Annual Impact 2023-2024
I’m rooted in our past and motivated for what’s to come. I truly believe in a world where every young person has what they need to thrive – tools, resources, and opportunities to be their best selves.
This year we reached thousands of young people, helping them build skills and confidence to transform their lives. From right here in North Texas, to communities across the country through the Big Thought Institute, the impact is far reaching.
The truth is, our mission has never been more important, and our commitment has never been stronger. As we look ahead, we’ll keep evolving, innovating, and leading with purpose, because that is what it takes to create real, lasting change.
All of this would not be possible without the dedication of our team, the generosity of our partners, and the trust of the communities we work with. Thank you for being with us and believing in the power of what we do. Together we are creating a world where every young person can reach their potential and build a better world.
With gratitude,
ERIN OFFORD
President & CEO
Central to this work is the power of youth voice.
In 2023, Big Thought launched its Youth Advancement team, a dedicated effort to embed youth perspectives into our organizational structures and decision making. Led by Youth Advancement Coordinator Ania Hodges and Ambassador Angelica Barrera, the team hosted two youth roundtable discussions to ensure that the voices of youth directly shape the programs designed to support them.
“A key insight from youth discussions was their view of peers as companions, not competitors. They thrive in environments where they can grow together, uplift each other, and build community.”
By centering youth in the conversation, we are co-creating a future where young people have the opportunity to thrive.
Celebrating
Legacy and Light
Seven years ago, Big Thought set out to do more than reimagine creative learning, we set out to transform opportunity for young people. Under the leadership of Byron Sanders, that vision became a legacy.
In the past 7 years we doubled our impact, serving over 750,000 youth with 15 million hours of learning. We launched the Big Thought Institute, reshaping education on a national scale through our Creator Archetype framework. And in 2023, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named Big Thought one of just 13 national exemplars leading the future of learning.
Now, we step into a new chapter as we celebrate both where we’ve been and where we’re going. Erin Offord, a 20-year champion of this work, steps in as our new President & CEO. Erin’s journey with Big Thought mirrors our evolution, strengthening partnerships, scaling impact, and ensuring young people’s voices shape the future. “During my first six months as CEO, I’ve witnessed a resurgence of creativity and innovation across Big Thought.
There’s a renewed energy in our work and in our partnerships, that is driving us forward. This season of growth is just the beginning and I’m honored to champion the work ahead alongside such passionate individuals,” Erin says. Our commitment remains the same – expand access, deepen impact, and ensure every young person has the tools they need to live their best lives and create a better world. The torch has been passed, but our work continues with even more urgency and purpose.
The future is bright. Let’s build it together.
OUR BIG IMPACT
Big Thought’s programs and initiatives are designed to showcase creativity, build essential skills, and expand community connections for young people in school, work and life. This year, our impact extended across classrooms and communities, empowering the next generation to shape their futures.
Dallas City of Learning (DCOL) is celebrating 10 years of stemming summer learning loss and connecting partners to youth. What began as a bold vision to ensure every young person in Dallas has access to high-quality educational opportunities has grown into a program that fuels creativity, sharpens skills, and prepares youth for the future.
One of those summer experiences, which takes place on a nature preserve right here in Dallas, give the campers an opportunity to explore wildlife and nature in a way that they are not used to. From observing grasshoppers and studying birds to learning about ecosystems, they develop a deeper understanding of the environment around them. Through these experiences, youth build confidence, leadership skills, and lasting friendships.
A panel of business leaders, educators, and community advocates shared how out-of-school time (OST) plays a pivotal role in preparing youth for success in the workforce at the launch of Built for More: The Role of Out-of-School Time in Preparing Youth for the Future of Work. The event, sponsored by Amazon, brought the book’s themes to life through insightful conversations on the skills that OST helps develop in young people. Co-edited by Big Thought staff, the book features contributions from experts nationwide, emphasizing the importance of OST as a key space for cultivating future-ready skills.
Through our DFW Opportunity Youth Community of Practice (COP), we advanced the ecosystem of support for Opportunity Youth – young people ages 16-24 disconnected from school and work, ensuring they have the resources, mentorship, and pathways to succeed.
The inaugural cohort of 33 cross-sector organizations participated in six sessions over the course of six months focused on key topics, including “The Value of Mentorship & Guidance in the OY Space” and “Skill Development & Workforce Trajectory for OY.”
FROM OUR BOARD
This past year has reaffirmed the amazing impact of Big Thought’s mission. Through our collective efforts, we’ve seen young people across our communities grow in confidence and creativity – proof that when we invest in their potential, we invest in a brighter future for all.
This year, we deepened partnerships with schools, organizations, and companies, expanding our reach. To our partners, donors, advocates and volunteers: you make it possible for us to provide transformative learning experiences, amplify the voices of youth, and create opportunities that close the opportunity gap for the next generation.
As we look ahead, the Board remains focused on deepening our impact and amplifying the voices of those we serve.
Thank you for standing with Big Thought. Together, we are not just shaping futures, we are redefining what’s possible.
With gratitude,
DENNIS PALMER
Board Chair & Imagineer, Big Thought
2024 Financial summary
We thank you for being a part of our journey. Whether you are a partner or a member of our community, you are the reason we can dream big and act boldly. Here’s a snapshot of our financial impact in Fiscal Year 2024.
Big Thought Institute
Click here to learn more about BTI and the work they have done the past year.
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