A few years ago, the editors of D CEO IWe interviewed 32 C-suite executives who were new to North Texas to ask them what they found most surprising about the region. Almost all of them mentioned the philanthropic spirit of the people here and how leaders make their involvement a priority. It’s not about giving money, but about leading by example.
In addition to staff changes and fundraising notes, this new nonprofit news brief section called “Good News” also includes information about volunteer opportunities. To submit ideas for future issues, email [email protected].
Fundraising
The Frontiers of Flight Museum has announced new support from the community. Margot Perot has made a personal donation of $75,000, which follows a $135,000 donation from the Meadows Foundation, with a matching capacity-building opportunity. The nonprofit also announced a grant from the Target Foundation, which supports the museum’s new program: “Preserving the History of Women of Color in Aviation at Frontiers of Flight Museum.” “We are so grateful to Joseph Cardillio and George Armstrong for their guidance, support and encouragement,” said Abigail Erickson-Torres, President and CEO. “This grant will enable us to preserve, inspire, educate, motivate and teach students and the public about women of color in aviation. There are so many amazing stories to share, exhibit and enjoy.”
GET INVOLVED
The Storehouse Community Center invites 52 North Texas businesses to join Club 52 and sponsor the organization’s food distribution for a week. As part of the $5,000 sponsorship, the businesses receive recognition and the opportunity to volunteer. Initial members of Club 52 include Amwins Specialty Auto, Enterprise Car Sales, HEB, Lennox, Medical City Frisco & Plano, Plunk Smith, Preston Forrest Capital, Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser, Sports Value Consulting and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. The Storehouse serves 149,000 people from Dallas, Collin and Denton counties each year and provides food to approximately 5,000 families each month.
GUIDE
Equest, a nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities and veterans with special needs, has named Eric Lindh its new CEO. Prior to his nine-year tenure as CEO of Project Transformation National, Lindh spent 10 years as executive director of the organization’s North Texas office. “As I take the lead at Equest, I know I’m standing on the shoulders of those who have made Equest’s thriving mission and reputation in the field of therapeutic horsemanship a success,” he said. “I hope to continue that path of success serving our community while raising awareness and funding that amplify the impact of Equest’s mission to change lives.” A Dallas native, Lindh holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Nonprofit Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College.
Fundraising
Attorneys Serving the Community, a volunteer organization of 400 women lawyers, has selected POETIC, a Dallas nonprofit that helps girls recover from sexual exploitation, as its nonprofit beneficiary through 2025. ASC will launch a fundraising effort for the nonprofit that will double POETIC’s headquarters and the number of girls it serves, expand POETIC’s program staff, and purchase a new CRM system so POETIC can continue to expand nationally. The organization offers an on-site school, a trauma therapy center, art therapy, and paid internships, among other benefits.
EVENT CHAIRMAN
Noted Dallas philanthropist Jan Rees-Jones will headline Operation Kindness’ 2024 Dogs, Cats and Cabernet Gala. The 32nd annual fundraising event, to be held Nov. 2 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, will feature dinner, live auctions, live music from the Emerald City Band and a live adoption lounge. With 500 expected attendees, the organization has set a fundraising goal of $837,000. Local leaders Miles Blanton, Curt Boisfontaine, Nancy Cozzie, Catherine Griffin, Joni McCoy, Elbert Choi and Kate Malone are part of the event’s host committee. “Since our foundation was founded in 2006, one of our top priorities has been to promote the humane treatment of companion animals,” Rees-Jones said. “Operation Kindness has been there for our companion animals for nearly 50 years, providing the best medical care and services to the most vulnerable animals in our community.”
IN THE COMMUNITY
On Sept. 3, Cliburn will relaunch its signature educational program, “Cliburn in the Classroom.” The initiative, winner of the Innovation in Education Award at the D CEO’s 2024 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards, brings a Steinway grand piano to schools, where virtuoso pianists play select pieces and teaching artists lead students through activities that make connections between music and ideas. With comprehensive study guides, the presentations cover state and national standards for STEAM education for elementary students. Each year, the Fort Worth-based nonprofit reaches about 60,000 students through 300 presentations in 250 North Texas schools.
GUIDE
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas has named Mark L. Reisman as its new vice president of finance and CFO. He replaces longtime VNA leader Carlton Holland, who retired after 22 years of service. The organization also named six new board members: Katie Edwards, chief impact officer of the Dallas Mavs and president of the Mavs Foundation; Elizabeth E. Mack, managing partner of Locke Lord; Michael Parrish, senior VP and senior relationship manager at Bank of America; Rev. Mark Porter, executive director of Harmony Community Development Corp.; volunteer Nancy H. Rogers; and Moses Varghese, founder and CEO of Lumos Technology Services
Authors
Christine Perez
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Christine is editor of D CEO Magazine and its online platforms. She is a national award-winning business journalist who…
Ben Swanger is senior editor for D CEOthe business title for D Magazine. Ben manages the 2019-09-14, monthly…
