Grant Impact Stories

Keeping Texas Schools Above Water

After the storm, generosity gives Texas schools a lifeline

In August 2017, over 6 million Texans were impacted by Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. Repairing the damage done to the Gulf Coast region will require years of support.

Hurricane Harvey Recovery Update

On behalf of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your contribution in supporting individuals and families whose lives were uprooted in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Smart Justice

Caruth funds Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to route mentally ill to care instead of jail

Of Texas inmates, 34 percent have a mental health need, and most have substance use disorders. The state of Texas spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to provide mental health services to these individuals. Dallas is piloting a better way.

Building Economic Security for Working Families

CFT seeds nonprofit network to help low-income families

For two years, Communities Foundation of Texas has been working with 10 nonprofits across North Texas who are part of CFT’s Working Families Success Network (WFSN).

Racial Equity Grants

CFT awards $150,000 in grants to support racial equity work in Dallas

On Jan. 17, 2018, the National Day of Racial Healing, Communities Foundation of Texas announced that a total of $150,000 was distributed across 35 nonprofits to help them facilitate storytelling or implement practical solutions to race-related challenges in Dallas.

Data-Driven Decision-Making Institute Builds Strength

CFT's D3 Institute was a data bootcamp for agencies

The picture of Dallas that emerged from a study released in 2012 debunked the prevailing thought that the city and the surrounding North Texas region were filled with people earning comfortable incomes....

Support Network

Employment Success through Metrocrest Services and Working Family Success Model

Eric MacFarlane was a successful electrician. But his career came to a halt when a serious car wreck left him injured and out of a job. He turned to Metrocrest Services, whose mission is to help people in crisis get back on their feet and sustain their independence.

Kids on the Land

Angie Dickson Returns to Her Roots

Angie Dickson spent her childhood on her family’s ranch in West Texas. As an adult, she built a successful career in finance, but she felt a strong calling to give back.

Gifted Musicians

Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation Fund

In corporate philanthropy, Neiman Marcus has an ear for youth arts education. Research has shown that students receiving arts training graduate at higher rates, score higher on the SAT, are better creative problem solvers and become engaged civic leaders.

Play it Forward

W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund and many others at CFT supports public parks

In the 1960s, CFT leaders like Charles Sharp understood that public spaces help make cities great. That philosophy continues today at CFT. A recent grant of $5 million was made for safety and security at Klyde Warren Park, the deck park built in downtown Dallas.

The Science of Giving

The Caruth Scholars continue Will Caruth's passion for medical and scientific research

In 1997, a grant from the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation created The Caruth Scholars in Medical Research at UT Southwestern: a program that enables 20 of the world's brightest young medical scientists to work in the most promising areas of research.

Wisdom of Pearl

S.M. Wright Foundation receives funding from the Pearl Anderson Fund at CFT

Pearl Anderson made one of the first donations to CFT in 1955 when it was the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund. Today, her legacy lives on as we continue to support children in need through grants to organizations like the S.M. Wright Foundation from her fund.

Disabilities Won't Slow Her Down

Emily Shryock Expresses Gratitude for Kristofer Robinson Scholarship

The Kristofer Robinson Scholarship supports quadriplegic and paraplegic individuals in the state of Texas, and was established by Kristofer Robinson who was injured and later died as a result of a car accident on I-635 in 2000. Read scholarship recipient Emily Shryock’s remarkable story of how she took her disability and turned it into opportunity.

Nestor Colemenero Thanks CFT for Scholarship

Anson L. Clark Scholarship at CFT propels Nestor closer to his dreams

First in his family to graduate from a major university A scholarship from us made his dreams of going to college come true. A scholarship from us made his dreams of going to college come true.

Communities Foundation Grants Address Problems in North Texas

At-risk middle school youth and increasing the economic security of working families are our focus. Read how we are making a difference in these areas.