About Us

Our Opportunity

The need for moving North Texas families up in the world is great.

There are more than 60,000 people receiving affordable housing assistance through DHA’s programs. Fifty-two percent of the people we serve are children under the age of 18. Our goal for all the families we serve is to move toward self-sufficiency, where they can lead independent lives. Supporting younger generations through education and advancement affords us a great opportunity to achieve this goal.

The average estimated cost for tuition and expenses for Texas residents pursuing an undergraduate degree at an in-state school is $23,000 – $40,000 per year. This is an investment that may feel unattainable for many of our residents and their children. The Opportunity Rising Foundation was created to help our families close this gap, by providing educational scholarships.

When we help these students rise and pursue their education, entire families can be lifted.

We have provided more than 1,000 students with nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funds over the last 20 years. These students have attended colleges all over the country and have gone on to successful careers in education, law, healthcare, the arts, business management, and a variety of other professions.

WE’RE PROUD TO HELP OUR SCHOLARS PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION ALL OVER THE NATION

Check out some of the great universities our scholars have attended:

Here is the full list of colleges our scholars have attended or are attending now.

Is your alma mater on the list? Click to find out
Texas-based Schools:
- Baylor University
- Brookhaven College
- Collin County Community College
- Dallas Baptist University
- Dallas County Community College
- Eastfield College
- East Texas Baptist University
- El Centro Community College
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jarvis Christian College
- Mountain View College
- Navarro College
- Northwood University
- Paul Quinn College
- Prairie View A&M University
- Richland Community College
- Sam Houston University
- Southwestern Christian College
- Southern Methodist University
- South Plains College
- Stephen F. Austin University
- Texas College (Tyler, TX)
- Texas A&M University Commerce
- Texas Southern University
- Texas State Technical College
- Texas Tech University
- Texas Woman’s University
- Tyler Jr. College
- University of Houston
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas at Arlington
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Texas at El Paso
- University of Texas at San Antonio
Out-of-State Schools:
- Alcorn State University (MS)
- Berklee College of Music (MA)
- DePaul University (IL)
- Drake University (IA)
- Florida A&M University (FL)
- Grambling State University (LA)
- Howard University (DC)
- Langston University (OK)
- Mississippi Valley State University (MS)
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
- Philander Smith College (AR)
- Southern University and A&M College (LA)
- Tennessee State University (TN)
- Tuskegee University (AL)
- University of Central Arkansas (AR)
- University of Kansas (KS)
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
- University of Tulsa (OK)
- Xavier University (LA)

In addition to the scholarship program, the Opportunity Rising Foundation also provides internships working at DHA and affiliated companies, a mentorship program, life lessons in subjects like etiquette, and job interview skills.

Our college tour program starts in middle school, so those students can visit college campuses and open their eyes to this new stage of life.

We would like to thank these universities for supporting our college tour program:

Alabama
Alabama A&M
Miles College
Stillman College
Talladega College

Arkansas
Henderson State University
Ouachita Baptist University
Philander Smith College

Georgia
Clarke Atlanta University
Morehouse College
Morris Brown
Spelman

Louisiana
Dillard University
Grambling State University
Louisiana State University
Southern University
Tulane University
Xavier University

Mississippi
Hinds Junior College
Jackson State University
Mississippi Valley State University

Oklahoma
Langston University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma State University
Oral Roberts University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
University of Tulsa

Tennessee
Fisk University
Le Moyne Owen College
Meharry Medical College
Tennessee State University
University of Memphis
Vanderbilt University

Texas
Austin College
Baylor University
Concordia College
East Texas Baptist
El Centro College
Houston Baptist College
Huston-Tillotson University
Jarvis Christian College
Paul Quinn College
Prairie View A&M University
Rice University
Sam Houston University
Southwestern Christian College
Southern Methodist University
St. Edwards University
Texas A& M
Texas A&M Commerce
Texas College
Texas Southern University
Texas State University
Texas Woman’s University
University of Houston
University of North Texas
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Dallas
Wiley College

Leadership Team & Advisory Board

Our leadership team and advisory board are responsible for helping the foundation achieve its mission – providing educational scholarships for DHA residents to help them achieve their self-sufficiency goals. This distinguished group of leaders from DHA and the community support the foundation’s mission, reflects our core values, and helps garner support for the foundation from the community through advocacy. The advisory board also plays a key role in securing resources for the foundation to fulfill its mission. We are honored to have these outstanding leaders in our community on our team.