DALLAS – Dec. 15, 2025 – The Dallas Foundation, the first community foundation in Texas, is proud to announce the recipients of the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute 2025 grants. The Women’s Philanthropy Institute awarded $330,000 to four nonprofit organizations that have made a significant impact throughout North Texas during 2025. The four finalists were The Senior Source, POETIC, Jewish Family Service (JFS), and Community Does It. POETIC received the lead grant of $150,000 to advance their programs and further their impact across the region while the other three organizations received $60,000 each.
“The Women’s Philanthropy Institute plays an essential role in how The Dallas Foundation invests in tomorrow’s Dallas,” said Julie Diaz, President & CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “WPI members spend the year gaining a deeper understanding of community needs and the organizations working to meet them. Their collective investment allows us to support nonprofits making measurable impact, including this year’s lead grant recipient, POETIC, whose work exemplifies the purpose and power of this program.”
POETIC is a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of vulnerability and victimization among girls who have experienced child maltreatment, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking. Through evidence-based therapeutic support, trauma-informed care, creative arts, education, paid internships, and advocacy, POETIC equips youth to find their voices, reclaim their narratives, and build empowered, self-determined futures. Their comprehensive, in-community model brings education, mental health services, and career development together under one roof to break the cycle of revictimization and support long-term healing and success.
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute was established by The Dallas Foundation in response to an expressed interest by women donors who wanted to learn more about their community and its needs. Based on the belief that first-hand observations provide a better view of the community, The Dallas Foundation created this program to meet women at every stage of their philanthropic journey, while connecting them with the needs of the community and the organizations addressing those needs.
“The Women’s Philanthropy Institute is honored to award this year’s lead grant to POETIC in support of their work addressing critical needs in our community,” said Kim Montez, The Dallas Foundation Senior Director of Gift Planning & Family Philanthropy. “Their programs are making a meaningful difference for the individuals and families they serve, and their commitment to strengthening North Texas is evident in everything they do. The members of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, through their collaboration and shared investment, have helped advance the important work of all four of this year’s grantees.”
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute typically visits four to five nonprofits in the Dallas-area each year. Following each visit, members learn how to strategically evaluate a nonprofit, including a review of financial documents and organizational structure. At the end of the year, members vote on which agency will receive the largest grant from the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute Fund held at The Dallas Foundation. Grant money is raised by contributions from members. For over fifteen years, more than hundreds of women have participated in the Women’s Philanthropy Institute program and activities, granting over $2.5 million to the community through the Institute.
“Words cannot fully express how grateful we are for the opportunity to share POETIC’s mission and impact,” said HaeSung Han, Co-Founder & CEO, POETIC. “Being named WPI’s Lead Grantee is an incredibly meaningful honor, and we are deeply thankful for your belief in our work and the young people we serve. Your support is pivotal and gives us the capital to accelerate both our programs and our impact at a critical moment in our growth.”