Arlington Nonprofits Receive Record-Setting $2.2 Million in Donations During 2021 North Texas Giving Day
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Posted on September 24, 2021, September 24, 2021

Arlington residents once again showed strong support for the city’s many hard-working nonprofits through a record-setting amount of donations made as part of North Texas Giving Day.

At least 7,600 gifts totaling more than $2.2 million were donated to 158 Arlington-based charities on Sept. 23, exceeding last year’s total contributions by nearly $100,000. In all, nearly $67 million was raised for nonprofits across North Texas during the 18-hour online giving event, which is coordinated by the Communities Foundation of Texas.

In support of the fundraising event, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation sponsored a free community concert Downtown on Thursday night and awarded $60,000 in grants throughout the day to Arlington-based nonprofits. The charitable endowment has organized its Arlington Gives! event since 2014 as a way to recognize and highlight Arlington-based nonprofit organizations and to help North Texas Giving Day contributors' dollars go even further.

“As you all know, this year continues to be a struggle for so many of our neighbors, friends and family. Our nonprofit sector stands on the frontlines meeting the most pressing needs of our community day in and day out. Today’s results, demonstrates the commitment North Texans have to raise each other up and to – show up,” said Carolyn Mentesana, Arlington Tomorrow Foundation executive director. “It’s been my privilege to witness firsthand how Arlington continually cares for one another and how the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation makes a difference today and for tomorrow.”

With lawn chairs and blankets, hundreds of residents gathered at Levitt Pavilion Arlington Thursday evening to enjoy performances by Ariel Hutchins and Grammy winning vocal group Take 6. Grace Prep Academy, which turned up in cheerful yellow shirts that read Looking Good, Playing Good, Doing Good, was among the many Arlington nonprofits and schools celebrating at the concert. Seventh grade teacher Emily Gordon said the support the school receives on North Texas Giving Day allows them to fund sports programs and extracurricular activities for the more than 500 students who attend.

“I’ve been watching the totals all day,” Gordon said. “The number of people who are participating, not just the total amount given, is amazing.”

Mentesana said the community concert set a beautiful backdrop for the spirit of North Texas Giving Day.

“For those of you who were able to join us for the concert and program, I hope you will agree the evening was truly a celebration of community spirit and captured the power philanthropy has for building a vibrant, caring community,” Mentesana said.

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Grant Award Recipients

• The Arlington Life Shelter and the Arlington Master Chorale received the first two $5,000 bonus grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Grace Preparatory Academy received a $5,000 bonus grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received by a school between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

New Day Arlington and Friends of the Levitt received $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Hager’s Heart and Theatre Arlington won $5,000 bonus grants from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation for the highest number of donations received between 7 p.m. and midnight.

• During the concert, the Dental Health Arlington, St. Joseph Catholic School, and Arlington MLK Celebration Committee each randomly selected to receive a $5,000 bonus grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.

Grace Preparatory Academy was the winner of the People's Choice Award, which is a $10,000 grant, for capturing 2,200 of the 5,500 total electronic votes cast for the prize.

North Texas Giving Day 2021

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Support Youth and Families, Downtown
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