Champions of Legacy
Derek and Beth Childs and the Live Like Luke Fund
Expand Story
Letter From Our Leadership
CHAMPIONS OF COMMUNITY — THEY ARE ALL AROUND US
Thanks to givers like you — and the exceptional work of our staff and Board — Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) continues to grow in both giving and impact. Throughout our history, CFT has awarded more than $2.6 billion in cumulative grants to nonprofits.
In Fiscal Year 2024, we experienced another remarkable year, receiving $178 million in gifts and distributing $158 million in grants to nonprofits.
As of November 2024, our community’s generosity, coupled with our excellent investment returns, has helped grow our assets to $1.7 billion, a 13% increase since last year.
CFT’s 16th annual North Texas Giving Day raised over $70 million for more than 3,200 local nonprofits. This achievement brings the total raised through North Texas Giving Day to over $635 million since its inception. These milestones reflect our ongoing commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact in improving the lives of people in our communities.
Behind these numbers are countless caring individuals, each intentional in their efforts to give back and champion the causes that matter most to them.
This year’s annual report highlights a selection of our charitable partners and their causes, showcasing collaborative efforts with our fundholders, nonprofit grantees, North Texas Giving Day participants, and Educate Texas initiatives.
As you explore these stories of giving, collaboration, community, and legacy, we hope you’ll see how, together, we are championing a thriving community for all. We are especially grateful for your generous and growing support, which has enabled all we have accomplished this year.
To address evolving needs and opportunities, we have expanded our leadership team and staff — our own champions of community.
Additionally, in collaboration with our Board of Trustees, we have adopted a new Strategic Plan 2030, which has a focus on “Sustainable Community Revitalization” to tackle the pressing issues of affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods. In the coming months, we look forward to sharing more about how you can support this important initiative.
If we haven’t yet had the opportunity to collaborate, we invite you to reach out. Let’s explore how we can champion your giving and create even greater impact.
With gratitude and partnership,
The Live Like Luke Fund at CFT was founded to honor the life and legacy of Luke William Childs, a brave six-year-old who faced a year-long battle against acute myeloid leukemia with courage and a joy that continues to inspire beyond his lifetime. Luke’s parents, Beth and Derek Childs, established the fund after Luke’s passing in 2021 to help families with children undergoing long-term hospital stays, providing financial relief so parents can focus on what matters most — being present and there for their children during such a difficult time.
“While pursuing treatment for Luke, we witnessed firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial pressure impacting other patient families living in the rooms all around us,” said Beth. “It was heart-wrenching.” It was common for them to see young children alone in their hospital rooms because their parents could not afford to miss work. Parents are often forced to quit their jobs to be with their children during the intense medical treatment of their diseases.
“There are so many unexpected challenges when navigating long-term illnesses. We knew we had to do something to help.” Derek added, “Bills don’t stop just because your child is in the hospital. The amount of stress some families experience while navigating illness is unimaginable. We don’t want families to have to make choices between being able to be there for a loved one in the hospital or working a shift to keep the lights on at home.”
Since its founding, the Live Like Luke Fund has distributed over $150,000 to support critical expenses like car repairs, groceries, gas, and rent and mortgage payments. “This fund is really about giving families more time together,” said Derek. “Each extra day together with Luke was priceless for us.”
While many of the families supported by the fund are navigating childhood cancer, they have also helped those with Sickle Cell Disease, Bacterial Meningitis, complicated heart surgeries, organ transplants, and more.
The community has rallied around the Live Like Luke Fund in honor of Luke’s memory and to help families in need by hosting or supporting creative fundraising events, including an annual “Splash” bash in their neighborhood celebrating Luke’s birthday and a “Legs for Luke” run.
“We’ve seen so many people coming together through Luke’s legacy. We’re not just looking to make a difference today — we want to ensure that this fund continues to support families for years to come,” says Derek. As the fund grows, the couple hopes to be able to create an endowment that will sustain the effort long-term.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Communities Foundation of Texas for this. They efficiently manage donations and disbursements, and their expertise has made it possible for us to help even more families while making it easy for our family, friends, and the public to give,” said Derek.
Luke’s legacy lives on not only through the fund, but also through his family, including his siblings, Jacob, who was three when Luke was diagnosed, and June, who was born a week after Luke passed away.
“Knowing we can give back in a way that Luke would have been appreciative and supportive of, and that Jacob and June can be a part of, has helped our grieving process,” said Beth, recalling how Luke faced his illness with remarkable positivity and bravery. “Even in his six short years, he had such a lightness and brightness. Luke’s ability to find joy, no matter what he was going through, is something we will always treasure and try to emulate,” said Beth.
“We can all learn from Luke. Though Luke’s time on earth was cut achingly short, the lesson he taught us as he bravely fought his battle with cancer endures. We believe if we wake up every day with the intention of living the way Luke lived, we can live in a better world.”
– BETH CHILDS
CO-FOUNDER, LIVE LIKE LUKE FUND AT CFT
Vijay Ram graduated from CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy cohort in 2020, where he first participated in our GiveWisely® values-based giving program and has since stayed engaged as an alumnus.
Earlier this year, when he and his now-wife Sureka Gattu were planning their wedding and their future together, they decided to create a charitable fund at CFT, the V&S Legacy Fund for Education Access. Instead of receiving wedding gifts, they asked their friends and family to contribute to their philanthropy by making a gift to the fund.
The newlyweds, who first met at a nonprofit event and have since been together for almost a decade, have a vision and intention for how they want to support education throughout their lifetime. They recall volunteering with their parents as children and were both actively involved in mentoring and volunteering during college and after graduation.
“We are grateful to our parents for the values they instilled in us and the sacrifices they made,” said Sureka, noting their shared passion for access to quality education. “Our families put a lot of time and effort into raising us to be educated across disciplines and to take ownership of our futures. We want others to have those same opportunities, so we are working to grow our fund into a scholarship fund,” said Vijay. “This is our way of starting our legacy now, to pass on what we inherited from our parents.”
“CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program helped frame how to think about charitable giving,” said Vijay. “Participating in GiveWisely® as a couple also helped us hone our giving priorities,” he added.
“Part of our journey in partnering with CFT is learning more about the education space itself. We’re being intentional about our philanthropy, asking a lot of questions, and we are grateful to have the CFT team to help guide us. We’re interested in being actively involved in solving today’s educational challenges alongside our community’s nonprofits,” said Sureka.
Vijay and Sureka’s careers have both centered around healthcare and education. “I believe we are all born curious, like little scientists. Early access to quality education can help shape the way we think and behave in the world. Vijay and I hold each other accountable in continuously learning and growing. We’re on a lifelong journey together of learning how to be more impactful,” said Sureka.
“We are working to grow our fund into a scholarship fund. This is our way of starting our legacy now, to pass on what we inherited from our parents.”
– VIJAY RAM
CO-FOUNDER, V&S LEGACY FUND FOR EDUCATION ACCESS AT CFT
For fifth-generation Texan sisters Averille Dawson, Fallon Vaughn, and Kathryn Cook, the Jane and Bill Browning Family Fund at CFT isn’t just a mechanism for their collaborative charitable giving — it’s a living legacy of their parents’ compassion and commitment to helping others.
When their mother, Jane, was alive, they witnessed her giving back to countless organizations, including many local service clubs and committees. “It was at the top of her list to give back to the community,” recalls Kathryn. Since Jane’s passing, the sisters regularly come together to thoughtfully advise on grants made from the fund in their parents’ name. “Our mom was deeply committed to helping others. She gave quietly, but we saw it, and it’s an honor to continue that,” said Averille.
Recently, CFT shared with the sisters a pressing need that was aligned with one of their funding priorities. Mazie’s Mission, a local nonprofit veterinary clinic that provides lifesaving care to abused and neglected animals, faced an unexpected $120,000 funding gap. Mazie’s Mission has treated over 25,000 animals since it launched a decade ago, and has a client base of over 350 nonprofit rescue organizations and shelters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
The Browning sisters often grant to smaller, locally focused causes, where they feel funds can go even further to have a greater impact. “We all got on the phone together to discuss, and it immediately struck a chord,” Averille shared. “We grew up knowing the importance of supporting those who don’t have a voice, especially animals in need.”
Within hours of learning about the goals of Mazie’s Mission, the sisters offered to match CFT’s $50,000 grant to the clinic. This decision was more than an instinctive response to a worthy cause they were passionate about; it was another tribute to their mother’s legacy.
In partnering with CFT, Averille, Fallon, and Kathryn have carried forward the Browning family tradition of generosity, a tradition in which their children and grandchildren are beginning to participate. “The way Mom set up this fund was intentional. She had a vision of us working together through CFT,” Averille said. “She wanted us to continue to experience the joy of coming together as a family to give back.” They recalled how their families would volunteer together over the years, supporting holiday toy drives and more.
“It’s gratifying to make a difference in the world, especially right here at home in Texas. It’s so much easier with CFT’s help, to have a partner that helps research, vet, and facilitate our grants. It makes it much more joyous to give, and when you pool your resources, you can give in bigger ways,” said Kathryn. Together, they’re able to support one another’s passions through the fund, from education, including youth golf and flight lessons, to caring for animals and veterans.
The Browning sisters intend for their fund to have a multi-generational impact. “I know when we’re gone, CFT will still be here, mentoring and guiding our children in their giving, just as they’ve done with us,” said Averille.
“Our mom was deeply committed to helping others and wanted us to continue to experience the joy of coming together as a family to give back.”
– AVERILLE DAWSON
SUCCESSOR ADVISOR TO THE JANE AND BILL BROWNING FAMILY FUND AT CFT
Grantee Spotlight: Mazie’s Mission
Next
Previous
Jody Hawn established the Hawn Foundation Fund at CFT in 2011. Since then, he has been a key partner in supporting nonprofits through CFT’s North Texas Giving Day, which has grown to become the largest regional giving event in the nation. Each year, Jody recommends grants from the fund to nonprofits in the Hawn Foundation’s priority focus areas: education, faith, health, human services, seniors, and youth.
The Hawn Foundation was founded in 1962 by Jody’s late uncle, William Russell “Fritz” Hawn, a successful real estate developer and philanthropist. He made significant grants to U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Southern Methodist University, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, and more.
Fritz later asked a young Jody to take on leadership of the foundation, a role he’s now held for more than 25 years. “I’ve always had a place in my heart for helping those in need, and it’s been an honor to continue supporting the things he loved,” said Jody, who has served on the boards of Senior Source and the President’s Research Council at U.T. Southwestern. “I’ve learned that Dallas is unlike any other city when it comes to philanthropy.”
While Jody has supported many nonprofits during his lifetime, he is especially passionate about the American Red Cross North Texas. Based in Dallas, the organization serves more than 11 million people in 121 counties through five local chapters. He first became connected to their work when he was partnering with area churches to help increase blood donations, and now serves on their Dallas-Forth Worth Metro East Board of Directors.
In addition to providing blood and blood products to disaster victims, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health services, emotional support, helps people find loved ones after a disaster, and feeds emergency workers and first responders. Much of their work relies on committed volunteers.
The Red Cross routinely pre-positions volunteers and trailer loads of supplies to support communities in the path of developing hurricanes. “The American Red Cross North Texas has a tremendous impact in Texas. They were on the ground supporting the Texas Gulf Coast with volunteers and supplies before Hurricane Beryl even made landfall,” noted Jody.
“The Red Cross is truly rebuilding lives, from helping with catastrophes and disasters to helping with house fires. They’re often the first ones on the scene and the last to leave,” said Jody. “They don’t just provide relief to victims of disasters, they help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies through their five lines of service: disaster relief, biomedical services, service to the armed forces, international services, and training services.”
Last year, CFT was honored by the Red Cross with its “Ready 365 Platinum Plus Partner” award for continued support of the critical work done in North Texas.
In 2022, Jody and his wife Sarah helped fund a new Mobile Collections Unit vehicle, a critical part of lifesaving blood collection and distribution that transports around 1,200 pounds of needed supplies and equipment for blood drives to 24 Red Cross hospital partners across Texas. “We wanted to help ensure that the region’s Biomedical Services Team had the equipment needed to support and maintain a healthy blood supply,” said Jody.
Jody and Sarah have also served as matching gift donors for the Red Cross’ North Texas Giving Day campaign to double the impact of donations made during Giving Day. To encourage giving to the American Red Cross North Texas through North Texas Giving Day 2025 and to rally more community support, The Hawn Foundation Fund will match donations made dollar for dollar, up to $250,000 total.
“Jody’s matching gift opportunity will help ensure we can continue to deliver vital aid and hope to those who need it most during a critical season for disaster relief and community support,” said Linda Braddy, American Red Cross North Texas CEO.
“Jody has a strong commitment to the mission of the Red Cross and has made a profound impact, helping us deliver vital aid and hope to those in need. His compassion and dedication inspire us all, and we are honored to count him among our most valued supporters,” said Ariane Einecker, chief development officer at American Red Cross North Texas.
The American Red Cross North Texas is part of the Mass Care Task Force, a partnership of local nonprofits that are ready to serve when disaster strikes that also includes the North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army of North Texas, and VolunteerNow. In times of disaster, the Task Force has supported immediate food, shelter, volunteers, communication, and management. The collaborative effort was established in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to maximize the disaster-related services provided by the four nonprofits. CFT often supports local relief and recovery efforts and was one of the first major funders of the collaborative, granting $1 million from our W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund.
“We are deeply grateful for Jody Hawn’s unwavering support and remarkable generosity over the years. His leadership on our board is influencing the visibility of the American Red Cross mission work throughout North Texas,” said Braddy.
“It takes a village to do this work. For anyone looking to get involved, I recommend looking into the countless ways you can volunteer, and to consider becoming a blood donor. With just that one step, you can save a life.”
– JODY HAWN
PRESIDENT, HAWN FOUNDATION; FOUNDER, HAWN FOUNDATION FUND AT CFT
Giving circles are a growing global movement where people with shared values come together and give collectively. Giving circles not only provide financial support, but also raise awareness and encourage volunteerism.
Two local giving circles, the Orchid Giving Circle and Village Giving Circle, joined CFT earlier this year. In addition to managing their technical platforms and grantmaking efforts, CFT provides the giving circles access to our local philanthropic expertise to further amplify their impact. In celebration of these new partnerships, CFT provided a $25,000 matching grant to each organization.
The Orchid Giving Circle
The Orchid Giving Circle at CFT is a group of local Asian women who collaborate, pool their resources, and leverage their networks to generate grants that support social change and services benefitting the North Texas Asian community. Orchid members represent a wide range of Asian cultures, ages, and professions.
The Orchid Giving Circle celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 2015, the circle has granted over $2 million to 60 local organizations. This year marked a record amount in grants: a total of $463,100 to 31 nonprofit organizations and three leadership development grants. Their grant focus areas include education, domestic violence, healthcare, arts and culture, and social services. They prioritize nonprofits that empower women and girls and place an emphasis on funding female-led organizations.
“The Orchid Giving Circle is a growing Asian sisterhood that provides grants and fosters philanthropy,” said Mylinh Luong, current Chair of the Orchid Giving Circle. “We’re thrilled to partner with CFT to support our collective impact.”
Learn more, donate, or become a member of the Orchid Giving Circle.
The Village Giving Circle
The Village Giving Circle at CFT was founded in 2017 by nine Black women who believe in the power of investing resources in organizations and initiatives that positively impact the Black community and address unmet needs.
The Village Giving Circle now has more than 75 members who help further their ability to expand the legacy of giving that has existed for generations among Black women. They’ve supported 40 local nonprofits since their launch, with more than $1.4 million in grants awarded. This year, they awarded $150,000 to 10 organizations focused on arts and culture, economic security, education, health, social services, and youth.
“The Village Giving Circle harnesses the collective giving power and influence of African American and Black women philanthropists to fund nonprofits doing work that benefits Black communities,” said Rhonda Williams, Ph.D., Chair of the Village Giving Circle. “Our circle is a village built through a sisterhood of giving. Each act, each contribution, is a thread that binds us together in a shared purpose — to uplift, empower, and make a positive impact. We seek to multiply the force of positive change.”
Learn more, donate, or become a member of the Village Giving Circle.
“As we seek to grow community giving, we recognize the power and impact of pooling resources to address unmet needs through collective giving models.”
– WAYNE WHITE
PRESIDENT AND CEO, COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS
Next
Previous
Gigi Gartner is passionate about animal welfare. She started rescuing dogs 20 years ago and is now with her sixth rescue pet, Ginger, a German Shepherd that she found at Dallas Animal Services.
“There are so many animals in need of a home, and each dog has their own unique story of resilience. I know I’m making an impact when I rescue,” said Gigi. “I encourage everyone to consider adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue. By doing so, you’ll be making a difference for a deserving dog, and in return you’ll receive a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship. It’s a ripple effect of care and compassion.”
Gigi was first connected to CFT through her late mother, Louise (Tootsie) Gartner, who founded the Common Cents Fund at CFT. Gigi witnessed her giving back for as long as she can remember. “My mom was my best friend. We did everything together. Not only did I see her model philanthropy, I served as her helper to make it happen. I was highly involved with every step. I saw the love she put into giving back, it was so important to her. Now, I’m following in her footsteps, but filling them in my own way,” said Gigi.
Through a special North Texas Giving Day matching campaign during National Pet Month, Gigi joined forces with CFT to double donations to local nonprofits that support animals in North Texas. Donations were matched dollar for dollar up to $150,000.
“When CFT told me about this new opportunity, I said yes immediately. CFT is great at knowing what fits my priorities. They are supportive and make giving easy. I am so proud to have been part of this fabulous initiative,” said Gigi.
Ultimately, Gigi’s matching gift through her fund at CFT helped generate more than $555,000 from 1,784 community donations to local animal and pet nonprofits.
“Animal welfare holds a significant place in my heart. Through this effort, we raised awareness and inspired others to support organizations that are helping animals and pets transform lives and make a larger impact across our community.”
– GIGI GARTNER
This effort was one of four new matching gift fundraising campaigns using the North Texas Giving Day website this year. “We wanted to try something new to raise additional funds for local nonprofits outside of the North Texas Giving Day season in September. These campaigns demonstrated the power of leveraging CFT and fundholder giving to raise more for our community,” said Wayne White, CFT’s president and CEO.
The campaigns would not have been possible without CFT’s fundholders and corporate partners, including Gigi Gartner, the Giana Foundation Fund at CFT and their support of arts and culture, Charles Schwab Bank and their support of economic security, and the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation and their support of mental health.
$1.5 million was raised in total for local nonprofits through this new effort, with each campaign exceeding matching goals within a matter of days and even hours.
This new series helped kickstart a record-breaking North Texas Giving Day 2024, which generated more than $70 million for 3,200 nonprofits in September, bringing the total impact to $635 million over the past 16 years.
Spotlight on Gigi Gartner and the Common Cents Fund at CFT
Next
Previous
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries, housed at the George W. Bush Institute, provides grant funding to expand, diversify, and update school library book and print collections. Mrs. Laura Bush initially launched the Laura Bush Foundation in 2002 while serving in the White House. Since then, $22 million has been awarded to over 3,800 schools across the country, filling libraries with new books and encouraging students to develop a love of reading and learning.
Schools use the grant awards to update their collections through a variety of formats, including Braille volumes, audiobooks, dual language books, publication subscriptions, and e-books. Studies show that the quality of a school library has a major impact on reading scores and academic success.
In 2023, Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) began to support the Foundation, serving as a valued extension of their team in facilitating the management of their online grant application and grant distribution process.
A former librarian and teacher, Mrs. Bush has a lifelong passion for education and reading, and she understands that limited financial resources often result in school leaders placing a lower priority on their libraries.
“We’ve seen that when schools evaluate their budgets and need to make cuts, funding for school library collections can often be the first to go,” said Alex Dowdy, senior program manager for education at the Bush Institute. “School leaders have shared the positive impact these grants have on students when they discover there are new authors and titles for them to explore and connect with. Our focus is to ensure all children have access to books and agency in what they’re reading.”
“Instilling a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. When a child opens a book, they open up a world of possibilities. These grants give librarians the opportunity to update their collections, and they give students the chance to find a book that captures their interest,” Mrs. Bush said.
“CFT’s partnership frees up our team to focus on reading each grant application and understanding each school’s needs,” shared Alex. Their grant awards support hundreds of school library collections each year.
Mrs. Bush’s impact on literacy and learning spans decades. In 2001, Mrs. Bush established the Library of Congress National Book Festival, an annual literary festival that brings together bestselling authors and readers for author talks, panel discussions, and book signings. The George W. Bush Presidential Center presents an annual Laura Bush Book Club event to bring together authors and community members as part of their Engage at the Bush Center series. Mrs. Bush also shares an annual summer reading list for toddlers through middle schoolers that contains both classics and new releases.
“Once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”
– MRS. LAURA BUSH
Read more about The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries’ 2024 grants.
View Mrs. Laura Bush’s 2024 summer reading list.
Learn more about how CFT can help provide strategic and administrative grantmaking support.
Educate Texas, an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, is a trusted change agent in Texas education, working through programs and policies to ensure every Texas student is prepared in school, the workforce, and life. Through a partnership with the Richardson Healthcare Careers Academy (RHCA) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to cultivate strong healthcare leaders, Educate Texas is providing professional development and technical assistance, leveraging our expertise to support the Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) program.
Together with Richardson Independent School District and major healthcare partners like Methodist Richardson Medical Center, RHCA allows students to engage in practical training within a hospital environment, where they gain valuable experience in patient care and emergency response.
RHCA campus instructor Dr. Shannon Ragsdale takes great pride in working alongside students as they acquire essential skills in delivering quality care. “Students arrive as freshmen interested in healthcare,” she says. “By their senior year, they are providing real patient care, responding to 911 calls, and performing CPR. They are truly saving lives.” The practical experiences align with Educate Texas’ broader goal of fostering expertise and a commitment to community health among students.
The initiative addresses the urgent post-COVID decline in entry-level healthcare workers, aiming to close the skills gap by equipping new professionals with essential competencies needed in the healthcare field. Ken Hutchenrider, president of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, quickly recognized the value of the partnership in addressing workforce needs. “Our mission aligns perfectly with the goals of the Richardson ISD,” he says. “By working together, we enhance educational opportunities for students while also addressing the workforce shortage in healthcare.”
The program is further strengthened by dedicated support systems, including success coaches who help students navigate their educational journeys. According to Jennifer Sweaks, CTE/P-TECH counselor, “Many of our students face challenges at home regarding college guidance. The success coaches provide critical support, ensuring they are prepared for the path ahead.” Educate Texas recognizes that such support systems are essential for students to thrive academically and personally.
Bennett, an RHCA student, appreciates the camaraderie and encouragement within the academy. “Everyone here feels like family, and the support is tremendous. They want you to be the best that you can be.” By fostering a nurturing atmosphere, the program ensures that every student has the resources and motivation they need to succeed.
Educate Texas continues to innovate and adapt its strategies based on community and industry needs. Programs like the Richardson Healthcare Careers Academy develop skilled and compassionate professionals equipped to enter the workforce, making a lasting impact on the future of healthcare in Texas.
“Students arrive as freshmen interested in healthcare. By their senior year, they are providing real patient care, responding to 911 calls, and performing CPR. They are truly saving lives.”
– DR. SHANNON RAGSDALE
RHCA CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR
Next
Previous
City Year Dallas has been transforming educational outcomes and addressing inequities locally for the past decade. The organization recruits and trains young leaders ages 18-25 from diverse backgrounds to serve full-time in Dallas schools, providing essential support in literacy, math, attendance, and social-emotional learning. By fostering meaningful connections with students, City Year AmeriCorps members play a vital role in mentoring those most at risk of dropping out, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.
Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) made an initial investment in City Year Dallas in 2015 with a $750,000 grant to launch its program in two schools. As the program expanded its reach to six schools, CFT remained a critical partner, providing ongoing support.
“Amazing partners like CFT made it possible for us to launch,” reflects Heather Holland, executive director of City Year Dallas. “During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, CFT made another investment of $500,000 to help us adapt our programming to better meet the evolving needs of students.”
City Year’s work has been particularly notable in schools identified as Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) campuses, including Frederick Douglass Elementary, which was able to improve its rating from a D to a B. Principal Sherqueena Jackson shared, “The City Year corps members make a huge impact on our students, because we are in a community that needs a lot of support.”
Aldair Quiroz recalled his own upbringing in underserved schools. His experience motivated him to become a City Year corps member and informed his relationship-oriented approach to mentorship. “I try to get to know a student first before we actually get to the logistics of helping them with their academics,” he explained.
Donavon Orozo, a student Quiroz supports, recognizes the difference the mentors make in his life. “He helps me understand difficult concepts,” Donavon explained with a smile, later admitting that his favorite part of the day is the goodbye hug they share before heading home. Another student, Sincere Davis, appreciates having mentors who bring humor, joy, and connection, noting, “They make me want to get up early to come to school.” These mentor-student relationships are vital to enhancing student experiences and long-term success.
As City Year looks to the future, they hope to extend the program to more schools that need intensive support, which means developing more mentors. Tiarra Thomas, City Year’s managing director of development, shared how the program allows young people like Quiroz to see first-hand the impact they can have on their community. “Being able to provide a community service experience while supporting more schools is what we want to do,” said Thomas. “The mentorship support provided creates a positive ripple effect, empowering students to grow into engaged citizens.”
“The City Year corps members make a huge impact on our students, because we are in a community that needs a lot of support. These mentor-student relationships are vital to their long-term success.”
– SHERQUEENA JACKSON
PRINCIPAL, FREDERICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY
2024 Financial Highlights
Investment Managers
Alphadyne Asset Management, LP
BlackRock
Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc.
Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.
Calvert Research and Management
Crystal Capital Partners
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc.
Freshford Capital Management, LLC
GQG Partners, LLC
Lazard Asset Management
Northern Trust
Palmer Square
Parametric Portfolio Associates, LLC
Renaissance Technologies, LLC
State Street Global Advisors
TIAA-CREF
Trinity Street Asset Management
Vanguard
CUSTODIAN Northern Trust LEGAL COUNSEL Holland and Knight, LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITOR Moss Adams, LLP INVESTMENT CONSULTANT Cambridge Associates, LLC
Financials for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
Total Assets:
Total Grants Paid:
Total Gifts Received:
Number of Funds:
Cumulative Grants:
ASSETS (in
millions, unaudited)
2024 COMPOSITION OF ASSETS (in millions,
unaudited)
GIFTS (in millions,
unaudited)
2024 COMPOSITION OF GIFTS (in millions, unaudited)
TOTAL GRANTS PAID (in millions,
unaudited)
2024 COMPOSITION OF GRANTS (in millions, unaudited)
2024 GRANTS DISTRIBUTION
For a listing of named funds at CFT and to review the annual independent audit report and the related audited consolidated financial statements with footnotes, click here.
Our Team
Visit CFTexas.org
Enjoying these stories? There’s even more on our website, CFTexas.org! Get inspired by browsing our library of impact stories, stay up to date on our community impact initiatives, meet our esteemed CFT experts and trustees, and more.
Visit our site
