ASHFORD RISE SCHOOL OF DALLAS RECEIVES $2M+ IN DONATIONS, FUNDS ESTABLISH AN ENDOWMENT FOR FUTURE STUDENTS
Auxiliary group Touchdown Club of Dallas and its members raise over $2 million to
support local preschool
(DALLAS, TX) The Ashford Rise School of Dallas (“Rise”), located at The Moody Family YMCA, is thrilled to be a recipient of $2.325M from the Touchdown Club of Dallas (“TDC”) and several of its members. The funds will support early education, intervention, and therapy services to children with and without developmental disabilities in perpetuity. This investment by the Touchdown Club established the school’s endowment which will result in more opportunities for future students and their families.
“Every child deserves access to quality education,” said Caroline Snabes, Rise Director of Development, at Ashford Rise School. “Including integrated therapies and cultivating a learning environment that sets students up for success. We’re deeply touched by the generosity of the Touchdown Club of Dallas and its members for their continued support.”
Rise enrolls about 70% of students with Down syndrome and other developmental differences and 30% traditional learners, allowing special needs students to “model” after their typically-developing classmates. The blend of children with different learning styles is known as an “integrated classroom or integrated environment” and Rise is one of the only private preschools in Dallas committed to a fully integrated model for all its students.
Since 1998, the Touchdown Club has raised over $15M for Rise through events like Rise & Shine 5K Run, Rise RoundUp, and The Rise Cup Classic. 100% of the proceeds directly to the school.
“With more than 300 active members and alumni across all professional industries in Dallas, we’ve created a wide network of people who see the value in supporting early education for North Texas families,” said Chris Wright, Chairman of the Board at Touchdown Club. “Our goal is to ensure Dallas-area children are given equal opportunities to excel academically and find a sense of community.”
The investment by the Touchdown Club was immediately doubled through a matching gift opportunity from a gift from the author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas received the largest gift, $10M, in its history from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation in 2020. A portion of this gift has been designated to match newly created endowment funds with the goal of doubling its investment.
About The Rise School of Dallas
The Rise School of Dallas has been part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas since 2016 and provides the highest quality of early education services to children ages six months to six years with and without disabilities in an inclusive environment. Rise delivers comprehensive education, intervention, and therapy to students during their formative years. Master’s level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists help meet each student’s individual needs, resulting in a tailored educational and social experience for each child. The Rise School of Dallas is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a prestigious recognition achieved by only 9% of early childhood programs nationwide. To learn more about the Rise School or to make a donation, please visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/moody_family_ymca/child_care/the_rise_school.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women, and children each year, regardless of age, income, or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact, and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.
About The TouchDown Club of Dallas
Established in 1998, The TouchDown Club of Dallas (“TDC”) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of like-minded men working together to raise charitable donations and contributions through various annual events that directly benefit the Ashford Rise School of Dallas. The mission of TDC is to provide financial, volunteer, and advisory support to the Ashford Rise School of Dallas, its students and their families. Recently relocated to the newly constructed Moody Family Ashford located in the Park Cities, the Ashford Rise School of Dallas is an early childhood education program for children ages 6 months to 6 years with developmental disabilities like Down syndrome.