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Submit to Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards

Honoring Ms. Craft’s Legacy

The Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards were established to honor the enduring legacy of Juanita Craft, a trailblazing civil rights activist whose leadership helped advance integration, including at the State Fair of Texas, as well as universities, restaurants, and theaters throughout the city. Her work opened doors and created opportunities that continue to shape our community today.

Each year, the awards celebrate past, present, and future leaders who embody Ms. Craft’s spirit of service and advocacy. Through this recognition, we honor individuals and organizations across the DFW Metroplex who are advancing equity, justice, and opportunity through meaningful, community-driven action and a steadfast commitment to civil and human rights.

 

Nomination Criteria & Application Information 

Thank you for your interest in nominating an individual or organization for a Juanita Craft Humanitarian Award. These awards honor those who exemplify Mrs. Craft’s lifelong commitment to civil rights, social justice, and community service.

Please review the criteria and award categories carefully before completing the nomination application.

 

Criteria for Evaluating Nominations

All nominations will be reviewed based on the following considerations:

  •  Demonstrated impact on the community and sustained, active involvement 
  •  Strong commitment to social justice and civil rights, evidenced through meaningful and notable efforts
  •  Effective use of time, talent, and resources to address community needs and inequities 
  •  Quality and completeness of the submission, including clarity, detail, and supporting information

 

Award Categories

 

Spark Award

Mrs. Craft believed deeply in developing young people as future leaders. This award recognizes a young person between the ages of 14–21 who is making a positive impact in their school, neighborhood, or local community and contributing to a better future for all.

Catalyst Award 

This award honors individuals under the age of 40 who are advancing civil and human rights in the DFW Metroplex by creating new initiatives, programs, or opportunities that inspire change and progress.

Visionary Award 

Designed to recognize individuals whose current work is making a meaningful and positive impact on civil rights, equity, and community transformation within the DFW Metroplex.

Legacy Award 

A lifetime achievement award honoring individuals, families, or organizations that have demonstrated long-standing and sustained contributions to the advancement, understanding, and promotion of civil rights and social justice.

 

Nomination Application Timeline

Nominations for the Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards are accepted year-round.

  •  To be considered for the current award year, applications must be received by June 1st. 
  •  Applications submitted after June 1st will automatically be considered for the following year’s awards.

 

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Submit to 2026 Sponsorship Request Form

Thank you or your interest in applying for a sponsorship from the State Fair of Texas! We’re excited to learn more about the incredible work you do in your community.

Please take a moment to carefully complete the application by responding to all questions and uploading the required attachments. Be sure to submit your application once all sections are complete.

2026 Sponsorship Timeline:

  • Applications Open: January 1, 2026
  • Applications Close: July 31, 2026

All submissions will be reviewed by our committee, and we will notify applicants of our decision via email once the review process is complete.

We appreciate your dedication to making a positive impact in your community and look forward to learning about your work through this process. Thank you for partnering with us to create meaningful change!

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Submit to 2025 Grant Reporting Form

Howdy, Community Partner!

We are proud to have supported your organization through a State Fair of Texas grant during the 2025 grant cycle. It’s now time to submit your grant report, and we ask that you please read the instructions carefully and respond to each question as thoroughly and accurately as possible.

Be sure to upload all required attachments, and don’t forget to click submit once your report is complete.

If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to contact us at community@bigtex.com.

Thank you for the meaningful work you continue to do in our communities. We look forward to learning more about your impact and how you’ve utilized the funds!

With gratitude,


The State Fair of Texas