Dallas, TX — The Byrne Family Foundation Trust (BFFT) has surpassed $1 million in lifetime giving through its Fast Track Grant Program following its first 2026 grant round, marking a significant milestone for the quarterly initiative responding to urgent, time-sensitive nonprofit needs.

Launched in July 2022, the Fast Track Grant Program provides grants to education and animal welfare organizations serving Dallas, Texas, and Park City, Utah. The program was created to fill a gap many nonprofits face when unexpected challenges arise outside of traditional grant cycles. Grantees typically receive funds within four weeks of applying.

“Fast Track was designed as a rapid-response model for philanthropy that meets organizations in real time,” said Heather Koopman, Director of BFFT. “When timing is critical, whether it’s a short-term funding gap or an unexpected emergency, it allows us to respond quickly and support organizations at pivotal moments.” Fast Track grants account for around 10% of BFFT’s annual grant-making budget.

Two organizations that exemplify the program’s impact are The GEMS Camp and Summit Community Gardens + EATS, both of which first received Fast Track grants and have since transitioned into deeper partnerships with BFFT.

The GEMS Camp (GEMS), a Dallas-based nonprofit, first received a Fast Track Grant in 2022 to address an urgent post-COVID funding gap, as demand for in-person summer camps surged while grant payouts were delayed. The grant funded summer camp curriculum writers, enabling GEMS to advance high-quality programming as AI gained momentum in education. This work ultimately led to a peer-reviewed study by Southern Methodist University researchers examining middle school girls’ use of generative AI. GEMS also received a Fast Track award in 2023 to address another short-term funding gap.

GEMS went on to receive a one-year grant to expand its summer STEM programming to the GEMS Camp School Year Experience, a place-based STEM club at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary in South Dallas. Now in its fourth year of partnership with BFFT, GEMS was recently awarded a multiyear grant to strengthen organizational capacity.

Summit Community Gardens + EATS (SCG + EATS), in Park City, UT, provides cooking and nutrition education for children, expands food access for families, and operates Summit County’s only public community garden. SCG + EATS’ first Fast Track grant addressed an urgent nutrition gap: while 18% of Park City children were eligible for free and reduced lunch, many lacked access to healthy snacks during other parts of the school day. With Fast Track funding, the organization launched its Fruit to Schools program, providing fresh fruit to students during the school day. Today, the program serves more than 300 children each week.

Over time, SCG + EATS went on to secure two additional Fast Track grants to address other time-sensitive gaps; this rapid-response partnership gave the BFFT team confidence in SCG + EATS’ programs, leadership, and financial health, leading to program-specific support to sustain and expand year-round Edible Education programming.

“BFFT’s Fast Track program’s responsiveness to community needs is unlike anything I’ve seen in 20 years in the nonprofit sector,” said Helen Nadel, M.Ed., Executive Director of SCG + EATS. “When you see kids who need food, you don’t want to wait six months until the next grant cycle. Fast Track helped us address a nutrition gap immediately.”

A Model for Rapid-Response Philanthropy

Fast Track grant applications are brief, reporting requirements are minimal, and funding decisions are made quickly, allowing organizations to receive funds in the same month they apply.

Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, with an average award of $5,000, and support projects such as:

Emergency infrastructure repairs
Short-term operating gaps
Time-sensitive matching grants
Sudden increases in essential expenses

Eligible organizations must align with the BFFT’s mission focus on education or domestic animal welfare. The program prioritizes projects that advance equity and expand access to opportunity in the communities served.

“BFFT has a top-tier grant funding model that is accessible and inclusive regardless of your nonprofit’s size,” said Saki Milton, Founder and Executive Director of The GEMS Camp. “When I first applied, I was worried about competing with larger organizations; however, the Fast Track program was the best resource I had found! The grant portal is easy to use; the process is very transparent; and the turnaround time is unmatched. I encourage other nonprofit leaders facing an emergency cash flow situation to apply. The immediacy of the funding helps nonprofits to fill the gap, and the relationship has grown into something truly transformational.”

Encouraging Replication

As the program reaches the $1 million milestone, BFFT hopes Fast Track can serve as a model for other funders seeking flexible ways to support nonprofits navigating real-world constraints. Eligibility, timing, and application requirements can be found at www.byrnefamilyfoundationtrust.org/fast-track-faqs

About the Byrne Family Foundation Trust: Founded in 2009, the Byrne Family Foundation Trust champions education in Dallas, Texas, and Park City, Utah, supporting children, educators, and families through school, community, and home-based initiatives. A portion of the foundation’s giving is also dedicated to improving the lives of domestic animals in need. For more information, visit www.byrnefamilyfoundationtrust.org

About The GEMS Camp: The GEMS Camp is a Dallas-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers underrepresented middle school girls to discover their brilliance in STEM, leadership, and personal development. Through summer camps, year-round mentoring, and partnerships with schools and industry leaders, The GEMS Camp aims to close the gender and diversity gaps in STEM fields. The GEMS Camp is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to mentoring and have enhanced the participation of individuals (including persons with disabilities) who might not otherwise have considered or had access to opportunities in STEM disciplines and professions. For more information, visit www.thegemscamp.org

About Summit Community Gardens + EATS: Summit Community Gardens and EATS (SCG+EATS) is a non-profit organization located in Park City, Utah, with a mission to gather, learn, and grow in our garden, schools, and community. We believe that everyone should have access to healthy food, children can create healthy eating habits through gardening and cooking classes, and friendships can be sown along with seeds. As Summit County’s only public garden, SCG+EATS stewards a 1.5-acre community garden space with demonstration beds, a snacking garden, individual community garden plots, seed-to-soil youth education space. For more information, visit www.summitcommunitygardens.org

Media Contact

Heather Koopman

Byrne Family Foundation Trust

435.200.3245

heather@byrnefamilyfoundationtrust.org

Byrne Family Foundation Trust5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 600Dallas, Texas 75225

Byrne Family Foundation Trust
5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 600
Dallas, Texas 75225