For nearly 100 years, The Dallas Foundation has been busy at work trying to make a difference in the lives of residents.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, The Dallas Foundation made the news outlet’s list of the most influential non-profit community organizations of 2023. While other notable organizations have made their mark boosting Dallas’ national profile or preserving and promoting the city’s parks, The Dallas Foundation works on a number of different philanthropic campaigns aimed at helping people in need.
The Dallas Foundation was originally founded in 1929. It expanded after receiving a substantial gift from the estate of Sigmund Mayer in 1934. The organization has distributed over $1 billion in grants since its establishment.
Many other organizations across the region can actually trace their origins back to The Dallas Foundation, which has helped found and develop Dallas Afterschool, Early Matters Dallas, Social Venture Partners Dallas, TexProtects, and the Nurse Family Partnership, among others.
“Early Matters Dallas began as a fund of The Dallas Foundation and has grown into a broad-based coalition working together to raise awareness about the importance of high-quality early learning for a strong economy tomorrow and to make a strong case for increased investment in this critical, high return-on-investment area,” reads the organization on its website.
Lately, The Dallas Foundation has been focused on alleviating “intergenerational poverty.” The organization aims to address the issue by investing in the lives of children from a very early age.
“Investments in the earliest years of life, ages birth to 3, place children on a path that will help ensure a strong and healthy start and ready them for success in school and in life. This important work will yield dividends for future generations and ensure that Dallas becomes an opportunity-rich community for all of our neighbors,” said the organization, according to a campaign brochure.”Our focus is solely on outcomes, not output, and we prioritize meaningful, measurable progress for children and their families in our community.”
The Dallas Foundation donated $1.5 million of its funds to scholarships for over 330 students in the 2021-2022 school year. It also recently got a new president and CEO, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Coming up on its 100th anniversary, the organization intends to continue its mission far into the future.
“As we drive toward our centennial, we are uniquely poised to adapt to the changes our communities face as they happen. We are excited to serve our donors and the community in meaningful, innovative, and impactful ways for the next 100 years,” reads the organization’s website.