Early Giving Starts Thursday, August 27, 2026
North Texas Giving Day is a chance to support the organizations making a difference in our communities—and families have plenty of local causes to choose from.
In 2025, more than 100,000 North Texans donated $78 million to more than 3,500 nonprofits through North Texas Giving Day. The 2026 giving season begins with Early Giving on Thursday, August 27, leading up to North Texas Giving Day on Thursday, September 17.
If you’re looking for a way to give back as a family, we’ve put together a list of North Texas nonprofits doing work that directly benefits children, families, students and young people.
You don’t have to make a huge donation to make a difference. Even a small gift can help provide a book, support a child-centered program, provide a safe place for a family, or help a student succeed in school.
🌱 How North Texas Giving Day Works
North Texas Giving Day is organized by the Communities Foundation of Texas and brings thousands of North Texas nonprofits together on one giving platform.
Early Giving: Thursday, August 27 – Wednesday, September 16, 2026
North Texas Giving Day: Thursday, September 17, 2026
One of the best things about Early Giving is that you don’t have to wait until September 17 to donate. You can choose your favorite organizations and make your gifts during the early-giving period.
You can also search NorthTexasGivingDay.org by cause to discover organizations that match your family’s interests.
❤️ 1. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Best for: Helping children heal from abuse
The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) provides specialized services for children who have experienced sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or witnessed violent crime.
DCAC coordinates investigations and provides services including forensic interviews, trauma-informed therapy and family assistance—all at no cost to families.
The organization served more than 12,000 children and family members last year and is the only nonprofit in Dallas County involved in the investigation of crimes against children.
Your donation can help fund tangible things that make a difficult experience a little easier for a child. For example, DCAC lists gifts that can help provide court-readiness bags, clothing and stuffed animals, forensic interviews, therapy and even specialized programs such as C.H.A.M.P. Camp.
Why families might choose DCAC: It’s a powerful way to teach children that communities can come together to protect and support other children.
📚 2. United to Learn
Best for: Supporting Dallas students and schools
United to Learn works with Dallas ISD elementary schools to help educators and students thrive.
The organization currently supports more than 61,600 students and focuses on closing opportunity gaps through community partnerships and resources for schools.
And the impact of donations can be surprisingly tangible.
According to United to Learn’s 2026 North Texas Giving Day campaign, a $6 donation can provide a book for a child, while $20 can provide an hour of literacy tutoring. Larger gifts can support teacher grants, classroom resources, reading spaces and campus projects.
Why families might choose United to Learn: If your family believes every child deserves access to books, supportive teachers and a strong start in school, this is a great education-focused option.
🏠 3. Family Gateway
Best for: Helping families experiencing homelessness
Family Gateway works specifically with families with children experiencing homelessness.
The organization provides emergency shelter, supportive housing and case management while helping families connect with employment, education, childcare and other resources.
Family Gateway is currently facing significant demand. Its Dallas/Collin County emergency shelter is full, and the organization is helping additional families stay in hotels while they work toward stable housing.
Why families might choose Family Gateway: A donation can help provide something every child deserves—a safe place to sleep and a stable environment in which to grow.
🌱 4. Vogel | Where Children Soar
Best for: Early childhood and families experiencing poverty or homelessness
Vogel provides early childhood education and family support to children and families experiencing poverty, homelessness or housing instability.
Its programs combine early childhood education with wraparound services such as mental health support, therapy and career assistance for parents.
Vogel currently operates three locations, including centers serving families connected to emergency shelter and a location at The Shops at RedBird.
Why families might choose Vogel: Early childhood experiences can shape a child’s future, and Vogel takes a two-generation approach that supports both children and their parents.
🏊 5. YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Best for: Youth programs, swimming, camps and healthy activities
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has been part of the North Texas community for 140 years and focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
For kids, that includes programs such as swim lessons, after-school programs and summer camps. The Dallas Y also provides financial assistance and scholarships so that cost doesn’t prevent families from participating.
Why families might choose the YMCA: If your family has benefited from a swim lesson, camp, sports program or other YMCA activity, North Texas Giving Day is an opportunity to help another child have access to those experiences.
🎨 6. Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas
Best for: Empowering girls
Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas serves girls ages 6–24, with a particular focus on girls from low-income and under-resourced communities.
Its programs focus on helping girls become Strong, Smart and Bold, with programming around academics, healthy living, leadership, STEM and economic mobility. The organization serves more than 4,500 girls annually, with 85% coming from low-income households.
Why families might choose Girls Inc.: It’s an opportunity to invest directly in girls’ confidence, education, leadership skills and future opportunities.
🏡 7. Dallas CASA
Best for: Children in foster care
Dallas CASA trains and supports volunteer advocates who speak up for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are living in protective care.
CASA volunteers advocate for children’s safety and help courts understand their individual needs, including educational, medical and therapeutic needs.
Dallas CASA reported that in 2025, 1,016 volunteers advocated for 2,340 children in protective care.
Why families might choose Dallas CASA: Every child deserves an adult who knows their story, listens to them and advocates for their best interests.
🧑🤝🧑 8. Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star
Best for: Mentoring and relationships
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star focuses on one-to-one mentoring relationships designed to help young people build confidence and reach their potential.
The organization expects to serve more than 3,000 matches across North Texas this year. Donations help cover the background checks, safety training and professional support needed to create and maintain those mentoring relationships.
Why families might choose Big Brothers Big Sisters: Sometimes the most important thing a young person needs is a consistent adult who believes in them.
🎭 9. Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas
Best for: Inclusive activities and family support
The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas provides information, resources, educational programs and support to people with Down syndrome and their families.
The organization currently serves more than 2,700 families in the Dallas metropolitan area. Its programs include social and educational opportunities as well as adaptive activities such as iCan Swim and iCan Bike.
The organization is also working toward expanding adaptive programming to include opportunities such as dance and action sports.
Why families might choose DSGD: It’s a great option for families who want their giving to support inclusion, accessibility and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
👧 10. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Best for: Building confidence, leadership and life skills
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas helps girls develop the skills, confidence and connections they need to become leaders in their own lives and communities.
Through Girl Scout programs, girls have opportunities to explore STEM, entrepreneurship, outdoor activities, financial literacy, leadership, community service and more. Girls can participate in experiences with other girls while building friendships, trying new things and discovering their interests.
Why families might choose Girl Scouts: If you want your daughter to build confidence, independence and leadership skills while having fun and making friends, Girl Scouts offers opportunities to learn by doing and grow at her own pace.
A North Texas Giving Day donation can help provide girls with access to programs, experiences and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for their families.
🌟 You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
One of the great things about North Texas Giving Day is the variety.
Maybe education is important to your family. Maybe you want to support children experiencing homelessness. Maybe your child loves sports, reading, art or summer camp. Or perhaps you want to support an organization helping children who are going through something especially difficult.
There isn’t one “right” cause.
Choose something your family cares about.
You can even involve your kids in the decision. Give them a few organizations to learn about and let them choose one they’d like to support. For younger children, you might turn it into a simple family lesson about generosity: Who would you like to help, and why?
And remember, your donation doesn’t have to be large.
A few dollars can provide a book. A larger gift can help fund a classroom, therapy, a mentoring relationship or a child’s participation in an activity.
🌱 Weekend Sprout Tip
Make North Texas Giving Day a family tradition.
Instead of simply donating and moving on, choose one organization together, learn what it does and talk with your kids about why you decided to support it.
Then, when Early Giving opens on Thursday, August 27, make your family’s donation together.
📅 Save These Dates
Thursday, August 27, 2026
🌱 Early Giving Begins
Thursday, September 17, 2026
💚 North Texas Giving Day
You can browse participating nonprofits and donate through NorthTexasGivingDay.org, which serves as the central giving platform for the event.
Whether you give $5, $25 or $500, you’re helping strengthen the community where our children live, learn and grow.
Happy giving, Dallas families! 💚🌱
Weekend Sprout has highlighted organizations based on their current 2026 North Texas Giving Day profiles and their work with children, youth or families. Families should review each nonprofit’s current information before donating to determine which organization best matches their values and interests.
