Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Tag: Rainwater Charitable Foundation

  • CCA and Community Partners Gather to Celebrate Opening of Child Care Studio at Rise 

    CCA and Community Partners Gather to Celebrate Opening of Child Care Studio at Rise 

    New early learning campus advances the Las Vegas Trail community revitalization effort with expanded classrooms and outdoor learning  

    Child Care Associates (CCA) announced the community opening of the Child Care Studio at Rise at Las Vegas Trail. The new early learning campus expands access to affordable, high-quality child care for families in the Las Vegas Trail Rise community, with nature-inspired classrooms and outdoor learning spaces that support school readiness, parent employment, and family well-being. 

    “This Child Care Studio shows what’s possible when we work side by side with federal, state, and local community partners committed to supporting the Las Vegas Trail community,” said Kara Waddell, president and CEO of Child Care Associates. “Together, we’re investing in early learning at the heart of the neighborhood—creating a place where children can thrive and giving families reliable child care options that support work, education, and stability, while strengthening the broader vision for a safer, healthier Las Vegas Trail.”  
     
    CCA addressed the community need with support from public and philanthropic partners, including the Administration for Children and Families federal Office of Head Start, Tarrant County, the City of Fort Worth, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, Amon G. Carter Foundation, PNC Foundation, and Sid W. Richardson Foundation. Together, these investments expanded options for families with infants and toddlers in this Tarrant County neighborhood and strengthened access to comprehensive early learning and family support services. The studio offers affordable tuition, scholarships, and Head Start and Early Head Start—helping families with young children return to work while helping young children build strong foundations for kindergarten and long-term success. 

    The PNC Foundation funded the nature-inspired outdoor learning environment, which complements the campus’s eight new classrooms, indoor play area and community kitchen—featuring sensory exploration, natural discovery and active play areas that encourage curiosity, problem-solving and healthy development. The investment reflects the PNC Foundation’s philanthropic focus on early childhood education and community support. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, launched in 2004, PNC has committed $500 million in a bilingual, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and in life. The outdoor learning space also features a children’s garden that will be used for nutrition education, healthy eating, and farm-to-school teaching made possible through a supplemental nutrition grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  
     

    “Through Grow Up Great, we are excited to provide the young learners at Child Care Studio at Rise with an outdoor learning area that inspires curiosity and wonder,” said Dale Klose, PNC Southwest territory executive. “A growing body of research shows that interacting with nature supports children’s learning and development and this space is designed to use nature to enhance early education and spark creativity.” 
     

    Source: Press release

  • On the Move: nonprofit leaders taking on new roles

    On the Move: nonprofit leaders taking on new roles

    This week: CASA of Tarrant County, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, Equest 

    CASA of Tarrant County is proud to announce the appointment of Suzy Yowell as Director of Community Partnerships, as the nonprofit continues its legacy of advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children. In her role, Yowell leads efforts to grow volunteer involvement, build strong local partnerships, and increase CASA’s presence and impact across the county. With more than three decades of leadership experience in both the business and nonprofit sectors, she is a trusted voice in community engagement and partnership development throughout Tarrant County.

    Rainwater Charitable Foundation is pleased to welcome Sarah Cotton as Senior Vice President of Programs. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and deep expertise that will strengthen our work and impact. We look forward to the leadership and insight she will bring to our team. Please join us in welcoming Sarah to RCF!

    Equest, one of North Texas’ leading nonprofits providing equine-assisted services for children and adults with diverse needs, is proud to announce eight new board members and a slate of officers who will provide governance, leadership, and advocacy to help guide Equest’s mission and strategic vision in the year ahead. The 2026 Board Officers include Brooke Bailey, Chairman (in photo); Megan Martin, Vice Chairman; Daniel Valentine, Treasurer; and Erika Burton, Secretary. Newly appointed Board Members are Brandi Garrett, Chris Gold, Mary LeDonne Bank, Melissa Oates, Kate Ralls, Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, Jay Wallace, and Kay Weeks.

  • Rainwater Charitable Foundation funds 30 college scholarships

    The Rainwater Charitable Foundation has selected thirty Fort Worth-area high school seniors for its 30th Anniversary Rainwater High School Scholars Program, totaling $300,000 in funding.

    The Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) is a private family foundation based in Fort Worth. It was founded in 1991 by renowned private equity investor and philanthropist Richard E. Rainwater. RCF funds initiatives centered around children, believing that high-quality education can transform the life trajectories of children and families.

    Selected Rainwater Scholars will each receive a $10,000 scholarship to attend the U.S. college or university of their choice. To be eligible, applicants must have been enrolled in and scheduled to graduate in the spring 2022 semester from an accredited Fort Worth ISD public school or selected Fort Worth public charter schools.

    Application details were distributed to all eligible public high schools via counselors, AVID programs, and GO Centers. Two hundred and fifty students applied for the special 30th Anniversary Rainwater High School Scholars Program.

    Key characteristics for consideration were commitment to leadership and serving others, high motivation to achieve their goals, and a commitment to learning as demonstrated by taking a challenging course load.

    The applicants demonstrated these characteristics through a diverse array of achievements and experiences in leadership and service ranging from advocacy within their school communities to international service projects.

    “We can think of no better way to celebrate this milestone and Richard’s legacy than by investing in the future,” said Rainwater Charitable Foundation President Jeremy Smith. It was a joy and a privilege to review so many amazing applications that came in from high schools across the city. Who knows? One of these students might be the next Richard Rainwater.”

    The Rainwater High School Scholars Program is a special, one-time project funded as part of the foundation’s 30th anniversary celebration. A recurring annual scholarship sponsored in part by RCF is available through Dream Big Fort Worth.

  • Fort Worth nonprofits can apply for intensive racial equity initiative

    Fort Worth nonprofits can apply for intensive racial equity initiative

    Applications are being accepted by Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (Dallas THRT) for its inaugural Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth Cohort.

    The program is a deep learning experience for nonprofits that are ready to grow in their racial equity journey. It is designed to provide organizations with racial equity training, coaching, case study presentations, policy review and development, outcomes development and a community-based history tour.

    A cohort group of 6-10 nonprofits will be selected for the Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth Cohort through an equitable application and interview process. Participating organizations will be asked to make a 7-month commitment to the program. Cohort participants will attend a series of workshops, as well as be provided with one-on-one racial equity coaching. Learning opportunities will be provided for personnel at all levels of the organization. The Racial Equity NOW program requires participants include a Board member, Executive Director/President/CEO and a direct service-level staff member from participating nonprofits.

    Cohort members will be provided with up to 60 hours of time during the year-long program to work with a racial equity coach. Most workshops will be held in a Fort Worth location, with one-on-one coaching conducted in-person, by phone or email.

    The Racial Equity NOW Cohort offers three key outcomes for participating organizations. Participants will:

    • Increase their knowledge of race, racism, racial healing, racial equity and racial justice, and improve their leadership capacity on racial equity polices and practices within their organization and their communities;
    • Draft a racial equity organizational assessment, a racial equity theory of change, and a racial equity policy statement;
    • Create a racial equity project/program and receive up to $10,000 in grant funding to implement their organizational racial equity strategy plans.

    All training and coaching expenses will be provided by Dallas TRHT as part of a $275,000 investment from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation to address the remnants of racism in Fort Worth.

    To be eligible, organizations must have 501(c)(3) designation and at least 51% of the total population served by the agency must be residents of Tarrant County. Applications for the program must be submitted by March 31st at 5 p.m. and a panel interview is required as the final step in the application process. Decisions on cohort selection will be announced by April 11.

    Information about the program’s selection criteria and an application are available online.

  • FW nonprofit colab to turn Klan building into reparative justice project

    Transform 1012 N. Main Street (T1012) announces the purchase of the former Ku Klux Klan Klavern No. 101 Auditorium in Fort Worth. The acquisition is a major milestone in the movement toward transforming the building that was once a monument to hate and violence as a Klan auditorium, into The Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing.

    T1012 is a Texas-based, nonprofit coalition of local arts, grassroots, and service organizations, as well as pro bono partners and individuals.

    The purchase of the building was made possible by a grant from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation. Project funders also include: Atmos Energy as part of its Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative, the Ford Foundation, MASS Design Group, The National Endowment for the Arts and Tecovas Foundation.

    Fundraising was mobilized by the efforts of the T1012 Founding Board, a pluri-cultural, shared leadership collective of eight local organizations:
    DNAWORKS
    LGBTQ SAVES
    Opal Lee Foundation
    SOL Ballet Folklórico
    Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice
    The Welman Project
    Window to Your World
    The 1012 Youth Council

    When the Ku Klux Klan auditorium opened in 1924, Fort Worth had one of the largest KKK memberships in the United States and the building was the KKK’s headquarters in Texas. The building was designed and located to intimidate Northside Black, Hispanic, and immigrant residents returning home from the city center.

    As the Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing, the facility will honor the life and memory of Mr. Fred Rouse, a Black butcher who was lynched by a White mob in Fort Worth in 1921. With this reparative justice project, T1012 seeks to return resources to the communities that were targeted for marginalization and violence by the KKK.

    Adaptive reuse plans include transforming the space into a vibrant cultural hub with: a state-of-the-art performance space; arts training and programming; services for underserved and LGBTQ+ youth; exhibit spaces dedicated to social justice and civil rights; a makerspace and tool library for local DIY classes; meeting spaces forracial equity and leadership workshops and community events; an outdoor urban agriculture and artisan marketplace; and affordable live/work spaces for artists- and entrepreneurs-in-residence.

    T1012 is a member of The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, a global network of historic sites, museums, and memorials dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in different regions of the world. Additional partners include J.L. Powers & Associates, MASS Design Group, The Projects Group, Saira Jasmine Concepts, SpawGlass, and United Way of Tarrant County.

    Founding members of the T1012 board include Daniel Banks (DNAWORKS), Vanessa Barker (The Welman Project), Freddy Cantú (SOL Ballet Folklórico), Ayesha Ganguly (Window to Your World), Sharon Herrera (LGBTQ SAVES), Jacora Johnson (1012 Youth Council), Dr. Opal Lee (Dr. Opal Lee’s Foundation), Adam McKinney (Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice), Román Ramírez (SOL Ballet Folklórico), and Taylor Willis (The Welman Project).

    In October 2021, T1012 received Urban Land Institute of Dallas-Fort Worth’s 2021 Next Big Idea Award, recognizing innovative ideas that can positively impact the region’s quality of life.

  • Rainwater Foundation brings Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation to Fort Worth

    Rainwater Foundation brings Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation to Fort Worth

    Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (Dallas TRHT) announced that the organization has been invited by the Fort Worth-based Rainwater Charitable Foundation to bring its work to Fort Worth. Dallas TRHT strives to create radically inclusive cities by addressing race and racism through narrative change, relationship building and equitable policies and practices.

    Dallas TRHT will begin its work in Fort Worth this month by hosting in-person and virtual Community Visioning Sessions where the community will have the opportunity to express their needs, concerns and vision for Fort Worth.

    Community Visioning Sessions are free and open to the public. Registration is available online and the scheduled sessions are as follows:

    • Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth: Community Visioning Session (Texas Christian University) July 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    • Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth: Community Visioning Session (Fort Worth Museum of Science & History) August 2 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    • Transformation Tuesday: Race, Racism & Sports (Featuring Dale Hansen) August 3 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    • Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth: Community Visioning Session (Virtual) August 5 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    • Racial Equity NOW Fort Worth: Community Visioning Session (Fort Worth Public Library – Shamblee Library) August 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

  • Leadership ISD earns transformational investment from Rainwater Foundation

    Anti-racism efforts in Texas public education just got a big boost. Leadership ISD (LISD), which has focused its work on the intersection of racial justice and educational excellence in Dallas ISD, Houston ISD and Fort Worth ISD for the last 10 years, announces it has received a $1 million investment from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation to enhance those efforts.

    “Racial equity matters in our schools, and policies that contribute to systemic racism must be reformed if our school systems are to achieve at high levels. LISD has changed how school boards and communities engage with public education in our urban districts and, increasingly, in surrounding districts. It is our hope that LISD will significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for students across the state,” said Jeremy Smith, Rainwater Charitable Foundation President. 

    The Rainwater Charitable Foundation, founded in 1991 by the late Richard E. Rainwater, seeks out educational impact organizations with measurable success, strong leadership and the ability to scale.  Believing LISD was just such an organization, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation recently invested $1 million to deepen LISD’s racial equity impact on public education in Texas. 

    Leadership ISD’s change approach includes:

    • Engagement and Advocacy Programs – Equipping diverse leaders with the access, knowledge and tools to demand and create meaningful change for students of color.
    • RE.A.L. (Racial Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership) Academies – Activating our communities to advance leaders, practices and policies that eliminate achievement and opportunity disparities so black and brown children can thrive.
    • Governance Training – Increasing the efficacy of school boards so that they focus on improving student outcomes and eliminating opportunity gaps through goal setting and policy. 

    To date, LISD has equipped more than 2,000 racially diverse and conscious leaders to create change and trained upwards of 200 school board trustees on equitable governance focused on improving student outcomes and closing opportunity gaps. The organization has also mobilized communities to take thousands of actions to advocate for student-focused and anti-racist policies and practices, locally and statewide.

    “We are honored to add the Rainwater Charitable Foundation to our circle of equity impact investors. This investment will increase the number of system-level policies and practices that improve student experiences and outcomes which will close racial disparities in our current service areas and accelerate our expansion into other districts around the state,” says Patricia Arvanitis, CEO of LISD.

  • Rainwater Charitable Foundation Announces Awards for Outstanding Innovation

    The Fort Worth Business Press reports that the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, located in Fort Worth, has announced the first recipients for the Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research and the Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early-Career Scientists.

    Dr. Michel Goedert (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK) and Dr. Patrick Hsu (University of California, Berkeley) were selected on October 22.

    The Rainwater Charitable Foundation is one of the largest independent funders of neurodegenerative disease research.

  • Rainwater Charitable Foundation launches world’s largest prize for brain research

    The Fort Worth Business Press reports that the Rainwater Charitable Foundation announced Nov. 6 that it is launching the Rainwater Prize Program to encourage and reward scientific progress toward new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases related to the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. The FWBP went on to say that the foundation is offering up to $10 million for ground-breaking discoveries, making it the largest prize program for brain research ever created.

    ABOUT THE RAINWATER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

    Founded in 1991 by Richard E. Rainwater, the foundation focuses on helping children in the United States, specifically targeting those coming from low-income families. With emphasis on early childhood education and cultivating of school leadership development in K-12 programs. In 2009 when Mr. Rainwater was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative brain disease that has little to no scientific research or understanding, the mission expanded to include medical research. The Rainwater family has helped advance eight treatments into human trails and accumulated nearly $100 million in investments to date.