North Texas Community Foundation Awards Grants to Combat Poverty

According to the latest Census data, approximately 11% of Tarrant County residents live below the poverty line, struggling to access basic necessities and opportunities for economic mobility.

Nonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in addressing the compounding causes and effects of poverty. These organizations serve as pillars of support, offering essential services and programs from food assistance and housing support to educational opportunities and healthcare services. However, for these organizations to effectively operate, they require robust capacity building support.

Capacity building encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at enhancing a nonprofit’s effectiveness. This can include investments in staff training and development, technology upgrades, strategic planning, and governance improvement. While these efforts may not yield immediate, measurable outcomes like direct service programs, they are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations.

“Investing in capacity building not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofits but also empowers them to better serve their communities,” explains Whitnee Boyd, Ed.D., director of community impact at NTCF. “By bolstering their internal capabilities, nonprofits can optimize their operations, attract and retain skilled staff and volunteers, forge new partnerships, and adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities.”

Photo courtesy of North Texas Community Foundation

Recognizing the critical need for capacity building support locally, North Texas Community Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 ToolBox Grant Cycle. $202,250 in funding was awarded to 18 organizations dedicated to combating poverty and improving the well-being of residents in Tarrant County. Since its inception in 2010, ToolBox has provided more than $3.7 million in grants to 162 nonprofits.

ToolBox grants are intended to be one-time, transformative gifts. Through the latest round of funding, grantee organizations will have the opportunity to invest in strategic planning and fundraising consulting.

“We rely on our nonprofit partners to provide essential services to our community,” adds Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “By enhancing their operational efficiency, nonprofits can maximize the impact of their services and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected by poverty.”

The 2024 grantees are:

• Arlington Life Shelter
• BRAVE/R Together
• Cancer Care Services
• Cowtown Clubhouse
• DASH Network (DFW Asylum Seeker Housing)
• Dental Health for Arlington
• EmpathyHQ
• Fortress Youth Development Center
• Hope Tutoring Center
• KADA (Kreative Architectural Design Academy)
• KEEN Group (Kids Environmental Education Network)
• Literacy United
• Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization
• Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County
• Project 4031
• Tarrant County Academy of Medicine
• Teen Life
• The Welman Project

Grant proposals were reviewed by a volunteer grant committee chaired by Kelly Hanley, and included Michael Appleman, Ruth Assi, Addison Conley, Kippen de Alba Chu, Ayesha Ganguly, Kristie Gibson, Jalyn Gordon, Ebony Jones, Briana Kirby, Adelaide Leavens, Ann Lopez, Natalie Lopez, Brandon Nelson, Savannah Petronis, and Angela White.

ToolBox is made possible thanks to the generous support of Community Foundation donors and endowed funds, including:

• Bob and Betty Crow Family Fund
• Robert A. & Jane W. Ferguson Charitable Fund
• Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation
• Don and Barbara Kirk Endowment Fund
• W.I. Fleetwood Memorial Unrestricted Endowment Fund
• Verna B. and John B. Stubbs Fund
• George C. and Sue W. Sumner Fund
• Lisa & Burch Waldron Charitable Fund
• The Sharon Ann McCulloch-Wells and John W. Wells Endowed Fund
• Doris C. and Harry K. Werst Charitable Fund
• Martin H. and Helen M. Wikierak Memorial Fund
• Jack W. & Paula J. Winter Charitable Fund
• Hazel Vaughn Leigh Youth Assistance Fund

To learn more about ToolBox, please visit: https://northtexascf.org/nonprofits/capacity-building/