Story by Jennie Trejo. Photos provided by Kim Leeson.
On April 8, Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) announced $7.5 million in grant funding to eight organizations leading the charge in education and workforce development across North Texas. The announcement event opened with remarks from Wayne White, CFT’s President and CEO, who emphasized the foundation’s commitment to advancing opportunity and driving systems-level change.
“Two out of three young adults in Dallas County don’t currently earn a living wage,” White says. “The local nonprofits we’re funding are going above and beyond in innovative new ways to equip students for success, ensuring the individuals they serve become strong competitors in a variety of job markets. Each grantee works to make higher education and workforce training accessible, helping more students secure in-demand careers and financial independence.”
The event also featured a panel conversation moderated by Dr. Kerri Briggs, Executive Director of Educate Texas, CFT’s statewide education initiative. Panelists included Randy Bowman, Founder and CEO of AT LAST!; Miguel Solis, President of The Commit Partnership; and Dr. Tamara Brown, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington. The conversation highlighted how the grant funding will help scale their work, support underserved populations, and build long-term impact across the region.
Randy Bowman spoke about AT LAST!’s innovative “scholar-in-residence” model, which provides students with academic and emotional support during the 17 hours a day they are not in school. With the $1.5 million grant, AT LAST! will expand from serving 16 scholars to 98, through the addition of a second residential facility.
“This grant is transformative,” Bowman said. “It allows us to scale what works, document our processes, grow our fundraising capacity, and most importantly, help more children. We’re trying to solve a problem I lived—not one I just heard about.”
Dr. Tamara Brown described how UTA’s Emerging Mavericks program supports students who have experienced homelessness or foster care, a group with a national college retention rate of just 9 percent. The program connects students with housing, mental health resources, academic support, and a sense of belonging—essential tools for success in higher education.
“We don’t want these students struggling in silence,” Brown said. “Our commitment is not just to help them get into college—it’s to help them finish. This program is about transforming how we support students from marginalized backgrounds to thrive.”
Miguel Solis shared how The Commit Partnership is working to ensure that by 2040, at least half of all 25–34-year-olds in Dallas County are earning a living wage. Through initiatives like Dallas County Promise 2.0 and the new Economic Mobility Center, Commit is addressing systemic barriers that prevent students from completing postsecondary education.
“There’s a $13 billion lifetime earnings gap for Dallas County students who don’t complete a postsecondary credential,” said Solis. “This isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a moral one. CFT’s investment allows us to improve data systems, lower counselor-to-student ratios, and start career conversations earlier so students are equipped to succeed.”
The eight grantee organizations represent a wide spectrum of educational and workforce pathways:
Funding was awarded through Educate Texas, CFT’s statewide initiative dedicated to building equitable, evidence-based education systems. Dr. Briggs emphasized the initiative’s reach and adaptability across Texas, noting that “changes can’t be one-size-fits-all”—and that’s exactly what this cohort of grantees understands.
With this bold round of funding, Communities Foundation of Texas is not just funding programs—it’s investing in people, ideas, and innovations that have the power to transform communities and build a more equitable future for generations to come.
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