North Texas Community Foundation announces the distribution of nearly $1,060,000 in grants to 21 Tarrant County nonprofits through its Bowden Opportunity Fund. This is the largest grant cycle in the Community Foundation’s history.
“The North Texas Community Foundation is humbled to facilitate this extraordinary funding opportunity. This year’s grantees have astounding dedication to strengthening our community,” said Rose Bradshaw, president and CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “The Bowdens’ generosity is an amazing example of how family philanthropy can have a powerful, ongoing impact on our community.”
Longtime Tarrant County resident Don Bowden established the Bowden Opportunity Fund at North Texas Community Foundation with the proceeds from the sale of his two businesses, Wholly Guacamole and Fresherized Foods. The fund supports innovative organizations in Tarrant County that serve vulnerable individuals, children, and families or address an important community need. His experience as an entrepreneur and business owner guided him to help Tarrant County-based organizations become more responsive, effective, and accountable.
“There are needs out there, and we’ve got to meet them,” said Don about his desire to help his community.
A true family effort, three generations of the Bowden family were involved in the grantmaking process. Together, Don, his daughter Donna Winborn, grandson Drew Winborn and his wife Melissa reviewed each grant proposal and hand-selected the grantees. In the coming years, Community Foundation staff will work closely with the Bowden family to distribute grants through their fund.
“We are fortunate to live in a community that has so many worthy organizations tackling tough problems with innovative and effective solutions,” said Melissa Winborn, granddaughter-in-law of the Bowdens and donor-advisor through the Bowden Opportunity Fund. “Our family is grateful for the opportunity to help these grantees in their mission to bring long-term and lasting change to our community.”
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