ARLINGTON, Texas – Making a meaningful impact in the North Texas community is at the core of the mission of the Cotton Bowl Foundation.
 
Continuing in that spirit, the Foundation announced the awarding of $150,000 to eight deserving organizations as a part of its 2020 grant initiative. Four gifts of $25,000 each were awarded to Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Boys & Girls of Greater Tarrant County and Big Thought, while The Chocolate MINT Foundation and Dallas Afterschool received $15,000 each and Youth Believing in Change and Youth Revive received $10,000 each.
 
"The Cotton Bowl Foundation is deeply committed to being a champion for youth and their families. That's why we carefully looked at the challenges affecting our community and selected organizations that are providing a diverse array of support and services that meets the critical needs of our friends and neighbors across North Texas," said Bry Patton, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.  
 
Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute
The $25,000 grant for Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute went to support its mission to provide holistic child development through academic, cultural and life-skill programs with active parental involvement. Beacon Hill Prep designs and implements academic and enrichment programs that transcend traditional boundaries to develop the critical skills required for effective lifelong learning and are crucial to future success.
 
"Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success," said Charnella Derry, Beacon Hill Prep President and Co-Founder. "The grant from the Cotton Bowl Foundation enabled us to transition our summer reading program to online and supporting our current virtual and in-person math and reading tutoring programs."
 
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
Benefiting thousands of boys and girls across the country, Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place for children to learn and grow. The $50,000 in grants to the two clubs serving the North Texas community are supporting the continuation of life-enhancing programs and character development experiences for youth of all ages.
 
"The pandemic has challenged our youth in new and different ways," said Charles English, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas President and Chief Executive Officer. "From the lack of digital connectivity to not receiving the academic and emotional support they need, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas has a crucial task set before us. Thanks to the Cotton Bowl Foundation, we are able to expand the work we do with Dallas-area youth and guide them through the many challenges they are currently facing."
 
"At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, we've been responding to meet basic needs to ensure that no child is left hungry or left behind," said Daphne Barlow Stigliano, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County President and Chief Executive Officer. "We couldn't do this work without support from community partners such as the Cotton Bowl Foundation."
 
Big Thought
Big Thought put its $25,000 grant to work immediately to evolve many of its programs geared to equip youth in marginalized communities with the skills and tools they need to imagine and create their best lives and a better world.
 
"Creativity is what we do at Big Thought. When it became clear that this summer was going to be unlike any other, our teams put their creativity to work on devising strategies on how to ensure that youth throughout Dallas had access to high-quality learning programs all summer long," said Byron Sanders, Big Thought President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
The Chocolate MINT Foundation
"The willing make a difference, the unwilling make excuses."
 
These words from Felicia Frazier, The Chocolate MINT Foundation Founder and Executive Director, emphasizes the difference its $15,000 grant has made to meet the needs of underserved communities in southern Dallas County via food, nutrition, education and mentoring programs that maximize the potential for families to become more self-reliant.
 
Dallas Afterschool
Immediately putting its $15,000 grant to work, Dallas Afterschool used the funds to pivot and expand its resources to continue to help level the playing field for children of all races and economic backgrounds.
 
"Dallas Afterschool is incredibly grateful for the support of the Cotton Bowl Foundation," said Christina K. Hanger, Dallas Afterschool Chief Executive Officer. "Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly all time has become out-of-school time and their support has enabled us to respond swiftly to the needs of students, families and our community. We are proud to partner with the Cotton Bowl Foundation as we build a new future for out-of-school time and ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential."
 
Youth Believing in Change
With its mission to nurture the hearts and develop the minds of children in a safe, positive environment, Youth Believing in Change used its $10,000 grant to provide the essential need of nourishment for numerous families across the North Texas community.
 
"I want to thank the Cotton Bowl Foundation for its more than generous grant that made it possible for our Youth Believing in Change to feed over 1,500 families with 40-pound boxes of food every week since May," said Vince Gaddis, Youth Believing in Change Executive Director.
 
Youth Revive
Youth Revive, with its mission to ignite youth by empowering them to become character-driven community revivalists, used its $10,000 grant to assist students in Dallas-area high schools in the response to learning and educations challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.
 
"Never is a more critical, opportune time than now to empower youth in character and civics. Youth that display civility and citizenship can positively influence the characterization of their community," said Adrian McConnell, Youth Revive Founding Executive Director.
 
About the Cotton Bowl Foundation
The Cotton Bowl Foundation, the official foundation of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, serves North Texas by supporting programs that improve opportunities for underserved youth with the vision of making an impact on those who play the game, attend the game and support the game. Since 2016, the Cotton Bowl Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants and financial support benefiting non-profit organizations in the surrounding communities.