Blog

John Bergner celebrated as CFT’s 2022 Vester Hughes Award Recipient

John was honored on May 10 at CFT’s annual Professional Seminar in partnership with Southern Methodist University and at a private reception on May 9.

Communities Foundation of Texas celebrated John Bergner of Winsted PC as CFT’s 2022 Vester Hughes Award recipient on Monday, May 9.

Using a SIMPLER Way

Working Families Success Advisory Council Member, Terri Rios, shares insights on how The Women’s Center of Tarrant County applied behavioral science techniques to improve services for its clients

The Women’s Center of Tarrant County has never used a “one-size-fits-all” approach for our clients. We look at the issues people are facing and figure out effective ways to create positive change for each person we serve and their situation. That’s one of many reasons being part of the Working Families Success (WFS) Network is a great experience for us. Being in the network of our peers gives us the opportunity to learn new ways to address community challenges.

Transforming Education Across the Rio Grande Valley

CFT's Educate Texas releases regional scoreboard

RGV FOCUS is measurably improving education across all four counties of the Rio Grande Valley. CFT’s Educate Texas founded RGV FOCUS in 2012 with the vision of building a community partnership to make sure all students in the Rio Grande Valley get the education they need and deserve to achieve meaningful careers and lives.

Helping Weather the Storm

CFT fund holders support CFT's North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund

Margaret Elizabeth and Michael McKissack established the McKissack Family Fund in December 2020. They had been giving to nonprofits directly and through CFT’s North Texas Giving Day for quite some time, and their new charitable fund at CFT allows them to streamline their giving and lean on CFT’s staff expertise when needed.

Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy

Alumni help their company hone giving priorities

After graduating from CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELP) program, alumni members and colleagues Tyler Floyd, Devin DeLapp-Carnes, and Taylor Nipp helped launch a Community Engagement Committee at their company, SFMG Wealth Advisors.

North Texas Giving Day Proclamation

On September 23, 2021, donations can be made from 6 a.m. to midnight to more than 3,200 certified local nonprofits in the 20 county region around DFW listed on www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org; And, from September 1-22, early donations can be made on the website in advance of Giving Day; I would like to thank CFT for powering this incredible day, and I encourage all Dallas residents to take part in this special event and support our local nonprofits by giving to them on North Texas Giving Day.

Turning A Day of Tragedy into A Day of Doing Good

Freedom Day 2021 at Cedar Hill High School

Freedom Day, an annual day of service led by CFT for Business, an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, commemorates 9/11/2001 by transforming a day of profound loss for our country into a day for doing good in our community.

How to Spot A Prime Charitable Remainder Trust Opportunity

When you have a client who could benefit from a CRT, Communities Foundation of Texas is ready to work with you!

A charitable remainder trust (“CRT”) is a “split interest” charitable planning tool that allows your client to transfer an asset (in this case, real estate) to an irrevocable trust, retain an income stream, and earmark what’s left (the “remainder”) to pass to a charity or charities of the client’s choice.

Investments Q&A with CFT's Carolyn A. Newham, J.D.

One of the topics we talk frequently about with fund holders and their professional advisors is our investment performance and investment portfolio options for our charitable funds. Learn more below about our recent investment performance success and how CFT manages our charitable assets.