Funding will illuminate the path forward for 22 organizations advancing community development in Tarrant County
NTCF has awarded $590,500 in operating support to 22 nonprofit organizations through the inaugural cycle of the BEACON (Building Economic Access, Community, Opportunity & Networks) Fund. Funding supports organizations working to improve the quality of life in historically disinvested neighborhoods in Tarrant County.
BEACON was created to strengthen nonprofits focused on the essential elements of thriving communities, from affordable housing, education, workforce development, healthcare, and more. Grants provide flexible operational support, allowing organizations to meet pressing needs while continuing to grow and sustain their impact. Notably, 32% of the selected grantees are receiving their first-ever grant from NTCF, reflecting a commitment to expanding opportunity and reaching new partners driving impact at the neighborhood level.
In addition to receiving funding, grantees will participate in a yearlong cohort designed to foster professional development, peer learning, and network-building. This collaborative approach aims to deepen organizational capacity and amplify community impact.
“The BEACON Fund supports the extraordinary work already happening in our communities,” said Whitnee Boyd, EdD, director of community impact at North Texas Community Foundation. “We are most grateful to the nonprofits, community leaders, and grantees who helped to co-create this grant cycle allowing us to not only shine a light on the needs of our neighborhoods but also uplift the leaders addressing the needs.”
The 2025 BEACON Fund grantees include:
>4 Saints Episcopal Food Pantry
>619 Productions
>Artes de la Rosa
>BRAVE/R Together
>Building Pathways
>Community Frontline
>Community Healing and Mental Health Project
>Como Lions Heart
>Create + Collaborate
>Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber
>Grace Lutheran Church
>Hispanic Real Estate Brokers Association
>Hope Farm
>Jewel’s Comfort Keeper
>Literacy United
>Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization
>National Juneteenth Museum
>Northside Inter-Community Agency
>Opening Doors For Women In Need
>Tarrant County Academy of Medicine
>The Thank You Darlin’ Foundation
>Water From The Rock
To identify areas of highest need, NTCF utilized the Centers for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which incorporates data on income, housing, transportation, and healthcare access. This approach ensures funding reaches neighborhoods facing the greatest barriers to opportunity.
A dedicated grant committee composed of community leaders, past grantees, and subject-matter experts reviewed applications and helped ensure funding aligned with on-the-ground needs. Their deep knowledge of local challenges played a critical role in the selection process.
“Receiving this grant brings me joy. Knowing that community leaders served as the grants committee makes me feel seen for the work I do by the community I love and serve. It is an amazing feeling,” said Lachelle Goodrich, executive director of Community Healing and Mental Health Project.
The inaugural BEACON Fund grant cycle was generously supported by the following donors, whose investment makes this work possible:
>ABBA Homan Charitable Fund
>Anonymous Fund
>Don & Barbara Kirk Endowment Fund
>Doris C. & Harry K. Werst Charitable Fund
>Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates
>Fort Worth Advancement Fund
>George C. & Sue W. Sumner Fund
>Hanley Family Charitable Fund
>Jack W. & Paula J. Winter Charitable Fund
>Kristie & Brian Gibson Charitable Fund
>Lisa & Burch Waldron Charitable Fund
>Mebane Atteberry Charitable Fund
>Si & Buck Martin Legacy Fund
>The Sharon Ann McCulloch-Wells & John W. Wells Endowed Fund
“The BEACON Fund is an important step toward building stronger, more resilient communities across our region,” said Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “These grantees are trusted leaders doing impactful work. Our goal is to provide the flexible support they need to continue serving their communities effectively.”
