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Where Giving Invests

Where Giving Invests

Cotton Bowl Fund at CFT invests in Friends of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy

“Visiting a college or university is fairly common in middle or upper middle-class homes, but we believe every student should have that opportunity.” — Jay McAuley, Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Foundation

A year ago, the Cotton Bowl Foundation came to CFT to help define their giving strategy. After they worked with our staff and decided to focus some of their grantmaking on college and career access for underserved youth, we introduced them to Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, a Dallas ISD magnet school whose student body is composed of high-achieving, underserved young men. The school’s mission is to shape these students into effective leaders by providing them with an academically rigorous, character-based education that prepares them for college.

Thanks to a CFT-facilitated grant from the Cotton Bowl Foundation, these young men will not only be college-ready but will be further motivated to continue their education by having the chance to visit college campuses before graduation. Giving these students a taste of the college experience is a true game changer. It will help the academy maintain its 100 percent college acceptance and matriculation rates. It’s also an investment in our community’s future, where all sides win.

Email Carolyn Newham to set up a confidential consultation about your charitable giving.

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.