­In the spirit of giving, Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) announced its community grants totaling $635,500 to 24 organizations that work to improve the lives of women and girls in North Texas. North Texas community grants represent about 10 percent of the Foundation’s overall $6.3 million investment in 2019 in research, advocacy, programs and grants to advance opportunities for Texas women and girls.

The Foundation’s community grants are a competitive grants process, in which the Foundation’s volunteers and staff conduct financial reviews, site visits and program reviews to select and fund, with board approval, the most effective solutions to help women and girls. Grants are distributed through the Foundation’s operating funds raised from a broad base of donors, complemented by funds from cooperative granting partners, such as Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and various Foundation donor advised funds. 

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “During this North Texas community grant cycle, we expanded our geographic area to include Tarrant County. We welcomed two new grantees from Tarrant County: The Ladder Alliance and Methodist Justice Ministry. We also added four new community grant partners from Dallas County: Junior Players Guild, Momentous Institute, Pamper Lake Highlands and Poetic. Through these partnerships, we are strengthening women and girls in the areas of education, housing, leadership and workforce development, and as a result, our entire community becomes stronger.”

The grantees include the following:

Collin County:

Agape Resource & Assistance Center Inc.

Dallas County:

Agape Clinic

Bridge Breast Center Inc.

Dallas Methodist Hospital

Girlstart

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc.

Ignite Texas

Junior Players Guild

Literacy Achieves

Momentous Institute

Mosaic Family Services Inc.

Ntarupt Fund at Dallas Foundation

Pamper Lake Highlands

Per Scholas Inc.

Poetic

Resource Center of Dallas, Inc.

Rosa Es Rojo, Inc.

Traffick911

Trinity River Mission, Inc.

Wesley-Rankin Community Center

Denton County:

Health Services of North Texas, Inc.

Metrocrest Services

Tarrant County:

Ladder Alliance, Inc.

Methodist Justice Ministry of First United Methodist Church

Dawson Thompson added, “Our expansion as Texas Women’s Foundation has opened many doors, including growing interest and opportunities to expand the Foundation’s grantmaking. To better accommodate this growth and to continue to provide thoughtful, transparent and impactful grantmaking, we have made the decision to move our Community Grant cycle from fall 2020 to spring 2021. Thereafter it will take place in the spring each year.”

For a complete listing of organizations and descriptions, see end of release.

More information about grants can be found at https://www.txwf.org/community/#apply_grant.

About Texas Women’s Foundation:

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. Since 1985, the Foundation has been a trusted leader in advancing social and economic change for women and girls in Texas.  One of the world’s largest women’s foundations, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6.3 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100% of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and measurable social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now

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Texas Women’s Foundation 2019 Community Grants

Collin County:

Agape Resource & Assistance Center Inc. (Economic Security)

The organization provides housing and transformational support services to homeless women, moms and their children that empower them to move from crisis, abuse and poverty to fulfilling self-sustaining lives. Funding will support salaries and to help empower 25 single women families to graduate to self-sufficiency.

Dallas County:

Agape Clinic (Health)

Agape Clinic’s mission is to provide quality health care services unconditionally to underserved people. Funding will provide well-woman visits to patients and women’s health services.

Bridge Breast Center Inc./The Bridge Breast Network (Health)

The Bridge Breast Network’s (BBN) mission is to save lives by providing access to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer to low income, uninsured and underinsured individuals. Funding will allow the BBN to reach underserved women living in Dallas, Collin, and Denton County with mammography services, breast health education and access to medical care. In addition, three women with breast cancer will be provided treatment and survivorship services.

Dallas Methodist Hospital/Methodist Health System Foundation (Workforce Development)

Methodist Health System’s mission is to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality healthcare. Funding will support the El Centro College Associate Degree Nursing Program at Methodist Health System (ECC/MHS program). The program represents Methodist’s investment in their employees and the communities they serve, and offers qualified individuals the opportunity to achieve nursing certification free of charge.

Girlstart (STEM)

Girlstart aspires to be the national leader in designing and implementing innovative, high quality informal STEM education programs that inspire girls to transform the world. Funding will support Girlstart’s scale-up in North Texas to reach more than 400 North Texas high-need girls every week with high-quality, hands-on STEM educational experiences in 20+ Girlstart After School programs, and 75+ girls through three week-long, technology-intensive Girlstart Summer Camp programs in North Texas.

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc. (Legal Services)

HRINT provides free legal and social services to immigrants escaping persecution and abuse. Funding will support general operating expenses of the Crime Victim's Program (CVP), one of three Legal Programs at HRI.

IGNITE (Leadership)

IGNITE is a movement of young women who are ready and eager to become the next generation of civic and political leaders. Funding will support the existing program in North Texas and its expansion. During the 2019-20 school year, IGNITE is administering programs at 14 high schools and seven colleges/universities in Dallas, Denton, Collin, and surrounding counties, including Tarrant and Rockwall counties.

Junior Players Guild (Leadership)

Junior Players’ mission is to encourage intellectual growth, mental well-being and the development of life skills in the youth of North Texas through mentoring, creative expression and participation in dramatic and arts activities. Funding will support the Transformation Project, an initiative in which Junior Players collaborates with the Dallas Independent School District by working with high school students during the school day and within an educational setting, instructing students in the basics of dance genres, stage combat, skilled movement work and exploring the current challenges that they and/or their communities face.

Literacy Achieves (Adult Education)

Literacy Achieves’ mission is to equip non-English speaking adults and their young children with English literacy and life skills to promote self-sufficiency and the overall well-being of students, their families and the community. Funding will support the Daytime Adult English Literacy Program, which empowers 600 immigrant and refugee women to reach their full potential with free English literacy and life skills classes, taught by more than 300 dedicated female volunteer teachers.

Momentous Institute (Health)

Momentous Institute’s mission is to transform children’s futures and creating new possibilities for success. Funding will support the organization’s work to strengthen women’s social emotional health by providing quality mental health services to women who are mothers or caretakers of children facing their own social, emotional or behavior challenges themselves.

Mosaic Family Services Inc. (Legal Services)

Mosaic Family Services is a safe haven for survivors of human rights abuses including providing culturally competent services to refugees, victims of domestic violence and survivors of human trafficking. Funding will support the Multicultural Legal Services Program, which provides comprehensive legal services for victims of abuse.

Ntarupt Fund at Dallas Foundation (Teens)

Ntarupt’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children, families and communities by preventing unintended teen pregnancies. Funding will provide operating support to allow Ntarupt to educate teens, parents and professionals serving youth; mobilize the community; and create community awareness about teen pregnancy and prevention.

Pamper Lake Highlands (Adult Education)

Pamper Lake Highlands’ mission is to meet the immediate needs of impoverished families through sharing Jesus’ love and hope, by providing dual-generational services (community support, education and resources) at the earliest stages to mothers and children to empower them to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. Funding will provide general operating support for GED and ESL adult education classes to give women the training and skills needed to secure better job opportunities.

Per Scholas Inc. (Workforce Development)

Per Scholas envisions a future where individuals from any community can access well-paying career positions and where talent is recognized and recruited from many diverse sources. Funding will support Per Scholas’ training costs and provide stipends to help alleviate certain barriers such as childcare, transportation and other household expenses that deter single mothers from enrolling and completing the Network Support training.  The Network Support training is a 15-week, full-time, tuition-free training leading to CompTIA A+ and Network+ professional certification, so that they are prepared for in-demand, entry-level IT employment.

Poetic (Girls/Victims of Trafficking)

POETIC is a comprehensive in-community aftercare program for girls leaving the juvenile justice system who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Serving the community at no cost to enrolled girls or their families, POETIC equips girls to find their voices, reclaim their narratives and persist forward. Funding will support operating expenses for the innovative Pipeline to Success model, which enrolls girls in 32+ hours of intensive, on-site programming each week and provides girls with 24/7 access to their therapist, teacher and case manager.

Resource Center of Dallas, Inc. (Health)

Resource Center is a trusted leader that empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities and providing transformative education and advocacy. Funding will support the Transgender Health Program.

Rosa Es Rojo, Inc. (Health)

Rosa Es Rojo, Inc. makes wellness and cancer prevention accessible for the high-risk cancer population of Latino women in North Texas by promoting nutrition, physical activity, emotional health and positive thinking. Funding will provide support of these services.

Traffick911 (Victims of Trafficking)

Traffick911's mission is to free youth from sex trafficking through prevention, identification and empowerment. Funding supports full-time advocates who work with child sex trafficking victims daily; emergency clothing and toiletries; advocate and mentor travel as they visit survivors and take them on outings, appointments and court appearances; and other program-related expenses.

Trinity River Mission, Inc. (Leadership)

Trinity River Mission provides educational and social opportunities that inspire students and their families to dream, believe and achieve. Funding will support Girls on a Mission, a program promoting sisterhood for girls of color in West Dallas, with social-emotional support and character/leadership development for 30 underserved, adolescent girls in 5^th to 10^th grades.

Wesley-Rankin Community Center (Leadership)

Through caring relationships, Wesley-Rankin Community Center partners with its West Dallas neighbors to provide education and resources to drive community transformation. Funding will support the ongoing programming expenses for the Adult Academy, which provides education classes and leadership development opportunities for 105 women.

Denton County:

Health Services of North Texas, Inc. (Health)

The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all North Texans through medical care, support services and advocacy. Funding will support Women’s Clinical Services, which provides essential healthcare services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women living in Denton, Collin, Dallas and the surrounding counties.

Metrocrest Services (Urgent Needs/Economic Security)

Metrocrest Services’ mission is to provide programs for individuals, families and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence. Funding will support Metrocrest Services’ Empowerment Program for Women to provide 10 families with female heads of households with emergency assistance including rent, mortgage and utilities payment to stabilize their housing situation.

Tarrant County:

Ladder Alliance, Inc. (Workforce Development)

Ladder Alliance’s mission is to provide women victims of domestic violence and low-income women with the tools to lead self-reliant, independent and successful lives. The grant will provide support for the three training programs: Basic Computer Skills Training (BCST), Professional Office Skills Training (POST), a 16-week, 400-hour training program, and Microsoft Office Specialist Training (MOST). Funding will provide 275 students with computer skills training that will enable them to secure professional employment and begin the road to a self-reliant, independent and successful life.

Methodist Justice Ministry of First United Methodist Church (Legal Services)

The group provides free legal services for victims of domestic violence as well as an array of services to help survivors recover from abuse and establish their independence. Funding will ensure that victims break the cycle of abuse and go on to live a life free of fear through funding counseling fees, emergency financial assistance for basic needs and bills.

Texas Women’s Foundation held its 34^th Annual Luncheon, presented by The Dallas Mavericks, on November 14, featuring a conversation with New York Times Bestselling author of More Than Enough and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth. The conversation was moderated by Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer for Target. This year’s luncheon, co-chaired by Janiece Evans-Page of Fossil and Virginia Rose-Harris of Texas Health Resources, brought together 1,500 of our community’s most influential business and philanthropic leaders who gathered to support Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission to advance the lives of women, girls and their families in Texas. Also in attendance were 200 young girls from middle and high schools across the region who experienced the luncheon via livestream in an adjoining room, and had the opportunity to meet keynote speaker Elaine Welteroth. The luncheon raised $1.5 million to advance economic security and leadership opportunities for women and girls.

A special thank you to the following sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: The Dallas Mavericks
Speaker Sponsor: Target, with ongoing support from The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation
Transformative Sponsors: Fossil Group; Texas Health Resources; Toyota
Investors: American Airlines; Barings; Capital One; Women and Men of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.; BB&T Wealth Advisors; Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt; Southwest Airlines; Texas Instruments; Thomson Reuters
Leaders: Bank of America; EY; Jones Day; Kimberly-Clark; NexBank
Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal; D CEO; My Sweet Charity

About Texas Women’s Foundation

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. Since 1985, the Foundation has been a trusted leader in advancing social and economic change for women and girls in Texas.  One of the world’s largest women’s foundations with more than $36 million in assets, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6.3 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100% of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and measurable social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.

Orchid Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation had much to celebrate at its Grantee Celebration on October 2 at Toyota’s headquarters in Plano. The Giving Circle celebrated its fifth year by distributing $219,500 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations to benefit the North Texas Asian community.

Orchid Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation is a group of Asian women who work together, pool their resources and leverage their networks to award community grants that support social change and services benefitting the North Texas Asian community. Orchid members, representing a wide range of Asian cultures, ages, ethnicities and professions, have a goal to increase awareness of the local Asian population, their community needs and philanthropic opportunities.

Cynthia Yung, Orchid Giving Circle Co-chair, welcomed members and supporters. She gave an update of the organization and its growth: “From when we started in 2015 with a handful of members, to almost 60 members today, we’ve grown in numbers and collective impact. Our grants help support the underserved community of North Texas Asians, and for that, I’m thankful to all of you who support us with your treasure, talent and time. Also a special thanks to Texas Women’s Foundation for its tremendous support and to Toyota Motor North America for hosting us.” She also extended thanks to Alpha Graphics and Weber Shandwick for their support of Orchid Giving Circle.

Orchid Giving Circle members wore white, purple and yellow to commemorate the suffrage centennial;   women in Texas received the right to vote in state primaries in 1919 and the 19^th Amendment was passed in the U.S. in 1920. To demonstrate the right-to-vote timeline, a group of men and women spoke about the history of voting in America, highlighting dates when various populations of whites and non-whites received the right to vote.

Orchid member Neena Newberry held conversations with several of the nonprofits to give snapshots of how the Orchid Giving Circle grants will help Asians in North Texas, from supporting transportation with Senior Source to funding social/emotional learning programs for refugee children in Vickery Meadow through Heart House. Two members, Mona Gupta and Seema Deshpande, shared how Orchid Giving Circle connected them to each other and to the community.

The program included grant distributions to 14 deserving nonprofits:

• Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIA): Scholarships
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth: Refugee Match Grant Program
• Chetna - Program Expansion: Domestic violence survivor support
• Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas: The Next 20
• Dallas Chinese Community Center: "Inspire Asians to Move Up" economic programs
• Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum: Exhibition – Asian American Rights strand in the Pivot to America Wing
• DFW Hub Center for Health: Physical and mental health programs for Asian women
• Healing Hands Ministries, Inc.: Medical, dental and behavioral healthcare for Asian women
• Heart House: Head, Heart, and Hands (H3) Program to empower refugee children
• Ignite: Building Political Power in Asian American Young Women
• Mosaic Family Services Inc.: Refugee Health Access Program
• Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas Inc. dba Senior Source: Foster Grandparent Program
• Texas Muslim Women's Foundation Inc.: Peace in the Home – Culturally Specialized Family Violence Program (PIH-DV)
• Vickery Meadow Learning Center dba Literacy Achieves: Family Literacy Program at Vickery Meadow

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president of Texas Women’s Foundation, remarked, “Texas Women’s Foundation is very proud to host and support Orchid Giving Circle, which was the first in our family of four Giving Circles. We celebrate Orchid’s wonderful growth and success in bringing Asian American women together as a vibrant philanthropic network that provides such significant support for important organizations serving the Asian American community. Brava to Orchid Giving Circle’s for your fifth great year!”

Orchid Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation was launched in 2015. The group has provided grants in education, housing, healthcare, arts and culture, social services and more to the North Texas Asian community. In addition, Orchid Giving Circle has an interest in organizations and programs that are led by Asian women. Orchid Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation is a member of the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), a national, member-supported philanthropic advocacy organization dedicated to advancing philanthropy in Asian American/Pacific Islander communities. Orchid Giving Circle founders include Arang Cistulli, Kim Cummings, Sejal Desai, Loh-Sze Leung, Caren K. Lock, Mylinh Luong, Lynette Payne, Gowri Sharma, Thear Suzuki, Charmaine Tang, Anne Woods, Cynthia Yung, Trea Yip and Radhika Zaveri.

For more information about Orchid Giving Circle and grants, visit https://www.txwf.org/orchid-giving-circle/ or email orchidgivingcircle@gmail.com.

About Texas Women’s Foundation:

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. Since 1985, the Foundation has been a trusted leader in advancing social and economic change for women and girls in Texas.  One of the world’s largest women’s foundations with more than $36 million in assets, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6.3 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100% of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and measurable social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.

The Dallas Mavericks are the presenting sponsor for the 34^th Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) Annual Luncheon, set for Nov. 14 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. A sponsor reception starts at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.

Luncheon co-chairs Janiece Evans-Page and Virginia Rose-Harris will welcome Elaine Welteroth as the keynote speaker. Welteroth is an award-winning journalist, The New York Times bestsellingauthor, judge on Project Runway and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. She just released a book, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say).

The Dallas Mavericks signed on as the luncheon’s presenting sponsor, citing shared values with Texas Women’s Foundation. The team is dedicated to using its unique platform to build a stronger community by empowering youth, women and families through financial support, advocacy and service.

“We are thrilled to have the Dallas Mavericks as our presenting sponsor,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “The leadership line-up for this luncheon is extraordinary – from the significant example the Mavs are setting as a leader with Cynt Marshall at the helm, to the dedication of our awesome co-chairs, Janiece Evans-Page and Virginia Rose-Harris, to the powerful story of Elaine Welteroth. This is definitely a slam dunk partnership!”

Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, said, “The Dallas Mavericks could not be prouder to support Texas Women’s Foundation. The values of our organization strongly align with those of Texas Women’s Foundation, and this partnership is an exciting opportunity to continue to show the Mavs commitment to women, and to make a difference in the Texas community.”

The Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s principal fundraiser in support of its work to advance women’s economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grants and programs. The speaker appearance is sponsored by Target.

Texas Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon table sponsorships begin at $3,500, and individual tickets begin at $350. Those interested should contact Ashley Lindsay at 214.525.5311, email her at alindsay@txwf.org or visit www.txwf.org for more information.

About the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are a first class global sports and entertainment organization providing memorable experiences for fans worldwide.  The Mavs compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference and play at American Airlines Center under the direction of Coach Rick Carlisle, General Manager Donnie Nelson and Owner Mark Cuban. Since the inaugural season in 1980-81, the Mavs have won three division titles, two conference championships and one NBA championship in 2011. In addition to on-court success, the Mavs are committed to making a difference in North Texas through community programs and the Mavs Foundation.  For more information on Dallas Mavericks players, staff, stats and tickets, visit mavs.com.

About Texas Women’s Foundation

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. Since 1985, the Foundation has been a trusted leader in advancing social and economic change for women and girls in Texas.  One of the world’s largest women’s foundations with more than $36 million in assets, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6.3 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100% of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and measurable social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announced that the organization has increased its investment in Tarrant County, providing grants totaling $260,000 to three organizations—WiNGS, Women’s Center of Tarrant County and Girls Inc. of Tarrant County—to support economic security for women and girls.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “The future workforce and future economy in Texas depend upon investing in solutions that get to the root causes of women’s and girls’ economic insecurity – and reverse them. Our goal is to ensure that Texas women and girls, and their families, have the knowledge, financial competence and support to enable them to move from surviving to thriving. We’re pleased to work with and invest in these Tarrant County nonprofits to help achieve these goals.”

The Women’s Center of Tarrant County grant funds the “Working Families Success” model, a proven best-practice program to advance economic security for more than 400 people. The program provides bundled career and financial coaching and support for Tarrant County women and families overcoming violence, crisis and poverty situations.

The WiNGS grant provides capacity building services in Tarrant County via the WiNGS Coaching Institute. The Institute provides ongoing training, support and continuing-education for financial coaches at nonprofit organizations in Tarrant County. By supporting the front-line staff at nonprofit agencies across the region and standardizing training for financial coaches, the Institute strengthens the financial coaching services provided to women who are clients of multiple nonprofit organizations across the region.

The grant to Girls Inc. of Tarrant County helps fund College & Career Programs for 1,700 at-risk girls in Tarrant County. In 2018, Girls Inc. achieved a 100% graduation rate for its high school seniors who were active in Girls Inc. programs, and 85% of those graduates are pursuing higher education opportunities. Of the girls who started college in fall 2018, 60% were first-generation college students, and of those, 86% were the first in their families to graduate from high school.

Jennifer Limas, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County’s president and CEO, said, “Support from Texas Women’s Foundation creates a space for more girls to dream of economic independence by allowing us to expand our College & Career Programs and add additional cohorts of our Boost mentoring program and solidify financial literacy education, including financial literacy training for the families of college-bound girls.”

Girls Inc. of Tarrant County ensures girls are prepared to be economically independent and have a plan for their future after high school. The College & Career Programs help guide students through that process and provide resources to ensure each girl and her family is aware of the financial aid system, scholarships and demands of the university setting. Additionally, practical knowledge of budgeting and other financial topics are taught. Each girl is also part of the Girls Inc. Economic Literacy program, which is a research-based, outcomes-focused curriculum. It builds a foundation of financial and economic knowledge including: budgeting, investing, understanding needs vs. wants, and aspirational financial planning. Girls Inc.’s goal is to inspire girls to be prepared, capable and successful future leaders in the community.

Faith M., a Girls Inc. alum who went from a “C” student to graduating top 10 from Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in June 2015 after joining Girls Inc., said, “Being selected to be part of Girls In Charge, a leadership and entrepreneurship program, gave me the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis, where I met girls from across the country and Canada. We stayed in the dorms at Butler University, and it gave me a sense of what it would feel like to be in college. I remember telling myself, ‘This is a feeling I want to savor forever.’ If I could describe what a spark of hope felt like, that was it.” Faith graduated in May 2019 with honors from the University of Texas at Arlington with her degree in social work and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work.

For those interested in learning more about Texas Women’s Foundation, the organization is hosting a Viewpoints: Unlocking Assets breakfast panel discussion on women’s business ownership in Fort Worth on October 24, 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Fort Worth Club (306 W. 7^th St., Fort Worth, TX 76102). More information can be found at https://www.txwf.co/unlockingassetsviewpoints.

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 Texas. One of the world’s largest women’s funds, it 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 in the state. With more than $36 million in assets, Texas Women’s Foundation raises approximately $9 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 $6 million in annual grants, advocacy, 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 or donate now.