The Village Giving Circle Presented $186K For 16 North Texas African American Programs

Thanks to 150 women, the old adage “it takes a village to raise a child” took another step forward on Sunday, November 11, as The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation provided $186K in grants to 16 area non-profits with programs assisting area African Americans. Taking place at Frito Lay headquarters, the 2022 grant distribution brought the total of funds provided since its inception in 2017 to a whopping $1.1M. Here’s a report from the field:

Sunday, November 6, was a day of celebration for more than 150 members of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation. At Frito Lay headquarters, these members gathered to give $186,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit organizations whose missions support the African American community in North Texas.

The Village Giving Circle Incoming Co-Chair/Founding Member Sheri Crosby Wheeler welcomed members and grantees. “We are so thrilled that you have joined us to celebrate the culmination of our 2022 grant cycle. A huge thank you to member Adrienne Mosley and Frito Lay for hosting our Grant Reception today.”

She added, “These grants address various needs in the North Texas community and are targeted to positively impact the lives of African Americans in the areas of education, social services, domestic violence, housing, human trafficking, health care and community transformation. This year, The Village Giving Circle is able to grant $186,000 to the community. And over the course of five years, the Village has raised $1.1 million.”

The Village Giving Circle Incoming Co-Chair Rhonda Williams shared a prayer and inspirational words.

Renee Sample, who led the grants, told about the criteria and selection process. “First, it has always been important to us to ensure that we are diverse in our giving, meaning that we address an array of needs in the community. It is also important to The Village that we elevate and highlight African American women’s philanthropy setting an empowering example for other community members and leaders. We take particular note of organizations that are founded or led by an African American or otherwise have such representation in senior leadership. Finally, it is important to our group to ensure that we are meeting critical needs but also uplifting organizations serving gaps that may not necessarily be mission critical.”

Sample added, “Finally, a special thank you to the members of The Village Giving Circle for your financial commitment and your continued support as we combine our resources and high-impact, strategically-selected grants to organizations and initiatives benefiting African-Americans.”

The group presented grants to the following:

• Abide Women’s Health Services – Support a fulltime midwife
• Bold Idea Inc. – Computer coding club salary support
• The Compelling Why – Leadership programs for African-American students
• Dallas Black Dance Theatre – Scholarships for students
• Denton Black Film Festival Institute – Program support
• Dwell with Dignity – Furniture purchase
• HOPE Farm – Young men’s leadership development program
• I AM a Golfer Foundation – Program support
• Interfaith Family Services – Family Empowerment Program
• GEMS Camp – Support of Hidden Gems Experience
• Golf 3:16 – Golf mentorship program
• The Melville Family Foundation – Basic consumer essentials
• New Friends New Life – Economic Empowerment Program
• Promise House – Maternity group home program for teen moms
• The Werthing Foundation – Laptops and staff funding
• Youth Revive Inc. – Support for partnerships with five DISD schools

The Village Giving Circle Co-Chair/Founding Officer Lisa Montgomery concluded the program as outgoing chair saying, “Congratulations to all of the grantees for the work you are doing in the community for the betterment of African Americans in North Texas. It took us five years to surpass the $1 million mark in giving, and we want to raise and give even more in less time with your help.”

Texas Women’s Foundation President/CEO Miki Woodard added, “We are proud of the support that The Village Giving Circle continues to provide these nonprofits that impact the lives right here in our community. And a huge thank you to those who contributed!”

Organized in 2017, the mission of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation is to honor, sustain and expand the legacy of African American women’s philanthropy by funding organizations and initiatives that positively impact the African American community in North Texas. The Village was borne out of a desire to harness the collective giving power and influence of female African American philanthropists, and in recognition of the need to provide opportunities for like-minded African American women to form connections that enhance their civic leadership activities. The founding officers included A. Shonn Brown, Lisa Montgomery, Cheryl Alston, Annika Cail, Frances Cudjoe-Waters, Vera Ingram, Diane Reeves, Christa Brown Sanford and Shawn Wills. For more information about The Village Giving Circle and grants, visit https://www.txwf.org/village-giving-circle/.

* Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women's Foundation