Communities Foundation of Texas Launches New Initiative
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
By Robert Miller
The Communities Foundation of Texas has launched an initiative as part of its commitment to ensure that grants address the greatest needs in the community with the biggest possible impact, said Brent Christopher, president and CEO of the foundation.
Nonprofit organizations in North Texas will be able to submit information about their critical funding needs. The Communities Foundation will review the information and publish it online and in a “Giving Guide” that will be given to donors who hold funds at the foundation.
The Communities Foundation of Texas has just completed its successful pilot year for this initiative during which more than 50 agencies received a combined $1 million from donor-advised funds and the foundation’s discretionary funds in eight key areas: animals, arts, education, environment, elderly, health, social services and youth.
One example is a donor-advised grant from the Martin and Elizabeth Price Fund to the Dallas AfterSchool Network, which provides resources to improve the quality of after-school programs. With the grant through the foundation’s matchmaking initiative, the 3-year-old Dallas AfterSchool Network will support professional development for after-school program staff members to maximize their impact on the students they serve.
“CFT knows we are passionate about education,” Elizabeth Price said. “We were excited to see the request from the Dallas AfterSchool Network in CFT’s Giving Guide because it’s a perfect match for our giving goals.”
Tanya McDonald, president of Dallas AfterSchool Network, thanked the foundation for bringing the program’s request to the Prices’ attention.
The Communities Foundation is also funding a YMCA partnership to provide swimming lessons to poor children at pools at public schools and apartment complexes.
“We were particularly impressed with the way the YMCA is not only meeting a community safety need but doing it in a way that’s most convenient for Dallas-area children and their caregivers,” said Sarah Nelson, the foundation’s chief philanthropy officer.
“With summer right around the corner, this thoughtful collaboration will ensure more children complete the important water safety training that they need.”
The Communities Foundation’s matchmaking program complements the 2009 launch of DonorBridge (www.donor bridgetx.org), the foundation’s website that connects donors and supporters with nonprofit organizations.
