Here for Good.
Through our Community Impact Fund, The Dallas Foundation focuses on driving meaningful results for children and families. Building on our legacy of nurturing early childhood programs, our strategic priorities have evolved to include investments in the ages of birth to three that ensure a strong and healthy start, as well as programs that address advancing racial equity and inclusion.
Field of Interest Funds are endowed funds that can be customized to align with a donor’s interest in a specific cause. They are then entrusted to the Foundation to award grants that both meet the purpose of the fund and make an impact in our community. Field of Interest Funds cover a range of issues, including the arts, critical needs, low-income clients, and animal welfare.
The Dallas Foundation generally offers two funding cycles each year.
Community Impact Fund
The Dallas Foundation's Community Impact Fund serves as our general endowment and supports a variety of causes for the betterment of our community. The Community Impact Funding cycle occurs each fall. To better align with the Foundation's strategic priorities and the needs of Dallas, 2020 funding focused exclusively on:
Supporting COVID-19 recovery efforts of organizations in Dallas working in health, economic security, safety and well-being, education, and social justice.
Projects or initiatives which promote and advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Funding is available to support racial equity work in two areas: (1) policy and advocacy work; OR, (2) capacity building support. Organizations were able to apply for funding in only one of these two areas.
Grant applications focused on providing services to children ages birth to three will be available in fall 2021.
The Dallas Foundation will determine the parameters of the Fall 2021 funding cycle during the coming months. Please check back this summer for updated information.
Field of Interest Funds
Established by donors to support the issues area(s) they care most about, Field of Interest Funds are managed and disbursed by The Dallas Foundation to meet the community’s current needs within these areas. The Field of Interest Funding Cycle occurs each spring.
Animal Welfare
Promotes the health and welfare of companion animals, including prevention of cruelty to animals; provision of veterinary care to animals whose owners cannot otherwise pay for their care; funding of spay and neuter programs; support of feral cat protection projects; creation and operation of sanctuaries for companion animals; promotion of responsible pet ownership; support of animal shelters; and promotion of the adoption of stray and unwanted animals; $264,000 available to grant annually.
To assist animals; $750 available to grant annually.
Promotes animal welfare and wildlife conservation and protection; $1,000 available to grant annually.
Arts
Supports the arts in Dallas County. Grants from this fund tend to be for the performing and visual arts to honor the spirit of Mr. Adoue’s gift. Grants for arts education are typically not considered. $155,000 available to grant annually.
Children and Families
Assists low-income older adults or disabled, abused, neglected, or economically disadvantaged children; $260,000 available to grant annually.
Assists abused children in Collin County (Nonprofit agencies applying for funds must be located in and serving Collin County); $5,000 available to grant annually.
Assists children in need and older adults; $25,000 available to grant annually.
Assists disabled, blind, deaf, or economically disadvantaged children; $23,000 available to grant annually.
Assists children and adult victims of domestic violence; $59,000 available to grant annually.
Assists with the education of mentally handicapped and developmentally disabled children, to enable them to lead productive lives; $59,000 available to grant annually.
Assists low-income children who are suffering from debilitating diseases such as diabetes or cancer; $80,000 available to grant annually.
To assist African American citizens; $15,000 available to grant annually.
Critical Needs
Helps provide basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, emergency and transitional shelter, and medical care, to persons, particularly families, who are low-income, indigent, homeless, or ill. $266,000 available to grant annually.
Helps faith-based organizations providing assistance to disadvantaged children with food, clothing, shelter, or healthcare needs; $7,000 available to grant annually.
Health
Assists agencies that provide medical care and supportive programs for low-income persons with breast cancer; $59,000 available to grant annually.
For the research and cure of Parkinson’s disease; $8,500 available to grant annually.
How to Apply for a Grant
To apply for a grant, you must start by creating an account through The Dallas Foundation’s new online portal.
The Dallas Foundation began using this portal during fall 2019, so if an organization submitted a 2020 grant application during our Field of Interest, Community Impact, AWARE or Metrocrest Hospital Authority funding cycles, then you already have an account with the new system and do not need to create another one. If you have an account but can’t remember your password, please use the “Reset Password” option on the home page of the portal.
If you have not already created an account, please click this link to reach the online portal. Once you arrive at the Sign In page, click “Register” to create a new account. Grant seekers should only select the “Grant Applicant” role. If more than one person at your organization is responsible for applying for grants and you are their supervisor, you may also want to request the “Organization Admin” role.
Once your account is approved and you are signed into the system, please navigate to the Available Grants section in the Grant Applicant navigation menu to locate the grant(s) for which you’d like to apply.
Please note, our staff personally reviews each request for access to the grant section of our portal. Since the response is not automated, typically you will receive approval to access the portal within 24 hours.
If you have questions about the Community Impact funding cycle, please email Brittani Trusty, Director of Community Impact.
Apply NowGrant Restrictions
Funds are generally not available for:
Annual Fund campaigns, underwriting of fundraising events, and marketing campaigns
Religious purposes (although we do support educational and social service programs offered by faith-based organizations)
Programs or services that do not serve Dallas County residents
Endowments
Individuals
Non-discrimination Statement
The Dallas Foundation (the “Foundation”) is an equal opportunity provider and funder of services and respects, celebrates, and encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is the policy of the Foundation to support organizations, projects and programs that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, physical or mental disability of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in a uniformed service, engaging in legally protected activity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
The Foundation encourages its grantee and partner organizations to adhere to these principles. The Foundation does not knowingly award grants to organizations that discriminate in their hiring, those they accept as volunteers, or the clients they serve.