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Joining together to help Japan

Joining together to help Japan

On the morning of March 11, 2011, a catastrophic 9.0 earthquake spawned a  30-  foot-high tsunami that destroyed the northeastern coast of Japan. Anna McFarland, witnessing news coverage of the disaster, knew she had to help. As the executive director of the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, a friendship organization connecting the two countries, Anna quickly turned to Communities Foundation of Texas for assistance. Searching for an efficient way to enable donations to rebuild Japan, she leveraged the North Texas Giving Day (formerly DonorBridge) profile for the Japan-America Society, allowing people to donate immediately to the relief fund. In just a few short months, they raised over $100,000 for support recovery projects in and around Sendai, and they are still receiving donations today. 

Launched in 2009, NorthTexasGivingDay.org is the most comprehensive and free public resource for connecting North Texas nonprofits and supporters. For supporters, NorthTexasGivingDay.org simplifies the process of gathering reliable information about nonprofits and community needs and making charitable donations. For nonprofits, the website and its annual North Texas Giving Day event serve as another awareness-building and fundraising tool. NorthTexasGivingDay.org profiles more than 2,700 nonprofits and, since its inception, has infused more than $240 million into nonprofits serving the 20 counties of North Texas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.