BRAVE/R Together advances health equity through four key pathways: healthcare, education, business & economic development, and housing. “This partnership with NTCF is a critical step in addressing barriers to opportunity in 76104,” said Shawn Lassiter, PhD, executive director of BRAVE/R Together. “We’re committed to sustainable, community-led strategies that drive positive change.”

Launched in 2024, the Fund for Good enables NTCF to respond to our region’s evolving needs by directing philanthropic resources to transformative solutions in North Texas. The City of Fort Worth recently identified the Historic Southside neighborhood as a priority community experiencing significant private and public investment to ensure that residents are not displaced, and cultural history is preserved.

Powered by the generosity of NTCF donors, the 2025 Fund for Good grant will help BRAVE/R Together strengthen local businesses, prevent displacement, and preserve the area’s cultural legacy by centering residents in decision-making. The long-term goal is to cultivate an economically vibrant neighborhood that remains deeply connected to its history and community.

“Creating economic opportunity for local residents while preserving historic neighborhoods is essential for Fort Worth’s future,” said Rose Bradshaw, President & CEO of NTCF. “By aligning philanthropic and public investments today, we can ensure long-term impact and drive results for decades to come.”

This grant is part of NTCF’s broader commitment to community development. In 2024, NTCF funded a Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce survey to prioritize community voices in the Historic Northside District. The Foundation also launched the BEACON Fund to support historically disinvested neighborhoods and participates in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Economic Mobility Action Network Cohort, which brings together community foundations nationwide to collaborate on strategies for increasing economic opportunity.

Prior Fund for Good Investments

NTCF’s Fund for Good has previously supported initiatives addressing critical community needs, including:

Affordable Housing: A grant to Presbyterian Night Shelter supported the Journey Home Housing initiative, which repurposed former Seminary student housing into 42 units of affordable housing for individuals and families in South Fort Worth. This initiative provides a stable housing solution with wrap around services that promote long-term well-being and economic stability.

Maternal and Infant Health: A grant to Best Place for Working Parents supported the expansion of the Parent Pass app, a critical tool that connects mothers with essential healthcare and social services for themselves and their babies. By streamlining referrals to vital resources, the app strengthens support networks for families and improves health outcomes.

All Fund for Good grants undergo rigorous evaluation by a volunteer committee of community experts.

The 2025 committee members are:

Michael Appleman

Dennis Chiessa

Fernando Costa

Jennifer Grammer

Janeen Lamkin

Jeffery Postell

Dani Tucker

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Lowy, senior vice president at Hillwood, has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for five years, most recently as Vice Chair of the Board. Lowy’s leadership comes as the Foundation embarks on a new strategic planning process, set to be unveiled next year.

“It is an honor to step into this role at a transformative time for the Community Foundation. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members, our dedicated staff, and generous donors to build on the Foundation’s strong legacy and create lasting impact in our region,” said Lowy.

Joining the Board of Directors are:

Becky Nussbaum Gerro, Director of Development, River Legacy Foundation

Lindsay Daniel Livesay, JD, Private Wealth Trust Market Manager & SVP, Bank of Texas Private Wealth

Malathi Ravi, Attorney, Wick Phillips

David Saenz, Ed.D., Senior Education Advisor, Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Workforce and Education

Stephen Shannon, CEO, Colo Development Partners

“We are thrilled to welcome such outstanding leaders to our Board of Directors. Their expertise and vision will guide the Foundation’s impact for years to come,” said Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “With their leadership, we are well-positioned to drive meaningful change and strengthen our community for future generations.”

The Community Foundation’s volunteer Board of Directors provides governance over strategic planning, community leadership, and the trustworthy stewardship of more than $549 million in charitable assets. Thanks to the generosity of its fundholders, the Community Foundation has granted more than $500 million to nonprofits since its inception in 1981.

North Texas Community Foundation’s Board of Directors include:

Smith A. Brownlie, III, Founding Partner, Cotton Creek Capital

Orlando P. Carvalho, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin, retired

Crystal Flores, Head of Engagement, Ivy League Sisters

Becky Nussbaum Gerro, Director of Development, River Legacy Foundation

Jennifer Grammer, CPA – Tax Senior Manager, Whitley Penn

Stacy Landreth Grau, PhD, Associate Dean – John Roach Honors College, Texas ChristianUniversity

Ryan Heath, Founding Attorney, TrustPoint Legal, PLLC

Kelly Hein, CFO, D3G Capital Management, LLC

Janeen Lamkin, Community Volunteer

Anette Soto Landeros, Chief Strategy Officer, Trinity Metro

Lindsay Daniel Livesay, JD, Private Wealth Trust Market Manager & SVP, Bank of Texas Private Wealth

Meggie Lowy, Senior Vice President, Hillwood

Daniel H. McCarthy, Partner, Wick Phillips Gould & Martin

Winjie Miao, SEVP, Texas Health Resources

Savannah Petronis, Financial Advisor, Baird Private Wealth Management

Horatio Porter, Chief Financial Officer, North Texas Tollway Authority

Malathi Ravi, Attorney, Wick Phillips

David Saenz, Ed.D., Senior Education Advisor, Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Workforce and Education

Ken Schaefer, President, Schaefer Advertising Co.

Stephen Shannon, CEO, Colo Development Partners

Jeremy Smith, President, Rainwater Charitable Foundation

Joseph D. Taylor, Chairman, Board of Managers, JTaylor

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While private philanthropy cannot fully replace the loss of public funding, donors are essential in helping sustain and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Now, more than ever, your support can have a meaningful impact. Here’s how you can get involved today:

1. Reach Out to the Nonprofits You Support

Check in with the organizations you support to learn their current needs. Their challenges may have changed due to policy shifts, higher demand, or inflation. Understanding both their immediate and long-term needs will help you give more effectively.

2. Increase Your Giving—And Make It Flexible

If you’re in a position to give, now is the time. Consider increasing your support or committing to multi-year funding to help nonprofits plan more effectively. Unrestricted donations are especially valuable in uncertain times, allowing organizations to direct resources where they’re needed most. Flexible, unrestricted funding empowers them to remain responsive, resilient, and impactful.

3. Explore Corporate and Business Giving

While individual donors remain a cornerstone of philanthropy, businesses also have a role to play. If you have corporate connections, consider advocating for or giving through corporate giving programs, sponsorships, or employee matching gifts that can amplify funding.

4. Support The Fund for Good

A powerful way to support our community is through the Fund for Good at NTCF, backed by donors who recognize that community needs and nonprofit priorities are constantly evolving – and they trust North Texas Community Foundation to meet these needs, both today and in the future. To support the Fund for Good, visit this link. Current fundholders can also give through the My NTCF Fund portal.

5. Stay Engaged

Engage in conversations about the value of nonprofit work and stay informed about the challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy.

Your generosity has been a driving force in building strong, vibrant communities across North Texas. If you have questions about how to maximize your impact, North Texas Community Foundation is here to help.

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“Our mission has always been to connect donors to the causes they care about most,” Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “This milestone reflects a deep-seated culture of generosity in our community. As we look ahead, we remain committed to driving positive change and addressing the needs of our region.”

Over the past year, 1,300 organizations received grants supporting programs in a wide range of areas such as education, healthcare, arts and culture, economic development, and environmental conservation.

Among the highlights are:

> In its inaugural year, the Fund for Good granted a total of $500,000 to support transformative community projects. The fund awarded grants to Presbyterian Night Shelter for their Journey Home Housing program, and to Best Place for Kids for their work with the Tarrant County Maternal & Infant Health Coalition.

> $202,250 in funding was awarded to 18 organizations through ToolBox Grants to build the capacity of organizations serving our most vulnerable communities.

> The Conservation and Environment Fund and Animal Fund grant cycles awarded $290,344 to 29 nonprofits. Nonprofits across the Foundation’s 11-county service area were invited to apply.

The Foundation ended 2024 with total assets of $549 million. New donors opened 35 new charitable funds, and the Foundation received gifts totaling $51 million, which will fuel future investment in our community. The Foundation serves a network of more than 330 individuals, families and businesses across its 11-county region.

“This record-breaking achievement is a testament to the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our staff, and the resilience of the nonprofit community. Together, we are making a lasting impact across North Texas,” said Dan McCarthy, board chair of North Texas Community Foundation.

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Organizations like AB Christian Learning Center play a vital role in shaping the future of Stop Six by providing educational resources to families and children within the neighborhood, specifically at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. As a Toolbox Fund grantee, AB Christan Learning Center continues to strengthen the community by providing after-school and summer learning programs for children aged 4 to 12 and advising families on the support they need to become advocates for their children’s education.

Another key organization in Stop Six is Community Frontline, which is committed to mobilizing men to engage in and alleviate suffering within their communities. Their work focuses on four pillars: racial justice, police/community relations, mentoring/education, and community development. The Tubman Gallery, run by Community Frontline as part of their community development efforts, is a noncommercial art gallery in East Fort Worth that showcases the work of underrepresented artists. Supported by the Arts & Culture Fund, it serves as a space to foster creativity and cultural expression.

Meals on Wheels recently began serving meals at Cowan Place Senior Living, a 174-unit housing development in Stop Six for seniors 64 and older. This new congregate meal site provides lunch daily, ensuring seniors in the area have access to fresh, nutritious meals. Since 1985, funding from the Ella C. McFadden Endowment Fund has helped sustain and expand the organization’s mission to combat hunger and isolation.

Stop Six stands as a powerful example of perseverance and progress, where community organizations and dedicated leaders honor its rich history while paving the way for a brighter future. As it evolves, Stop Six embodies the strength and unity of its people, with past and present efforts working together to create a thriving, vibrant community for all who call it home.

The post Stop Six: Bridging Historic Roots with Community Growth appeared first on North Texas Community Foundation.

In the coming weeks, we will be featuring three of Fort Worth’s historically Black neighborhoods: Historic Southside, Como, and Stop Six. These communities have long served as centers of culture and resilience, with former residents like William McDonald, Hazel Harvey Peace, and Opal Lee leaving a lasting impact on the city’s past, present, and future. Through our partnerships and grantmaking, we are proud to support organizations working to preserve these neighborhoods’ legacies while promoting economic mobility and community development.

This week, we spotlight the Historic Southside, whose rich history and vibrant present are a testament to the power of community and the enduring legacy of its residents. Established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Historic Southside became a thriving hub for Black residents, businesses, and cultural institutions during segregation. Today, the area is experiencing a revival, balancing the preservation of its rich history with new opportunities for growth.

Organizations like the National Juneteenth Museum are central to this transformation. Dedicated to preserving the history of Juneteenth, the museum connects the stories of emancipation to ongoing efforts for equity and justice. With support from NTCF, the National Juneteenth Museum hired a museum strategist to develop a curatorial and strategic plan for the museum, set to open in 2026.

Another vital organization making a difference is BRAVE/R Together. BRAVE/R Together aims to achieve health equity in 76104 by eradicating disparities in education, healthcare, housing, and business/economic development. Through a $25,000 grant from the Conservation & Environment Fund, BRAVE/R will be able to acquire and convert vacant lots in 76104 into green spaces.

The Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society plays a vital role in preserving the legacy of Historic Southside. By collecting, organizing, and sharing African American historical contributions, the Society educates and empowers the community while honoring its rich heritage. Managing the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum, the Society serves as a steward of history. With support from NTCF’s Arts Fund, the society continues its mission to celebrate and preserve the cultural treasures of the Historic Southside.

As this series continues, we invite you to reflect on the importance of preserving and investing in Fort Worth’s historically Black neighborhoods. By working together, we can ensure these communities remain strong, vibrant, and celebrated for generations to come.

The post Honoring Historically Black Neighborhoods in Fort Worth appeared first on North Texas Community Foundation.

The Conservation and Environment Fund supports projects that promote environmental stewardship and preservation of North Texas’s natural spaces. Funding was awarded to organizations that contribute to the conservation of native Texas species and habitats, protect urban green spaces, and provide educational programs that emphasize the importance of land and resource protection. Grants also support efforts to maintain land for agricultural, wildlife, and botanical purposes.

The Animal Fund provides resources for organizations that care for abused, injured, or abandoned animals, offer equine rescue, shelter, rehabilitation, or adoption services, and provide humane education programs. Funding also supported equine-assisted therapy programs, which bring transformative benefits to both animals and individuals in need.

Eligible organizations in Bosque, Denton, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise and Young Counties were invited to apply for funding.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors who invested in these grant cycles, this funding will make a significant impact on conservation efforts in North Texas and provide critical resources to animal welfare programs,” says Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation.

Grant recipients include:

Conservation and Environment Fund

• BRAVE/R Together: For the conversion of vacant lots into urban gardens and parks.
• By Any Means 104/Southside Community Garden: For the creation of a permaculture station in 76104.
• Camp Fire First Texas: To provide support for Title 1 schools to attend the Texas Outdoor Education Center.
• Child Care Associates: To construct a greenhouse at LVTRise Community Center to provide fresh produce for the center and community.
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: For the purchase of a no-till drill to plant native grasses for erosion control and wildlife grazing.
• Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge: For the enhancement of native prairie sites at the Center.
• KEEN Group: To provide environmental education field trips to a Texas State Parks Hatchery and Nature Photography classes.
• National Wildlife Federation: To help in the recovery of monarch butterflies through helping Fort Worth ISD students, teachers and community members to create milkweed habitats.
• Native Prairies Association of Texas: For support of a conservation easement in North Texas to protect vital landscape.
• Opening Doors for Women In Need: For support of the Como Community Gardens.
• Streams & Valleys: To provide support for the Trinity Park Trail Enhancement Project.
• Texas Land Conservancy: To provide assistance to landowners without the financial means to finalize conservation easements.
• The Clark Gardens: For the rehabilitation of a pollinator garden.
• University of North Texas Foundation: To support the continued efforts to reestablish, protect and conserve 85 acres of prairie land at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area.

The Animal Fund

• Buster’s Friends: To support spay/neuter surgeries, specialty animal care, vaccinations and support animal foster homes.
• Community Food Bank: To replenish the supply of dog and cat food for families in need.
• Don’t Forget to Feed Me: For the purchase of cat and dog food to distribute in the community.
• Friends of Arlington Animal Services: To provide spay/neuter surgeries for feral cats served through the Trap-Neuter-Return program and heartworm treatment for dogs.
• Humane Society of North Texas: For the construction of three play yards at the Fort Worth shelter. For the purchase of essential equine equipment, including run-in sheds, round pens, and rope breakaway halters.
• Mid-Cities Community Cats: To provide medical care for feral cats served through the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program.
• Panther City Feral Cat Coalition: To provide Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return services and medical care for injured and ill cats who are feral or abandoned.
• Ranch Hands Rescue: To provide veterinary services, farrier care, dental care and medication to rescued equine in the animal sanctuary.
• Remember Me Rescue: For the enhancement of the quarantine facilities, covered concrete pad and stock for the rescued racehorses.
• Saving Hope Foundation: To provide free spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and microchips to animals in southeast Fort Worth.
• Spay Neuter Network: To provide spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats in Fort Worth.
• Coalition for Animal Protection: To support the Fort Worth Fix program providing spay/neuter services for pets of low-income residents in Fort Worth.
• All Star Equestrian Foundation: To purchase feed and provide farrier care for the herd of therapy horses.
• Stars and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center: For the addition of two covered loafing sheds for protection of the herd of therapy horses.
• Wings of Hope: For the veterinary services, farrier care, nutritional health and general care of the therapy horses.

For more information about the Community Foundation’s grant cycles, visit: https://northtexascf.org/nonprofits/

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This month, we’re shining a light on five organizations dedicated to advancing education, economic mobility, and cultural preservation within the Hispanic community. We encourage donors to learn more and consider supporting these vital organizations that are making a difference every day.

Artes de la Rosa: is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, culture, lives, and history of the Latino community.

Cristo Rey: delivers a career focused, college preparatory education that integrates rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support.

Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: fosters a vibrant economy by promoting education, opportunity, and the continuous development of local, Hispanic-owned businesses.

Hispanic Wellness Coalition: promotes health and wellness in communities through education, advocacy and access to screenings.

Northside Inter-Community Agency: NICA was established in 1969 to serve our community by providing food, clothing, and self-help programs to families in the Northside of Fort Worth.

The post Honoring Hispanic Heritage: Local Nonprofits Making an Impact appeared first on North Texas Community Foundation.

North Texas Community Foundation announces that a total of $75,000 in general operating funds was awarded to five organizations through the Arts and Culture Fund. The Arts and Culture Fund was established to support visual and performing arts, botanic gardens and historic preservation. This year’s grants aim to increase access and community participation in the arts in neighborhoods across Fort Worth.

The grant recipients for this cycle are:

• Artes de la Rosa
• Kinfolk House
• SiNaCa Studios
• Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society
• TUBMAN Gallery

“Access to the arts should not be limited by neighborhood boundaries. These grants will help bridge gaps and ensure that residents in every corner of Fort Worth can experience and participate in the transformative power of the arts,” said Whitnee Boyd, Ed.d., director of community impact at North Texas Community Foundation.

The Arts and Culture Fund is made possible by the generous contributions of NTCF fundholders who share a commitment to the arts: the Donny Wiley Memorial Fund, the Bob and Betty Crow Family Fund, and the Lunde Family Charitable Foundation. Funding decisions were made by a dedicated grants committee, which carefully evaluated each application to ensure the most impactful use of the funds.

 “Receiving this grant from the Arts and Culture Fund is a tremendous boost for our organization. This grant will enable us to expand our reach and offer more programs where access to the arts has been limited,” said Brenda Sanders-Wise, executive director of the Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society.

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