The fifth annual North Texas Giving Day exceeded all expectations by raising a record $25.2 million in 17 hours online, surpassing 2012 results by $10.8 million. The number of donations made on Sept. 19 doubled this year with 1,351 nonprofit organizations benefiting from 75,000 donations made from around the world through the DonorBridge website. North Texas Giving Day was created by the Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation and the Center for Nonprofit Management. Donors started making their contributions at 7 a.m. Gifts came from all 50 states and more than 35 countries. Twenty-six percent of donations were from first-time givers to their chosen charity.
Rocky Top Therapy Center in Keller raised the most money, $800,625, followed by The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command with $734,544 and E3 Partners Ministry with $464,645. Prize winners include the 1,929th donation, a gift of $10,000 to the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas thanks to The Dallas Foundation, and the 2,013th donation, another $10,000 gift from The Dallas Foundation to Presbyterian Community Services. The 25th, 250th, 2,500th and 25,000th donation prizes were awarded to Dallas Wind Symphony, MakeAWay Charities, Dallas Area Interfaith Sponsoring Committee and Arms of Home, respectively, marking the 25th anniversary of the Harold Simmons Foundation. Bonus funds and prizes were contributed by Bank of America, Katherine C. Carmody Trust, Communities Foundation of Texas, Community Foundation of North Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Women’s Foundation, Hunt Consolidated’s Hunt Cares Campaign, Meadows Foundation, Rees-Jones Foundation, Sid Richardson Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation and an anonymous donor. The full list of prizes is listed at https://www.donorbridgetx.org/leaderboard/.
Betty Rutherford to be honored Fort Worth Can Academies, a nonprofit charter high school organization serving mostly at-risk youth, will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Betty Rutherford at the third annual Fort Worth Motherhood: Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon on Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at City Club of Fort Worth. The event is open to the public and recognizes women who are extraordinary community leaders and volunteers. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the students of Fort Worth Can Academies.Rutherford will be honored for her achievements and dedication to both family and community. Rutherford, a registered nurse, has lived in Fort Worth for 45 years and is married to Johnny Rutherford, professional auto racer and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. She has received numerous awards for her volunteer efforts with organizations such as Fort Worth Swim Club, Camp Fire and Easter Seals. She also was president and founder of Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway. As a nurse, Rutherford volunteered nursing duties at many racing events during her husband’s career. She was one of the first women to gain entrance to the pit area and pioneered the use of computer timing and scoring and helped in writing the software. Luncheon tickets are $125. Tickets and sponsorships are available by contacting Cristina Gomez-Jimenez at 469-274-4876.
Fort Worth ISD, Junior League team up The Junior League of Fort Worth is partnering with the Fort Worth Independent School District to provide volunteer hours focusing on mentoring, reading buddies, special events and campus support at three school campuses. Junior M.I.N.T.S, as the program is called, comprises 83 League members who will each volunteer 50 hours during the school year, beginning Oct. 7. M.I.N.T.S. stands for Mentoring, Inspiring, Nurturing, Tutoring and Supporting. Campuses involved are Western Hills Primary, Western Hills Elementary School and Eastern Hills Elementary School. WORN launches fall collection WORN, a social enterprise of Catholic Charities Fort Worth, recently introduced its third fall collection of six new hand-knit accessories. Titled “Fare Thee Well,” the multi-colored collection includes two styles of infinity scarves, a layered necklace, a long crocheted scarf, a bow head wrap and a long scarf with button detail. Prices range from $38 to $108. WORN provides refugee women living in the United States a supplemental source of income. One hundred percent of the net profits from the products go directly back into the community through Catholic Charities Fort Worth to help the women become self-sufficient. Visit www.wornforpeace.org.
Send nonprofit news to Betty Dillard at bdillard@bizpress.net