In the heart of McKinney, a movement is reshaping how small- and mid-sized nonprofits achieve their goals. Gather’s Vision, founded by Darrell Barnes, is dedicated to empowering the nonprofit community of Collin County by providing access to venues, resources and collaborative opportunities that help organizations thrive.
“We ensure that nonprofits can focus their resources on what truly matters: fulfilling their missions and driving meaningful change,” Darrell says. “When nonprofits thrive, our entire community prospers.”
Gather’s Vision was specifically created to serve smaller organizations that may lack the budget or staff to plan major fundraisers or awareness campaigns. These nonprofits work across a variety of causes, including education, housing, youth mentorship, senior support, food insecurity and special needs advocacy.
Yet, Darrell says many struggle to find affordable, professional spaces to host events or connect with donors. “Our goal is to amplify their impact by giving them access to a professional, welcoming space and the resources they need to thrive,” he explains.
The organization’s roots lie in Darrell’s experience running the original Gather venue in Downtown McKinney. Over the years, the venue became a gathering place for local nonprofits hosting events such as Boots & Boogie, Bingo on the Square and numerous community galas.
“Time and again, we saw that when nonprofits had a beautiful space to gather people, they could tell their story in a more powerful way and raise significantly more funds. With the right support, one event could completely change the trajectory of a nonprofit’s year," Darrell says.
This realization led to the creation of Gather’s Vision, a mission-driven extension of the original space. More than just a building, the Gather venue itself plays a key role in supporting nonprofit missions. With historic charm, exposed brick, chandeliers and a prime location on the McKinney Square, it creates an elevated backdrop for storytelling and connection.
“Beyond aesthetics, we offer logistical support, event coordination and connections with trusted vendors, allowing nonprofits to focus on their cause while we handle the details,” Darrell adds.
Gather’s Vision also partners with other local venues to host nonprofit events, ensuring flexibility and expanded reach.
Funding for Gather’s Vision comes from a network of corporate sponsors, individual donors and community partners who see their contributions as an investment in impact. “A $1,000 donation doesn’t just cover event costs, it can lead to a $5,000 fundraiser for a nonprofit,” Darrell explains. “That ‘1+1=3’ effect is what excites our supporters.”
Sponsorship tiers allow businesses and individuals to contribute at various levels, creating a sustainable model for the future.
The results are already visible. According to Darrell, nonprofits using Gather’s Vision report raising more money, engaging new sponsors and collaborating with one another in ways that weren’t possible before. Events, such as the McKinney Fashion Show and Boots & Boogie, have brought together nonprofits, businesses and community leaders, leading to joint projects and long-term partnerships. The organization is also preparing to launch CHOICE (Consider How One Idea Changes Everything), a program pairing 12 nonprofits with 12 sponsors to host four fundraising events each in 2026.
Looking ahead, Darrell envisions expanding the organization's reach by hosting monthly nonprofit events ranging from board meetings to formal galas, launching leadership workshops and growing the sponsorship network. He says, “Ultimately, we see Gather’s Vision becoming the go-to hub for nonprofit collaboration in Collin County. We’re building a stronger nonprofit ecosystem that will ripple across the entire community."
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