North Texas Community Foundation (NTCF) has awarded a $250,000 multi-year grant to the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce through the Fund for Good at the North Texas Community Foundation. This strategic investment will support the continued implementation of the Historic Northside District Main Street pilot, one of two City of Fort Worth–designated Main Street America pilot corridors.
The Fund for Good grant is part of NTCF’s broader commitment to community development in Fort Worth’s Historic Northside. As investment and development activity continue to increase in surrounding areas, the pilot provides a coordinated framework to help align growth with long-term community and corridor priorities. The Foundation also supported a National Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Panel focused on the Historic Northside, providing independent analysis and recommendations to help guide community-informed revitalization amid increasing development pressure.
The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will serve to coordinate implementation across small business support, public-private partnerships, cultural programming, and community engagement along the North Main Street corridor.
Since its launch, Historic Northside District Main Street pilot has supported more than 440 small business assistance touchpoints, delivered district-wide programming and engagement, and helped align approximately $84 million in active and planned corridor investment projects in one of Fort Worth’s most historically significant neighborhoods. Signature cultural programming, including the annual Sonidos del Summer concert series, draws more than 9,000 visitors each year to Marine Park.
“The North Texas Community Foundation continues to champion bold, community-driven solutions that strengthen Fort Worth through its Fund for Good grant, and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Historic Northside Main Street pilot could not be more deserving of the award,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “This strategic investment will play a major role in the long-term revitalization, economic growth, and community pride in one of our city’s most historic neighborhoods.”
The Historic Northside is one of Fort Worth’s most historic communities and a long-standing gateway to the city, home to approximately 11,000 residents, nearly 97 percent of whom identify as Hispanic or Latino. As major development advances nearby, the Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Panel identified growth trends that increased property values in the area by approximately 60 percent between 2016 and 2021, underscoring the urgency of establishing coordinated, community-informed strategies to mitigate development pressures.
“Thanks to generous donor support, the Fund for Good invests in long-term strategies to address our region’s evolving needs,” said Rose Bradshaw, president and CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “This investment in the Main Street pilot helps ensure that as development occurs, residents and local businesses can continue to thrive in the place they call home.”
As Fort Worth advances major development projects in the area, including Panther Island, residents and City leaders have publicly acknowledged concerns related to development pressure, displacement, and the preservation of neighborhood identity in the Historic Northside. The Main Street pilot was established to help ensure that revitalization efforts are coordinated, community-informed, and aligned with long-term neighborhood priorities.
In partnership with national, regional, and community-based organizations, the pilot has advanced key implementation milestones, including convening a resident-led Community Action Committee (CAC), establishing district design guidelines and rezoning efforts currently in progress, and expanding stabilization resources for residents and small businesses. Community Design Fort Worth is advancing a district-wide cultural asset mapping initiative, while partnerships with the Texas A&M Law School Economic Justice Initiative have supported heirship and legal assistance, and collaboration with Trinity Habitat for Humanity has helped connect homeowners to critical home repair resources.
The Fund for Good grant will support organizational capacity building for the Historic Northside District, strengthening the coordination, staffing, and systems required to sustain neighborhood-wide implementation over time. Funds will also support a Missing Middle Housing study, identified as a priority recommendation of the national Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Panel, to help the community better understand housing needs and explore context-sensitive strategies that support neighborhood stability as development accelerates.
“The Historic Northside is a place with deep history, culture, and community leadership,” said Ericka Garza, President & CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We are focused on building durable, community-informed structures supporting residents, small businesses and cultural life today and for future generations of the Northside community. Together with District 2 Councilman Carlos Flores, we will coordinate work thoughtfully and pragmatically as the district continues to evolve and grow.”
Launched in 2024, the Fund for Good at North Texas Community Foundation supports transformative solutions to emerging challenges by directing philanthropic resources to organizations positioned to deliver long-term impact. The City of Fort Worth has identified the Historic Northside as a priority area experiencing significant investment, underscoring the importance of aligning public and private dollars with community priorities.
All Fund for Good grants undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a volunteer committee of community experts.
About North Texas Community Foundation
North Texas Community Foundation drives meaningful change through charitable investment. The Foundation helps donors meet the needs of the community by providing tax-efficient strategies to support the causes they care about most. At the core of its work is a network of generous individuals, families, and businesses committed to shaping the future of North Texas for good, forever. Learn more at northtexascf.org.
About the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce fosters a thriving economic environment by empowering businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals across Fort Worth. The Chamber provides personalized support, bilingual programming, advocacy, education, and business development resources to help enterprises at every stage build lasting wealth and long-term stability. The Chamber leads the Historic Northside District Main Street pilot in partnership with the City of Fort Worth, coordinating revitalization efforts that align economic growth with community priorities
