Part 2 of this discussion focuses on capital campaigns and end-of-year campaigns. Part 1 of this discussion focused on North Texas Giving Day and peer-to-peer fundraising and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcw2fM0l2pQ&t=95s. Candice Gayl is an independent consultant, providing operational and revenue-generating expertise to clients in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. An Air Force veteran, Candice specializes in program development and capacity-building, and she works with organizations to create and execute fundraising plans, establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders and funders, and craft location-based strategies for effective program implementation. Her entrepreneurial senior executive background consistently results in developing six- and seven-figure funding streams for her employers and clients, including Bellwether Education Partners, National Math and Science Initiative, GreatSchools, and the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. Candice holds a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from Strayer University and serves on the board of Beacon House in Washington, DC. Dr. Amy Britton is a professional major gift officer and organization development consultant. Britton holds a doctoral degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. A Dallas native, she has more than 20 years of experience helping organizations maximize their potential and grow in their missional space. Britton has served previously with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, Camp Summit, Inc., and the National Center for Policy Analysis. She is also an executive board member for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and serves on the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation Board.

Learn about our September activities with North Texas Giving Day, Grand Prairie United Charities, and Grand Prairie Host Lions Club, and hear news and needs from Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club, The Nicklas Foundation, And Children First Counseling Center all in less than six minutes!

Part 1 of this discussion focuses on North Texas Giving Day and peer-to-peer fundraising. Part 2 will premiere in October 2021. Candice Gayl is an independent consultant, providing operational and revenue-generating expertise to clients in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. An Air Force veteran, Candice specializes in program development and capacity-building, and she works with organizations to create and execute fundraising plans, establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders and funders, and craft location-based strategies for effective program implementation. Her entrepreneurial senior executive background consistently results in developing six- and seven-figure funding streams for her employers and clients, including Bellwether Education Partners, National Math and Science Initiative, GreatSchools, and the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. Candice holds a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from Strayer University and serves on the board of Beacon House in Washington, DC. Dr. Amy Britton is a professional major gift officer and organization development consultant. Britton holds a doctoral degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. A Dallas native, she has more than 20 years of experience helping organizations maximize their potential and grow in their missional space. Britton has served previously with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, Camp Summit, Inc., and the National Center for Policy Analysis. She is also an executive board member for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and serves on the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation Board.

In just over five minutes, learn about how Hope 4 All raised awareness, volunteered, made financial contributions, and collaborated with other nonprofits in August. This video features community news and needs from Children First Counseling Center, David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation, Grand Prairie Family YMCA, Grand Prairie Host Lions Club, Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club, Grand Prairie United Charities, and LifeLine for Families. Learn more about Hope 4 all at www.hope4all.us.

The More We Play Together: An Illustrative Case Study Exploring Community Engagement at PlayGrand Adventures All-Abilities Playground Play is an important part of childhood with physical, cognitive, and social developmental benefits. Three in four Americans live within walking distance of a park or recreation center, affording opportunities for many to play, socialize, and enjoy the health benefits of being in nature (National Recreation and Parks Association, 2020). While federal laws provide minimum standards for accessibility, people with disabilities face inequities at public playgrounds. The law allows play spaces to be designed for typically-developing children rather than enforcing equity, supporting inferior design and social acceptance of the status quo. As the first all-abilities playground in Grand Prairie, Texas, PlayGrand Adventures tackles these issues head-on by designing the playground specifically for inclusive play (Bunn et al., 2021). This illustrative case study explores and describes community engagement at PlayGrand Adventures through the lenses of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986) and Gibson’s Affordance Theory (1979). Together, these theories support the need for inviting play spaces that afford personal agency, social belonging, and community engagement, regardless of one’s physical or developmental abilities. The reciprocal roles of environment, person, and perception influence both playground engagement and sustainability. This study begins with a questionnaire then utilizes purposive criterion-based sampling to identify participants for follow-up semi-structured interviews. Concurrent playground observations utilize a consistent protocol to collect data on categories of people who visit the playground, which features are used, and how features are utilized. All data are collected, coded, and analyzed utilizing the data spiral (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Recommendations, based on findings, provide guidance on design and engagement for future phases of development at PlayGrand Adventures. This case study lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of all-abilities playgrounds as a solution to the systemic underserving of people with disabilities in the United States. The final report is the first step to a roadmap to guide inclusive playground development and implementation in other regions of the country. Replication of this study in different regions and at a larger scale fills a gap in academic scholarship on inclusive playgrounds in the United States and increases opportunities for inclusive play and therapeutic recreation. Dr. Taylor D. Bunn Baylor University School of Educations, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, EdD Learning and Organizational Change

The number of businesses in our minority communities continues to grow but access to capital & other entrepreneurial development opportunities for minority-owned businesses is limited. Stars United Global Outreach works tirelessly to provide local youth with life and leadership skills through strong mentors, role models, and tools to gain self-esteem, self-awareness, and financial literacy. ​ Stars United Global Outreach works with at-risk youth to deliver high-impact training by empowering, equipping, and mobilizing them to create social change and break barriers. Through our programs and workshops, we develop our youth in life skills, leadership skills, and financial literacy with a keen focus on entrepreneurship & economic development. We also provide our students with strong mentors and positive role models. Our goal is to ensure that we create a positive atmosphere that leads to an increase in the quality of life for our youth & ultimately leads them in the best direction to make sound educational plans, career goals & become future leaders in their communities. According to the U.S. Senate committee on small business & entrepreneurship, minorities make up 32 percent of our population but minority business ownership represents only 18 percent of the population. With your support, we can change that by delivering high-impact training to empower, equip, & mobilize at-risk youth allowing them to create social change and break barriers! Diversity is one of our nation's greatest strengths, & diverse small-business ownership is essential to our nation's continued economic success & growth! Learn more at www.starsunitedgobaloutreach.org.

Watch this 7-minute video to learn about Hope 4 All's July 2021 activities and hear news and needs from organizations including Children First, Grand Prairie Family YMCA, Grand Prairie United Charities, and Stars United Global Outreach. Volunteer with us: www.hope4all.us/volunteer Donate: www.hope4all.us/donate Apply for support: www.hope4all.us/apply-for-support