Seven Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofits that help grieving families, feed children, support brain-injury survivors, assist seniors, and bring music to young people were named Wednesday as recipients of NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants.
Comcast NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal Local announced September 23 that $2.5 million in unrestricted funding has been awarded to 80 nonprofit organizations across 11 U.S. markets through the 2026 grant program. Since 2018, the program has distributed $24.3 million to 695 nonprofits, according to NBCUniversal.
NBCUniversal’s corporate announcement lists seven Dallas-Fort Worth recipients: 4 Saints Episcopal Food Pantry, Brain Injury Network of Dallas, Carson’s Village, FreshQue Foundation, Serving Our Seniors, Taylor’s Gift, and Texas Music Project.
NBC 5 separately reported more than $272,000 in North Texas awards, but its local itemized list differs from NBCUniversal’s corporate recipient list. Because the two sources do not align completely, The Dallas Express is relying on the corporate release for the recipient list and the local report only for individual award amounts it specifically identified.
A Family Tragedy Becomes Support For Other Donor Families
NBCUniversal highlighted Coppell-based Taylor’s Gift among the Dallas-Fort Worth recipients.
The nonprofit provides free grief support to organ and tissue donor families following the death of a loved one.
Todd and Tara Storch founded Taylor’s Gift after their daughter Taylor died following a skiing accident in 2010. According to Taylor’s Gift, her organ and tissue donation saved or improved the lives of five people.
Her parents later built the organization around helping other donor families navigate grief and loss.
Taylor’s Gift received a $50,000 grant.
Carson’s Village Helps Families Through The First Days Of Loss
Carson’s Village focuses on the practical and emotional turmoil families can face immediately after a death.
Founder Jason Dyke created the organization after his 11-year-old son Carson died by suicide in April 2017.
Dyke has described the difficulty of confronting funeral arrangements, costs, family communications, and other immediate responsibilities while grieving. Carson’s Village now provides free support to families navigating those decisions.
Carson’s Village received a $27,500 grant.
Brain Injury Survivors Find Community In North Texas
The Brain Injury Network of Dallas supports adults living with acquired brain injuries, including injuries caused by trauma, stroke, anoxia, and other conditions.
The organization operates clubhouse programs designed to help survivors reconnect with everyday life, relationships, employment, and community.
Its programs serve adults across North Texas and are available without charge to members and their families, according to the Brain Injury Network of Dallas.
The organization received a $16,000 grant.
FreshQue Tackles Hunger After The School Day Ends
Farmers Branch-based FreshQue Foundation works to reduce food insecurity among children and teenagers during after-school hours.
The nonprofit says it has served more than 226,800 meals and snacks across 21 partner schools since 2022, according to FreshQue Foundation.
Founder and CEO Karlandrea Bennett has said the mission grew in part from her own childhood experience relying on free after-school food programs while growing up in a single-parent household in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to the organization’s about page.
The organization styles its name FreshQue Foundation, although NBCUniversal’s corporate list renders it “Freshque Foundation.”
FreshQue received a $49,772 grant.
Serving Our Seniors Helps Older Residents Stay Independent
NBCUniversal’s corporate recipient list also includes Serving Our Seniors, which assists older adults across Northeast Tarrant County and the Mid-Cities.
Its programs include transportation to medical appointments and errands, minor home repairs, wheelchair ramps, lawn assistance, social activities, and regular calls or visits intended to reduce isolation.
The organization’s mission centers on helping older residents remain independent and connected to their communities.
NBCUniversal names Serving Our Seniors as a 2026 DFW recipient, but the local NBC 5 itemized list instead includes Mid-Cities Care Corps. No individual award amount is being assigned to Serving Our Seniors in this report.
Fort Worth Pantry Provides Food For Families And Seniors
4 Saints Episcopal Food Pantry serves North Texas families from its Fort Worth location.
Its food-access programs include a regular food pantry, mobile food distributions, and a senior food-box program for qualifying older residents.
The organization also partners with other groups to expand food access and nutrition support.
4 Saints received a $14,000 grant.
Texas Music Project Uses Music To Reach Children
Texas Music Project uses music education, therapy, instruments, performances, and songwriting opportunities to reach children and young people.
The organization says it has raised more than $1.5 million for instruments and programs serving more than 750,000 young people, according to Texas Music Project.
Its work includes programs designed for young people facing medical, emotional, and economic challenges.
Texas Music Project received a $30,000 grant.
Grants Are Unrestricted
The Local Impact Grants provide unrestricted operating funds, giving recipients flexibility in how the money is used.
The 2026 application window ran from March 24 through April 24, and nonprofits applied in three categories: youth education and empowerment, next generation storytellers, and community engagement, according to NBCUniversal.
“We’re proud to celebrate this year’s Local Impact Grant recipients and continue our support of impactful nonprofits in our markets,” NBCUniversal Local Chairman Valari Staab said. “The impact of these organizations can be seen every day in the communities they serve, through the opportunities they create, the connections they build, and the lives they touch.”
For the Dallas-Fort Worth organizations named Wednesday, that work ranges from feeding children and helping seniors remain independent to supporting families after devastating losses and helping brain-injury survivors rebuild their lives.
The national grant program is measured in millions of dollars, but locally its impact can be much more personal: a meal after school, transportation for an older resident, community after a brain injury, music for a struggling child, or someone helping a grieving family figure out what comes next.
