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Donor Impact Stories

Getting Creative to Fund the Arts

Getting Creative to Fund the Arts

Craig Hall Transforms Real Estate into Real Impact

Craig Hall Transforms Real Estate into Real Impact

Charitable giving can be an art form in itself. Craig Hall, founder of Hall Group and fund holder at Communities Foundation of Texas, structured a complex donation of two premium restaurant spaces in the Dallas Arts District to his fund at CFT.

An avid supporter of the arts, he wanted the proceeds to be used to help organizations in the area, such as the Dallas Opera, to flourish.

Chef Stephan Pyles, who runs Flora Street Cafe in one of the spaces, was thrilled: “Hall’s donation of the space we are leasing is philanthropy at a level most of us only dream of.”

The donation of real estate is a prime example of Craig Hall living his own philosophy. As he says, “I believe businesses should do well and do good too.”

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Meet Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld

Meet Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld

In 2018, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld established the Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld Charitable Fund at CFT, a donor-advised fund that they use to support their passion for the arts and equity.

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A Passion for Opportunity

A Passion for Opportunity

Kristofer Robinson Scholarship Fund at CFT provides educational opportunities for paraplegic and quadriplegic students in Texas

Established after a tragic automobile accident that left the late Kristofer Robinson paralyzed from the neck down, the Kristofer Robinson Scholarship Fund at CFT was created to support the education of paraplegic or quadriplegic individuals. One recent scholarship recipient of the Kristofer Robinson Scholarship Fund is Nathan McClintock.

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A Passion for Education

A Passion for Education

Om & Shanti Funds at CFT provides scholarships and opportunities to students

For the Sethis, giving back is a family affair. Parvesh and Jeet Sethi have two charitable funds at CFT: the Om & Shanti Scholarship Fund and the Om & Shanti Fund, a donor-advised fund. Both their family fund and their scholarship fund are centered around providing educational opportunities for students.

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A Passion for Community

A Passion for Community

Mary Anne Sammons Cree leaves legacy of giving through CFT's Live Oak Legacy Society

Mary Anne Sammons Cree had a passion for our North Texas community. She spent her life giving back in support of the causes that mattered most to her—the performing and visual arts, museums, education, and nature.

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A Passion for the Arts

A Passion for the Arts

Cece Smith Lacy and Ford Lacy fund new works from arts organizations through their fund at CFT

As Cece Smith Lacy and Ford Lacy began their estate planning process, they came to Communities Foundation of Texas for assistance with their planned giving. During their research, they learned about donor-advised funds and decided to open the Cece Smith Lacy and John Ford Lacy Fund at CFT to support their giving during their lifetime.

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A Passion for Giving

A Passion for Giving

CFT’s NTX Giving Day becomes an annual celebration for the Ngo family

Joylynn Huynh-Ngo’s children haven’t quite made it out of elementary school, but they know a thing or two about whipping up batches of boba tea, cookies, and lemonade, and sharing their creations with and for the community.

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