The Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) has announced a $10 million investment targeting education initiatives across the Dallas area, with a focus on reducing chronic absenteeism in schools and re-engaging young adults disconnected from education and employment. The funding was revealed at a Wednesday event and is set to support multiple local organizations, including For Oak Cliff, Educate Texas, The Dallas Foundation, and United to Learn, a nonprofit aligned with Dallas Independent School District (DISD). The package also includes $2 million in scholarships for over 400 students.

Among the key components is a $2 million commitment to a chronic absenteeism initiative spearheaded by For Oak Cliff. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing at least 10% of school days annually, remains a significant challenge in Texas despite declines over the past three years. According to the Texas Education Agency, rates are still notably higher than pre-pandemic levels. The initiative will concentrate on improving attendance in middle schools across South Dallas, south Oak Cliff, and the Wilmer-Hutchins area, where some schools report absenteeism rates as high as 49%, far exceeding the state average. Nearly 20% of Texas students were chronically absent in the 2024-25 school year.

DISD trustee Byron Sanders emphasized the importance of community engagement to address absenteeism. He noted that interventions must extend beyond schools to places where children spend time outside the classroom, such as churches, community centers, and food pantries. Building relationships with informal community leaders who understand students’ circumstances is crucial, Sanders said, highlighting that many community efforts already exist but have lacked strong connections with school officials. Progress will be measured through real-time monitoring of daily attendance records.

For Oak Cliff’s recent “Go to School” campaign demonstrated positive results in raising attendance at two middle schools, and cofounder Taylor Toynes said the new funding will facilitate expansion to additional campuses. Toynes stressed the value of proximity and direct communication with teachers and students to tailor strategies to each school’s culture.

Beyond absenteeism, CFT allocated $1.3 million to Educate Texas’ Opportunity Youth Collective, a program designed to support young adults who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the workforce. The collective aims to collaborate with nonprofits and employers to foster pathways to economic mobility. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has reported that the population of "disconnected youth" reached record levels even before the pandemic, a trend worsened by the combined effects of stagnant school enrollment and declining labor force participation.

Sanders linked efforts to reduce absenteeism with broader strategies to engage disconnected youth, emphasizing that schools must do more than retain students—they must adequately serve them to promote success and improved life outcomes.

Additionally, CFT is investing $3.7 million in Educate Texas’ AI + Education Collaborative, an initiative focused on integrating responsible artificial intelligence use in classrooms. Jason Green, senior director of AI strategy at Educate Texas, highlighted how AI’s capabilities challenge traditional assignments, calling for education models that prioritize critical thinking and problem-solving over rote tasks. Sanders echoed this perspective, suggesting the rise of AI presents an opportunity for schools to innovate and emphasize skill-building that AI cannot replicate.

Wayne White, CFT president and CEO, framed the foundation’s investment as essential to fostering opportunity and growth across North Texas, underscoring education as a key driver of mobility and community vitality.