ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cotton Bowl Foundation announced the awarding of $365,000 in grants to eight North Texas organizations representing a diverse collection of nonprofits supporting and impacting those who play, attend and support the game of college football.
 
The eight organizations that received 2025-26 grants were Uplift Education ($150,000), For Oak Cliff ($65,000), Academy 4 ($50,000), After-School All-Stars ($30,000), HOPE Farm ($25,000), West Dallas Community School ($25,000), Puede Network ($10,000) and Youth Revive ($10,000).
 
"Positively impacting our community through our grants program is at the essence of why we created the Cotton Bowl Foundation," said W. Kelvin Walker, Chair, Cotton Bowl Foundation and Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "We take a lot of pride in being able to support wonderful organizations like these that are truly making the lives of children and families better in their homes, neighborhoods and communities across North Texas."
 
Uplift Education
The $150,000 grant given to Uplift Education helped make the Uplift Wisdom Campus football field project a reality. For the 2025-26 school year, Uplift Wisdom is fielding middle school and high school football teams for the first time.
 
"At Uplift Education, we're committed to providing a free, high-quality education that prepares scholars for college, career and life," said Dr. Remy Washington, Uplift Education President and incoming Chief Executive Officer. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Cotton Bowl Foundation, our new football field is creating meaningful opportunities for scholar-athletes to build teamwork, leadership and school pride. This investment not only enhances our athletic programs but also enriches the overall scholar experience – helping us develop well-rounded young leaders who excel both on the field and in the classroom."
 
For Oak Cliff
The $65,000 grant awarded to For Oak Cliff is being used to support its youth-centric programming as a part of its culturally responsive initiatives focused on the South Oak Cliff neighborhood.
"We thank the Cotton Bowl Foundation so much for this gift in support of our youth services and programs designed to enhance our goals in the community and create a beacon of hope," said Xavier Henderson, For Oak Cliff Chief Strategy Officer.
 
Academy 4
The $50,000 grant for Academy 4 is being used to enhance its fundamental mission to provide mentors for fourth-grade students in low-income schools across the North Texas community and around the state of Texas.
 
"The mission of Academy 4 is to change lives through relationships," said John Shearer, Academy 4 Executive Director. "With the support of the Cotton Bowl Foundation, we can provide more mentors to encourage fourth graders to be leaders while making them feel known, cared for and loved."
              
After-School All-Stars
After-School All-Stars is using its $30,000 grant to support its mentorship program and after-school programming as one of the country's largest nonprofit organizations working to close the opportunity gap for low-income youth.
 
"Our programs ensure students receive what all youth need – being paired with a positive adult mentor, getting new experiences that spark a love of learning and being around a positive peer group," said Justin Hensley, After-School All-Stars Executive Director. "These three elements impact the trajectory of kids' lives and providing them in the after-school hours gives students something to look forward to at the end of every day."
 
HOPE Farm
HOPE Farm was surprised with its $25,000 grant during the launch of North Texas Giving Day 2025. The surprise came on the Aug. 14 edition of WFAA-TV's Midday newscast. Walker unveiled the surprise in an interview with HOPE Farm Executive Director/Board President Sacher Dawson and Communities Foundation of Texas President and Chief Executive Officer Wayne White.
 
"HOPE Farm transforms at-risk youth by our four-pillar approach – read, feed, parent and empower. We also have a mothers-resource program that's what really sets us apart from other leadership development programs," said Dawson. "We are so thankful to the Cotton Bowl Foundation for this generous donation."
 
West Dallas Community School
The $25,000 grant provided to West Dallas Community School is going to upgrade hardware and software at the educational institution, celebrating 30 years during the 2025-26 academic year.
 
"West Dallas Community School has provided a transformational pre-K through eighth-grade education to low-income families for 30 years," said Sam Turner, West Dallas Community School Head of School. "With the generous support of the Cotton Bowl Foundation, our underserved community will continue to have access to an excellent Christian education where students grow in mind, body, and spirit to reach their fullest potential. Together, we will shape future leaders and positively impact the families of West Dallas for generations to come."

Puede Network
Puede Network is putting its $10,000 grant to work in support of its Puede Scholars program, which focuses on after-school programming that includes STEM projects, creative arts, fitness activities and hands-on learning for youth ages 3-15.
 
"On behalf of every scholar and family we serve, we extend our profound gratitude to the Cotton Bowl Foundation," said Adan Gonzalez, Puede Network Executive Director. "This investment is an act of faith in the potential of South Dallas youth, ensuring that our students not only receive vital
academic and athletic support but are empowered to write a new legacy – one defined by leadership, excellence and the relentless pursuit of a college education. This is how we build community change that lasts a lifetime."
 
Youth Revive
The $10,000 grant awarded to Youth Revive is being used to expand its youth civic engagement programs as one aspect of the South Dallas organization's continuing commitment to help close the gap for youth in low-income communities.
 
"There has never been a more pivotal moment to invest in the character and civic development of our youth," said Adrian McConnell, Youth Revive Executive Director. "When young people embody civility and responsible citizenship, they have the power to reconnect, rebuild and revive their communities from within. Youth Revive exists for this very purpose to meet this defining moment with intention, action and hope."
 
As a part of the Cotton Bowl Foundation's philanthropic pursuits this year, the official foundation for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic donated dollars beyond its grants initiative that will change lives for years to come in North Texas and across the country.
 
The Foundation extended a $25,000 grant, matching a $25,000 donation from American Airlines, to Tarrant Area Food Bank during the 2025 TAFB Thanksgiving Mega Mobile Market, awarded $250,000 in partnership with Amazon and the College Football Playoff Foundation to Catch Up & Read, City Year Dallas, Educate Texas and United to Learn and supported art teachers and programs in North Texas with $75,000 in grants, once again in partnership with Amazon and the CFP Foundation, through the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Art Contest presented by Amazon.
 
This year alone, the Cotton Bowl Foundation has awarded more than $465,000 in grants to deserving organizations striving to make a difference in communities across North Texas.
 
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