The 2023 recipients of the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute grants have been announced by The Dallas Foundation. with $300,000 awarded to four nonprofits that have made a significant impact throughout North Texas during 2023.

In addition to The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, which received the lead grant of $150,000, three other nonprofits each received a grant of $50,000, including Ebby’s House/Juliette Fowler Communities, Frazier Revitalization, and VNA Meals on Wheels.

Julie Diaz

“The Women’s Philanthropy Institute at The Dallas Foundation leverages the power of relationships by uniting women philanthropists who want to learn about the issues facing Greater Dallas.” Julie Diaz, interim president & CEO of The Dallas Foundation, said in a statement. “Through this program, these caring and dedicated women gather, educate themselves on our community’s most impactful nonprofits, and garner their collective resources to make a difference.”

“The connections that members of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute build with these organizations and with one another form a community of change-makers poised to leave a lasting impact on Greater Dallas,” Diaz added.

The Dallas Foundation said that the inception of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute stemmed from the proactive engagement of women donors “seeking to deepen their insight into community needs.”

Recognizing the inherent value of firsthand experience in understanding a community, The Dallas Foundation said it established the initiative to guide and support women throughout their philanthropic journey, while fostering connections between those persons and the community’s needs, as well as the organizations striving to address them.

More on the grants

The foundation said that the Women’s Philanthropy Institute typically visits four to five nonprofits in the Dallas area each year. Following each visit, members learn how to strategically evaluate a nonprofit, including a review of financial documents and organizational structure.

At year’s end, members vote on which agency will receive the largest grant from the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute Fund held at The Dallas Foundation.

Grant money is raised by contributions from members, the foundation said.

In the past 10 years, more than 200 women have participated in Women’s Philanthropy Institute program and activities, granting more than $1 million to the community through the institute in addition to over $20 million in personal support from its members.

“All of us at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center are honored and thrilled to be recipients of the 2023 lead grant from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute of The Dallas Foundation,” Dr. David Woody III, president & CEO of The Bridge, said in a statement. “This significant grant will assist us in identifying critical mental health support for our staff, who are at the front lines fighting homelessness every day. Without their passionate commitment to The Bridge mission and to our guests, we would not be able to connect so many guests each year to a safe, stable, new home.”

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