The late Don and Linda Bowden, founders of The Bowden Events Center in Keller, were an entrepreneurial couple who gave back to the community in so many ways. With a desire to focus on a greater sense of meaning and purpose, the Bowdens wanted to use their success to help others.
In addition to his many achievements over the years, Don started Dos Gringos and Mercado Juarez restaurants and, after seeking a better guacamole to serve his diners, he invented the Wholly Guacamole food brand that is so popular today.
With so much to give, the Bowdens wanted to help others not just during their lifetime but well beyond. They connected with the North Texas Community Foundation (NTCF), an organization that drives meaningful change through charitable investment.
NTCF helps donors meet community needs by providing tax-efficient strategies to support the causes they care about most. Serving a network of more than 300 generous individuals, families and businesses, the foundation creates custom giving strategies to fulfill each donor’s unique charitable goals. Not only does NTCF cultivate trusted relationships with community partners to better serve its donors, the foundation also helps donors leave a lasting legacy for their selected causes and charities.
Last year, NTCF and its donors granted $39 million to 1,230 nonprofit organizations across 11 North Texas counties. Donors support a range of causes—from animal welfare, children’s charities and the arts to housing, education and beyond. The organization works with philanthropists, foundations, corporations and nonprofits in North Texas, supporting donors and fostering meaningful connections between donors and their passions. In addition to awarding grants, North Texas Community Foundation supports special initiatives that address local challenges and encourage smart philanthropy.
“At the core of everything we do is a network of generous individuals, families and businesses intent on shaping the future of North Texas for good, forever,” says Rose Bradshaw, president and CEO. “It’s amazing to see how motivated these people are to give to others.”
Another local philanthropist, Mrs. Ella C. McFadden, chose to leave a significant portion of her estate to form an endowment benefitting Tarrant County nonprofit agencies for years to come. Almost 60 years after her passing, Mrs. McFadden’s gift continues impacting the work of the local nonprofits she contributed to during her lifetime. Each year, a pre-established percentage of her trust is distributed to 13 permanently-selected charities.
About 80% of referrals come to NTCF from individuals’ and families’ investment advisors or tax planners. In addition to the charitable funds that NTCF stewards, the foundation also manages a variety of competitive grant cycles, powered by the generosity of donors. Donors live all across the Metroplex, including the Southlake and Westlake communities.
While most donations benefit North Texas charities, donors also come together for causes outside the local community as needed. Through NTCF, they have raised $4 million to help rebuild Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Donors helped the hurricane victims of Hawaii, and one Westlake-area donor has provided support to elderly families in Japan since the devastating 2011 tsunami swept away towns, homes and livelihoods.
Through the North Texas Community Foundation, so many of our friends, neighbors and local business associates are helping to build a better future for others.
For more information on the North Texas Community Foundation and how you can make an impact through planned gifts to the charitable organizations that most touch your heart, visit https://northtexascf.org/.
Give a gift today. Give a gift that keeps giving for the future.