FORT WORTH
INNOVATION CHALLENGE
CELEBRATION
Celebrating innovative organizations providing hope for children & families
OCTOBER 29, 2026 | PETROLEUM CLUB | FORT WORTH
STORIES THAT MADE THE MISSION PERSONAL
On October 29, friends, nonprofit leaders, churches, and community partners gathered at the Petroleum Club to celebrate the Fort Worth Innovation Challenge and a shared hope for more children growing up safe, loved, and connected to family.
Clay and Holly Trantham led the evening, sharing their own foster care and adoption story. Sheriff Bill Waybourn reflected on how the Lord has built his family, bringing the heart of this work close to home.
Dan Vogel shared the vision for Flourish Fort Worth: churches, nonprofits, local leaders, and neighbors working together so families have people to turn to before challenges become crises. Leaders from the five winning organizations shared a bit about their passion and the work that brings that hope to life.
From conversations around the dinner tables to coffee, dessert, and time with the winners, the evening was an invitation to build a stronger community of care together.
Thank you all who were a part of it.
Meet the winners
TOGETHER FOR GOOD
Maridel Sandberg
Mobilizing churches to support families facing isolation and crisis. Trained volunteers, temporary child hosting, and parent advocacy provide relational support while parents work toward stability.
SOUTHSIDE HORNETS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Coach Patrick Brown and LaTasha Ireland
Using youth sports as a doorway to support the whole family. Its PROUD mentoring model and PASS parent program connect families with trusted adults, practical resources, and community support.
SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN DFW
Lori Key
Surrounding families with a trusted Circle of Support through local churches, volunteers, and professional Family Coaches. Support includes mentoring, respite, temporary hosting, and practical assistance while parents stay in the lead.
NEWDAY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Bob Robinson
Pairing professional family navigators with trained volunteer mentors through its proposed Mentor Navigation Plus program, helping parents address housing, employment, and parenting challenges to build stability.
OUR FATHER’S CHILDREN
Darren and Melinda Edwards
Supporting children affected by trauma and the relatives caring for them. Royal Family KIDS Camp and weekend retreats offer nurturing relationships for children and meaningful respite for caregivers.
A BEGINNING WORTH BUILDING ON
Beginning in January 2027, our five winners will put a combined $200,000 to work over twelve months, helping families navigate crisis and supporting kinship caregivers. Alongside their grants, they’ll receive coaching and capacity-building support from Mission Increase.
The Innovation Challenge advances Flourish Fort Worth’s broader vision: families receiving support before crisis, relatives getting the help they need, churches walking alongside caregivers, and community partners working together so children can flourish.
KEEP THE CONNECTION GOING
Know someone who would be interested in Flourish Fund’s work in Tarrant County? Share their name - we’d love to meet others who share a heart for children and families.
Want to explore your own next step? Connect with Ashley »
With gratitude to Clay and Holly Trantham, Sheriff Bill Waybourn, Pastor David Meyer, our judges, and every guest and partner who made this evening possible.
VIEW THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY »
Photography by Collin Howell Photography. To download photos, please use pin: 3686.
