Forty-five years ago, a small group of North Texas civic leaders came together to establish a vehicle through which individuals, families and business could invest in the community they loved.That vision became the North Texas Community Foundation, and over the decades, it has grown into one of the region’s most trusted stewards of generosity—quietly shaping lives, strengthening neighborhoods, and responding to needs long before many people ever see them coming.
The 45th anniversary marks far more than a milestone. It represents decades of fundholders, community leaders, and nonprofits linking arms to solve problems, lift each other up, and invest in a better future for North Texas.
“We were founded on the idea that generosity can transform a community,” says Rose Bradshaw, President & CEO of the North Texas Community Foundation. “Forty-five years later, that belief continues to guide our work every day.”
When donors open a charitable fund through the Foundation, they are stepping into a relationship rooted in care. Some come with a clear vision for the causes they want to support. Others arrive with a desire to help but are unsure where to begin. In either case, the Foundation listens—learning what matters to them, understanding their values, and helping shape a giving strategy with both intention and clarity.
From there, the Foundation carries the weight of the administrative work. Its team verifies nonprofits, conducts due diligence, manages the investments, and ensures that every dollar moves to organizations equipped to create measurable change. For donors, the experience becomes less about logistics and more about meaning—knowing their generosity is making a real difference.
Over time, those individual acts of giving have created a collective impact that is nothing short of remarkable. Since 1981, the Foundation and its donors have granted more than $550 million to nonprofits across the region. The reach is wide: scholarships, first responders, early childhood programs, land and water conservation, animal welfare, mental health, and dozens of other local needs.
For many families, the desire to give extends beyond the present moment. Through the Legacy Society, donors include charitable gifts in their estate plans, ensuring the causes they love will continue to be supported for generations. More than $650 million has been entrusted this way—an extraordinary expression of trust in the Foundation’s long-term stewardship.
Much of the Foundation’s strength comes from its ability to see the community clearly. Its Community Impact Team pays close attention to changing needs, stays in conversation with nonprofit partners, and helps identify where philanthropic dollars can create the greatest difference. Some donors lean heavily on this expertise, while others use it to complement their own giving plans. Those who prefer to give collectively participate in competitive grant cycles, where volunteer committees of local experts review proposals and award funding.
This capacity to convene people around complex challenges has become one of the Foundation’s most defining roles. A recent example is its work surrounding maternal and infant health in Tarrant County. When data revealed higher-than-average maternal mortality rates, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker asked the Foundation to bring community leaders together. In 2023, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and local organizations began meeting to better understand the issue. By 2024, that collaboration led to the formation of the Tarrant County Maternal and Infant Health Coalition—and with support from a $250,000 grant from the Foundation’s Fund for Good, the Parent Pass app expanded access to critical resources for families.
The momentum has since grown into the $25 million North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator, now operated by the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU and UT Southwestern Medical Center. “This is the power of partnership,” Bradshaw says. “When people come together with a shared commitment, real change becomes possible.”
The Foundation’s ability to mobilize quickly has been equally essential in times of crisis. During the pandemic, it awarded more than $1 million to frontline organizations. When devastating flooding struck Kerr County this year, fundholders contributed more than $435,000 to relief efforts. Whether responding to natural disasters or community tragedies, the Foundation ensures that generosity is deployed swiftly and responsibly.
As the 45th anniversary year unfolds, the Foundation is looking ahead. In March, it will introduce its new five-year strategic plan—a roadmap shaped by donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders. “Our region is growing rapidly,” Bradshaw says. “This plan reflects our commitment to meeting that growth with deeper impact, stronger partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to serving our community.”
Forty-five years in, the story of the North Texas Community Foundation is still unfolding—carried forward by the donors, families, and partners who believe in the power of generosity to change lives.