Giving Circle breaks record with $260K gift

By Juliette Coulter

On November 7, The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation celebrated with its members and supporters and announced that it had given a record $260,000 in funds to 16 nonprofit organizations whose missions support the African American community in North Texas.

Grants included the following: 

• At Last Inc. — Operational support for residential scholar program

• Big Thought — Arts-as-workforce intervention program 

• Bonton Farms — Urban farm providing fresh food options and support to residents

• Bridges Safehouse Inc. — Trauma-informed parenting classes 

• Dallas Black Dance Theatre — Scholarships for students

• GEMS Camp — Online and in-person camps and after-school programs

• Golf 3:16 — Golf mentorship program 

• HOPE Farm — Young men’s leadership development program 

• Mercy Street —Mentoring program 

• Promise House — Maternity group home program for teen moms

• The Senior Source — Senior companion program 

• St. Philip’s School and Community Center — Early childhood program 

• The Compelling Why — Seminars and leadership programming for middle and high school Black students 

• Under 1 Roof — Funds for homeless families and individuals

• Werthing Foundation, Inc. — Girl Power Academy program

• Youth Revive Inc. — Ignite Me Action Civics empowerment program 

Lisa Montgomery, co-chair and founding officer of The Village Giving Circle, said: “We are thrilled about the $260,000 investment The Village Giving Circle will make to these 16 incredible organizations. Being a key part of the infrastructure that helps shape the legacy and success of so many organizations in North Texas continues to inspire us. Galvanizing African American women philanthropists to ensure our communities can grasp the American dream through access to resources, support and information will continue to be our North Star.”  

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president and CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation, said, “The Village Giving Circle once again breaks records to support the Black community. Brava to all the members and supporters for their collective philanthropic efforts.”

Organized in 2017, the mission of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation is to honor, sustain and expand the legacy of African American women’s philanthropy by funding organizations and initiatives that positively impact the African American community in North Texas. The Village was borne out of a desire to harness the collective giving power and influence of female African American philanthropists, and in recognition of the need to provide opportunities for like-minded African American women to form connections that enhance their civic leadership activities.

Members focus their collective resources on local community organizations that are led by African Americans and/or serve the needs of African American communities throughout North Texas. In addition to providing financial support to selected organizations, The Village membership seeks to elevate awareness of issues, initiatives and efforts that affect or support African Americans living and working in North Texas.

Founding officers include A. Shonn Brown, Lisa Montgomery, Cheryl Alston, Christa Brown-Sanford, Annika Cail, Frances Cudjoe-Waters, Vera Ingram, Diane Reeves and Shawn Wills. A. Shonn Brown is former Texas Women’s Foundation board chair; Lisa Montgomery and Cheryl Alston are Texas Women’s Foundation board members; and Diane Reeves is a former board member. For more information about The Village Giving Circle and grants, visit txwf.org/village-giving-circle. 

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