-
Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) and The Dallas Foundation (TDF) announced the partnership to launch a common equity grant application for nonprofits focused on accelerating equity in communities that have been historically and systematically disenfranchised. Specifically, our two foundations seek to partner with organizations whose work is rooted in equity, community building, and programming delivered with a culturally responsive lens.
The common equity grant application period was open between Friday, November 17, 2023 through 5 p.m. CT on Friday, January 12, 2024. Please note that all applications will be shared between TDF and CFT and only one application per organization will be reviewed regardless of which organization it is submitted to.
Communities Foundation of Texas is committed to advancing equity as one of our three strategic priorities to fulfill our mission and achieve our vision of building thriving communities for all.
CFT’s grant opportunity is open to nonprofits that focus on equity and building community power through:
- civic engagement;
- narrative change; and/or
- coalition building and community organizing in communities that have been systematically and historically disinvested.
Issue areas include, but are not limited to: environmental equity, health equity, LGBTQ+ rights, human and civil rights, disability rights, and racial equity.
We anticipate funding 20 to 30 nonprofits with one-year grants ranging from $10,000 – $50,000. Organizations will receive funding decision notifications by mid-April 2024.
- Directly address social, institutional, or historical barriers that prevent members of marginalized groups from thriving in communities where they live, work, and play
- Working in communities to mitigate barriers for communities to achieve successful potential
- Operate programs that focus on promoting equity.
- Examples include the following:
- Community civic engagement and advocacy
- Narrative change and storytelling
- Power building (coalition building/community organizing)
- Examples include the following:
Who is Eligible to Apply?To apply for the CFT Equity Grant, your organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation in good standing from the Internal Revenue Service that has been active for at least two years as of November 1, 2023.
- At least 50% of the population served must reside in North Texas, which includes the following counties:
Collin Cooke Dallas Denton Ellis Erath Fannin Grayson Hood Hunt Johnson Kaufman Montague Navarro Palo Pinto Parker Rockwall Somervell Tarrant Wise Who is NOT Eligible to Apply?- Individuals
- For-profit businesses
- Non-US based organizations
- Church and religious organizations’ programs that are focused on evangelism
Potential issues areas may include but are not limited to the following:
• Environmental Equity
• Health Equity
• LGBTQ+ Rights
• Human and Civil Rights
• Racial Equity
• Disability RightsHow do I submit my proposal?You can submit your proposal through our online submission form by clicking the button below. We recommend using the downloadable version of the application when drafting your responses before uploading them into the online submission form as there are word count limits for each question and the online form does not allow applicants to save their work and return to it. Final responses must be submitted through the online application. Download the application here or under Resources on the right side of the page.
What type of equity-related projects will each foundation fund?The Dallas Foundation (TDF) is prioritizing projects in the following racial equity issue areas: housing and neighborhood infrastructure, economic empowerment, workforce development, education, criminal justice, civic participation, and health in Dallas County.
Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) is prioritizing projects focusing on equity and building community power through 1. civic engagement 2. narrative change and/or 3. coalition building and community organizing in communities that have been systematically and historically disinvested. Issue areas include, but are not limited to, environmental equity, health equity, LGBTQ+ rights, human and civil rights, disability rights, and racial equity throughout North Texas.
Should I apply for a grant through Communities of Foundation of Texas or The Dallas Foundation?The Dallas Foundation’s primary geographic focus is Dallas County, therefore if your application aligns with The Dallas Foundation’s funding priorities listed above, you should submit an application through The Dallas Foundation (TDF).
Similarly, if your organization’s work includes any of the following counties and aligns with Communities Foundation of Texas’ priority areas listed above, you should apply through Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT):
Collin Cooke Dallas Denton Ellis Erath Fannin Grayson Hood Hunt Johnson Kaufman Montague Navarro Palo Pinto Parker Rockwall Somervell Tarrant Wise Can I apply through both CFT and TDF?No. Only one application should be submitted per nonprofit organization. To learn more about which foundation to apply through, see question #2 above. If duplicate applications are received, the first application submitted will be the only one considered.
Will both foundations see my grant request?Yes. If you apply for a grant through TDF, your application will be shared with the staff at CFT, and vice versa.
Is there a difference between the CFT and TDF grant applications?Yes. The applications are slightly different as a result of each foundation’s geographical and reporting priorities.
Can my request be funded by both CFT and TDF?While both foundations will review all requests, it’s unlikely that an organization will receive funding from both TDF and CFT. CFT’s grants will range from $10,000 and $50,000; TDF’s grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Can I apply for multi-year funding?No. Only single-year funding requests are being considered.
Can I submit multiple times for multiple issue areas?No. Only one application can be submitted.
When will grantees be notified of funding?Final grant decisions will be made in late March 2024.
Will you be hosting a webinar for potential grantees to offer an overview and guidance on the process for submitting a grant application?Yes. We hosted a joint webinar on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
Can I talk to someone about my proposal/application?Yes, you can reach out to Candace Thompson at CFT (cthompson@cftexas.org) or Brittani Trusty at TDF (btrusty@dallasfoundation.org).
Equity Grant Opportunity Webinar Session | December 6, 2023
A joint webinar with Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Foundation was held on Wednesday, December 6, and provided an overview and answer questions about the Equity Grant application.
Equity Grant Opportunity
CLOSED
Need help? Let’s connect.
Our team of experienced and knowledgeable experts is here to help you help others.
Candace Thompson
Community Philanthropy Officer
