously incarcerated individuals with vital documents, hygiene, clothing, and job training.
Why Not You(FORT WORTH) Empowers youth to choose life and break the silence around mental health and suicide by providing safe spaces, practical tools, and compassionate guidance.
Young Women’s Preparatory (DALLAS) Teaches young women strong academic and leadership skills to succeed in college and life.
FYT Wellness(DALLAS) Provides information and resources to local youth on the importance of oral hygiene and offers clinical exams and preventative treatment.
In addition to the grants, Park Place Members are actively engaged in volunteering with as many non-profit partners that need assistance throughout the year.
“There are so many incredible non-profits that are driving meaningful change across North Texas,” said Matt Woolsey, Area Vice President for Park Place Dealerships. “Our team is committed to being a great partner to strengthen our community. It’s wonderful to see our Members embrace the spirit of giving, which allows Park Place to extend its impact far beyond our dealership walls.”
Park Place LeadershipFYT WellnessFriends of Rescue Animals
$200,000 in Grants Available to Support Housing, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development and Veterans and First Responders
The Texas Capital Foundation, the charitable arm of Texas Capital, is opening the application period for its annual Honors Awards, a signature grant program recognizing exceptional nonprofit organizations that are creating meaningful change across Texas communities.
Applications will be accepted beginning December 1, 2025, through January 9, 2026, with a total of $200,000 in grants available to small and mid-sized nonprofits leading innovative, sustainable programs in the Foundation’s three key focus areas: Housing Solutions, Education and Workforce Development and Veterans and First Responders.
There are three available grants. One nonprofit will receive a $50,000 grant for its work in the Housing Solutions space, one nonprofit will receive a $50,000 grant for its work in the Education and Workforce Development space and one nonprofit will receive a $100,000 grant for its work in the Veterans and First Responders space. The Honors Awards program exemplifies Texas Capital Foundation’s ongoing commitment to investing time, talent and resources in organizations that deliver essential services and lasting impacts across the state.
Juliette Fowler Communities (JFC), a faith-based, intergenerational living community in East Dallas, has expanded its continuum of care with the opening of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood, a new residential area designed specifically for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia.
With the addition of the Carroll neighborhood, JFC now offers two distinct memory support neighborhoods, enabling residents to receive care tailored to their stage of cognitive change. Rare among senior living communities in North Texas, this multi-neighborhood model provides early- and late-stage support in environments that promote engagement, dignity, and well-being.
“This new neighborhood is designed for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia, where active engagement—both mental and physical—can help slow progression and promote well-being,” said Nicole Gann, president and CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities. “Our original memory support neighborhood has maintained a consistent waitlist, and we’ve seen a growing demand due to the size of the Boomer generation and earlier dementia diagnoses. We also recognize the strain caregiving places on families.”
The Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood offers a home-like, open floor plan designed to foster comfort, connection, and independence. Bright, airy spaces include a welcoming kitchen, therapeutic dementia-friendly artwork, a peaceful serenity room, and lovely courtyard views. Residents also enjoy innovative, AI-powered Lucynt engagement tools – interactive, dementia-informed games that enhance cognitive stimulation and social interaction. The Lucynt system uses an interactive projector to cast games and activities onto a surface, such as a table, responding to a person’s touch for a fully immersive experience.
The new neighborhood consists of 19 private apartments with four floor plan options, from studio to one-bedroom with living room, reflecting JFC’s commitment to individualized, therapeutic care grounded in the I’m Still Here® philosophy.
“At Juliette Fowler Communities, the I’m Still Here® philosophy is at the heart of how we approach memory support,” added Gann. “Every person, regardless of their stage of dementia, still has purpose, identity, and the ability to experience joy and connection. This evidence-based model helps our team create daily moments of success, dignity, and engagement, ensuring that each resident is seen, heard, and known. The addition of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood reflects our continued commitment to offering environments where individuals can continue to flourish—because they are, indeed, still here.”
Residents in the Carroll neighborhood enjoy structured yet flexible days filled with therapeutic activities, social opportunities, and programs that foster connection and purpose. Volunteer opportunities are available for community members interested in leading activities, providing companionship, or assisting with events.
Families and staff also benefit from JFC’s I’m Still Here® and Dementia Friendly Dallas training programs, which build understanding and equip caregivers to create meaningful engagement and communication.
Tours of the Carroll Memory Support Neighborhood are available Monday through Saturday by appointment. Families interested in learning more about individualized care plans and pricing are encouraged to call the JFC admissions office at 214-827-0813 to schedule a visit.
