Arlington Nonprofits Receive $2 Million in Donations During 2022 North Texas Giving Day
Arlington residents once again showed strong support for the city’s many hard-working nonprofits through a near-record amount of donations made as part of North Texas Giving Day.
More than 7,000 gifts totaling $2 million were donated to 128 Arlington-based charities on Sept. 22. In all, nearly $63 million was raised for nonprofits across North Texas during the 18-hour online giving event, which is coordinated by the Communities Foundation of Texas.
In support of the fundraising event, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation once again sponsored a free community concert Downtown on Thursday night and awarded $115,000 in grants throughout the day to Arlington-based nonprofits. The charitable endowment, which has awarded $42 million in grants since its launch 15 years ago, has organized its Arlington Gives! event since 2014 as a way to recognize and highlight Arlington-based nonprofit organizations and to help North Texas Giving Day contributors' dollars go even further.
“North Texas Giving Day reminds us of the power of philanthropy. Our top-tier sponsorship gives the Foundation a chance to come alongside our charitable sector to help maximize their fundraising efforts from the extraordinary event and is in keeping with our 15-year commitment to contribute to a Thriving Arlington,” said Carolyn Mentesana, Arlington Tomorrow Foundation executive director.
With lawn chairs and blankets, about 2,500 residents gathered at Levitt Pavilion Arlington Thursday evening to enjoy performances by local artist Emmeline as well as The Brad Thompson Band.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross applauded the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation’s accomplishments and the strong show of support from the community to help the city’s nonprofit organizations continue their vital work.
“We are out here tonight to celebrate not just North Texas Giving Day but what Arlington does best. What Arlington does best is we take care of each other. We are blessed to have some of the best charitable organizations in the world here in North Texas,” Ross said.
Ross also thanked the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion for donating use of the venue for the Arlington Gives! celebration.
“The Levitt is one of the wonderful nonprofits that we have here. They give us a place to come together every year to celebrate the giving nature of Arlington, but more importantly the Levitt gives us a place to come to see our neighbors, to fellowship with one another and to do it in an environment that is second to none,” Ross said.
Arlington Classics Academy was among the many nonprofits celebrating at the Levitt Pavilion Thursday night.
“We are raising a generation that serves in the community, gives back to the community and leads in the community,” Executive Director Craig Sims said. “Students, the school, and the parents, we are all working together to have a firm foundation so everyone can reach their heights.”
Marva Bracks, outreach liaison with Destiny Empowerment Enterprises Inc., said the Arlington Gives! fundraising celebration helped raise public awareness about the work her nonprofit does to meet community needs, which includes providing workforce development, free recreational programs, counseling, and a community garden and food pantry.
“The funds we receive helps support us do nontraditional things in an extraordinary way,” Bracks said. “We try to love on our community first. They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”
Donations that came in during the event will help the Arlington Sculpture Garden Foundation eventually add more public art to Meadowbrook Park, said Sue Phillips, the nonprofit’s president. The public park, located at 1300 E. Dugan St., currently has eight sculptures on display.
“Sculptures and art soften our world,” said Phillips. “It takes creativity from the artist – they are giving of themselves. I believe it resonates with us because we are admiring someone’s creativity.”
Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Grant Award Recipients
- New Day and the Arlington Master Chorale received the first two $5,000 bonus grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
- Arlington Charities and Texas Trust Foundation received $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Grace Prep Academy received a $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Oakridge School received a $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Friends of the Arlington Public Library and Friends of the Levitt Pavilion won $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- IMPACT Center and SafeHaven of Tarrant County won $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Dancing Classrooms of North Texas and Theatre Arlington won $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Sam Houston Alumni Association and Arlington Life Shelter won $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 10 p.m. and midnight.
- During the concert, the Advocates for Special People, Arlington Police Foundation, Spiritual Wildlife Rescue, Green Oaks School and Burton Adventist School each randomly selected to receive a $5,000 bonus grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.
- The Arlington Museum of Art and The University of Texas at Arlington were the winners of the People's Choice Awards, each receiving a $10,000 grant, for capturing the most votes during the day.
Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Support Youth and Families, Downtown Arlington
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