Communities Foundation of Texas is investing more than $10 million in education initiatives aimed at improving student achievement, reducing barriers to learning and expanding workforce opportunities across North Texas and the state.
The funding, announced Wednesday, includes grants to nonprofit organizations, investments in the foundation’s Educate Texas initiative and more than $2 million in scholarships for hundreds of students pursuing higher education.
The grants will support a range of efforts focused on student success, including reducing chronic absenteeism, reconnecting young adults who have become disengaged from school or work, strengthening literacy and expanding responsible use of artificial intelligence in education.
“We view education as one of the key drivers in creating a thriving community for all,” said Wayne White, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. “These investments are addressing challenges in new ways to equip students for success, reducing barriers and expanding economic mobility while modernizing systems and building pathways toward brighter futures.”
The largest investment — $5 million — will support Educate Texas, the foundation’s statewide education initiative that has worked with school districts, colleges, employers and policymakers for more than two decades.
Of that funding, $3.7 million will expand the AI + Education Collaborative, a program that helps educators, school leaders and policymakers implement artificial intelligence responsibly in classrooms across Texas.
Another $1.3 million will strengthen the DFW Opportunity Youth Collaborative, which connects young adults who are underemployed or disconnected from education with career training, workforce development and postsecondary opportunities.
“These initiatives help eliminate opportunity gaps and strengthen the North Texas ecosystem for students, teachers, employers and community organizations seeking to improve student success,” said Kerri Briggs, executive director of Educate Texas. “This is about helping young adults access meaningful careers, earn a living wage and build the future they want for themselves and their families.”
The foundation also committed $2 million to a new initiative addressing chronic absenteeism in middle schools serving South Dallas, South Oak Cliff and Wilmer-Hutchins.
The effort will be led by For Oak Cliff, which received a $1 million grant to work alongside Dallas ISD and community partners to develop neighborhood-based strategies aimed at improving school attendance. Initial partners include Big Thought and Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region, with plans to expand participation over the next year.
Additional grants include $600,000 for Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region to continue providing on-campus support services that address nonacademic barriers to student success at more than 100 campuses across 11 North Texas school districts.
The Dallas Foundation received a $500,000 grant to support early childhood education through its Bright Futures Alliance in southern Dallas.
Texas 2036 was awarded $500,000 to advance research and policy initiatives focused on education, workforce development and other statewide priorities.
United to Learn received $250,000 to expand literacy instruction and teacher development through its Team Thrive and Aspiring Teachers programs, which serve more than 30 Dallas ISD elementary campuses.
In addition to the nonprofit grants, Communities Foundation of Texas awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to 415 students this year. The scholarships are funded through charitable scholarship funds established by donors and administered by the foundation.
Founded in 1953, Communities Foundation of Texas manages more than 1,400 charitable funds and has awarded more than $3 billion in grants. The organization works with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations to support initiatives focused on education, health, economic opportunity and community development throughout Texas.
