Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Author: DFW501c Reporter

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County and Fidelity Investments host youth town hall

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County and Fidelity Investments host youth town hall

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) and Fidelity Investments hosted the Future Voices of Change Town Hall at the Fidelity Investments Westlake campus this week, bringing together Club teens from Denton and Tarrant counties and regional elected officials for an evening of conversation on leadership, education, civic engagement and the issues shaping North Texas communities.

    The event featured Commissioner Manny R. Ramirez of Tarrant County Precinct 4, Denton County Judge Andy Eads and Arlington ISD School Board Trustee Leanne Haynes. They joined a panel of three Club teens and Youth of the Year candidates from Arlington and Fort Worth on stage, addressing an audience of nearly 85 Club teens.

    “It’s important to be able to talk to elected officials, because as youth we don’t have as many resources to advocate on higher levels like this,” said teen panelist and 2025 Youth of the Year recipient Ja’Miyah. “I thought tonight went really great. It definitely hit home.”

    The elected officials and Club members participated in a moderated discussion that explored academic pressures, mental wellness, civic engagement, community leadership and their visions for the future. The teen panelists shared candid reflections on their experiences in school, their hopes for future careers and the role Boys & Girls Clubs has played in supporting their growth.

    Youth of the Year candidate and panelist London emphasized, “It’s important to be able to connect with people in these positions, to teach us, lead us and guide us to the next stage in our lives, as we grow up into changemakers ourselves.”

    “We are deeply grateful to Fidelity Investments for opening their campus and creating a space where our teens engaged in a productive conversation about our collective future,” said Daphne Barlow, CEO and president of the BGCGTC. “We also want to thank Commissioner Ramirez, Judge Eads and Trustee Haynes for joining our young people on stage and engaging with them so genuinely. Their presence sent a powerful message — that our community’s leaders believe in these kids and are invested in their future.”

    The Town Hall marked the launch of BGCGTC’s Future Voices of Change initiative, designed to strengthen youth leadership by connecting teens with civic partners, industry professionals and community advocates.

    Source: Press release

  • Panda Cares and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County renovate 3rd club

    Panda Cares and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County renovate 3rd club

    Texas’ Oldest Club Location Gets Renovated Space for Youth Mentoring and Education 

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) cut the ribbon on its third Panda Cares Center of Hope, a space created to provide the resources and support students need to develop academic and life skills for a brighter future. The $45,000 renovation at BGCGTC’s Panther branch in Fort Worth was funded by the Panda Cares Foundation, a BGCGTC partner since 2019. The newly renovated space within BGCGTC’s oldest branch will provide a designated place for mentoring, education, and critical social-emotional development for Club members.

    Panda Cares Center of Hope offers a refreshed space with new furnishings and a fresh paint job — and a place where youth can access affordable, high-quality after-school programs with trusted and caring mentors. Sound-reducing wall and ceiling panels ensure that members have quiet spaces to work on homework or decompress from the school day. New, flexible seating also creates a more comfortable learning environment where Club members can work on their homework and collaborate with their peers. Each Center of Hope practices Project Learn, a holistic strategy to support youth-centered learning in Clubs. The strategy reinforces and enhances what young people learn during the school day through homework support and high-yield learning activities.

    The BGCGTC Panther branch is the oldest Boys & Girls Club in Texas, established in 1926. The building has dedicated space for education, social recreation, art, teens, dining, kitchen, gym, a full-size pool with locker rooms, attic storage, playground, and office space for additional programs. Portions of the building are historically protected. A repository of historic documents about this branch’s history is kept at the City of Fort Worth Library.

    Established in 1999, Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group. Each Panda Cares Center of Hope serves thousands of BGCGTC members, ages 6 to 18, during after-school and summer programming.

    Source: press release

  • Episcopal Health Foundation has new funding opportunities for organizations working to improve health across Texas

    Episcopal Health Foundation’s first open call for 2026 grants is now available, guided by EHF’s finalized Strategic Framework that focuses on changing systems and removing barriers to improve health, not just health care.

    This round of Grant Opportunities prioritizes three of EHF’s Impact Drivers, the core ways we create lasting change:

    • Strengthening Comprehensive Care
    • Activating Community Voices
    • Maximizing Connections to Health Coverage and Benefits

    Go to EHF’s Grant Opportunities page to read the full Grant Guidance, see key dates, and register for an informational webinar on November 13.

    Find all the details here: https://lnkd.in/ePjhH7B

    Source: LinkedIn

  • Solvita partners with Taylor’s Gift to provide grief support for donor families  

    Solvita partners with Taylor’s Gift to provide grief support for donor families  

    Solvita, a nonprofit organization serving communities across the globe is the first tissue bank to have partnered with Taylor’s Gift, a national organization dedicated to providing emotional grief support to families of organ, eye, and tissue donors.  

    Through this new partnership, donor families who work with Solvita Branches will have access to Taylor’s Gift’s Grief Support Program, designed specifically for families of organ, eye, and tissue donors.  

    “We’re honored to partner with Taylor’s Gift to provide our donor families with grief support after the loss of their loved one.”, said Chris Graham, President & CEO of Solvita. “It’s part of our mission, and Taylor’s Gift helps us enhance the lives of the families we serve.”  

    Taylor’s Gift’s Grief Support Program provides one-on-one support, peer connections, and educational resources to help donor families process their grief in a safe, understanding environment. Since its founding in 2010, Taylor’s Gift has expanded its outreach to support donor families across the nation, helping them find hope and healing through shared experiences. 

     “Working with Solvita allows us to extend our mission to even more families who have given the extraordinary gift of donation,” said Tara Storch, Co-Founder of Taylor’s Gift. “Together, we’re ensuring that no donor family has to walk through grief alone.” 

    Source: press release

  • New Report Unveils Hidden Crisis Among Single Mothers in Tarrant County

    New Report Unveils Hidden Crisis Among Single Mothers in Tarrant County

    For the first time, new data connects the dots between the biggest barriers keeping local mothers and their children in poverty

    New research from Center for Transforming Lives provides a sobering look into the challenges facing local single mothers in 2025. The report, Disrupting Poverty and Promoting Well-Being for Single Mother Families in Tarrant County, presents local data on poverty, housing instability and child well-being.

    In Tarrant County, one third of single mothers with a child under age 5 live in poverty; in some zip codes, that number jumps as high as 70%. The Center’s findings highlight three key factors preventing upward mobility for single mothers, including affordable housing, access to child care and health care.

    The report (focused on Tarrant County) states:

    • Single mothers spend 51% of their income on rent.
    • The eviction rate is five times the national average, with four in 10 renters evicted in 2023.
    • There are only 11 seats for every 100 children needing subsidized child care.
    • Women with children under age 6 have the highest rates of unemployment (6.7%).
    • As many as 40% of single mothers lack health insurance.

    “This research is essential to understanding the challenges faced by single-mother-led families living in poverty and identifying effective ways to support them,” said Bethany Edwards, Ph.D., director of research & evaluation at Center for Transforming Lives, and author of the report. “For the first time, we have a comprehensive picture of the very real challenges facing these families, from lack of affordable housing to lack of child care to lack of mental health support. You can really see how these factors play into one another and why it is so difficult for these families to break the cycle of poverty without integrated support.”

    To put the data into perspective, the median household income in Tarrant County in 2023 was $81,905, according to Data USA. For single mothers, the average income is $33,909, while the average rent for a two-bedroom home is $1,700 a month.

    “Due to the perfect storm of record high rent rates, lack of affordable child care and wages that have stagnated, low-income families headed by single mothers are simply priced out of the market,” said Carol Klocek, CEO of Center for Transforming Lives. “Even working multiple jobs, single mothers have a difficult time keeping a roof over their children’s heads.”

    The report also illustrates how a two-generation approach, like services offered by the Center for Transforming Lives, can help break the cycle of poverty, including: 

    • A family-centered approach that supports both parents and children at the same time.
    • Integrated service delivery, such as providing housing support, child care, health care and counseling services, as Center for Transforming Lives does.
    • Health insurance, which reduces financial strain and improves health outcomes.
    • Path to a living wage, a key factor in achieving financial stability.

    “These interventions work best when they’re combined,” Edwards said. “Helping a mother find a better job won’t last if she loses her child care or housing. The wraparound services that Center for Transforming Lives offers truly meet families at their point of need. Research shows this is the most effective way to not only reduce poverty but to help families create long-term financial independence. When we support mothers and their children together, that’s when real transformation happens.”

    To download the full report, please visit www.transforminglives.org/research.

    Source: press release

  • KERA welcomes the StoryCorps mobile booth to Fort Worth

    KERA welcomes the StoryCorps mobile booth to Fort Worth

    KERA welcomes the StoryCorps mobile booth to Fort Worth, Texas this holiday season to capture the unique stories of North Texas.   

    StoryCorps is a national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of everyday Americans. Since 2005, their mobile booth — a refurbished Airstream trailer — has toured the country, partnering with public media stations, to help people have meaningful conversations about their lives. In a StoryCorps interview, two people record a discussion with one another about who they are, what they have learned in life and how they want to be remembered. A trained StoryCorps facilitator guides them through the process and with participant permission, a copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear. North Texans will also hear recorded stories shared locally.

    “We’re very excited to welcome StoryCorps to Fort Worth,” says Nico Leone, President & CEO of KERA. “Convening conversations that help us connect with one another is at the core of KERA’s mission, and StoryCorps is such a great embodiment of that. Not only are we excited for their visit, but we’re thrilled to share these recorded conversations with our local listeners for months and years to come on KERA News.”

    For its Fort Worth visit, the StoryCorps mobile booth will be located outside of Keith House — a contemporary gathering space on the Trinity River — from December 3-19.

    “Keith House was designed as a space for North Texans to reflect and find connection,” says Adelaide Leavens, President of the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation. “That goal is so aligned with StoryCorps’ mission, and we couldn’t be more thrilled be a part of helping to capture and preserve voices from Fort Worth and North Texas.”

    Reservations to record are now open and available at StoryCorps’ website. Though reservations often move quickly, you can stay connected to StoryCorps’ visit by following @keratx and @storycorps. Support for StoryCorps’ Fort Worth stop comes from the Rainwater Foundation.

    Source: press release

  • North Texas Community Foundation awards $286k to animal and conservation agencies

    North Texas Community Foundation awards $286k to animal and conservation agencies

    North Texas Community Foundation announced that $286,000 in grants have been awarded to 33 nonprofits through its 2025 Conservation & Environment and Animal Fund grant cycles. These grants fuel projects that protect North Texas’s natural assets and improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them. This latest round of funding brings the Foundation’s total grantmaking to more than $45 million year-to-date in 2025.

    “Every grant we award is a direct result of donor generosity,” said Whitnee Boyd, EdD, director of Community Impact at North Texas Community Foundation. “These investments help nonprofits build long-term solutions that protect our environment and improve animal welfare across our region.”

    The Conservation & Environment Fund supports projects that promote environmental stewardship and preserve North Texas’s natural assets. Grants were awarded to organizations working to conserve native species and habitats, protect urban green spaces, and deliver educational programs that emphasize land and resource protection. Funding also supports efforts to maintain land for agricultural, wildlife and botanical purposes.

    The Animal Fund provides resources for organizations that care for abused, injured or abandoned animals; offer equine rescue, shelter, rehabilitation or adoption services; and provide humane education programs. Grants also support equine-assisted therapy programs that deliver transformative benefits to both animals and individuals in need.

    Eligible organizations in Bosque, Denton, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise and Young counties were invited to apply.

    2025 grant recipients include:

    Conservation & Environment Fund
    > Camp Fire First Texas

    > Clark Gardens

    > Cristo Rey Fort Worth High School

    > Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas

    > Fort Worth Botanic Garden

    > Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

    > FunkyTown Food Project

    > Great Plains Restoration Council

    > KEEN Group

    > Native Prairies Association of Texas

    > Opening Doors For Women In Need

    > Scouting America – Longhorn Council

    > Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

    > Unity Unlimited

    Animal Fund
    > All Star Equestrian Foundation

    > Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue

    > Buster’s Friends

    > Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank

    > Friends of Arlington Animal Services

    > Golden Reward Sanctuary

    > Humane Society of North Texas

    > Layla Rose Ranch

    > Meowtown Animal Rescue of Fort Worth

    > Mid-Cities Community Cats

    > New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy

    > Panther City Feral Cat Coalition

    > Ranch Hands Rescue

    > Remember Me Rescue

    > Riding Unlimited

    > S.T.E.P.S. With Horses

    > Second Chance Farm

    > Stars and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center

    > Wings of Hope Equitherapy

    The Animal Fund and Conservation & Environment Fund grant cycles are generously supported by the following donors, whose investment makes this work possible:

    > Anonymous Fund

    > Anita Berry Martin Memorial Endowment Fund

    > Esch Family Charitable Fund

    > Helen D. and R.E. (Bob) Wallace Foundation Fund

    > Mary K. McGee Charitable Fund

    > W.I. Fleetwood Unrestricted Endowment Fund

    For more information about North Texas Community Foundation’s grant cycles, visit https://northtexascf.org/nonprofits.

    Source: press release

  • Center for Transforming Lives awarded $2.3 million to provide emergency housing assistance in Tarrant County

    Center for Transforming Lives awarded $2.3 million to provide emergency housing assistance in Tarrant County

    Following a unanimous vote by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Center for Transforming Lives has been awarded $2.3 million of the Community Outreach Fund to provide critical rental and utility assistance to approximately 2,000 low-income households facing eviction, utility disconnection and homelessness.

    As one of the oldest nonprofits in North Texas, Center for Transforming Lives has long been a reliable source of support for households experiencing financial insecurity, often due to unforeseen life experiences, such as job loss or a medical emergency.

    “For families living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected medical bill or job loss can trigger a devastating cascade of missed rent, eviction notices and ultimately homelessness,” said Carol Klocek, CEO of Center for Transforming Lives. “This funding will allow us to step in at that critical moment and provide not just financial assistance, but a comprehensive support system to help families regain their footing and build long-term stability.”

    Center for Transforming Lives currently serves more than 3,000 women and children annually through integrated programs including housing support, financial and career coaching, early childhood education and clinical counseling. With a focus on economic mobility, the nonprofit addresses the root causes of financial instability rather than providing temporary fixes.

    “I have full confidence in Center for Transforming Lives and their ability to effectively distribute $2 million in assistance funds to our community,” said Roderick Miles, Jr., Tarrant County Commissioner. “Under the leadership of Carol Klocek, who brings over 25 years of experience in community support services, Center for Transforming Lives has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to Tarrant County residents.”

    For individuals and families like those served through Center for Transforming Lives’ existing Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing programs, the difference is measurable. The Community Outreach Fund will provide one to three months of rent and/or utility assistance along with resource navigation for those who need additional support.

    “We know that a family struggling to pay rent this month likely needs more than just this month’s rent check,” Klocek said. “Our case managers work alongside families to address the underlying challenges, whether that’s connecting them to job training, helping them access child care so a parent can work, or providing financial coaching and entrepreneurship courses to build emergency savings.”

    Founded on the belief that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive, Center for Transforming Lives has spent decades creating pathways out of poverty and homelessness. This new partnership with Tarrant County expands that mission, allowing the organization to serve an additional 2,000 households who might otherwise face displacement.

    The one-year contract includes options for two additional one-year extensions, with the potential to serve 6,000 families over three years if funding continues.

    Center for Transforming Lives expects to begin accepting applications on Nov. 1. For more information, please visit www.transforminglives.org.

    Source: press release

  • The Samaritan Inn expands emergency assistance programs

    The Samaritan Inn expands emergency assistance programs

    The Samaritan Inn announced the expansion of their services to include the grocery-store-style food pantry and emergency assistance programs formerly operated by Community Lifeline Center. This exciting integration creates a unified system of care that helps families before, during, and after experiencing homelessness.

    With this expansion, The Samaritan Inn now provides comprehensive prevention and response services—offering shelter, food access, emergency rent and utility assistance, job training, case management, and more. Together, these programs strengthen their ability to meet people earlier in their journey, stabilize families in crisis, and honor the dignity of every person they serve.

    “This is the bold step Collin County needs. It’s about building the right structure—not just to respond to homelessness, but to prevent it.”— Jill Scigliano, CEO of The Samaritan Inn

    The Samaritan Inn is working build the system Collin County needs to prevent homelessness before it starts. Donations directly fuel food distribution, rent and utility support, and critical services for families in crisis.

    Source: press release

  • Communities Foundation of Texas announces Strategic Housing Initiative

    Communities Foundation of Texas announces Strategic Housing Initiative

    Communities Foundation of Texas just announced its Strategic Housing Initiative, a landmark $50 million, five year commitment to strengthen Dallas neighborhoods and expand housing access across the city, its first ever housing-focused initiative as part of its overall mission to promote health, wealth, living and learning in our community.

    The initiative aims to address the housing shortage that is pricing out thousands of residents and limiting economic growth. CFT’s plan will combine policy work, new housing production, and preservation of existing affordable units, while coordinating efforts across government, philanthropy, and the private sector. 

    Highlights include:

    • Establishing HouseDTX, a new network of funders, advocates, and planners led by CFT, the Bush Institute, Habitat for Humanity, and others, to align citywide housing efforts and publish a housing scorecard next year.
    • Creating the Dallas Community Land Trust with The Real Estate Council and JP Morgan Chase to promote long-term affordability and homeownership.
      Launching a Housing Impact Fund that will deliver low-cost, recyclable capital to help developers build affordable homes faster and at scale.
    • Early investments totaling $4 million in projects ranging from modular home startups to community land trusts and container housing developments in South Dallas, a known high need area for housing solutions.

    CFT President and CEO Wayne White describes this as “a bold, long-term effort to build economic mobility and shared prosperity” for the city. The foundation aims to leverage its $50 million to attract matching funds from other local partners and create a $100 million Housing Impact Fund.

    Debra Brennan Tagg, Nadine Dechausay, Wayne White, Kim Bizor Tolbert, Daniel C. Comeaux, Connie Blass

    Source: press release