By Anthony Council
Correspondent
The Dallas County Promise, in collaboration with Dallas College and The Commit Partnership, is set to transform student success and economic mobility in North Texas with an unprecedented $60 million investment from the O’Donnell Foundation.
The investment, one of the largest in North Texas education history, focuses on assisting disadvantaged students and expanding access to higher education and workforce programs.
Of the $60 million, 50% will go toward Commit’s efforts to strengthen middle and high school advising, improve data systems, and coordinate with employers to align education with workforce needs.
This includes a $5 million challenge grant to support data activation and foster alignment between K-12 education, higher education, and industry demands.
The remaining $30 million will fund tuition-free scholarships for high-need students, and expand support for adult learners, parents of Promise students, and participants in workforce training programs.
“Dallas College is in the barrier-busting business, and the Dallas County Promise, in its seven years of existence, has proven that it is an effective approach for helping students overcome the barriers they face just before they reach our doorstep,” said Justin Lonon, Dallas College Chancellor. “Expanding this partnership is a natural continuation of our relentless focus on what works best for the students we’re honored to serve.”
Additionally, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Moody Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and The BlackRock Foundation have supported this transformative initiative.
Claire Chamberlain, president of The BlackRock Foundation, stressed the importance of providing students with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.
“Working with local education and nonprofit leaders to empower the next generation workforce is critical to economic security and prosperity,” Chamberlain said.
Aside from individual student success, this initiative is projected to add billions of dollars to Dallas County’s regional economy. The effort positions Dallas County as a national leader in job growth and economic mobility by cultivating talent and aligning educational pathways with workforce opportunities.
“The Dallas County Promise holds the potential to become a national exemplar for materially improving postsecondary access and completion thanks to its thoughtful, comprehensive approach,” said William Solomon, chairman, president, and CEO of the O’Donnell Foundation.
In the end, this initiative by the O’Donnell Foundation has the potential to significantly impact the future earnings of students currently enrolled in more than 100 public high schools across Dallas County, as well as those attending Dallas College.
By bridging education and workforce opportunities, the Dallas County Promise is not only reshaping the future for countless students but also strengthening the economic foundation of Dallas County for generations to come.
Correspondent
