The 2026 grants helped the Giving Circle surpass $1 million in cumulative giving
DFW Hispanic 100 celebrated 30 years of leadership and service to the North Texas Latino community on Sept. 23 with an awards gala at the Arts District Mansion. The celebration brought together 350 of North Texas’ most influential Latina leaders, along with partners and allies.
The gala also marked a major milestone for the DFW Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF), which has surpassed $1 million in cumulative giving. Since its founding in 2019, the Giving Circle has awarded $1,022,200 through 217 grants to North Texas nonprofits supporting Latina women, girls and families.
In 2026, the Giving Circle awarded $136,200 through 22 grants. This year’s Latina Giving Circle is led by Co-Chairs Yareli Esteban and Kim Cummings, Grants Chair Diana Aguirre and a committee of Hispanic 100 members.
Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White said, “Texas Women’s Foundation is honored to partner with DFW H100 Giving Circle in support of their mission to engage more Latinas in philanthropy and to expand resources for North Texas organizations working to empower, educate and support the Hispanic community. And we extend our heartfelt congratulations for the more than $1 million in impact they’ve made in the lives of Hispanic women and families throughout our community.”
Yareli Esteban, Co-Chair, Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at TXWF, said, “Our greatest strength is proximity. We are women from this community investing in experienced nonprofit leaders who understand its needs and possibilities firsthand. We are not simply awarding grants; we are investing in the conditions that allow Latina women, girls and families to thrive, including expanding access to education and healthcare, strengthening economic security, developing leaders, creating safety from violence and advancing justice. Reaching $1 million proves that collective philanthropy can be both strategic and deeply human. With greater investment, these trusted organizations can move faster, reach further and create lasting change across North Texas.”
Sylvia Sotelo Kidd, 2026 President, DFW Hispanic 100, added, “As Hispanic 100 celebrates its 30th anniversary, we are deeply proud that the Latina Giving Circle has surpassed $1 million in giving. We are grateful to our members, Giving Circle leaders and committee, and Texas Women’s Foundation for making this milestone possible. This is our mission in action: mobilizing the collective power of Latina trailblazers to expand opportunity and create lasting community impact through philanthropy.”
At the gala, DFW Hispanic 100 also recognized Dr. Catalina Garcia as the inaugural recipient of the Mujer de la Década Award, a new honor to be presented only at the organization’s 10-year anniversaries. The award follows the recognition of Dr. Elba Garcia as the 2026 Latina Living Legend and Dallas ISD Trustee Prisma Garcia as the 2026 Emerging Latina Leader Award (ELLA) recipient.
Thirty years of service
Founded in 1996 as the Hispanic 50, Hispanic 100 has spent three decades bringing accomplished Latina leaders together to serve North Texas. Two of the organization’s three original founders, Delia Reyes and Bertha Outler, served as Honorary Chairs of the celebration. The other founder was Patricia Asip. The evening brought together three generations of the Hispanic 100 story: its founders, its Living Legends and its emerging leaders.
Grants were awarded to the following nonprofit organizations:
Aspire – Family literacy and ESL programming (Dallas, 75247)
AVANCE North Texas – Parent-Child education program for academic success (Dallas, 75212)
Bachman Lake Together – Community Action Network parent leadership program (Dallas, 75220)
Bella Gardens Early Learning Center – Preschool scholarships for low-income Hispanic families (Dallas, 75228)
Buckner Children and Family Services Inc. – Adult education and financial empowerment classes (Dallas, 75251)
Cara Mia Theatre – Third annual Latinidades Arts Symposium (Dallas, 75219)
Catch Up & Read – Bilingual literacy education for at-risk elementary students (Dallas, 75251)
The Compelling Why – Success session for young women and a leadership series (Dallas)
The Concilio – General operations to expand bilingual programming (Dallas, 75208)
The Family Place – Pay differentials for Spanish speaking employees (Dallas)
Girls Inc. of Tarrant County – College and career readiness programming for young women at North Side High School (Fort Worth, 76104)
Grameen America – Microloans for small businesses (Farmers Branch, 75234)
Hope’s Door New Beginning Center – Funds for culturally responsive mental health and wellness program (Garland, 75040)
Literacy Achieves – Family literacy program, two generation approach (Dallas, 75246)
Mi Escuelita Preschool – Education evolution teacher development program (Dallas, 75212)
Momentous Institute – Poderosa Program (Dallas, 75203 and 75220)
Opening Doors International Services – Legal protection funding (Denton, 76209)
Parents Step Ahead, Inc. – Families Forward Initiative engagement and wellness program (Colleyville, 76034)
Readers 2 Leaders – Family reading cohort (Dallas, 75212)
Representa DFW – Funds to expand Latin American cultural experiences (Dallas, 75219)
Volar – Organizational capacity and staff support (Dallas, 75204)
Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Programming and resources for adult academy (Dallas, 75212)
To learn more about donating or joining the DFW H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://txwf.org/impact-investing/giving-circle/
or email H100latinagc@txwf.org.
About DFW Hispanic 100:
Founded in 1996 as the Hispanic 50, Hispanic 100 is a network of Latina leaders in North Texas whose contributions span business, education, the arts, health, public service, and community leadership. The organization advances Latina leadership through mentorship, civic engagement, and philanthropy, including the H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation. Learn more at dfwhispanic100.org.
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year to help eliminate the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested more than $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women, their families and their futures, and another $25 million-plus in research, advocacy and educational programs for a total impact of more than $115 million over the last 41 years. TXWF’s vision for a strong and vibrant Texas for all remains at the forefront of its work.
TXWF’s targeted research into the issues impacting the economic security of Texas women and families will continue to guide its work. The biannual report on the economic issues that face Texas women and their families provides corporate and community leaders, and state and local lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits that align with its mission. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.
GRANTEE QUOTES:
“We are thankful to the H100 Latina Giving Circle and Texas Women’s Foundation for standing alongside AVANCE North Texas year after year. We share their belief that investing in women and girls strengthens entire families and communities. Their continued support helps us provide parenting education, early childhood learning, and home visits through our Parent-Child Education Program, giving mothers the knowledge and confidence to support their children’s education and build a better future for their families.”
—Ana Lorena Carrasco, Executive Director, AVANCE North Texas
“Our community’s greatest strength is its people. With support from the H100 Latina Giving Circle, we can expand our Community Action Network and equip more Latina mothers to turn their knowledge, lived experiences, and ideas into action. This investment will help parents in Bachman Lake lead solutions rooted in their community’s needs, creating lasting opportunities for children, families, and future generations.”
—Dr. Olga Martinez Hickman, Executive Director, Bachman Lake Together
“This grant is an investment in the foundation of Bella Gardens and our ability to provide high-quality, affordable early childhood education to families in East Dallas. With this support, we can strengthen essential operations, improve our outdoor learning environment, and help reduce financial barriers for families. Every investment brings us closer to building a sustainable model where children, families, and educators can thrive.”
—Erika V. Estrada, Founder & Executive Director, Bella Gardens Early Learning Center
“With support from H100 Latina Giving Circle, Buckner is expanding adult education and financial empowerment opportunities to reach more than 200 women at the Bachman Lake Family Hope Center this year. Through classes offered at the Center, women in classes including GED certification, nutrition and health prevention, parent education and financial empowerment.”
—Martha Rodriguez, Buckner Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake Director
“With support from the Latina Giving Circle, Cara Mía Theatre was able to provide scholarships for Latinas to attend our 3rd Annual Arts Symposium from October 1-2, 2026 at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas. Removing financial barriers to professional development and meaningful connection, the Giving Circle’s investment empowered Latina artists and arts leaders to strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and bring new knowledge and inspiration back to their communities. We could not be more grateful for this tremendous show of support.”
—David Lozano, Executive Artistic Director, Cara Mía Theatre
“Leer es poder. Reading is power. At Catch Up & Read, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader, and that begins with empowering the teachers who guide them. We are deeply grateful to the DFW Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation for joining us as a literacy partner. With 68% of the students we serve identifying as Hispanic, your investment helps us meet a critical need in North Texas schools by providing bilingual literacy instruction, specialized teacher training and coaching, and the books and learning materials that bring reading to life. Your generosity also supports teachers who dedicate additional time after school to helping children overcome reading challenges. Your investment empowers teachers and young readers, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.”
—Carol Pierce Goglia, President & CEO, Catch Up & Read
“We are deeply grateful to the H100 Latina Giving Circle for investing in The Compelling Why and the futures of young Latinas across North Texas. This year’s grant will directly support one Success Session for Young Women, reaching 150 Hispanic middle and high school girls with experiences that strengthen confidence, motivation, personal responsibility, and leadership.”
—Torrence H. Robinson, President, The Compelling Why
“With support from the H100 Latina Giving Circle, The Family Place is able to provide a bilingual pay differential for Spanish-speaking employees who work directly with survivors of domestic violence. With 22% of our clients identifying Spanish as their preferred language, this funding helps ensure they can communicate clearly with staff and fully understand the services and resources available to them.”
—Whitney Roman, Director of Development, The Family Place
“The support of the H100 Latina Giving Circle will have a lasting impact on participants in Girls Inc. of Tarrant County programs at Northside High School. Through this grant, young women will experience opportunities that many have never had before, including college visits, career exploration, and hands-on STEM learning. Your investment is helping open doors, expand possibilities, and empower the next generation of confident, capable leaders.”
—Jennifer Limas, President and CEO, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County
“With support from The H100 Latina Giving Circle Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation, Grameen America will expand access to capital, peer support, credit development, asset building, and education for 3,200 low-income women entrepreneurs across Dallas in 2026. This investment opens more opportunities for entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses, create jobs, and unlock lasting economic mobility for themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods.”
—Rajitha Swaminathan, Chief Program Officer, Grameen America
“Healing should never be limited by language. Thanks to the generosity of the Latina Giving Circle, more survivors of domestic violence can access compassionate, culturally responsive counseling in the language they feel most comfortable expressing.”
—Megan Valdez, MSW, Hopes Door New Beginning
“Funding from the H100 Latina Giving Circle supports Poderosa, Momentous Institute’s therapeutic group for Latina teens and their mothers. Each year, our bilingual and bicultural clinicians serve approximately 30 teens in small groups of no more than 10, creating a safe and supportive space where they can build connection, navigate social and cultural complexities, and explore what it means to embrace their Latina identity. By inviting mothers into this work, we strengthen protective relationships, foster empowerment and intergenerational healing, and alongside DFW Hispanic 100 help nurture the next generation of strong and confident Latina leaders.”
—Dr. Jessica Gomez, Executive Director, Momentous Institute
“This investment from the DFW Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation represents an important opportunity for Parents Step Ahead to expand our impact across Dallas-Fort Worth school communities through the launch of our Families Forward Pilot Program. By providing parents with access to educational resources, financial literacy, family wellness, and technology and career readiness opportunities, we are helping equip families with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to support their children’s success throughout the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.”
—Rubi Solano, Executive Director, Parents Step Ahead, Inc.
“With support from H100Latina Giving Circle, we are enrolling 59 participants in our Family Reading Program, hosted at a Dallas Public Library and Dallas ISD’s Resource Centers. Empowered with knowledge of foundational literacy skills and the rules of reading in English, participants gain the tools and confidence to support their children at home.”
—Norma Nelson, President & CEO, Readers 2 Leaders
“This grant from the DFW Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation supports Representa’s work to empower Hispanic girls and women while strengthening the families and communities around them. We will use this support to expand opportunities for cultural education, dance, and intergenerational experiences that help children take pride in their roots and give girls and women space to build confidence, lead, and share their traditions. When girls and women feel connected to their heritage and supported in their growth, that impact reaches their entire family and community.”
—Ana Parada, Founder, Representa DFW
“With this $5,000 investment from the H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation, Volar is strengthening the part-time team that delivers personalized college and career advising to first-generation students. This support will help us guide 51 current scholars through college completion while reaching 100 additional high school students through community workshops focused on college access, financial aid, scholarships, and future career planning.”
—Cynthia Gudiel, Executive Director, Volar
“With support from the H100 Latina Giving Circle, at least 200 Hispanic/Latina women will build skills in financial literacy and workforce development at Wesley-Rankin Community Center. Offered at no cost to families, these practical courses open doors to a living wage and lasting generational wealth.”
—Shellie Ross, CEO, Wesley-Rankin Community Center