As the State Fair of Texas goes through the spring grant cycle, it has awarded funding to twenty-three organizations in South Texas.
An April 27 press release from the Texas State Fair states the organization raised over $148,000 during this first cycle. There are typically three grant cycles each year in the spring, summer, and fall.
The application for the spring cycle ended on February 25. According to the Texas State Fair, grant recipients are chosen based on how well they align with the organization’s focus on economic development, capacity building, and education.
Out of the twenty-three recipients, ten of them are receiving grants for the first time. One of the first-time recipients is the Housing Crisis Center.
Kelvin Brown, the Center’s CEO, said the funding will allow them to continue working to prevent homelessness.
“This is our first award from the [Texas State] Fair in my tenure at Housing Crisis Center. I think the specific needs of our city are pretty well documented. As we continue working to prevent homelessness, I am very thankful to have the State Fair of Texas as a strategic partner in our capacity building,” Brown stated in the press release.
Other first-time recipients include Abide Women’s Health Services, BigHope, Comp-U-Dopt Dallas, and Stars United Global Outreach.
Since the Texas State Fair’s cancellation in 2020, this is the first year the organization will hold all three grant cycles.
“As a nonprofit organization ourselves, we realize the impact our grant program has on other nonprofits making a difference in our neighborhood,” Fair President Mitchell Glieber said in the press release. “Following the cancellation of the 2020 State Fair, we’re proud to be able to return to our full three grant cycle schedule this year and look forward to awarding more grants to worthy nonprofits in the upcoming summer and fall cycles.”
Since the Texas State Fair created the Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances department in 2016, they have raised over $3 million to benefit the South Dallas and Fair Park areas. In addition to grants and other financial resources, the organization is also committed to creating relationships in the community.
The State Fair of Texas hosts outreach programs, including virtual job fairs, virtual community engagement days, and the Big Tex Scholarship for high school seniors.
The State Fair of Texas official statement shared, “We cherish the many partnerships and collaborations that help grow our ability to serve. The State Fair promises to continue listening and learning from our community because it is through our collective efforts that we make the most significant impact and can serve as many lives as possible. Together with our community, we are dedicated to the bright future of South Dallas and the well-being of all who call it home.”
Two more grant cycles remain for 2022, and applications for both are still open.
