The Big Good
Leon Bridges, the king of cool, left, and Gary Patterson, the legendary former TCU football coach, have got something special going.
The Big Good co-founders Gary Patterson and Leon Bridges announced this week that they are partnering with the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, which has committed $500,000 to the endeavor with the purpose of expanding its network of donors for its three local nonprofit beneficiaries, The Tarrant To & Through Partnership (T3), United Community Centers, and UpSpire., according to a press release sent out with the news.
“The Rainwater Foundation is honored to officially partner with The Big Good to support three exemplary organizations that provide life-changing services in our community,” said Jay McCall, education program manager with the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Fort Worth and founded by Richard E. Rainwater in 1991. The education grant making focuses on families and children in resilient communities that stand to benefit the most from funding and partnership.
Part of its grantmaking strategy has been investing in local nonprofits focused on boosting student and family outcomes for our most deserving communities in Fort Worth.
“This grant from Rainwater is allowing us to reach more people than ever before,” said Kelsey Patterson, Gary Patterson’s wife and treasurer of the Gary Patterson Foundation, which in 2020 team with Fort Worth recording artist Leon Bridges to form The Big Good.
The joint charity's fundraising efforts gather notable leaders in business, philanthropy, music, and sports to raise funds for its three local beneficiaries to reach various corners of the community, including adolescent educational enrichment, increasing opportunities for postsecondary pathways, and breaking down employment barriers due to homelessness.
In April 2022, The Big Good hosted its inaugural fundraising event in Fort Worth, welcoming a host of community leaders, athletes, and philanthropists, including tennis legend Andy Roddick, Tony award winning actor Eric Nelsen, and Fort Worth local artist Abraham Alexander.
The event, to be conducted annually, raised more than $1 million.
In its first year, The Big Good granted $250,000 to each beneficiary partner to apply to the advancement and growth of their programs. Through this new partnership with the Rainwater foundation, The Big Good said it was seeking new donors both locally and outside of Fort Worth to get involved with its mission.
“We are growing, so to have this partnership and this support is invaluable to what we are trying to do in the community,” said Kelsey Patterson. “Through this partnership, we hope to maximize people’s attention of charitable giving toward the causes they care about in the Fort Worth community.”
To get involved with The Big Good, visit www.thebiggood.org.