On occasion, the DCMGA board would be approached with requests for financial help and it was recognized that this would be a good thing to do, but it should be equitable and not random. In the 2025 budget cycle, the Board established the DCMGA Gift Fund. This fund was created to provide a mechanism within the DCMGA budget to give financial support to worthy individuals, groups or even approved MG projects that are not otherwise supported by the organization. This type of giving was seen as a way to increase community outreach and goodwill.

The fund was established with a budget of $2000 and then received a wonderfully generous gift of an additional $2900. A review team of MG volunteers was recruited and an application posted on the website. The DCMGA membership is considered the most valuable referral source for deserving applicants. In the program description, application deadlines and absolute requirements were set.

The first deadline was February 15 in anticipation of spring gardening activity. Applications were reviewed by the philanthropy team and, the first gift from the gift fund was awarded to Cornerstone Community Garden. This application was submitted by Kelly Freeman, a 2024 Master Gardener intern.

The Cornerstone Community Garden has been in place and active since 2018. The garden, located at 5718 Ervay, currently has 65 raised beds which have provided seasonal vegetables for the Cornerstone Community Kitchen, which feeds between 250-300 people at least four times a week. The kitchen where the produce is used is literally onsite.

Over the years, the garden has been managed by a small group of volunteers, under the hands-on support and guidance of Wanda Wesson. Wanda has a desire to take the garden to another level to support the community even more. In addition to growing the garden space, Wanda solicited the help of the Texas Tree Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to increasing the urban tree canopy. Working through Grow North Texas to get the trees at a reduced price, Texas Tree Foundation planted 11 fruit trees this spring and continues to monitor the health of the trees and provide educational information to the volunteers at the Cornerstone Community Garden.

The gift provided by the DCMGA purchased soil amendments and spring transplants for the garden area. The timing was wonderful for this community garden as they had just been notified, like so many other organizations, that some of their federal funding had been frozen.

The committee assessment was that Cornerstone Community Garden is an ideal recipient as they have a plan, excellent leadership, and community support to make good use of this gift.

Eric from Texas Tree Foundation was on site checking on and staking the trees and teaching best practices. Congratulations to the Cornerstone Community Garden!