History

May 2001

• North Texas Commission authorized the establishment of the North Texas Future Fund (NTFF) as a 501(c)3 to promote the public interest by conducting studies and research to identify issues critical to the economy and quality of life of the DFW Metroplex and to educate the public and to address those issues through forums, etc.
• NTFF submitted Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to Secretary of State of Texas
• NTFF certified as a corporation by the Secretary of State of Texas

July 2001

• NTFF submitted Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1023, applying for recognition as a 501(c)3

August 2001

• NTFF Advisory Panel narrowed original list of 23 possible opportunities for the NTFF to 7. Namely:
  1. Education excellence
  2. Regional economic development
  3. Workforce: technology, construction, nursing, teachers
  4. Regional leadership development
  5. Global competitiveness
  6. Regional governance, forums, and stewardship
  7. Diversity: demographics and impacts
• IRS issued NTFF Employer Identification Number (75-2948710)

October 2001

• IRS approved NTFF as a 509(a)3 and 501(c)3

January 2002

• Verified that IRS website confirmed NTFF to be a 501(c)3

2003

• Commissioned University of Dallas study: "The Evolving Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Economy: Performance and Prospects"

2004

• Commissioned Center for Economic Development and Research at University of North Texas Study: "Demographic Trends and Educational Attainment in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan Area – A Shifting Composition and Growth"

2005

• Commissioned University of North Texas Study: "Improving Literacy Rates Among Diverse Populations: An Analysis of Best Practices and Recommendations for the Dallas/Fort Worth Region"

2006

• NTFF, in collaboration with the University of North Texas, compiled the "Directory of Literacy Service Providers – Guide to the Literacy, ESL, and Adult Education Programs in North Texas"
• NTFF held "North Texas Regional Literacy Summit." Presenters included Dr. Steve Murdock, State Demographer of Texas; Dr. Mike Moses, Retired DISD Superintendent and former Education Commissioner; Patrick Gaston, CEO of Verizon Foundation. Forum tracts were Early Childhood/Pre-K Literacy, Adult and Family Literacy, and English as a Second Language.

2007

• The NTFF established the North Texas Literacy Partnership (NTLP) to address the following action items:
  1. Research and share best practices
  2. Raise public awareness about illiteracy and increase public support for literacy initiatives
• The NTLP, as a whole, will:
  1. Jointly decide and form NTLP task forces
  2. Provide each principal with a quarterly program report
• NTFF will continue to be responsible for the following:
  1. Serve as the umbrella organization, keeping a regional focus on literacy
  2. Serve as the regional clearinghouse of information for literacy initiative – resource and referral, literacy directory, website
  3. Facilitate regional data and statistical collection
  4. Facilitate relationships among the North Texas business community
  5. Increase public awareness across the region through electronic media, print media and other available media outlets
  6. Conduct and publish regional research on literacy rates in North Texas

2008

• The 2008 North Texas Regional Literacy Summit, entitled "Meeting the Challenge for Exponential Change," was held on December 15, 2008, and featured keynote speaker John Corcoran, a well-known literacy advocate who graduated from college, taught high school for 17 years and built a successful real estate business before learning how to read at the age of 48. The Literacy Summit offered three town-hall styled workshops, each addressing a different topic: Measuring Success, Public Awareness and Service Delivery