Divided we fall, together we stand. After their 125th anniversary, TFNB made a decision that would unite the Waco community. To make a lasting impact, TFNB partnered with Central Texas nonprofit organizations to highlight and support groups that are supporting others. Charity Champions was born in 2014, selecting the year’s Charity Champions out of a vast pool of nominations sent in from across Central Texas.
The selected charities receive an awareness marketing campaign and leadership training covered by TFNB. The marketing the organizations receive starts immediately: Pictures taken with Baylor University’s football mascots and Head Coach Dave Aranda, a 30 second video with TFNB’s marketing team that airs on both the jumbotron and TV, as well as an interview on the KWTX segment “Tell Me Something Good.”
Through these marketing efforts, the Charity Champions receive exposure from over 500,000 viewers. This exposure has helped the selected organizations grow in a manner that was previously thought impossible.
In addition to the viewership, Charity Champions receive training from experts in five different professional development sessions. Previous Charity Champions are also welcome to attend these sessions, as TFNB has made it a mission to continuously support the charities that were given the title, stating that, “Once a Charity Champion, always a Charity Champion.” The selected winners of the current year also receive a marketing intern and a grant writing intern for the year, through a partnership with the federal work-study program at Baylor University.
Many of the charities have even come together in solidarity with one another, emphasizing their stances on unity and philanthropy. Building together, supporting each other and helping our neighbors in times of need are qualities that strengthen our community and show what it means to be a good human. Congratulations to the 2026 Charity Champions!
Read more about the work of Charity Champions in our 2024 article, Help for the Helpers.
Nominate a 2027 Charity Champion here.
Cultural Arts of Waco
Have you ever seen some of the wonderful art around Waco and wondered who’s behind it? Look no farther than Cultural Arts of Waco (CAOW)! This nonprofit supports Waco’s artistic scene and helps make art available for everyone.
Since their beginning as Waco Cultural Arts Fest, CAOW has been bringing art to everyone. You’ve certainly seen some of their work around town; iconic pieces like “Branding the Brazos,” the Doris Miller Memorial and pieces from the Waco National Outdoor Sculpture Invitational are all sponsored and supported by them.
Cultural Arts of Waco doesn’t just advocate for art; they teach it, too. Their educational programs cover a wide variety of age groups, artistic ability and experience levels. Programs like Art at the ARC and The Opportunity Center give students with disabilities a place to practice their art skills and engage with their peers. The educational opportunities at CAOW keep Waco’s art scene alive one person at a time.
Cultural Arts of Waco embodies their mission to engage and enrich the Waco community through arts programming and cultural activities. Their status as a Charity Champion will help them greater support these efforts and bring their art to even more people. The increased support and recognition will also help with the construction of ArtPlace, their new community arts hub.
ArtPlace will serve as a home for art activities on and around Elm Avenue. It will have an adaptable and multiuse space for galleries, film showings, dance performances, a makerspace and more!
Cultural Arts of Waco is dedicated to supporting the greater Waco community. As a Charity Champion, they will have even more chances to provide outstanding arts programming and support the Waco art scene.
