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Communities Foundation Grants Address Problems in North Texas

Communities Foundation Grants Address Problems in North Texas

At CFT we have two focus areas for our discretionary grantmaking:
  1) enhancing the economic security of low-income families, and  
  2) improving high school retention and graduation rates by investing in teachers and school leaders of at-risk middle school youth.

Economic Security of low-income families

In Fall 2012, $150,000 was awarded in “seed grants” to 16 nonprofits participating in our D3 Institute – a year-long program that convenes nonprofits supporting low-income working families and facilitates the development of solutions to the social and economic problems facing North Texas.

At-Risk Middle School Youth

$2 million in new grants awarded to seven nonprofits to increase the pool of high quality teachers and administrators working in at-risk middle schools across North Texas.

  • Teaching Trust ($750,000)
  • University of Texas at Dallas ($500,000)
  • Teach for America ($350,000)
  • Big Thought ($225,000)
  • Plano ISD Education Foundation ($144,070)
  • National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity Education Foundation ($27,830)
  • KIPP DFW ($19,000)
Keeping Texas Schools Above Water

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

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

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

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

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

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....