Communities Foundation of Texas

Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Matagorda, Texas on Monday, July 8 as a Category 1 hurricane and weakened to a tropical storm as it moved northeast through the state.    Storms brought winds over 80 mph and heavy rain to the region. Several community members caught in the effects of the storm died or were injured, and over 2.3 million homes were without power.   Our hearts are with those affected by Beryl. For ways to help, please visit CFTexas.org/Beryl

You're invited to join our growing team of experts! Communities Foundation of Texas is looking for talented people to support our mission of building thriving communities for all. We have 3 open positions: 🌟 Director, CFT for Business 🌟 Network Systems Administrator 🌟 Operations Manager, Kaleidoscope Park View career opportunities or help us find our next new colleague. Job descriptions + applications are at: bit.ly/CFTRecruitment

Our President and CEO, Wayne White, was named in D CEO's #Dallas500 list! D CEO's signature special publication, the Dallas 500, features profiles of the most influential North Texas executives in more than 50 industry categories. You can find Wayne under "newcomers" in the C-Suite section of the list. Please join us in congratulating him. We're grateful to have his expertise and leadership here at CFT - this month marks one year since he joined to lead our organization! Find D CEO's 2024 publication at: https://lnkd.in/g36PCbjr

🦋 Kaleidoscope Park’s centerpiece, “Butterfly Rest Stop,” is up!   🌷 Created by world-renowned artist Janet Echelman, Butterfly Rest Stop explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature. The butterfly theme highlights the Park as an important corridor for the monarch butterfly’s migration.   🦋 See the stunning outdoor sculpture during Kaleidoscope Park’s Grand Opening this fall and read more on our blog at https://lnkd.in/gHRKVjqF

Dr. Reo Pruiett’s role has been expanded to Chief Programs and Engagement Officer of Educate Texas! Dr. Pruiett joined CFT’s Educate Texas in 2008 and has since held roles of increasing responsibility. In this role, she'll oversee Educate Texas programs focused on improving K-12 and higher education student outcomes. Dr. Pruiett will continue to oversee CFT’s efforts to advance community equity. This new leadership position will uniquely leverage Reo’s qualifications and experience to strengthen Educate Texas programming and further amplify our impact on student and teacher outcomes while advancing community engagement. Read more on our blog at: CFTexas.org/Reo2024

The deadline to apply for CFT’s 2024 – 2025 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELP) cohort is Monday, July 15 with the program set to begin in the fall!    ELP is a program for corporate and nonprofit professionals aged 25 – 40 focused on the philanthropy landscape in North Texas. This year’s group will have the opportunity to learn about Communities Foundation of Texas’ grantmaking focus areas, meet with local nonprofits, work together to give a grant award, plan their charitable giving, and more!     Check out what our ELP alumni have to say about the program and apply today at CFTexas.org/ELP

Today, we were thrilled to have April Allen, CEO of the Southern Gateway Park Foundation, join us to share insights about the transformative Southern Gateway Deck Park project. This initiative, nestled in Oak Cliff, aims to reconnect neighborhoods and drive economic growth, embodying our vision of building thriving communities for all. CFT has proudly supported this work since 2020, contributing to equitable development and investing a total of $7.2 million via three grants from our W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund toward this historic endeavor. As we anticipate the park’s completion in 2026, we’re reminded of the power of community-driven projects and our ongoing commitment to building a better Dallas. Stay tuned for more updates on this incredible journey!

🎉 We're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the C.C. Miao & Rosalind Miao Scholarship Fund and our partnership with its Scholarship Committee! Through this generous scholarship fund, CFT has awarded over $1.5M to 271 students, including this year's awardees. 🎉

CFT is a Community Partner for Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum's upcoming 'History Highlights - 28 Days: The Piccadilly Cafeteria Protest' event! On May 29, 1964, Clarence Broadnax went to the Piccadilly cafeteria in downtown Dallas for a late lunch. After an employee told him that the Piccadilly did not serve Black people, Broadnax refused to leave. His subsequent arrest and return to the restaurant sparked a protest that led to the desegregation of the Piccadilly Cafeteria, just before the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Join the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum next Monday, July 1, for a discussion about the Piccadilly Cafeteria demonstration in the broader context of the Civil Rights Era. This virtual event is free, but registration is required. RSVP today at: https://lnkd.in/dHGzUqa

After nearly 20 years of expansive educational impact and leadership, Educate Texas Executive Director John Fitzpatrick is planning a transition to the next stage in his career. As an Educate Texas founding leader, John played a pivotal role in transforming the initiative from the Texas High School Project, its original name, into a nationally recognized statewide intermediary. We are thankful for John’s work as a leader of Educate Texas and for his service on CFT’s executive leadership team. We're celebrating his instrumental leadership in leveraging philanthropic funds to encourage innovation that has strengthened public education in Texas. Read more on our blog at: CFTexas.org/John2024