OVERVIEW: The Communities Foundation of Texas has a series of grantmaking programs that support racial equity, economic security, disaster relief and recovery, and education. The funder largely focuses giving on the Texas counties of Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, or Rockwall counties.
IP TAKE: Most of CFT’s grants are made through donor funds, but some are made with discretionary funds as well. Grantseekers that keep requests modest, between $10,000 and $20,000, should do well here.
PROFILE: Established in 1953, the Communities Foundation of Texas partners with businesses, families, and local donors to make charitable contributions in Texas. Founded by a group of prominent business and civic leaders, it was originally called the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund. Today, CFT makes grants to support community issues in North Texas and through its donors, throughout the rest of the world too. Grantmaking areas of interest are racial equity, economic security, disaster relief and recovery, and education.
Grants for Racial Justice and Indigenous Rights, Work and Economic Opportunity, Disaster Relief and Recovery, and K-12 Education
CFT is the philanthropic force behind North Texas Giving Day, the Giving Guide, Educate Texas, Entrepreneurs for North Texas, and the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation. Its Community Impact Grantmaking areas are varied and encompass Racial Equity, Economic Security, Disaster Relief and Recovery, and Education, which is subdivided into these smaller focus areas: Educate Texas, College & Career Readiness, Teaching and Leading, Higher Education and Workforce, Policy and Advocacy, Regional Collaboration and Scholarships. It also makes special interest grants.
CFT also manages grantmaking for the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation, which focuses on complex, multi-year grants related to medical and scientific research, public safety, and education. These tend to be huge multi-million-dollar grants, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Important Grant Information
CFT grants are often $10,000 to $20,000. Review the funder’s website to learn about the annual grant distribution by program area.
- To be eligible for certain grants, at least 50 percent of the population served must be residents of Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, or Rockwall counties. Grantmaking is largely centered on the Dallas area.
- This funder accepts unsolicited grant requests, and the funding process starts with an eligibility quiz.
- The various topics of interest have different letter of inquiry deadlines. Contact the foundation by phone at (214) 750-4222 or by email to individual staff members.
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