Dallas Doing Good Editorial Board. Photos provided by CFT.
Nathaniel Lowe, Gold Glove first baseman for the World Series Champion Texas Rangers, is stepping up to the plate as the Ambassador for Communities Foundation of Texas’ (CFT) North Texas Giving Day. As the nation’s largest community-wide giving event, this annual initiative supports over 3,000 local nonprofits and runs from September 1 to September 19, 2024.
Lowe will champion the campaign through Public Service Announcements across North Texas, aiming to engage new audiences and emphasize that every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Since its inception, North Texas Giving Day has raised over half a billion difference-making dollars, transforming lives and communities.
“It means everything to have a champion like Nathaniel Lowe as part of our team,” says Wayne White, CEO at Communities Foundation of Texas. “We could not ask for a better teammate to support our championship of giving.”
Lowe’s commitment to the cause is personal—his mother, Wendy, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. In recognition of his dedication, CFT donated $50,000 through North Texas Giving Day to the American Cancer Society – North Texas to fund cancer research in his honor.
“We are incredibly grateful to CFT for their generous donation as a tribute to Nathaniel and his mother’s battle with brain cancer,” says Jeff Fehlis, Executive Vice President of the American Cancer Society’s South Region. “Nathaniel is the perfect ambassador to champion North Texas Giving Day.”
Lowe’s passion for giving back to the community is evident both on and off the field. In this Q&A, he shares more about his role as Ambassador for NTGD, his personal connection to the cause, and how he hopes to inspire others to get involved.
Lowe: I know the donations and support goes right back into the local community. Sometimes, you write checks to organizations and hope it makes an impact. But with Communities Foundation of Texas, you know their team is boots on the ground. CFT’s North Texas Giving Day has helped put over half a billion dollars back in DFW through nonprofits and individual giving.
Lowe: My mom has glioblastoma, so we’re working through that cancer journey as a family. But thankfully through a lot of support, she’s seeing positive signs of improvement. I think that we’re in this place on purpose. If my story can help somebody else to just keep pushing, one more day, or one more hour, it’s definitely worth the effort.
Lowe: I want to be as relatable as I can to the community. I have the best job in the world, but I tie my shoes one at a time and put my pants on the same way as everyone else. I want to help people have a smile on their face, whether they come to the game or see me in the community. There’s no limit based on what your profession is or how much you have. You can always give time and love to the people around you.
Lowe: It takes nine players to win a baseball game, and it takes more than one person to save lives and help people through whatever they’re struggling with. It takes a village and an entire team to get things done like North Texas Giving Day, and it’s just something great to be a part of. Everyone has an opportunity to champion a cause, help someone, and give back.
Lowe: It means the world. It’s going to save lives. There’s just so much that goes into a cancer journey, and for so many people it’s such a financial burden. It shouldn’t be because it’s hard enough physically and emotionally, and it weighs on everybody involved. So, if you can help somebody out by giving, it will go a long way past just financial help.
In 2023, 97,132 donors gave $63.9 million during North Texas Giving Day, benefiting 3,249 trusted, local nonprofits, bringing the 15-year donation total to more than $566 million for North Texas. All are encouraged to get in the game by visiting www.northtexasgivingday.org.
All year long, Communities Foundation of Texas, (CFT) is committed to improving the lives of all people in our community by investing in their health, wealth, living, and learning. CFT works to accomplish this by growing community giving, expanding community impact, and advancing community equity.
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