The King Foundation, based in Dallas, TX, is committed to lifting up those in need.
Their widespread generosity leaves us in awe…and because their founders believed strongly in “giving without fanfare,” you’ll never see them draw attention to any of the ways they help others. But making a difference this big deserves some awareness, if not major applause, so we decided to shine a spotlight on them and thank the King Foundation for all that they do.
A History Of Giving
Founded by Carl and Florence King in 1966, the King Foundation was born from the lucrative legacy of the couple’s oil business in West Texas. The Kings firmly believed that the “region whose resources contribute so much to the Foundation’s prosperity should continue to benefit from them.” For over sixty years, the King Foundation has generously supported community efforts and larger charitable initiatives in Texas and Arkansas, two states that were near and dear to Carl and Florence’s hearts.
Generosity Towards Those In Need
(Florence and Carl King. Image courtesy of the King Foundation)
Carl and Florence’s founding vision was to balance their philanthropic efforts between fostering future opportunities and, as they said it themselves, “putting shoes on people’s feet.” In other words, helping stabilize those in immediate need and providing long-term solutions to widespread issues. By bequeathing their mineral properties to the Foundation, the Kings set up their organization to improve the lives of countless people in need for years to come. Today, the King Foundation awards multiple grants between $15,000 and $250,000 annually.
The foundation’s Community Grants focus on aging populations, arts & culture organizations, children and youth, the economically disadvantaged, and educational and nonprofit efforts. Meanwhile, they also dedicate one-third of their budget to Initiative Grants that support larger organizations (like Endeavors!) serving the same geographic regions. One of the foundation’s focuses for these larger grants is serving Veterans and military families facing homelessness or in need of mental health services.
One of the ways they help Veterans is by providing transportation to mental health appointments. Sometimes the biggest obstacle for a Veteran seeking mental health care is a logistical issue so many of us take for granted. Transportation, for instance. While many people can easily drive, catch a bus, or call a ride-share service to make therapy appointments, that’s not such a feasible reality for low-income Veterans or Veterans experiencing homelessness. Fortunately, the King Foundation found a simple solution for Veterans struggling to access our mental health services: provide hundreds of DART transit passes directly to the Department of Social Work to provide Veterans the resources to access the treatment they need.
Preventing Veteran Homelessness
Endeavors has been incredibly fortunate to receive multiple Initiative Grants from the King Foundation. Their grants supplement our Supportive Services for Veterans and Families programs in North Texas, which provide Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Services to Veterans and their families. These programs include outreach, case management, help in obtaining VA benefits, emergency financial assistance for rent & utilities, and assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits. Our goal is to rapidly re-house Veterans experiencing homelessness, and prevent homelessness for very low-income, at-risk Veteran families.
Due to the structure and policies of the SSVF grants that fund these programs, there are some Veterans who we are unable to serve with SSVF dollars. That’s where the King Foundation comes in. No former service member or their family members should ever be on the streets. Through their generosity, we are able to close that funding gap and serve many more Veterans and military families desperately in need.
Serving Veterans Hindered By Medical Needs
The support of the King Foundation also allows us to assist Veterans seeking medical treatment. Oftentimes the cost and time it takes to receive medical treatment can impede a patient’s ability to pay for vital expenses, such as rent and utilities. For example, a patient undergoing rehabilitative therapy may be unable to return to work, therefore lowering their income temporarily or indefinitely.
Grants from the King Foundation provide a solution to this problem. Their grants allow our team to coordinate with the Department of Social Work at the North Texas VA Health System to provide rental assistance to patients unable to work while receiving or recovering from treatment. Because no one should have to choose between their health and their home.
Partners In Service To Others
We want to give our heartfelt thanks to the King Foundation for their dedication to serving those who serve our nation…our Veterans and military families. Through their continued support and generosity, we can further our mission of preventing Veteran homelessness in Texas.
About Endeavors
Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit www.endeavors.org.