State Fair gives funds to nonprofits

Dallas—The State Fair of Texas announced that in 2023, 101 organizations serving the South Dallas/Fair Park area received more than $662,000 in project funding through community grants and sponsorships.

“The State Fair of Texas was proud to welcome more than 2.3 million visitors through the gates in 2023, as each and every one of those fairgoers contributed to fulfilling our nonprofit mission of community involvement,” Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president, said. “Our Community Giving Program recognizes organizations in need who prove their commitment and impact in the South Dallas area. We are grateful that the success of our annual 24-day exposition allows us to continue our giving efforts and presents the opportunity to collaborate with these organizations with the common goal of giving back to our community.”

The State Fair received a competitive pool of grant and sponsorship applications in 2023. Applications were reviewed by a committee composed of a diverse group of stakeholders. Applicants are selected according to their alignment with the Fair’s focus on education, capacity building, economic development, and food security, targeting other nonprofit organizations serving Fair Park’s neighboring zip codes. Criteria for approval include assessing the program’s impact in the South Dallas area, collaborations with other local entities, program design along with its implementation and evaluation methods, and overall sustainability of the program.

The State Fair of Texas continues to expand outreach programs, with a priority of promoting community involvement at the local level. In addition to grants and sponsorships, there are several initiatives the Fair has developed and continues to invest in, such as Community Engagement Days, Big Tex Urban Farms, NEXT Fest, and the Big Tex Business Master Class.

While 2023 financials are not finalized yet, in 2022 alone, the State Fair of Texas contributed nearly $18.5 million through philanthropic and Fair Park giving. This includes philanthropic giving, funding for upkeep and historical preservation of Fair Park, annual rent to the city of Dallas with the agreement the funds go towards Fair Park, and funding for other Fair Park Improvements and State Fair Operations.