Tomorrow Foundation Awards $425,000 at May 2026 Meeting
Published on May 15, 2026
The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Board of Directors approved eight grants totaling $445,000 at the May 2026 board meeting.
Since its creation, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has awarded more than 566 grants totaling more than $51 million to Arlington nonprofit organizations, City of Arlington departments and neighborhood groups for projects that help the public.
The Foundation's mission is to contribute to a thriving Arlington by supporting the causes which benefit Arlington's citizens and enhance the natural surroundings and lifestyle of the city. The Foundation most recently approved the following grants include:
Arlington Museum of Art – Cultural Masterplan | $70,000
The Arlington Museum of Art (AMA) aims to bring together Arlington’s artists, cultural organizations, civic partners and residents to create a coordinated, long-term strategy for growing and sustaining the city’s arts and culture ecosystem.
The AMA plans to partner with Lord Cultural Resources, a leading national cultural planning firm, to guide the multi‑phase effort. The project will include a broad community engagement process, town hall meetings, surveys, data analysis and the creation of a citywide roadmap focused on cultural identity, tourism, economic development and enhanced quality of life.
The foundation’s funding will help advance Phase Two and the initial components of Phase Three of the project. The AMA anticipates launching the initiative in July 2026, with extensive community involvement and collaboration with the City’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.
Arlington Police Foundation – Sparrowhawk Radar Software | $100,000
Sparrowhawk Radar software and drone‑detection equipment will support the Arlington Police Department’s (APD) Drone as a First Responder program. The technology is required under new federal guidelines and will allow APD to track low‑altitude drones citywide, improve airspace awareness and share data with other North Texas agencies.
The project includes the radar system, installation, Drone Tag receivers and the first year of operational costs. With private donations and foundation support already committed, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation’s contribution will complete funding and keep the project on track for installation ahead of Arlington’s 2026 World Cup events.
Once deployed, the system is expected to reduce response times, increase the number of calls resolved without dispatching ground units, and improve field arrest rates. After the first year, APD will assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance and licensing.
Arlington Urban Ministries – Program Support | $65,000
This grant will support Arlington Urban Ministries’ (AUM) core emergency assistance programs, which provide utility and rental help for Arlington residents facing financial crises.
The funding will directly support utility payments for approximately 80 households, rental assistance for 16 to 20 households and enrichment classes that promote long‑term stability through life skills, financial literacy, job readiness and grief support. In 2026, AUM expects to serve more than 860 households, impacting roughly 2,150 adults, children and seniors.
AUM partners closely with local churches, AISD, social‑service agencies and energy‑aid providers, and supplements program costs through its Nu2U Resale store and community fundraising. The foundation’s support will help AUM continue providing essential, year‑round assistance that keeps Arlington families safely housed and connected.
CASA of Tarrant County – Advocacy for Abused and Neglected Children | $75,000
CASA of Tarrant County supports children from Arlington who have experienced abuse or neglect and are now in foster care. CASA volunteers serve as court‑appointed advocates, gathering information, visiting children monthly, and ensuring their educational, medical, and emotional needs are addressed throughout their time in state care.
CASA anticipates serving at least 100 Arlington children in 2026 as part of a countywide caseload of roughly 900. Volunteers (51 of whom live in Arlington) undergo extensive training before being matched to a child or sibling group, providing consistent support during what can be a 12‑ to 18‑month court process. CASA partners with child welfare agencies, the courts and local organizations to ensure children have stability, access to needed services and a path to permanency.
The foundation’s grant will fund advocacy services for approximately 20 Arlington children and support targeted volunteer‑recruitment efforts in the community.
City of Arlington Parks & Recreation – Light Up Arlington | $100,000
This grant will support an expanded Light Up Arlington celebration in 2026. This year marks both the nation’s 250th anniversary and Arlington’s 150th anniversary, and the City plans to commemorate the milestone year with an enhanced Independence Day show featuring fireworks and a drone display in the Entertainment District.
Light Up Arlington, entering its 20th year, typically draws tens of thousands of spectators. The 2026 event is expected to attract more than 60,000 residents and visitors, coinciding with the city’s World Cup activities and other major summer events. The proposed 20‑ to 25‑minute show will incorporate patriotic elements, community themes and a special nod to Arlington’s sesquicentennial.
Trinity Kids – Royal Family Kids Camp | $15,000
The Trinity Kids Royal Family Kids Camps are two week‑long overnight camps designed for children in the CPS system who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. Founded in Arlington and operated entirely by volunteers for more than 20 years, Trinity Kids provides free, positive, memory‑building activities for up to 128 children ages 6–12 each summer.
The camps, held in July 2026, offer a safe and uplifting environment where children can swim, hike, create art, play games and experience activities that build confidence and resilience. Volunteers use trauma‑informed strategies to support campers’ emotional and developmental needs.
The foundation’s grant will help cover transportation expenses, which represent a significant portion of the camp budget due to the need for charter buses and equipment trucks. Trinity Kids funds the remainder through community fundraisers, individual donations, church partners and corporate grants.