THE BIG GOOD Keeps Doing Big Good

Under the neon marquee of Tannahill Tavern, Leon Bridges and Gary Patterson welcomed guests back with a smile to 2024’s THE BIG GOOD: The Big Night.

The two gentlemen’s joint 501(c)(3) fundraising effort has grown with rapid momentum in the three years since its formation, with The Big Night being its largest annual event. Celebrating the best of local business, food and music, this event has become one of the hottest tickets in town since it first opened its doors in 2022. Now with three years under its belt, THE BIG GOOD proudly continued its success with its April 4th event, raising funds for the Tarrant To & Through Partnership, United Community Centers and UpSpire.

photo credit: Olaf Growold

Guests were delighted to walk into Tannahill Tavern to be greeted by the beautiful western vocals of Olivia Harms, who was joined on the mic by none other than Coach Patterson himself. The two sang on a stage built to resemble Magnolia Motor Lounge, a venue recognizable to most Fort Worthians as where Leon Bridges found his beginnings as an up-and-coming artist. The excitement continued with a silent auction that featured packages generously donated by some of Fort Worth’s most beloved stops, including M.L. Leddy’s, Bachendorf’s, Don Artemio, Canyon Ranch, and several others.

When it was time to move into the music hall, dinner was served through a generous donation by Standard Meat. The Live Auction soon took center stage, auctioning off experiences that ranged from seeing Coldplay live in Dublin to visiting Palmaz Vineyard’s underground winery in Napa. Kelsey Patterson then joined the stage to announce an exciting community match that was kicked off in real time.

photo credit: Olaf Growold

“This year, we are excited to once again have the support of the Rainwater Foundation,” said Patterson. “We are thrilled to be kicking off a community wide match opportunity with Rainwater, who will commit a dollar-to-dollar match for every dollar raised up to $500,000. This is once again an incredible opportunity for us to get people involved with the work we are doing here, knowing that every dollar you give as a part of this match is being doubled and given right back to our beneficiaries.”

THE BIG GOOD’s annual event was just the kickoff for continued fundraising in the Fort Worth community. THE BIG GOOD’s community match campaign with the Rainwater Foundation will run over the next several months and encourage charitable giving for the causes of its three beneficiaries: The Tarrant To & Through Partnership, United Community Centers and UpSpire. The three organizations are committed to leaving a positive impact for generations to come through child education development programs, student career pathway training and employment for homeless members of the community. Through THE BIG GOOD, these three organizations are able to share their stories, work together and expand their reach throughout Fort Worth.

photo credit: Olaf Growold

The annual fundraiser proudly raised over $1.3 million for the betterment and programming of its three beneficiaries. THE BIG GOOD would like to give a special thanks to its Underwriting Sponsors: Alliance Texas Foundation, Gilchrist Automotive and Luther King Capital Management.

For any questions related to getting involved with THE BIG GOOD or its community match campaign, please contact Camille Kelly at camille@thebiggood.org.