In continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 32 North Texas foundations and United Ways have come together for the second phase of North Texas Cares, a funder collaborative with a common application form. North Texas Cares initially launched in late March with 15 partners and grew quickly to more than 30.
Between April and mid-July, 1,400 grants totaling over $40 million were awarded to 630 area nonprofits through the North Texas Cares application process from the 30+ participating funders to serve communities and people most affected by COVID-19.
Now, participating foundations and United Ways have opened up the second round of funding requests via NorthTexasCares.org, once more utilizing a shared online application to simplify and streamline the process for nonprofits seeking funds.
Nonprofit organizations that support individuals and families in the priority focus areas of health, economic security, safety and wellbeing, education, and social justice are encouraged to apply for funding at NorthTexasCares.org.
“This level of collaboration with this many prominent North Texas funding organizations was unheard of until North Texas Cares launched. Deploying $40 million from 30 different support organizations through a shared grant application during a time of unprecedented crisis has been nothing short of remarkable. We’re thrilled that so many of the partners from phase one have returned to join together for the second phase of application review to help nonprofits in need, and that new partners have joined as well,” said Dave Scullin, President and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas.
“United Way is honored to partner with these incredible leaders again to power North Texas Cares. This collective solution, which aims to distribute funds equitably across North Texas, demonstrates the deep desire of the philanthropic community to create long term impact through aligned funding,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton CEO and President, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Lifting up a common application to reduce obstacles for nonprofits and streamlining the entire grantmaking process has created a new template for business as usual in North Texas. The extraordinary results of this collaborative effort is another endorsement of what we already know—we’re better together.”
The 32 collaborative funders as of August 11 include:
“The COVID-19 pandemic and the extraordinary response to North Texas Cares underscores the importance of our sector for our community’s wellbeing. Both we as funders and our nonprofit partners continue to work tirelessly to mobilize and identify the most impactful ways to deploy funding resources,” said Matthew Randazzo, president & CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “As we continue to see the economic fall-out from this pandemic, the second phase of this effort will be equally, if not more, important than the first.
Participating funders will review the requests and make individual funding decisions. Each funder will allocate their own separate funds, timeline and process to evaluate and award grant applications, so one application may potentially result in grants from multiple funders. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in the North Texas area.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term effects on the North Texas community,” said Leah King, president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “United Way of Tarrant County is proud to be part of the North Texas Cares partnership and provide funding to organizations assisting those impacted by COVID-19. The funding has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of families in the Tarrant County community. The ongoing efforts of the partnership continue to play an important role as we work toward meeting the urgent needs of our friends and neighbors.”
“Our local nonprofit leaders in Tarrant County have been working incredibly hard over the last five months to respond to immediate needs arising from COVID-19. As we move into the rebuilding phase, continued philanthropic investment is essential. This platform provides an efficient and effective means of conveying emerging needs and opportunities. With all of us pulling in the same direction, we’ll see this through together,” said Rose Bradshaw, President/CEO of North Texas Community Foundation.
Funders and United Ways interested in joining the North Texas Cares collaborative or nonprofits with questions should contact Wende Burton at grants@cftexas.org or Ashley Brundage at uwmdcommunityimpact@unitedwaydallas.org.
What activities and services will be funded through the second phase of the North Texas Cares grant opportunity?
HEALTH
- Organizations and programs focused on providing access to health services of all kinds, including those focused on addressing disparities; mental health services for children and youth; and supporting COVID testing and access to testing/tracing
ECONOMIC SECURITY
- Organizations and programs focused on preparing people for living-wage jobs in the COVID-19 environment (e.g., via rapid re-employment, upskilling or reskilling through partnerships with community colleges/schools and/or moving to online adult learning)
- Organizations that provide supportive services for workers, such as childcare or transportation
- Providing safe, stable housing for families or individuals
- Organizations that provide services to re-entry populations to assist them as they return to the community during this very challenging time
SAFETY & WELLBEING
- Programs focused on personal safety from violence in the home
- Programs focused on public safety in the community and eliminating violence directed at people of color, disenfranchised and marginalized populations
EDUCATION
- Programs working to reduce learning loss and close the racial achievement gap
- Programs focused on supporting teachers/students given current online learning challenges
- Programs addressing the digital divide
- In- and out-of-school engagement programs for children and youth
- Programs that focused on education to cultivate anti-racism
- Parent engagement programs to support learning at home
SOCIAL JUSTICE
- Community organizing and movement building
- Creative community engagement to promote equity, access, participation, and rights, including through the arts
- Programs that foster and build leadership for people of color within nonprofit organizations
