News Summary
The eighth annual Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards in Dallas recognized exceptional organizations dedicated to improving education and literacy. The event highlighted finalists like Catch Up & Read, Equest, and KIPP Texas Public Schools for their innovative approaches to address educational challenges. Together, these organizations are making significant strides in enhancing literacy, supporting underserved communities, and providing unique learning opportunities, alongside urban farming initiatives and healthcare education pathways. Their efforts demonstrate the transformative impact on Dallas’ educational landscape.
Dallas – Excitement filled the air this evening as D CEO revealed the winners of the eighth annual Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards, conducted in collaboration with Communities Foundation of Texas. The event showcased 2025 finalists, highlighting organizations that have made remarkable strides in the realm of Innovation in Education.
Among the 133 finalists selected from over 800 nominations, numerous noteworthy nonprofits have emerged as pivotal players in confronting the challenges of education and literacy in Dallas. Catch Up & Read, for instance, is dedicated to improving literacy by providing crucial professional development and rigorous coaching for teachers. According to a 2024 study from Johns Hopkins, the initiative has made a significant impact, revealing substantial literacy gains among students and effectively closing the literacy gap within Dallas ISD.
This focus on literacy is particularly vital considering that fewer than half of third graders in Dallas ISD are reading at grade level. Literacy struggles can have long-lasting effects, as students who do not reach adequate reading skills by age 10 are statistically four times less likely to graduate high school. Through its efforts, Catch Up & Read has reported improved reading outcomes for 94% of its students and also supports teacher retention across 19 Title I schools in the district.
Another innovative organization, Equest, operates as Dallas’ first therapeutic horsemanship program, serving approximately 2,000 individuals in 2024. Their various programs include mounted activities, mental health services, and specialized literacy programming. Since launching an experiential literacy program in 2021, Equest has engaged 400 students from southern Dallas, where participants interact with mini horses while working on reading skills and related educational content.
KIPP Texas Public Schools has become a critical educational institution for over 2,500 students in southern Dallas, particularly from underserved communities. KIPP’s Truth Academy has achieved remarkable success, helping students secure $5.8 million in scholarships and acceptance to over 300 colleges. The KIPP Forward program is instrumental in guiding students during their junior year of high school and throughout their first semester of college, ensuring they have the resources they need for success.
Furthering the mission to combat intergenerational poverty, Paul Quinn College has taken an innovative approach by transforming its football field into an urban farm, positioning itself as one of the nation’s first urban work colleges, which mandates that students engage in on-campus internships.
United to Learn collaborates with 102 schools to support economically disadvantaged campuses, mobilizing students, teachers, and volunteers to maximize educational resources. Their Aspiring Teachers program has successfully connected high school and college students with tutoring opportunities in Dallas ISD, yielding significant literacy advancements.
As the largest charter school network in Texas, Uplift Education serves 23,000 students and has taken the initiative to launch the Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute. This program, funded with a $14.9 million grant, provides student-centered education pathways focused on careers in healthcare.
Yet another impactful nonprofit, ScholarShot, boasts an impressive 90% college completion rate by offering tailored support to low-income and first-generation college students. Their comprehensive approach includes developing individualized plans, providing scholarships, and offering mentorship to help students successfully navigate their educational journeys while also identifying schools that fit their specific social, financial, and academic needs.
Lastly, the culmination of creative initiatives led by individuals includes the Dreams Experience Academy, established by hip-hop artist Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry. Aimed at providing job pathways for underserved youth, this program targets students in grades 7-12 in southern Dallas and offers free resources in creative and STEM-oriented fields. The academy seeks to reduce student absenteeism and create equitable opportunities within the media and entertainment sectors.
The annual Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact these organizations and initiatives have on the educational landscape of Dallas. Through collaboration and innovative programming, they are addressing critical issues, lifting communities, and shaping the future of education for the region.
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Education Nonprofit Celebrates Million Dollar Milestone
- Wikipedia: Nonprofit organization
- Dallas News: How a Dallas Nonprofit Prevents Students from Dropping Out of College
- Google Search: nonprofit education initiatives
- Dallas Innovates: The D.O.C.’s Prescription for Underserved Dallas Youth
- Google Scholar: education nonprofits dallas
- D Magazine: Monty Bennett is Secret Mastermind Behind Dallas Charter School Group
- Encyclopedia Britannica: charter schools
- NBC DFW: Local Nonprofits Grant Could Be Affected by Proposed Changes
- Google News: education nonprofits dallas
