07.17.2023

Today’s Forecast

108º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:48 a.m. | Sunset 8:21 p.m.

💸 Lend a helping dollar

Charitable giving slumped 10.5% in 2022 — here’s how to give back locally

Even Leon Bridges and former TCU coach Garry Patterson give back to local charities. | Photo by Tarrant Area Food Bank

Giving USA released its latest report on charitable giving in the US — and after a record high of $517 billion in 2021, 2022 saw Americans give $499 billion total.

That’s a decrease of 3.4% without adjusting for inflation, and 10.5% in inflation-adjusted terms — making it the largest slump in charitable giving the US has seen since the Great Recession.

What caused the decline? Factors include individuals having less to give. While cost of living rose nationwide — most rapidly in Oregon and Washington — disposable personal income fell over 6% in 2022 when adjusted for inflation, and the stock market saw its worst overall performance since 2008. Meanwhile, charitable gifts that were given were economically less valuable due to inflation’s steep rise.

Want to make an impact? Here’s how to support local causes that matter to you:

Consider a recurring gift. Instead of donating one large gift at the end of the year, set up monthly, recurring, incremental gifts to the charity you want to support. This can help maintain nonprofits’ cash flow and ability to forecast revenue.

Don’t forget gifts are tax deductible. Make it easy by making gifts on a credit card — many accounts will automatically pull a list of all your charitable donations from the past year.

Volunteer your time. Have less to spend? No worries, check out these 30+ places to volunteer in Panther City.

Give locally. Check out these three Fort Worth organizations working to make our home a better place for everyone:

Children’s Charities of Fort Worth provides necessities and holiday gifts to disadvantaged and at-risk kids in Tarrant County.
Tarrant Area Food Bank is the primary source of donated food for hunger-relief programs in 13 regional counties, providing one million meals per week.
Academy 4 is a mentorship program for fourth graders at 40 disadvantaged schools across the county and state.

Events

Monday, July 17

NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular | Monday, July 17-Friday, July 21 | Times vary | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Watch some of the best riders work the herd in a display of high-level horsemanship.

Tuesday, July 18

Silent Book Club | Tuesday, July 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Hotel Dryce, 3621 Byers Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Kick back with a beverage and dive into your latest read with other bookworms.

Wednesday, July 19

All About Animals | Wednesday, July 19 | 2-3 p.m. | Fort Worth Public Library - Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library, 1300 N. E. 35th St., Fort Worth | Free | Fun for the whole family — learn how animals like meerkats and rabbits work together to survive in the wild.

Thursday, July 20

Rockin’ the River | Thursday, July 20 | 5-10 p.m. | Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth | Free | Bring an inner tube (or rent one for $6) and relax in the Trinity River with performances by Shinyribs, Scattered & Shattered, and Mike Mancy.

Friday, July 21

Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen | Friday, July 21 | 10 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth | $25-$65 | The country artists are bringing their “Hold My Beer Tour” to the world’s largest honky tonk.

Events calendar here

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Community

Your ultimate guide to Fort Worth has arrived

Fall in love with the city even more with our Ultimate City Guide. | Graphic by 6AM City

We all know that Fort Worth is a special place with a never-ending supply of things to do, see, and experience. That got us thinking — we already spend our days helping you get the most out of our city. So what if we curated a collection of guides that will be updated and available anytime to help you navigate all our great city has to offer?

That’s just what we’ve done. Say hello to FTWtoday’s City Guide, your ultimate digital destination for the best ways to get out there and learn about the city you love.

We’ve broken the guides into three categories:

LIVE — Schools, neighborhoods, and unwritten rules of the city
WORK — Top industries, startups, and tips for new residents
PLAY — Parks, festivals, hikes, and date nights

That just scratches the surface. We’ve got guides to local happy hours and brunch deals, navigating the airport, volunteer opportunities around town, and even where you and your pooch can grab a drink together.

Ready to get to know your city even better? Check out the link below. And if there’s a guide you’d love to see, send us a suggestion because this list of guides will just keep growing.

Oh, and one more thing. For all you marketing folks out there, we have one exclusive sponsorship available. We will feature your brand next to everywhere the guides appear in the newsletter, website, and social media. It’s an opportunity that won’t last long, so drop us a line.

Start exploring now

News Notes

Development

Construction will start on another relocation project for Panther Island next month. Set to run from August to October, the construction will relocate utilities and stormwater lines along Calhoun Street and North Commerce Street near 8th Avenue to make way for the 1.5-mile-long bypass channel. (Fort Worth Report)

Sports

Major League Baseball released the 2024 schedule last week and the Rangers will open the season at home in Arlington. The Rangers will take on the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, March 28 + Globe Life Field will host the 94th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Listen

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is set to release a “Texas Wild” album in the fall featuring Texas artists and a familiar voice. “Yellowstone” actor and award-winning musician Ryan Bingham covered “Possum Kingdom,” a 1994 song by local rock group Toadies. Listen to the single now.

Trending

A pit stop that paid off — an anonymous Fort Worth resident won the Million Dollar Loteria and claimed the top prize — a cool $1 million — last week. The winning ticket was purchased at the QuickTrip on Alta Mere Drive. (WFAA)

Award

Congresswoman Kay Granger received the 2023 USA YMCA Congressional Champion award earlier this month at Fort Worth Camp Carter. The award recognizes her efforts in supporting the youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility of the YMCA.

Jobs

Tech company S&B Industry Inc. will cut 115 jobs from its Park Vista Boulevard plant starting on Friday, July 21. The company cited a loss of business from key customers for the layoffs and said that the positions will not be rehired but some employees may be able to transfer to other operations. (The Dallas Morning News)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Shop

On our wish list: the NETVUE Smart Bird Feeder. It identifies bird species + captures live, high-quality footage you can save or share from your phone.*

Pets

🐾 Life is ruff

Pamper your pet at this new boutique

Does Fido need a little buff and shine — or maybe a unicorn plushie? | Take Fido to the blush-colored Origami Dog shop in downtown. | Photo by @theballooncodfw

Fort Worth’s furry friends just got a whole lot snazzier with the opening of the first pet boutique in Sundance Square. Owners Roy and Londyn Meharg recently opened The Origami Dog at 309 Houston St. offering grooming and pet supplies for downtown’s four-legged residents.

Open Tuesday-Sunday, The Origami Dog offers:

Full grooming services and bathing
Deshedding mud spa
Moisturizing, conditioning, and hair loss treatments
Manicures

Services are available by appointment or walk-in + you can peruse toys, accessories — like these swanky sunnies — and food while your pet gets pampered. Pro tip: Park in Sundance Square Garage No. 3 + No. 4 to have your ticket validated.

Ready to show off your clean coat? Head to one of these dog-friendly spots and make a day out of it.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

We hope you’re not tired of Barbie content yet — because we’re still living it up.

If you’re going all out for the premiere on Friday, make sure to grab some accessories from Texas jewelry brand Kendra Scott’s collection. Bonus: A portion of the proceeds go to the Barbie Dream Gap Project and Girls Inc.

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