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UNIVERSAL GRANT APPLICATION

DESIGNING HOPE FOUNDATION

 

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Legal Name: Designing Hope Foundation
Organization Type: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Tax-Exempt Status: Approved
EIN: 45-3621484
Year Founded: 2015
Primary NAICS Code: 611430 – Professional and Workforce Development Training

Principal Administrative Office:
Dallas, Texas

Primary Service Area:
Dallas County, Cass County, Bowie County, and Hopkins County, Texas

Website: www.thedesigninghopefoundation.org
Contact Name & Title: Linda Rowe Thomas, Founder / Executive Director
Email: info@thedesigninghopefoundation.org
Phone: [682] 214.8986

ORGANIZATION MISSION

Designing Hope Foundation empowers individuals and communities to break barriers, build resilience, and create lasting impact through education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity. Our work supports personal growth, workforce readiness, leadership development, and recovery after adversity, transforming potential into purpose and strengthening communities.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Designing Hope Foundation is a Texas-based nonprofit organization serving rural and underserved communities through education, workforce development, entrepreneurship training, youth leadership, and resilience-focused programming. Founded by award-winning designer, philanthropist, and burn survivor Linda Rowe Thomas, the organization integrates lived experience with practical solutions that help individuals heal, grow, and become active contributors to their communities.

Our programs address gaps in access to education, economic mobility, and long-term recovery by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world pathways forward.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Communities across Texas—particularly rural and underserved regions—face persistent barriers to education, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and access to supportive recovery services. These challenges are compounded for individuals navigating adversity, including youth, survivors, and adults seeking economic stability.

Without targeted intervention, these gaps limit opportunity, weaken local economies, and prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. Designing Hope Foundation addresses these challenges by providing accessible, inclusive, and practical programs that support both personal resilience and community advancement.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Designing Hope Foundation delivers a tiered ecosystem of programs that guide participants from education to innovation to opportunity, including:

  • AI READY Academy: Workforce readiness, digital skills, and future-focused education

  • Project ELEVATE: Entrepreneurship training and business development support

  • NextGen Innovators Lab: Youth coding, STEM, and innovation programming

  • Phoenix Rising Initiative: Burn survivor aftercare, emotional support, education, and vocational pathways

Programs are delivered through workshops, mentorship, community partnerships, and digital resources.

TARGET POPULATION

  • Youth and young adults

  • Adults seeking workforce readiness or entrepreneurship pathways

  • Survivors navigating recovery and rebuilding independence

  • Individuals from rural, underserved, and marginalized communities

FUNDING REQUEST

Amount Requested: $[Insert Amount]

Use of Funds:
Grant funds will support startup and relaunch activities, including:

  • Program development and delivery

  • Curriculum and educational resources

  • Technology and digital tools

  • Community outreach and engagement

  • Staffing and contractor support

  • Organizational infrastructure and capacity building

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Funding will enable Designing Hope Foundation to:

  • Launch and expand core programs

  • Increase access to education and workforce pathways

  • Support personal resilience and confidence-building

  • Strengthen community leadership and economic participation

  • Establish measurable outcomes and sustainable operations

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

Designing Hope Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors and operates with financial oversight, internal controls, and compliance policies consistent with federal and state requirements. The organization maintains a Conflict of Interest Policy and adheres to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of funds.

EVALUATION & MEASUREMENT

Program success is measured through:

  • Participant enrollment and completion

  • Skill development and certification outcomes

  • Employment, entrepreneurship, or education placement

  • Participant feedback and satisfaction

  • Community engagement metrics

Evaluation methods are scaled appropriately to the size and scope of each funded program.

SUSTAINABILITY

Designing Hope Foundation is committed to long-term sustainability through diversified funding, including grants, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and community fundraising. Grant funding will establish foundational systems and pilot programs that position the organization for continued growth and future investment.

CERTIFICATIONS & COMPLIANCE

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

  • Non-discrimination policy in place

  • Conflict of Interest Policy adopted

  • Financial oversight and recordkeeping maintained

  • Assets dedicated exclusively to charitable purposes

AUTHORIZATION

I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

 

Authorized Representative:
Linda Rowe Thomas
Founder / Executive Director
Designing Hope Foundation

Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________________________

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