Dallas Women’s Foundation made history at its luncheon on November 7, announcing three major milestones: the most successful luncheon in its 33-year history, raising $1.5 million; the highly anticipated culmination of its $50 million fundraising campaign; and the resulting transformation of the organization into Texas Women’s Foundation.
The transformation into Texas Women’s Foundation honors the organization’s more than three decades as the trusted leader in advocating for and advancing social and economic change for women and girls in Texas, and better reflects its position as one of the largest women’s foundations in the world. With more than $35 million in assets, the Foundation raises approximately $8 million a year from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources are used to underwrite its groundbreaking statewide research on issues affecting women and girls, providing decision-makers and lawmakers critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Funds also sustain the Foundation’s $5 million in annual grants, mission-focused gendered asset investments, and support for innovative programs and solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive.
“As Texas Women’s Foundation, our goal is to Transform Texas for Women and Girls by advancing economic security for women, girls and families across the state, and by ensuring opportunities for them to lead in every sector – from the classroom, to the first job, the board room and the halls of government,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president & CEO. “This matters to every Texan – women and men alike – because our economy and our futures are stronger when Texas women, girls and families thrive, and when our leadership fully reflects our population,. We are focused on driving productive, nonpolitical and affirming change – advancing opportunities for Texas women and girls to prosper for the benefit of all.”
Dawson Thompson concluded by saying: “We believe in the power of community and are asking for everyone’s help and support. Join the movement – sign up today to become a part of our army of advocates, our champions of Economic Security and our legion for Leadership. We have a bold mandate and an exciting and positive future. Together, we will Transform Texas for Women and Girls!”
News Unveiled During Record-Breaking 33rd Annual Luncheon
These historic announcements were made in front of a sold-out, maximum-capacity audience of 1,570 influential business, community and philanthropic leaders during the organization’s signature fundraising event – the 33rd Annual Luncheon, presented by Toyota. Co-chaired by community leaders and philanthropists Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller, with Honorary Co-chairs Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk, the event featured an interview with Academy Award-nominated director Ava DuVernay moderated by noted journalist Michele Norris. The luncheon was the most successful in the Foundation’s 33-year history, raising $1.5 million and netting more than $1.1 million.
“We are awed by the spirit and generosity of the sponsors and donors who made this historic event possible and by the many selfless people who stepped up to donate record amounts during the Annual Luncheon. This outpouring of support underscores the importance of the Foundation’s work providing innovative research, programming and solutions to help Texas women and girls thrive,” said Lael Brodsky, 33rd Annual Luncheon Co-chair.
Tricia Miller, 33rd Annual Luncheon Co-chair, also added, “This was truly a sharing of time, talent and treasure to make the Luncheon so memorable. We are grateful to Ava DuVernay, Michele Norris and the many women and men who joined us to help mark the beginning of the Foundation’s next chapter as Texas Women’s Foundation.”
The Dallas Women’s Foundation’s 33rd Annual Luncheon sponsors are:
Sponsor Levels $100,000 - $50,000
Presenting Sponsor: Toyota
Spotlight Sponsor: Nancy C. Rogers
Platinum Sponsors: IF/THEN, an initiative of the Lyda Hill Foundation supporting women and girls in STEM; Sammye and Mike A. Myers; U. S. Trust
Speaker Sponsor: Target and with ongoing support from Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund
Sponsor Levels $25,000 - $10,000
Crystal Sponsors: American Airlines, Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller; Capital One; Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt; The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated; Jones Day; Southwest Airlines; and Texas Instruments
Diamond Sponsors: Barings Multifamily Capital; Julie Bleicher, Diana Dutton, Gail Griswold and Patricia Villareal; Ernst & Young; Freeman Audio Visual, Kimberly Clark Corporation; NexBank
Emerald Sponsors: AT&T, Inc.; AXXESS; Ellenore Knight Baker/Carter Financial Management; Debbie Barnes, Becky Bruder, Faye Lidji, Candace Krause and Shelle Sills; Mickie Bragalone, Lynn Hunt Gray and Pam Patsley; Jill Cochran, Joyce Goss and Selwyn Rayzor; Claire Dewar, Julie Hawes and Muffin Lemak; Fossil Group; Frito-Lay, Inc.; Haynes and Boone, LLP; The Horchow Family; Toni and Dan Hunt; Lisa Kraus, Leslie MacLean and Janie Strauss McGarr; Reverend Katherine G. Lyle; Patsy Woods Martin; Paula and Ron Parker; Sprinkles Cupcakes; Betty Suellentrop; Texas Health Resources; Shawna D. Wilson; Women's Foodservice Forum
Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal; DCEO; iHeart Radio; My Sweet Charity
Transformation Fueled by $50 million “Unlocking Leadership Campaign.”
The November 7 luncheon also marked the successful conclusion of the organization’s $50 million “Unlocking Leadership Campaign.” Launched in April 2013, the Campaign was co-chaired by a who’s who of business and community leaders, including Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker, and Trea and Richard Yip. Based on the lead $5 million gift from the Harold Simmons Foundation and subsequent donations from nearly 5,300 individuals, corporations and foundations, and the record-breaking results of the 33rd Annual Luncheon, the Campaign reached its $50 million goal.
According to Ashlee Kleinert, campaign co-chair, “The extraordinary generosity of the entire North Texas region – from major grants to small individual gifts – makes this campaign truly reflective of our entire community and its commitment to the Foundation’s values and impact. We are thrilled to have achieved the Campaign’s $50 million goal –something unprecedented among women’s foundations anywhere – and to have this success be the springboard to launch our future as Texas Women’s Foundation.”
Texas Women’s Foundation, formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation, is investing to Transform Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities throughout the state. As one of the world’s largest women’s funds, Texas Women’s Foundation is a trusted leader in advocating for and advancing economic security for Texas women, girls and families, and ensuring women and girls are enabled and supported in taking leadership roles in every sector. With more than $35 million in assets, Texas Women’s Foundation raises approximately $8 million a year to underwrite groundbreaking statewide research on issues affecting women and girls – providing decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Funds also sustain the Foundation’s $5 million in annual grants, mission-focused gendered asset investments, and support for innovative programs and solutions to help Texas women and girls thrive. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.