Grant Impact Stories

Rockwall Grad First Recipient of James 5:1 Scholarship

Anonymous CFT donor awards $40,000 scholarship for Rockwall students to attend University of Texas at Austin

After losing his father, Ryan realizes that he could overcome obstacles. He becomes the first Rockwall High School recipient of the largest scholarship at CFT.

Nation's First District-Wide STEM program

Educate Texas teams up with Texas Instruments Foundation to impact STEM in Lancaster ISD

A community rallies together and receives a substantial grant from Educate Texas and Texas Instruments Foundation that will change the way Lancaster ISD teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Time for Tier 1

Swift Action Raises $4.245 Million to help UTD Advance to Tier 1

Through the use of government matching funds, we helped raise money to advance University of Texas at Dallas to a Tier 1 university in Texas.

Jan Pruitt Compares CFT to a Kitchen Table

Jan Pruitt, CEO of North Texas Food Bank, shares her perspective on CFT’s role in the community

North Texas Food Bank Executive Director, Jan Pruitt, gives a nonprofit angle on our impact and involvement with the community.

Giving Day Success: A Nonprofit’s Appreciation

Giving Day sure beats hosting an event!

Bill Farrell, Development Director at Mercy Street, tells how his organization spend thousands of hours working on a fundraising event and raised the same amount as they did during North Texas Giving Day—with a small percentage of the effort.

Meeting Needs: Building for the Future

Mabel Peters Caruth Center Opens in 2003

Mabel Peters Caruth wrote a new chapter in the family’s legacy of giving when she announced her bequest of $34 million to CFT, among the largest single charitable donation ever recorded in Dallas.

$15M to Dallas Police Department (DPD)

A $15 million grant from the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas to the Dallas Police Department (DPD) was the largest ever made from the foundation created by Will Caruth and entrusted to CFT, and also the largest grant on record made through a public foundation to a police department anywhere in the country.

The Ultimate Gift: Organ Donation

Transplant Immunology Research Grant

In 2002, CFT honored the memory of Will Caruth with a $5 million gift from the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation Fund to establish a Basic Science Research Program in the Immunology of Solid Organ Transplantation at Baylor Research Institute.

Overflowing Gratitude: A Wave of Generosity

Rosine Foundation Fund of CFT expedited the design and construction of SMU's Calatrava Fountain

Calatrava Fountain – 2001 In 2001, a $1.5 million gift from the Rosine Foundation Fund of CFT expedited the design and construction of a sculpture-fountain outside Southern Methodist University’s Meadows Museum.

Entertaining New Ideas: Cultural Change

Eisemann Center for Performing Arts opens in 2001 thanks to CFT fund holders

Eisemann Center for Performing Arts – 2001 Charles and Ann Eisemann are longtime supporters of the cultural arts in Richardson, especially the symphony orchestra. The Eisemann Foundation Fund of CFT granted $2 million to the city of Richardson to support a new performing arts venue.

Building Goodwill

Many CFT fund contribute to Goodwill Industries campaign

Goodwill Industries – 2001 When Goodwill Industries was in the midst of a $16.7 million building campaign in 2001, CFT decided to help. Goodwill’s capital campaign sought to raise money for a new facility that would triple to 3,000 the number of people served at its west Dallas facility.

Wings of an Angel: Transformed by Philanthropy

Texas Discovery Gardens Butterfly Garden gets wings thanks to Rosine Foundation Fund for Texas Discovery Gardens at CFT

Texas Discovery Gardens Butterfly Garden 2001 Her mother’s passion for butterflies as well as education and conservation, inspired Mary Anne Sammons Cree to recommend a $2.5 million grant from the Rosine Foundation Fund for Texas Discovery Gardens.

In the Line of Duty: Honoring Fallen Heroes

CFT funds Dallas Police Memorial

Dallas Police Memorial – 1999 Dallas police officers, who have lost their lives serving the city’s citizens are honored at the Dallas Police Memorial. A grant from CFT was used to build and dedicate the memorial to our Dallas Police fallen heroes.

Dog Gone Generous: Pet Project

Phoebe Perry honors her husband with gift to SPCA of Texas

SPCA of Texas – 1998 The SPCA of Texas has a tough job -- caring for animals without the support of government funding. Generous contributions from CFT donors like Phoebe and Russell Perry help make the SPCA’s job easier.

Concerted Effort: Music to Our Ears

Perot Fund at CFT gives Dallas Symphony Orchestra grant

Perot Fund Symphony Grant – 1985 Thanks to H. Ross Perot’s $10 million donation through a fund established at CFT, the community foundation became a player in the construction of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, named in honor Perot’s friend and business associate.