The Fort Worth Opera can find people excited to donate money to put performers onstage, make costumes and build sets.
But to buy new computers and upgrade software? Not so much.Nonprofits that promote the arts or social services sometimes struggle to find money for what some organization leaders call "the less sexy" tools of their mission, like technology, outreach, marketing plans or even stage lighting.That's why the Community Foundation of North Texas is distributing money to help nonprofits pay for infrastructure important to their operations.The foundation celebrated its awarding of $425,000 in "toolbox" grants to 39 Tarrant County nonprofits during a reception Tuesday at the Thistle Hill mansion."The money is very helpful because unless you are doing a big capital campaign, it is much easier to sell [to donors] the art that we are doing," said Keith A. Wolfe, managing director of the opera. "You can't sell naming rights to a new computer."Nancy E. Jones, foundation president, said the foundation created the grants last year because officials knew nonprofits were having trouble with infrastructure costs, particularly in the struggling economy.The foundation received about $600,000 in grant requests, she said. Most grants awarded were for $10,000 to $15,000.They include technology upgrades at CASA of Tarrant County, box-office software at the Jubilee Theatre and a marketing video for Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth."This is mostly for internal things they don't have in budgets," Jones said. "But also things that they really need."Barbara Lamsens, executive director of the Parenting Center, said the organization will use a $13,681 grant to pay for a professionally designed website. Two of the organization's previous websites have failed, one designed by some business students and one by a staff member who has left the organization."A lot of our clients register for services through our website and they pay through our website," Lamsens said. "When the website is down, people have trouble accessing us."The organization also plans to offer new online classes and webinars, she said.The Fort Worth Opera has also had computer problems, officials said. Some opera computers failed during the 2011 season -- their busiest time of the year.Previously, the opera had replaced aging computer equipment quickly, Wolfe said. But after the economy soured and money tightened in 2008, the organization made do with older equipment so money could be spent on maintaining the quality of the productions.The Fort Worth Opera will use a $15,000 grant to upgrade its computer equipment, as well as a database of patrons. "This money will really help us operate more efficiently," Wolfe said.Guardianship Services will use $11,000 to redesign its workplace. As its staff has grown, the organization squeezed in donated desks to create makeshift offices, said Marnie Stites, director of marketing and resource development.With the help of a professional space planner, the agency will buy efficient cubicle furnishings and revamp a conference room so officials can hold training sessions.Ideally, the changes will help the organization reduce the size of the space it is renting."We're hoping to make it so our office space is no longer a maze," Stites said. "This is a huge, huge help."Alex Branch, 817-390-7689North Texas Giving Day
Besides celebrating the toolbox grants Tuesday, the Community Foundation of North Texas also announced the results of North Texas Giving Day. On Sept. 15, online donations to nonprofits were met with a partial match from several foundations. More than $1.6 million was received from 2,196 donors benefiting 92 nonprofits in Tarrant County. That's up from $109,979 in 2010 when few Tarrant County organizations participated.
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
