The Dallas Mavericks and Las Vegas Sands partnered on the eve of North Texas Giving Day to make a significant investment in support of Dallas’ Oak Cliff community.
On East Ledbetter Drive sits the For Oak Cliff campus. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, the community center has blossomed into a symbol of hope for residents in its surrounding superblock.
For Oak Cliff is dedicated to liberating the neighborhood from systemic oppression through dual-generation, community-driven programs that create a culture of education and increase social mobility and social capital.
As a long-time beneficiary of the Mavericks’ philanthropic efforts, the partnership took a significant step forward on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The Dallas Mavericks showcased their ongoing commitment to advancing For Oak Cliff’s mission by presenting a $50,000 donation that was matched by Sands, upping the total investment to $100,000.
“Both the Mavericks and Sands believe that giving back to the community is very important for both the community in which we operate and to demonstrate our core values,” said Sands president and Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont. “For us to work with a great organization like For Oak Cliff and help further their mission is very important.”
As part of the Mavericks’ new ownership group, Dumont has prioritized giving back to the North Texas community from day one.
“When we had our ownership change, one of the first things Patrick talked to me about was what we are doing in the community,” said Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “He stressed that their family is all about the community and wanted to ensure we were aligned on those values.”
The facility’s multipurpose room, gaming center, gymnasium and garden, all of which were upgraded by the Dallas Mavericks, offered a vivid backdrop of the team’s commitment.
“This donation shows that the Dallas Mavericks care about the community and their leadership is invested in building real, authentic relationships with the community,” said Taylor Toynes, For Oak Cliff founder & CEO. “…We understand that [Oak Cliff] hosts a litany of horrible data points that individuals can point to as what shapes the community, but what we know at For Oak Cliff is our community is built on perseverance and resilience, and that’s what we’re going to continue to move forward with in everything that we do.
“We’re going to continue to provide hope because a lot of times, those negative data points come from individuals feeling hopeless and not having the opportunities to envision a full quality of life. And that’s what For Oak Cliff is here to do— continue to provide those services and ensure that individuals know what Oak Cliff really is.”
Through all adversity, For Oak Cliff continues to be a beacon of hope and lifeline for the superblock.
The $100,000 investment from the Mavs and Sands will positively support safety and security for the neighborhood while allowing For Oak Cliff to expand the footprint of its life-changing programs.
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