The Dallas Foundation, the first community foundation in Texas, is proud to announce the winner of this year’s Pegasus Prize. The Pegasus Prize is a $50K social innovation grant and the premier award granted to nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations with a charitable purpose and hybrid organizations applying innovative approaches to addressing community needs. It has been an early investor in several significant, innovative organizations including Bonton Farms, After8toEducate, Yoga N Da Hood, 2S Industries and more. The Dallas Foundation selected local nonprofit Impact Ventures as this year’s recipient, receiving the $50K grant to continue its work developing women and minority small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Through the Pegasus Prize, The Dallas Foundation seeks organizations applying new ways to solve ongoing problems that are faster, cost-effective, data-driven and create better results for residents of Dallas County. The Dallas Foundation was established in 1929 and was the first community foundation in Texas. The organization brings together people, ideas and investments in Greater Dallas by connecting donors to the nonprofit causes they care about so individuals and families can reach their full potential.

“The Dallas Foundation is proud to announce Impact Ventures as the winner of this year’s Pegasus Prize,” said Matthew Randazzo, CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “The Dallas Foundation is committed to driving genuine change and impact across North Texas, and we are thrilled with the work Impact Ventures has done so far - and will continue to do - in furthering entrepreneurship for all in our region.”

Founded in 2017, Impact Ventures has trained more than 125 entrepreneurs with the support of 70+ expert mentors and fortune 500 companies to create 46 new jobs and raise over $458,000. The organization hosts community events and workshops, social impact themed hackathons, and offers a rigorous 12-week business acceleration program providing access to education, training, mentorship, capital and resources to participating fellows building high-growth businesses and social enterprises. Impact Ventures plans to use the $50K awarded by The Dallas Foundation to continue to build its capital model that challenges the traditional financial markets and create more flexible integrative capital for minority-owned businesses, not bound to credit scores and collateral. This is the first investment of Pegasus Prize grant dollars toward dismantling structural barriers that entrepreneurs of color face when trying to access capital. 

“Impact Ventures is immensely thankful to The Dallas Foundation and the Pegasus Prize committee for naming our organization as this year’s award recipient,” said Benjamin J. Vann, CEO of Impact Ventures. “The grant awarded to Impact Ventures by The Dallas Foundation will allow us to jump start a $10M effort to fund undercapitalized minority-owned businesses that increase household income, create local jobs, and close a 228 year wealth gap right here in North Texas.”

The Pegasus Prize also awarded two additional grants of $10K each to two other nonprofits. The recipients were a joint venture between NPower Texas and Per Scholas, and AES Literacy Institute.

NPower Texas, an organization that helps military veterans launch digital careers, and Per Scholas, an organization dedicated to opening doors to technology careers for individuals from often overlooked communities, have united to create a technology Help Desk. The Help Desk will provide students with the work experience they need, while also helping nonprofit organizations with IT needs. With an increase in remote workers and devices deployed by nonprofits due to the pandemic, NPower and Per Scholas have witnessed an increased need for technology support. Simultaneously, the pandemic has halted the hiring of students for internships, prohibiting them from obtaining real-world experience needed for prospective employers. The new Help Desk will provide professional development and real-world experience for NPower and Per Scholas students, while also alleviating nonprofit budgets that are already strained due to COVID-19. Funds received from the Pegasus Prize will support a needs assessment and implementation plan to establish the technology Help Desk serving Dallas-area nonprofits.

The AES Literacy Institute and its self-paced educational experience helps students earn their Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE – formerly GED) within 3-6 months. Originally a blended learning program pairing in-class and out-of-class instruction, COVID-19 forced AES to pivot to a 100 percent online curriculum. As most students lacked technology and internet access, AES had to supply students with laptops/tablets/portable hotspots, as well as ship them textbooks and materials. AES recruited 20 virtual volunteers from across the U.S. to help with online tutoring services, and has an additional 10 volunteers on the waiting list. AES’s quick pivot to a 100 percent virtual curriculum and tutoring has enabled them to continue helping individuals earn their TxCHSE even during the pandemic. The organization will be able to extend its impact because of the $10K grant received from The Dallas Foundation.

For more information about The Dallas Foundation and the Pegasus Prize, please visit www.dallasfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE DALLAS FOUNDATION

The Dallas Foundation, established as the first community foundation in Texas in 1929, brings together people, ideas, and investments in Greater Dallas so individuals and families can reach their full potential. In 2019, The Dallas Foundation, in partnership with the more than 400 fundholders, invested over $70 million into the community. For more information, visit www.dallasfoundation.org, Facebook or Instagram.

Reunion Tower is excited to announce its December event line-up and holiday festivities.

Of course, the excitement culminates with the New Year’s Eve fireworks show. Reunion Tower and Hunt Realty Investments, Inc. are collaborating to bring a Texas-sized New Year’s Eve event to Dallas for the fifth year in a row. The only 360-degree, panoramic fireworks spectacular in the Central time zone will light up the Dallas sky starting at 11:59 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2020. Reunion Tower’s celebratory fireworks show, one of the largest shows of its kind in the Central time zone, features pyrotechnics fired from 560 feet above ground. The captivating 10-minute show features imaginative pyrotechnic and LED lighting effects visible for miles across North Texas.  

• Painting With A View 

• Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Come paint the Dallas skyline high above the city with 360-degree views. 

• North Pole Elves on the GeO-Deck

• Saturday, Dec. 5 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

• Spread holiday cheer on the GeO-Deck with North Pole elves. Enjoy photo ops, crafts, and activities from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

• This experience is included in the purchase of a general admission GeO-Deck ticket.

• Krampusnach Escape Room - The List is Missing

• Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:00 p.m. 

• A Krampus themed Escape Room at Reunion Tower. Santa’s Naughty & Nice list is missing! Find the list and celebrate with milk and cookies while enjoying the best views of the city!

• Each ticket package includes up to 6 participants with add on options for up to 2 additional members. Tickets include access to Reunion Tower GeO-Deck

• In adherence with Covid-19 compliance, masks are to be worn at all times and the ticketed time slot is limited exclusively to a single ticketed group, max 8 people. 

• Photos With Krampus

• Saturday, Dec. 5 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Have your photo taken with Krampus at Reunion Tower. 

• Show your photo to the Reunion Tower ticket counter for a special discount on your general admission GeO-Deck ticket.

• Santa Paws

• Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

• Bring your four-legged BFF to the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck for photos with Santa, special treats from a local bakery, pet caricatures created by Gonzo Tails and more.

• This experience is included in the purchase of a general admission GeO-Deck ticket. When purchasing tickets, choose Dec. 6 as your date and any time between 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. as your time. 

• Inks & Skylines with Santa

• Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m.

• Come create an Inks & Skylines masterpiece at Reunion Tower. You’ll create your masterpiece above the city with 360-degree views. Take a walk out on the observation deck for the perfect selfie with downtown as the backdrop! 

• Is that Santa we see?! For this Inks & Skyline event, you’ll have the option of adding in Santa and his sleigh to your skyline.

• Painting With A View 

• Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Come light the night with your glowing masterpiece at Reunion Tower. You’ll paint the Dallas skyline high above the city with 360-degree views.

• Glow and fluorescent paint and glowing accessories will be included

• Virtual Storytime with Dallas Public Library

• Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10:00 a.m.

• Zoom link will be announced closer to event

• Kendra Scott Gives Back Pop-Up

• Friday, Dec. 11 from 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

• Guests receive 10% off + 10% donated to Children’s Health

• Checkered Past Winery will be on-site selling some of your favorite local wines

• This experience is included in your general admission ticket. When purchasing tickets, choose Dec. 11 as your date and any time between 4:30-8 p.m. as your time. 

• Beer & WineShark - a Learning and Tasting Event

• Saturday, Dec.12 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Why choose one when you can have both?! Learn to pair holiday favorites with both beer and wine in this exclusive learning and tasting event.

• Guests will be provided with three elegant samples, each complimented by a wine and a beer selection as well as interaction from both our Certified Cicerone and sommelier.

• Dipped Acrylic Ornaments

• Monday, Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m.

• Get into the holiday spirit by creating Dipped Acrylic Pouring Ornaments. Artists will pour paint onto a tray and then dip an assortment of 12 or 20 ornaments!

• FRY-Day with Corndog With No Name

• Friday, Dec. 18 from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

• It’s FRY-Day and I’m in love! CornDog with No Name will be at Reunion Tower selling all of your Fair Food favorites including corn dogs, funnel cakes, corn, fried Oreos, and more on the GeO-Deck! 

• Access to the fun is included in the general admission ticket purchase. When purchasing tickets, choose Dec. 18 as your date and any time slot between 4-9 p.m. to join in on the fun!

• Ugly Sweater Dance Party with DJ K-Sprinkles

• Sunday, December 20 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

• It’s time to GeO-Deck the Halls! Grab your dancing shoes, it’s about to get jolly! Join Reunion Tower and DJ K-Sprinkles for a Holiday dance party. Dawn your ugly sweater or Christmas best – either way, it’s going to be merry! There will be a special walk-thru appearance from Santa.

• This event is included with your general admission ticket purchase. When purchasing tickets, choose Dec. 20 as your date and any time slot between 3-5 p.m. as your time. 

• Acrylic Pouring Flip Cup

• Monday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m.

• Come experience the beauty and relaxation of acrylic paint pouring. During this class, you will learn how to mix the paint with the pouring mediums, watch technique tutorials done by your instructor, and get to complete a piece or pieces on your own on an 8×10 canvas.

Dallas-based rideshare and delivery company, Alto, is launching an easy way for North Texans to give back to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) this Thanksgiving.

On Friday, Nov. 27 (Black Friday), Alto is hosting a Porch Pick-up Canned Food Drive to support the organization working to end hunger across North Texas. 

Alto members will receive a link to sign-up and then simply need to put out any donations for NTFB by 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. Alto will handle the rest of the donation. This is just another way Alto is mobilizing local organizations to make a difference across DFW.

For more information about Alto, visit www.ridealto.com.

Teach For America (TFA) DFW is proud to announce a new partnership with the Yale Center For Emotional Intelligence. The partnership is dedicated to supporting the emotional health of educators at a time when teachers are leading through one of the most unprecedented eras of education. While this is a national partnership, specific Teach For America regions are participating in the year-long emotional well-being pilot program, including Dallas-Fort Worth.

As part of the new partnership, Teach For America DFW will implement and test a year-long emotional well-being program for incoming Teach For America educators. The pilot program will track the well-being and success of first year teachers through tools such as surveys, and provide web-based trainings to participants to support their social and emotional learning. These trainings focus on developing emotional intelligence skills and providing educators with research-based tools to promote healthy emotion regulation. 

“Teach For America DFW is honored to be selected as one of the regions participating in this new partnership and to serve as a pilot region with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence,” said Rea Foster, Teach For America DFW Executive Director. “We know that the emotional and social wellness of educators plays a direct role in the success of students, and Teach For America DFW is dedicated to providing these educators with all of the resources possible to help them succeed.”

As part of this program, participants will help Teach For America better support their well-being, as well as make a significant contribution to the teacher preparation and support field. In the DFW region, 64 percent of educators in the class of 2020 opted into this year-long study. 

For more information about Teach For America DFW, please visit www.teachforamerica.org/where-we-work/dallas-fort-worth.

ABOUT TEACH FOR AMERICA DFW

Teach For America finds, develops and supports a diverse network of leaders dedicated to expanding access and opportunity for children. These leaders begin with a commitment of at least two years of teaching in an under-resourced public school. Informed and inspired by their students, TFA alumni continue to advocate for children from classrooms, schools and every field that shapes the broader systems in which schools operate. TFA was founded in the DFW region in 2009, and has since served more than 400,000 students and trained more than 1,700 teachers. For more information, please visit www.teachforamerica.org/where-we-work/dallas-fort-worth.

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) is proud to announce the kickoff of its annual “Holiday of Hope” giving program, amidst the change and pressures of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The holidays can be a difficult time, especially for children living in the aftermath of criminal child abuse. Each year, DCAC brings a smile to thousands of clients’ faces when providing them with gifts and toys through the annual Holiday of Hope program. This holiday season, 2,000 DCAC clients and their families will benefit from the Holiday of Hope program.

DCAC is pivoting its annual Holiday of Hope program in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than hosting an in-person experience for volunteers and shoppers, DCAC will collect gifts or donations, and then distribute the items. This year, each client will receive a pajama set, a reading book and a few age appropriate toys or gifts.

DCAC is asking the community to support these clients and their families, who have suffered the devastating ramifications of child abuse during this already unprecedented year. Those wishing to participate can shop DCAC’s Amazon Wishlist, host a Toy Drive, or make a donation. $150 provides a pajama set, reading book and a few age appropriate toys or gifts for John and Jane Doe. New, unwrapped toys and gifts are due to DCAC by Saturday, Dec. 11, in order to serve families the following weeks. 

Life-changing work happens daily at Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, where the most severely abused children in our community are provided justice and their hope is restored. 1 in 5 children will be sexually abused, often by someone they know and trust. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center’s works diligently to coordinate the investigation of criminal cases of child abuse, and provides healing services to victims and their non-offending family members in Dallas County. 

“Despite all of the changes this year, DCAC is thankful to all of the North Texans who work to make Holiday of Hope a constant in the lives of our clients, who are worthy of recognition and celebration not only during the holidays, but all year-long,” said Murphey Sears, DCAC Chief Development Officer and Head Elf. “Our goal is for Holiday of Hope to be a source of inspiration and light in the lives of our clients during this time.”

For more information about Holiday of Hope and the life-changing work of DCAC, please visit https://dcac.org/getinvolved/holiday-of-hope/.

ABOUT DCAC

The mission of Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues. The only agency of its kind in Dallas County, DCAC provides a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse cases. In their last fiscal year, DCAC read over 28,000 reports of child abuse and provided services to over 7,300 children and their non-offending family members. For more information, visit dcac.org, Facebook, Instagram orTwitter.