Jody Hawn established the Hawn Foundation Fund at CFT in 2011. Since then, he has been a key partner in supporting nonprofits through CFT’s North Texas Giving Day, which has grown to become the largest regional giving event in the nation. Each year, Jody recommends grants from the fund to nonprofits in the Hawn Foundation’s priority focus areas: education, faith, health, human services, seniors, and youth.
The Hawn Foundation was founded in 1962 by Jody’s late uncle, William Russell “Fritz” Hawn, a successful real estate developer and philanthropist. He made significant grants to U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Southern Methodist University, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, and more.
Fritz later asked a young Jody to take on leadership of the foundation, a role he’s now held for more than 25 years. “I’ve always had a place in my heart for helping those in need, and it’s been an honor to continue supporting the things he loved,” said Jody, who has served on the boards of Senior Source and the President’s Research Council at U.T. Southwestern. “I’ve learned that Dallas is unlike any other city when it comes to philanthropy.”
While Jody has supported many nonprofits during his lifetime, he is especially passionate about the American Red Cross North Texas. Based in Dallas, the organization serves more than 11 million people in 121 counties through five local chapters. He first became connected to their work when he was partnering with area churches to help increase blood donations, and now serves on their Dallas-Forth Worth Metro East Board of Directors.
In addition to providing blood and blood products to disaster victims, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health services, emotional support, helps people find loved ones after a disaster, and feeds emergency workers and first responders. Much of their work relies on committed volunteers.
The Red Cross routinely pre-positions volunteers and trailer loads of supplies to support communities in the path of developing hurricanes. “The American Red Cross North Texas has a tremendous impact in Texas. They were on the ground supporting the Texas Gulf Coast with volunteers and supplies before Hurricane Beryl even made landfall,” noted Jody.
“The Red Cross is truly rebuilding lives, from helping with catastrophes and disasters to helping with house fires. They’re often the first ones on the scene and the last to leave,” said Jody. “They don’t just provide relief to victims of disasters, they help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies through their five lines of service: disaster relief, biomedical services, service to the armed forces, international services, and training services.”
Last year, CFT was honored by the Red Cross with its “Ready 365 Platinum Plus Partner” award for continued support of the critical work done in North Texas.
In 2022, Jody and his wife Sarah helped fund a new Mobile Collections Unit vehicle, a critical part of lifesaving blood collection and distribution that transports around 1,200 pounds of needed supplies and equipment for blood drives to 24 Red Cross hospital partners across Texas. “We wanted to help ensure that the region’s Biomedical Services Team had the equipment needed to support and maintain a healthy blood supply,” said Jody.
Jody and Sarah have also served as matching gift donors for the Red Cross’ North Texas Giving Day campaign to double the impact of donations made during Giving Day. To encourage giving to the American Red Cross North Texas through North Texas Giving Day 2025 and to rally more community support, The Hawn Foundation Fund will match donations made dollar for dollar, up to $250,000 total.
“Jody’s matching gift opportunity will help ensure we can continue to deliver vital aid and hope to those who need it most during a critical season for disaster relief and community support,” said Linda Braddy, American Red Cross North Texas CEO.
“Jody has a strong commitment to the mission of the Red Cross and has made a profound impact, helping us deliver vital aid and hope to those in need. His compassion and dedication inspire us all, and we are honored to count him among our most valued supporters,” said Ariane Einecker, chief development officer at American Red Cross North Texas.
The American Red Cross North Texas is part of the Mass Care Task Force, a partnership of local nonprofits that are ready to serve when disaster strikes that also includes the North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army of North Texas, and VolunteerNow. In times of disaster, the Task Force has supported immediate food, shelter, volunteers, communication, and management. The collaborative effort was established in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to maximize the disaster-related services provided by the four nonprofits. CFT often supports local relief and recovery efforts and was one of the first major funders of the collaborative, granting $1 million from our W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund.
“We are deeply grateful for Jody Hawn’s unwavering support and remarkable generosity over the years. His leadership on our board is influencing the visibility of the American Red Cross mission work throughout North Texas,” said Braddy.
“It takes a village to do this work. For anyone looking to get involved, I recommend looking into the countless ways you can volunteer, and to consider becoming a blood donor. With just that one step, you can save a life.” – Jody Hawn, President, Hawn Foundation; Founder, Hawn Foundation Fund at CFT
Donate to the American Red Cross North Texas
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