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Communities Foundation of Texas doles out $76 million in grants

The Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) recently announced the distribution of $76 million in charitable grants in 2013, a testament to our city's unwavering commitment to philanthropy.

These grants arrived during the foundation's 60th anniversary year themed “Giving Back and Looking Forward.” Nearly a third of 2013 funds were raised on North Texas Giving Day, which clocked in at a record-breaking $25 million. It may sound like a lot, but $76 million is actually par for the course at Communities Foundation, which raised $79 million in 2011 and $66 million in 2012.

Nearly a third of 2013 funds were raised on North Texas Giving Day, which clocked in at a record-breaking $25 million.

“For 60 years, Communities Foundation of Texas has helped generous, caring people invest in their community by connecting them with worthy nonprofits,” president and CEO Brent Christopher said in a statement. “These latest grants will have a substantial impact today and tomorrow on all our lives and especially those who need help the most.”

Education was the foundation’s top grant category in 2013, with $1.4 million going to Educate Texas. This private CFT initiative improves the success of 360,000 Texas students in 126 school districts. What makes this program unlike any other? It not only helps the students, but it also has launched several successful programs that effect teachers by providing them with the tools to better themselves as instructors.

Two million dollars in grants were also given to eight Dallas-area nonprofits to help at-risk middle schools. Another $1.5 million was set aside to the Commit! Partnership, which drives Dallas County student achievement.

CFT didn't stop with education, as it also gave $7.5 million to be paid over 10 years to Children's Medical Research Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern. The funds will be used for faculty recruitment and for pediatric research. The arts got a 2013 gift as well, as $50,000 was granted to the Dallas Theater Center for a Neighborhood Initiative to increase audience diversity through community engagement.

In the last six decades, Communities Foundation of Texas has given more than $1.3 billion to Dallas-area charities.

“Since 1953, it’s been our privilege to help build a better tomorrow throughout the community,” said Fred Hegi, CFT’s board chairman. “As we honor our past, we’re staying true to our mission of finding new and creative solutions that will improve peoples’ lives in the future.”

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Weed News

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalization of marijuana

Photo courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

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The City of Dallas has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for its efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

According to a release, Paxton has sued the city for adopting a city charter amendment that would decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.

That amendment was Proposition R, or Dallas Freedom Act, which decriminalizes possession of four ounces of marijuana or less. Voters passed the amendment in the November 5 election, with 67 percent voting in favor.

The lawsuit, filed against the Dallas City Council, alleges that Proposition R is unconstitutional and violates Texas drug laws criminalizing any amount of marijuana.

Paxton says that cities can't "pick and choose which state laws to follow." He's proposing a permanent injunction to stop Proposition R from going into effect.

"The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," says Paxton in a statement. "This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that tries to constrain police in this fashion will be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my office.”

Before the recent election, possession of two to four ounces of marijuana could result in a punishment of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Ground Game Texas, the activist nonprofit that has also helped get marijuana decriminalization on the ballot in elections across Texas, first got the issue on the ballot in July with the necessary 50,000 signatures.

Dallas is not the only city to be sued; Paxton also filed lawsuits against five other cities in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos in January for their ballots and policies decriminalizing marijuana.

Both Austin and San Marcos had a judge overturn their cases, according to a FOX 4 report.

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