$300 raised by 2 donors
6% complete
$5,000 Goal
The "I Have A Dream" Foundation works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their potential, and achieve their dreams. We empower children (“Dreamers”) in under-served communities to graduate from high school by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the postsecondary path of their choice, along with guaranteed tuition support to remove financial barriers. Dreamers are not only empowered to choose the academic and life trajectory most fulfilling for them, their success has a broader impact on their families and the generations that follow.
IHDF works with Dreamers after school, on the weekends, and over the summer for over ten years, developing long-term relationships with Dreamers and their families. We provide academic and social emotional support to Dreamers, equipping them with the confidence and life skills needed to pursue their most ambitious dreams.
IHDF – Dallas has been serving Dallas since 1987. We currently work with 28 secondary and post-secondary-aged Dreamers as well as countless alumni.
In 2023, we began recruiting our newest class of first grade Dreamers from Maple Lawn Elementary. We look forward to carrying out our vision each day, empowering all of our Dreamers to be active members of their community, succeed in school, and reach for their most ambitious goals.
The mission of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation - Dallas is to empower children from under-resourced communities to succeed in school, college, and career by providing academic, social, and emotional support from elementary school through college, along with postsecondary tuition assistance.
As quoted from our Foundation President and CEO, Eugena Oh: Our goal at “I Have A Dream” Foundation is to continue to serve our Dreamer Scholars with high quality programming and to serve even more Dreamers in our current communities and beyond. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our programming necessarily shifted to meet our Dreamer Scholars and families where they are by filling more critical gaps that have been created as a consequence of the economic fallout of the pandemic. Initially we focused more on food insecurity and economic hardship, as well as shifting to a virtual platform. Now, as the post-pandemic school years are underway, it is clear that our children will need additional supports to fill academic and educational gaps, as well as continued social services including food and nutritional support and mental health services. As ever, we are working to meet our Dreamer Scholars and families where they are and lining up additional resources to ensure that our Dreamer Scholars continue to have their needs met and have the opportunity, resources, and inspiration to learn and thrive in an incredibly challenging environment.
Connection and Community
At the heart of "I Have A Dream"'s identity are strong, trusting relationships and a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability among staff, board, partners, families, and volunteers. We want to form authentic and enduring relationships. We want to be genuine about what we stand for and who we are. We believe that this is a capstone for the foundation of continued success and growth.
Strengths-based, holistic, and mission-aligned
Respect for the agency, well-being, and dignity of our students and families is paramount in how we communicate - about their lives, the importance of education and life-skills, and the impact that "I Have A Dream" achieves. "I Have A Dream"’s mission, and the organization’s development strategies and approach celebrate the community we serve. We strive to create change rather than a sense of charity or pity. We do not pursue a funding opportunity if it comes at the expense of our students and families. In order to serve our community better, we encourage one another to engage in discussions regarding wealth and educational disparities caused by systemic injustice.
Collaboration and mutual support with school districts and housing authorities
"I Have A Dream" works in the context of a partnership and fiscal sponsorship model with school districts and housing authorities. We work closely with school district and housing authority leadership and with their development and business offices to deepen our unique relationship and to communicate, coordinate, and mutually support one another’s efforts. We share information, leverage expertise and resources, and fulfill key fiscal, operational, and programmatic expectations.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
We thoughtfully steward our resources to ensure program continuity and long-term fiduciary stability and sustainability. When weighing development initiatives, "I Have A Dream"'s board and staff carefully consider the costs and benefits. Decisions about any new opportunities are made in the context of the organization’s capacity, strategic priorities, and ongoing development programs, with focus on the most efficient and effective use of available resources. We are honest and transparent with our donors about the extent of the resources, time, and full financing needed to implement their ideas and wishes.
Continuous Learning
We are continually building the board’s and staff’s development expertise and capacity and learning how to effectively build and sustain support for "I Have A Dream". We seek out guidance and models from mission-aligned organizations, take measured risks in our approach, and use data and ongoing assessment to refine our strategies and learn from both our successes and from our missteps.
Donor Relationships/Stewardship
We strive for all of our donors to feel an emotional connection with "I Have A Dream" that goes beyond the exchange of money and other resources. We are mindful of the volume and type of “asks” already being made of our donors and work to ensure that they feel engaged, informed, and appreciated on an ongoing basis. We work to maintain accurate records and to promptly and enthusiastically acknowledge gifts and share the impact they have on achieving "I Have A Dream"'s vision and impact. We steward our relationships with donors and we push back and engage in courageous conversations with them when needed. We encourage donors to see how they and their families also benefit from the work they are donating to sustain.
Organization name
I Have A Dream Foundation - Dallas
Causes
Education - K-12
Operating Budget
$250,000 - $499,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
4447 N. Central Expwy, Suite 110 PMB 128