The Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) has invested $2 million to strengthen local news and civic engagement across North Texas.
The $2 million will support local news and information sharing, civic education, volunteerism, public engagement, leadership development, and more.
“Our local communities continue to shape our future. America’s 250th milestone is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate how communities have always relied on local institutions, including local journalism, to stay informed and engaged,” said Wayne White, president and CEO at Communities Foundation of Texas.
$1.15 million in grant money has been distributed across 11 local news and information outlets, including Advocate Media, Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL), The Dallas Examiner, Dallas Free Press, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Voice, Fort Worth Report, KERA, Press Forward North Texas, The Stewpot, and The Texas Tribune.
“Together, these grants reflect a range of approaches to strengthen local information across North Texas, from hyperlocal neighborhood reporting and public media coverage to community-led storytelling, audience engagement, and newsroom sustainability,” said Alexander Haj, program officer at Communities Foundation of Texas.
CFT has also given a total of $825,000 to 17 unique nonprofit programs across North Texas. These grants range from $25,000 to $250,000 and further their movements, as well as collective participation to shape decisions across Texas.
The grantees included are American Legion Post 111, Better Block Foundation: Better Block University, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Dallas Innovation Alliance, Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League, Global Health Corps, Our Community Law, Project Unity, Southern Methodist University: Dallas County Food Plan, Southern Methodist University: First Amendment Clinic, Texas Women’s Foundation: Women’s Leadership Institute, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas: Hamilton Park Thrives, VolunteerNow, Young Leaders Strong City, and Youth Revive.
“CFT’s vision is a thriving community for all, and thriving communities depend on people having opportunities to engage in the decisions that shape their health, education, public safety, and civic life,” said Robert Kent, CFT’s chief philanthropy officer. “Collectively, these investments support civic education, leadership development, community planning, and collaborative solutions to community challenges, helping residents actively participate in working together to build a stronger North Texas.”
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