The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce that more than $148,000 in grants and sponsorships has been awarded to 23 organizations in the Southern Sector of Dallas during the first grant cycle of the 2022 year. Ten organizations are first-time State Fair of Texas grant recipients.
“As a nonprofit organization ourselves, we realize the impact our grant program has on other nonprofits making a difference in our neighborhood,” said State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber. “Following the cancellation of the 2020 State Fair, we’re proud to be able to return to our full three grant cycle schedule this year and look forward to awarding more grants to worthy nonprofits in the upcoming summer and fall cycles.”
The State Fair of Texas traditionally hosts three grant cycles per year – one in the spring, one in the summer, and one in the fall. The spring grant cycle closed on February 25, resulting in a highly qualified and competitive grant applications pool. Applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of diverse stakeholders with expertise in nonprofit and grant review processes. Applicants are selected according to their alignment with the Fair’s focus on education, capacity building, and economic development targeting our neighboring zip codes. Criteria for approval assesses the program’s impact in the South Dallas area, collaborations with other local entities, program design and its implementation and evaluation methods, and overall program sustainability. Those receiving funding will allocate the money strategically to build stronger communities in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhoods while also combatting new hardships brought on by the pandemic.
Twenty-three organizations received funding during the 2022 spring grant cycle:
- Abide Women’s Health Services*
- Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute
- BigHope*
- Bishop Arts Theater Center
- Bold Believers United*
- CitySquare
- Comp-U-Dopt Dallas*
- Dallas Divas II*
- Faith Philanthropy Institute, Inc. (dba Alliance for Greater Works)
- Frazier Revitalization
- Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support*
- Housing Crisis Center*
- Lone Star Justice Alliance
- North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens (NTARUPT)*
- South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC)
- Southern Dallas Link, Inc.
- Stars United Global Outreach*
- The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center
- The Walls Project*
- TMJ Dance Project
- Union Development Corporation (dba Project Unity)
- Viola’s House
- Well Community
* indicates an organization receiving funding for the first time from the State Fair of Texas.
The State Fair of Texas continues to expand outreach programs, prioritizing promoting community involvement at the local level. Whether it’s through the virtual Big Tex Job Fair, virtual Community Engagement Days, Big Tex Urban Farms, or the Fair’s other signature programs, there are several initiatives the Fair has developed and continues to invest in, in addition to grants and sponsorships. Since creating our Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances department in 2016, the Fair has invested more than $3 million in support of many significant initiatives, sponsorships, and partnerships within the South Dallas/Fair Park area. Along with offering financial resources, the State Fair of Texas has connected with more than 200 local organizations to foster community relationships, form partnerships, and develop initiatives that work to make a positive impact, with more than 600,000 people being served thus far.
“This is our first award from the Fair in my tenure at Housing Crisis Center,” said Kelvin Brown, CEO of Housing Crisis Center. “I think the specific needs of our city are pretty well documented. As we continue working to prevent homelessness, I am very thankful to have the State Fair of Texas as a strategic partner in our capacity building.”
We cherish the many partnerships and collaborations that help grow our ability to serve. The State Fair promises to continue listening and learning from our community because it is through our collective efforts that we make the most significant impact and can serve as many lives as possible. Together with our community, we are dedicated to the bright future of South Dallas and the well-being of all who call it home.
There are two remaining grant cycles in the 2022 fiscal year. To learn more about how to apply for a grant in the future or other State Fair opportunities, please visit BigTex.com/Grants.