ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cotton Bowl Foundation unveiled the awarding of $350,000 in grants to deserving organizations that share similar missions to make meaningful impacts in North Texas.
 
The four organizations extended 2021-22 grants were For Oak Cliff ($150,000), Mercy Street Dallas ($100,000), Cristo Rey Fort Worth ($50,000) and Educate Texas ($50,000).
 
"The Cotton Bowl Foundation is excited to be able to do more each year through our grants program to support organizations that are striving every day to make a difference. It is gratifying to award these grants and it's even more gratifying to see these dollars at work in our community changing lives in positive ways," said Bry Patton, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.  
 
For Oak Cliff
The $150,000 grant for For Oak Cliff helped provide timely support for its culturally responsive initiatives in South Oak Cliff built on the organization's foundation of education, advocacy, community building and the arts. These four pillars serve as catalysts to drive change within South Oak Cliff and the broader North Texas community.
 
"We're extremely grateful to receive these funds from the Cotton Bowl Foundation and CFT to sustain and grow our work in Oak Cliff," said Taylor Toynes, For Oak Cliff Executive Director. "This grant is aiding our capital campaign towards the ownership of the For Oak Cliff Community Campus. We deeply appreciate the recognition and encouragement to continue to deliver on our mission to our community." 
 
Mercy Street Dallas
The $100,000 grant for Mercy Street Dallas is earmarked to help create the Mercy Street Dream Center, a state-of-the-art facility with a computer lab, photography, videography and music studios and collaboration spaces for inner-city youth in West Dallas as well as providing job training, resume writing, GED and ESL classes for single parents and grandparents during the school day.
 
"Mercy Street is overwhelmed by the generosity of the Cotton Bowl Foundation that will allow us to bring the Mercy Street Dream Center to fruition," said Carlton Oby, Mercy Street Dallas Executive Director. "This new endeavor will allow us to reach high school students outside of school in a safe and supportive environment that will equip inner-city youth in West Dallas to transform their communities through science, technology and the arts."
 
Cristo Rey Fort Worth
The $50,000 grant for Cristo Rey Fort Worth went to support its central mission as the only school in Tarrant County dedicated exclusively to young people of lower economic means, offering extraordinary college preparatory education and an innovative Corporate Work Study Program.
 
"The real-world work experience, professional skills, mentoring, and networking our students receive through our program, with the help of our corporate partners, is life-changing," said Nathan Knuth, Cristo Rey Fort Worth President and Chief Executive Officer. "The community that supports Cristo Rey Fort Worth is truly coming together to break down cycles of poverty and overcome inequities of opportunity."
 
Educate Texas
The $50,000 grant for Educate Texas was designated to support its Best in Class Coalition, which partners with more than 50 organizations across Texas, and assist in the creation of an awards program to spotlight the amazing work of effective educators in our region.
 
"Teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting students' academic success, so this grant is particularly valuable because it aligns with our efforts to better attract, prepare, support, and retain effective teachers," said John Fitzpatrick, Educate Texas at Communities Foundation of Texas Executive Director. "Our partnership with the Cotton Bowl Foundation to launch the North Texas Campus Innovators Awards offers a wonderful opportunity to strengthen recognition and support of teaching excellence and school innovation."  
 
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 $2 million in grants and financial support benefiting non-profit organizations in the surrounding communities.