COMMUNITIES

We invest for the long-term in sustained programming that moves women and girls from surviving to thriving, and gives them control of their lives and their families’ futures.

The circumstances and needs of women, girls and their families are influenced by many factors, including age, race and access to education, employment, child care and health care in their communities.

We use our groundbreaking research, expertise in mobilizing capital from donors, and best-practice grantmaking models to bring together experts and community leaders (locally, regionally and statewide). Our goal is to stimulate greater social and economic change for women through strategic collaborations, innovative investment strategies and targeted grants that are both bold and responsible. We also work with elected officials and partners across the state to inform and influence legislative issues on child care access and quality, public Pre-K, predatory lending and human trafficking, among other issues.

For 33 years, Texas Women’s Foundation has served donors, grantees, lawmakers and community leaders as a trusted collaborative partner, knowledge source, advocate and catalyst for positive change to advance economic security and leadership for women and girls.

Our Impact and Reach

With the generous support of our donors, Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) has raised over $50 million through its Unlocking Leadership Campaign that began in 2013 and concluded in November 2018. During that same period of time, we have provided $20 million in funding for programs and nonprofit partners, and distributed over 1,000 grants benefitting women and girls.

More data is available on Foundation Maps, a searchable online tool developed by Foundation Center. The map includes the last two fiscal years of our granting and is updated semi-annually.

NORTH TEXAS

Dallas, Collin, Denton and Tarrant Counties

Thirty-three years ago, the founders of Dallas Women’s Foundation began a legacy – becoming a reliable and trusted supporter and advocate for women, girls and their families in North Texas.

Today, our impact in driving positive change, and our commitment to advancing women’s economic security and leadership in this region and beyond continues under our new name: Texas Women’s Foundation.

We raise funds for research, advocacy, innovative programs and solutions, convenings and targeted grantmaking to educate and stimulate greater social and economic change, ensuring that women and girls in North Texas can thrive.

Our work is dedicated to:

  • Identifying and researching the issues unique to North Texas to frame a vision for what can be achieved.
  • Providing timely, conclusive information for donors, community leaders, nonprofit partners and lawmakers.
  • Working across aisles, boundaries, cultures and geographies to drive meaningful changes to policies and practices affecting women and girls.
  • Establishing and co-creating programmatic solutions that make sense in the community.

What differentiates Texas Women’s Foundation is our sharp focus on and our courage to invest in both proven strategies and new, innovative ideas to help women and girls become full participants in an equitable society.

Our Programs Develop Strong Women and Strong Leaders for North Texas

We design, implement and support programs that provide women and girls with knowledge and resources to be economically secure, to advance in leadership and to use their power and voice to build a better society for all. Our programs include:

Mother Helping Daughter With Homework

Women Give: Empowering Women’s Philanthropy

Women Give: Empowering Women’s Philanthropy is a series of signature workshops and retreats designed to help women at all levels – from first gifts to legacies – align their giving with their interests and values. Learn More >

Mother Helping Daughter With Homework

Women’s Leadership Institute

Women’s Leadership Institute is a program to strengthen and accelerate the pipeline of women in executive leadership. Learn More >

Mother Helping Daughter With Homework

Young Women’s Initiative-Dallas

Young Women’s Initiative-Dallas is a cross-sector effort to empower and affirm young women of color, amplifying and supporting their power to develop solutions to systemic challenges they best understand from their lived experiences. Learn More >

leadership_bestself

#BestSelf

#BestSelf is a program developed for girls, ages 11-15, and educators to come together for a day of empowerment, teaching leadership skills, healthy conflict resolution and more, so these young women can embrace and become their “best selves.” Learn More >

Women & Wealth

Women & Wealth: Gendered Impact Investing

Women & Wealth: Gendered Impact Investing - Texas Women’s Foundation is stimulating change by deploying our capital in investments that yield a financial and social benefit to women and girls. We offer the Women & Wealth educational series to donors, investors and advisors to learn about the opportunities and impact of investing in women. Learn More >

MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

When you give to Texas Women’s Foundation, you are directly contributing to the economic stability and future of Texas.

ADVOCACY IN NORTH TEXAS

Engaging in Advocacy North Texas Communities

Real progress to advance women and girls in North Texas requires systemic policy change. We use our research to provide lawmakers and decision-makers with timely, targeted information in order to impact policies that relate to women, girls and their families.

We serve as the collective voice for women leaders and for women whose voice has gone unheard in the public conversation. By providing conclusive information to decision-makers, and engaging supporters on priority issues, we are helping women get the essential resources and opportunities needed to build stronger families and better communities for all.

IMPACT IN NORTH TEXAS

Strengthening North Texas Women, Girls and Families

We proudly partner with grantees in Dallas, Collin, Denton and Tarrant Counties to provide responsive, community-based programming that advances economic and leadership opportunities for women, girls and families to build stronger, more equitable communities for all.

Our approach fosters collaborative, long-term relationships with our donors and grantees to support best-practice grantmaking models that amplify every dollar donated and invested.

We look full circle at the many issues impacting women’s economic security and opportunities for leadership – so that our programs and grantmaking support the full diversity of women and their needs in the region.

Every Dollar Makes Meaningful Change

  • Since 2013, we have raised over $50 million and provided over 1,000 grants benefitting women and girls.
  • We provide $5 million annually to organizations and programs to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls.

APPLY FOR GRANT

Texas Women’s Foundation promotes women’s philanthropy and raises money to support community programs that help women and girls realize their full potential.

2019 Community Grant Cycle

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) is investing in the power of women and girls to build stronger, more equitable communities across Texas. Through our research, advocacy, grantmaking and innovative programs, we are driving meaningful social and economic change for women, girls and families. TXWF empowers women’s philanthropy, by raising money to support the community grant cycle, which funds community programs that help women and girls realize their full potential.

Important Dates:

Online application available: June 6, 2019

Deadline to request a login account: July 9, 2019 at noon

Application submission deadline: July 12, 2019 at noon

Grant Guidelines and FAQs:

You can review the Grant Guidelines as well as Tips and FAQ’s 

Grant Applicant Portal:

A user account is required to access and create an online application. All applicants must have a user account. If you are unsure if you have an existing account or have questions regarding how to access your account, please contact Roselle Tenorio at rtenorio@txwf.org.

To create a new user account, please go to: http://twf.spectrumportal.net/

Grant Information Sessions

In preparation for the upcoming 2019 Community Grant Cycle, Texas Women’s Foundation has scheduled three information sessions to inform potential applicants about the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and its granting process. A “First Timer” Information Session in Tarrant County has been added. This session is open to all however agencies new to the Foundation’s process are encouraged to attend this session.

Attendance at a session is not a requirement to apply.

Register for one of the following scheduled sessions here.

  • Collin County, Texas – Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Collin College Central Park – Lecture Hall – 2200 West University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071
  • Dallas County, Texas – Tuesday, June 25, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at UNT Dallas – FH 138 Multipurpose Room – 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241
  • Tarrant County, Texas – Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Ridgmar Mall – Community Room – 1888 Green Oaks Road Fort Worth, TX 76116

WHAT WE FUND

Leadership & Education:

  • STEM Education
  • Post-secondary education
  • Self-esteem building
  • Prevention & empowerment (after school)
  • Leadership & engagement

Economic Security:


  • Basic skills & ESL
  • Workforce development & earnings
  • Economic support (childcare, transitional housing)
  • Economic empowerment (entrepreneurship, financial coaching)
  • Aging in place/housing for women 75 years and older

Health & Safety:


  • Violence against women & girls (sexual assault, domestic violence)
  • Human trafficking
  • Women’s reproductive health
  • Access to health care¬
  • Mental, emotional & dental care


Women’s Issues:

  • Legal & civil rights

Also includes:

  • Capacity Building
  • Operating support
  • Program support
  • Policy Programs
  • Increasing Engagement Programs
  • Organizations and/or programs that serve women in North Texas

Who Can Apply

  • Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation from the Internal Revenue
  • The Foundation will consider organizations/programs serving Dallas, Denton, Collin and the immediate surrounding counties for funding.
  • At least 75% of the clients benefiting from grant funding are women and/or girls inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender
  • Organizations that have been funded through the Community Grant Cycle for five consecutive years must sit out for one year before submitting a new
  • Only online applications will be accepted

Funding Priorities

The Foundation encourages agencies to consider the following questions in reference to their application.

Does the program:

  • Effect long-term, positive changes in systems that currently prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential?
  • Expand choices and opportunities for women and/or girls inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression?
  • Use evaluation tools that include measurement for effectiveness with clear definition of program success?
  • Explicitly address the particular and unique needs and challenges of women and girls?
  • Promote coordination, cooperation, sharing among other organizations? Was the program developed in consultation and collaboration with other agencies?
  • Effectively use volunteers and board members?
  • Reflect Texas Women’s Foundation values and core competencies of integrity, intentionality, and inclusivity?

2018 Grantee Partners

  • 4Word
  • Accion
  • Agape Resource & Assistance Center Inc.
  • All Saints Health Foundation
  • Alliance for Justice
  • American Institute for Cancer Research
  • American National Red Cross – Red Cross of North Texas
  • ASCENT – Leading Multicultural Women to the Top Inc.
  • Baylor Health Care System Foundation
  • Bioneers/Collective Heritage Institute
  • Boy Scouts of America (571 Circle Ten Council)
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County*
  • Bridge Breast Center Inc. DBA Bridge Breast Network
  • Bright Future Foundation For Eagle County
  • Brighter Tomorrows, Inc.
  • Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc.*
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of  Fort Worth
  • CHETNA
  • ChildCareGroup
  • Childrens Advocacy Center Of Collin County Inc.
  • Children’s Medical Foundation of Texas
  • Church of Christ on McDermott Road
  • Circuit Trail Conservancy Fund at the Dallas Foundation
  • City House*
  • City Square*
  • Collin County Committee on Aging Inc./Meals on Wheels of Collin County
  • Collin County Mobility Collaborative LLC
  • Commit2Dallas DBA Commit
  • Communities Foundation of Texas
  • Covenant Church*
  • Dallas AfterSchool Network*
  • Dallas Area Interfaith Sponsoring Committee
  • Dallas Christian Women’s Job Corps, Inc.
  • Dallas County Community College District Foundation, Inc.
  • Dallas Foundation A Tx Nonprofit Corporation – DISD Foundation
  • Dallas Foundation A Tx Nonprofit Corporation – Early Matters Dallas*
  • Dallas Foundation A Tx Nonprofit Corporation – Texas 2036
  • Dallas Holocaust Museum*
  • Dallas Social Venture Partners
  • Design Connect Create
  • DFW Hub Center for Health
  • Documentary Arts, Inc.
  • Educational First Steps*
  • Executives in Action
  • Faith in Texas – Pico*
  • Family Gateway, Inc.*
  • Family Place*
  • Foundation For The Education Of Young Women
  • Friends of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
  • Friends of Solar Prep
  • GENDERAVENGER (Gender Avenger)*
  • George W Bush Foundation
  • Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas*
  • Girls Embracing Mothers, Inc.
  • Girls for Gender Equity Inc.  – GGE
  • Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas*
  • Girlstart
  • Global Fund For Children
  • Health Services Of North Texas Inc*
  • Heart House
  • Hearts for Homes
  • Hopeful Solutions, Inc.*
  • Hope’s Door
  • Housing Crisis Center, Inc.*
  • Human Rights Campaign Foundation
  • Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc.*
  • Ignite*
  • Interfaith Housing Coalition
  • International American Educaction Federation, Inc.
  • Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.
  • Jewish Family Services of Dallas
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas*
  • Journey to Dream Foundation
  • Junior Achievement of Dallas, Inc.
  • Junior League of Dallas, Inc.
  • Just in Time for Foster Youth
  • Kid Net Foundation/Jonathan’s Place
  • Knox College Office of Advancement
  • Leadership ISD
  • League of Women Voters of Dallas
  • League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund
  • Letot Capital Foundation Fund at the Dallas Foundation*
  • Links Foundation, Inc.*
  • Marked Men for Christ Inc.
  • Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation
  • Metrocrest Services/Metrocrest Social Services*
  • Mosaic Family Services, Inc.*
  • National Alliance For Partnerships In Equity Education Foundation
  • National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated
  • National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section
  • Nature Conservancy
  • New Friends New Life*
  • Nexus Recovery Center, Inc.
  • North Dallas Shared Ministries Inc.
  • North Texas Public Broadcasting Inc. (KERA)*
  • NTARuPT Fund of the Dallas Foundation a Texas Nonprofit Corp*
  • Open Arms Inc. DBA Bryan’s House*
  • Parkland Foundation*
  • PeaceJam Foundation
  • Philanthropy New York Inc. (Fiscal Sponsor for AFN)
  • Philanthropy Southwest
  • Plan International USA, Inc.
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas*
  • Promise House
  • Public Radio International Inc.
  • Rebecca Bender Initiative
  • Resource Center of Dallas, Inc.
  • Scholar Shot
  • Senior Citizens Of Greater Dallas Inc.*
  • Shared Housing Center, Inc.*
  • Sharing Life Community Outreach
  • Shelter Ministries of Dallas DBA Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support*
  • Shiloh Place McKinney
  • Skill QUEST
  • Southern Methodist University
  • St Mark’s School of Texas
  • Stand for Children Leadership Center
  • TACA Inc. (The Arts Community Alliance)
  • TCU Neeley School of Business*
  • Teach for America Inc. – Dallas Fort Worth Region
  • Teaching Trust
  • Texas Appleseed
  • Texas Christian University
  • Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, Inc.*
  • Texas Tribune Inc.*
  • TexProtects
  • The Concilio
  • The Grace Museum Inc.
  • The Salvation Army DBA The Salvation Army  DFW Metroplex Command
  • The University of Texas at Dallas*
  • The Women’s Center of Tarrant County
  • Threshold Foundation
  • Trinity River Mission
  • United States Fund for UNICEF
  • United to Learn
  • United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc.
  • University Of North Texas Foundation*
  • Volunteers Of America Inc.
  • Washington Area Women’s Foundation
  • Wellesley College
  • Wesley-Rankin Community Center
  • Wilkinson Center
  • Williams College
  • Women in Need of Generous Support (WiNGS)*
  • Women Texas Film Festival
  • Women’s Foundation of Colorado Inc.*
  • Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
  • Women’s Funding Network*
  • Women’s Walk with Christ
  • World Wild Life Fund
  • Woven Health Clinic
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
  • Zonta Club of Dallas Charitable Trust

*indicates more than one grant received in fiscal year 2018

Statewide Initiatives

Texas Women’s Foundation will be additive, not competitive, with an expansion strategy that will move across the state in our spheres of expertise:

  • Research is our starting point, which has been statewide in focus and distribution for over a decade. Just as we have done in various cities across the state since 2014, we will now expand further into new cities and regions through convening partners, donors and friends to present the research and issues, and recruit allies and advocates.
  • Investing in solutions that are both proven in the North Texas region and portable to other communities will be our next step, expanding signature programs including:
    • The Women’s Leadership Institute for executive women in corporations and businesses.
    • The Young Women’s Initiative that centers and empowers young women of color, ages 17-24, in the most under-resourced neighborhoods to lead in their lives and in their communities.
    • #BestSelf, a one-day intensive leadership development program for girls ages 11-16 that challenges stereotypes and helps girls be confident in the pursuit of their dreams.
  • Ultimately, we will be mobilizing capital for greater investment in Texas Women’s Foundation and the movement to Transform Texas for Women and Girls.

It is crucial work, and one of our most meaningful contributions is educating and advocating on key issues to stimulate greater social and economic change, as well as highlighting and supporting innovative programs and solutions in local communities.

As a trusted knowledge resource for advocates, policy-makers, civic leaders, donors and organizations, the conclusive information we bring to the forefront plays a key role in the public conversation and decision-making to:

  • Frame a vision of an equitable society where women and girls are full participants.
  • Keep a sharp focus on statewide initiatives to affect policy advancements.

Learn More About Economic Issues Facing Women in Texas

Economic Issues for Women in Texas, published by Texas Women’s Foundation, looks at state-level policies and practices and identifies opportunities for innovation and investment in solutions that improve economic and social equity for women and girls in Texas.

Engagement by Metro Area

INVESTMENT IMPACT ACROSS TEXAS

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) has a 33-year history of leadership in advancing women and their families.

Our expertise in best-practice grantmaking models has been replicated around Texas and across the country. We serve as a knowledge resource and collaborative partner for donors, grantees, community leaders and philanthropic organizations. And we work together to amplify every dollar donated and invested to improve economic security and increase leadership opportunities for women and girls wherever they live in Texas.

Texas Women’s Foundation adheres to an intentional, data-driven and evidence-based process in our decision-making. We support innovative solutions and programs that are bold, yet sensible and responsible, in addressing the needs of women, girls and families in their communities.

The impact of our work is far-reaching. For example:

  • We are helping to educate and empower nearly 5,000 young girls annually through the Young Women’s Preparatory Network in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio and Ysleta.
  • Texas Women’s Foundation provided financial support to add a gender lens to the statewide Texas Family Budget tool created and maintained by Center for Public Policy Priorities. For 27 regions across Texas, the Family Budget tool allows users to understand the cost of living for a family, types of jobs and wages available in those communities and the pressure points where advocacy and programs can make a real difference. Elected officials, agencies and individuals use the site to understand what it takes to move from surviving to thriving in Texas.
  • Texas Women’s Foundation provided initial seed funding and continues to support the Texas office of Alliance for Justice and their Bolder Advocacy project. Since 2015, the Texas office of Alliance for Justice has provided expertise and information to help nonprofits and foundations understand their advocacy rights under the law. Texas Women’s Foundation knows that philanthropy alone cannot meet the growing needs without engaging in local, state and national advocacy. A 2012 report from the National Center for Responsive Philanthropy showed that approximately one hundred nonprofit organizations across 13 states leveraged $231 million from their funders to create $26 billion in benefits for local communities and constituencies through their advocacy work. We provide workshops, webinars and free technical assistance, and publish legal guides, factsheets, and online resources. Over six months in 2018, we held more than 20 workshops in Texas and responded to over 30 requests for technical assistance from Texas organizations.

STATEWIDE ADVOCACY

Driving Positive Change Across Texas

In order for all Texas women to become full participants in an equitable society, we need more lawmakers and decision-makers  – men and women – to help drive systemic policy change across the breadth of issues related to women’s economic security and leadership.

Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) publishes groundbreaking statewide research on issues affecting women and girls, which provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state.

Through education and advocacy, we serve as a trusted source of information and a collective voice. Together we help ensure that women and girls are fully represented in the public dialogue, and get the essential resources and opportunities needed to build stronger families and a better Texas.

MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

When you give to Texas Women’s Foundation, you are directly contributing to the economic stability and future of Texas.