The North Texas Community Foundation announces Fort Worth civic leader Walter Rainwater as the first recipient of our Insight & Vision Philanthropy Award. The honor recognizes demonstrated philanthropic excellence in leadership through deep local understanding, outstanding initiative, and measurable impact. Mr. Rainwater was chosen to receive the award for his extraordinary contribution to the children of Fort Worth’s Morningside neighborhood.
“Thanks to Mr. Rainwater’s vision and insight, today the Morningside Children’s Partnership serves more than 7,000 children,” Nancy E. Jones, President and CEO of the North Texas Community Foundation said.
Eight years ago, guided by the belief that education provides a permanent path out of poverty, Mr. Rainwater walked into Morningside Middle School. That day proved to be a turning point for the children and families of the Morningside neighborhood, and for Mr. Rainwater himself. He served as a tutor, using engineering skills he honed at NASA to eventually pursue his own proverbial “moonshot.”
Mr. Rainwater envisioned opportunity and prosperity for the children and families of the area. He pursued a cradle to career plan for community investment, which ultimately resulted in a squad of Morningside Children’s Program Success Teams deployed at 11 schools.
“At the Community Foundation, we focus on planning for the long-term vitality of our community,” Ms. Jones said. “We know that visionary philanthropists like Walter are central to helping make life better for everyone in North Texas.”
The Insight & Vision Award was presented to Mr. Rainwater on August 29 by the North Texas Community Foundation at its event, Four Mayors of Fort Worth: An Evening of Insight & Vision. The invitation-only event convened Fort Worth’s four current and former living mayors for a panel presentation to discuss what it takes to build and sustain a great community.
