The Dallas Foundation

The Dallas Foundation supports student opportunity in North Texas through targeted educational funding, including the Tommy Tranchin Award. That award is designed for students in 8th through 12th grade who have physical, emotional, or intellectual disabilities and who have shown promise or passion in a chosen field of interest. Its structure shows the foundation’s emphasis on practical development: funding can be used for creative projects, performances, training activities, and participation in workshops, seminars, and competitions that strengthen skills.

The program’s geographic reach is clearly centered in North Texas. Eligible students must live in one of 16 Texas counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, or Wise. The award offers up to $3,000, does not require an essay, and is identified as neither need-based nor merit-based. For the 2026 cycle, applications open on February 15, 2026, and close on December 31, 2026.