Texarkana, Texas – On Tuesday night the Texarkana Area Community Foundation (TACF) celebrated four decades of service to the ArkLaTex region with a grant‑presentation ceremony at the Regional Arts Center, 321 W 4th St. The event highlighted the foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening families, churches, and local charities that uphold traditional values.
Grant awards support a broad range of community needs
During the ceremony, TACF executive director Ken Cox announced that the foundation distributed 60 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Texarkana. The grants totalled $123,890, while the Goesl Endowment contributed an additional 22 checks worth $13,400. In all, $137,290 was handed out to groups that provide essential services such as youth mentorship, senior assistance, faith‑based outreach, and family‑centered programs.
“It’s always so inspiring to see the workers from the nonprofits,” Cox said. “To get to do something positive for them, like hand them a check, it’s just a wonderful feeling.” His remarks underscored the foundation’s belief that charitable giving fuels the moral and economic fabric of the community.
How the foundation selects its recipients
Grant applications opened in July, inviting local organizations to submit proposals that demonstrate clear impact on families, churches, and civic life. A review panel evaluated each submission based on criteria such as financial stewardship, measurable outcomes, and alignment with the foundation’s mission to promote a thriving, faith‑grounded community.
Recipients this year include a youth sports league that provides safe, affordable recreation for children, a food‑bank partnership that expands access to nutritious meals for low‑income families, and a church‑led counseling program that offers marriage and parenting support. Each award reflects TACF’s focus on initiatives that reinforce the traditional family unit and encourage volunteerism.
Looking ahead to the next 40 years
As the foundation looks to the future, Cox emphasized plans to increase the endowment and expand grant opportunities to more grassroots groups. “Our goal is to keep investing in the people and institutions that keep Texarkana strong,” he said. The celebration also featured remarks from longtime community leaders who praised the foundation’s role in fostering a culture of generosity and self‑reliance.
Local residents who attended the event expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, noting that the grants enable nonprofits to continue offering services that align with Christian values and the importance of family. The ceremony concluded with a call for continued partnership among donors, volunteers, and civic leaders to ensure that Texarkana remains a place where families can prosper and faith can flourish.
About the Texarkana Area Community Foundation
Founded in 1986, TACF is a private, nonprofit grant‑making organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Texarkana region. Through its annual grant program and the Goesl Endowment, the foundation channels private philanthropy into projects that support education, health, arts, and community development, all while upholding the values of faith, family, and individual liberty.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
