Right to Left: Darlene Goins, Wells Fargo Foundation; Elizabeth Wattley, Forest Forward; Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Alexis Snow, Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO Charlie Scharf; Dr. Terry Flowers, St. Philips School and Community Center; Pastor Chris Simmons, Cornerstone CDC; and Scott Fontenot, Wells Fargo. [Photo: Wells Fargo]

Wells Fargo said it is deepening its commitment to the Dallas-Fort Worth region with a $6.8 million philanthropic investment in South Dallas focused on neighborhood revitalization and economic growth. The announcement came just days after last week’s opening of Wells Fargo’s new $570 million corporate campus in Las Colinas.

“At Wells Fargo, we’re committed to driving meaningful growth for our customers and employees but also for the communities we serve,” Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy and Community Impact for Wells Fargo, said in a statement. “Our philanthropic investment in South Dallas is part of a broader effort to support economic mobility and strengthen communities. By working alongside nonprofits, we can help accelerate financial opportunities for people and businesses.”

Led by Cornerstone CDC, Forest Forward, and St. Philip’s School & Community Center, community organizations will use the funding from Wells Fargo for small business development, affordable housing, job creation, and commercial property rehabilitation, including restoration of the historic Forest Theater.

Rendering of the Forest Theater arts and community hub in South Dallas. [Image: HKS]

“Dallas is a city of genuine opportunity for everyone, and that opportunity is driven by entrepreneurship, innovation, and strong public-private partnerships,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement. “I’m sincerely grateful to Wells Fargo and its leadership for their commitment to investing in Dallas communities, empowering trusted local nonprofits, and providing resources small businesses need to succeed. With Wells Fargo’s support, the incredible transformation underway in South Dallas and the Forest District will continue.”

Collaborating with nonprofits

In South Dallas, the grant funding from Wells Fargo & Company and the Wells Fargo Foundation will foster collaboration among local nonprofits in three key areas:

Small Business Growth

Forest Forward is revitalizing the 75215 ZIP code through a holistic approach of education, housing, and community development. Anchored by the restoration and expansion of the historic Forest Theater, it’s creating a cultural hub to drive equitable development and economic mobility for South Dallas.

PeopleFund is expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs through loan capital, micro-grants, and technical assistance. Its Small Business Accelerator program strengthens business acumen and supports business ownership.

St. Philip’s School & Community Center is transforming MLK Jr. Boulevard with commercial property rehabilitation to attract restaurants, services, and other retail. Funding will also help launch Texas’ first Community Investment Trust to foster local commercial real estate ownership.

Housing Access

Cornerstone Community Development Corporation is scaling operations and developing affordable homes in South Dallas, including apartment complexes in the Forest District, while cultivating resident-led housing services.

Innovan Neighborhoods & BCL of Texas will support community-oriented developers through the Community Developers Roundtable with equity financing and capacity building through a fund to increase affordable housing and real estate development.

Workforce Development

Empowering the Masses is delivering workforce training and expanding phlebotomy, community health worker, and EKG technician certification programs to help keep up with demand for health care workers within Dallas’ major healthcare system and the region. A new Economic Empowerment Center will also support digital skills and career advancement.

Wells Fargo said the grant announcement builds on its broader investment in Dallas and the North Texas region.

Since 2020, philanthropic giving from the Wells Fargo & Co. and the Wells Fargo Foundation totaled roughly $90 million in Texas, and employees have volunteered more than 235,000 hours in local communities, the company said.

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