Our Work in Leadership
A centerpiece of the Today Foundation’s mission is developing young adult diverse community leaders prepared to tackle complex issues and advance positive societal change. Through innovative programs such as Texas Leadership Forum, Dallas Call to Character, the Children’s Education Fund and the Collins Economic Forum, participants learn the importance of civic involvement, leadership, character building and policy development. Students have ample opportunities to apply lessons learned in real-world situations.
Texas Leadership Forum
Texas Leadership Forum (TLF) is a unique program designed to foster civic involvement and character building while educating students about government, public policy and civic involvement and responsibility.
Annually, the forum sponsored the American Leaders Institute (ALI) in Washington, D.C. whereby each summer, 15 Dallas-area college freshmen, visited the nation’s capital to observe the ‘workings of Congress’ and our democratic institutions. Students were encouraged to participate in local civic events such as City Council and School Board meetings, volunteer to support local electoral campaigns among other varied activities.
Children’s Education Fund (CEF)
Children’s Education Fund (CEF) awards scholarships to low-income families to give them a voice in the education of their children. The funding allows parents to send their children to the private school of their choice including high-quality charter schools. CEF has partnered with the Children’s Scholarship Fund of New York, founded by John Walton of the Walton Family Foundation. Since its inception in 1994, over $8 million in tuition assistance has been distributed to low- income families providing 7000 children with opportunities to receive a quality education.
Dallas Call to Character
In 2001, the foundation, in partnership with the Dallas Independent School District, developed and implemented the ‘Character Counts’ program in all Dallas Independent School District schools. The ‘Call to Character’ program emphasizes the importance of character education in our schools, and communities. Students learn the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship as core principles in decision-making and life.
Collins Economic Forum
The Today Foundation in partnership with Southern Methodist University has co-sponsored the Collins Economic Forum that spotlight internationally renowned thought leaders who inform national and regional policymakers on critical aspects of current affairs. The forums, organized within the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at SMU, address diverse topics such as Investment Opportunities, Education Reform, as well Energy and Conservation.