More than 100 Dallas philanthropists and business leaders, including Mark Cuban and the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation, have joined forces to bring GreenLight Fund to Dallas.
The $5 million initiative aims to address the city’s most pressing social and economic challenges through evidence-based community programs.
Founded in Boston 20 years ago, GreenLight Fund partners with local investors and organizations to identify proven programs that tackle barriers to prosperity. The Dallas expansion marks the nonprofit’s 15th location nationwide and will operate under the leadership of Founding Executive Director Shareea Woods.
“Dallas has given me incredible opportunities to grow my career and raise my family, and I want every family here to have that same chance to thrive,” Woods said, according to the GreenLight Fund. “Dallas embodies innovation, talent, and heart. Together with our investors and community, I look forward to building on that spirit by bringing innovative solutions that solve our most persistent challenges.”
Backed nationally by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, GreenLight Dallas has drawn funding from a broad network of investors, including Ken Hersh, Robert Kaplan, Robert Covington, Chris Kleinert, and the Billingsley family. Corporate partners include Bank of America, Texas Capital Bank Foundation, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Instruments.
John Simon, co-founder and board chair of GreenLight Fund, thanked the Dallas community for its support. “We are deeply grateful to the local investors and philanthropic organizations whose generosity and belief in our mission have made it possible to bring GreenLight to Dallas,” Simon said. “Their commitment to tackling Dallas’s most pressing challenges ensures that together, we can drive measurable change and create new opportunities for individuals and families experiencing poverty.”
GreenLight Dallas will form a Selection Advisory Council of community leaders, business professionals, and nonprofit representatives to guide annual investments in evidence-based programs. The first initiative is expected to launch in late 2026.
“After learning about the track record GreenLight Fund has in other cities, I was immediately excited for the impact it could have in Dallas,” said Todd Platt, CEO of Hillwood, a Perot company. “We are thrilled to support the work they’ll do locally, finding effective social programs that fill gaps in our social sector and truly make a difference.”