About
In 1978, First National Bank of Fort Worth was made sole Trustee of the estate of Mr. A. Smith Gill and given authority to distribute the funds to, or for the use of, needy children. Under the very simple terms of the Will, the Trust was to benefit “needy children of Tarrant County”.
Ginny Richards and Martine Ginsburg, researched and discussed with Mr. Jerry Minton, head of the bank’s trust department, how the funds might be used for the benefit of the children in the community. An innovative solution of combining public and private funds would afford the establishment of a charitable corporation to serve as an agency of last resort for children in Tarrant County. The agency would not directly provide needed services to children, but rather fill the gaps in the community’s existing network by purchasing services from community vendors to fulfill individual children’s unmet needs.
Gill Children’s Services was incorporated by the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation and granted a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in January of 1979. Although Gill received the final distribution from the Gill Trust in 1988, its mission has been continued with financial support from a caring community. Gill’s very low administrative costs, excellent services, and philosophy of “last resort” service have consistently attracted support from foundations, organizations and individuals committed to helped children in need.
How Gill Helps |
Board of Directors |
|
 Children can often be left with unmet needs for services that are important for their health or well being—services that can end pain, cure disease or relieve disability. The list of needs is endless: medications, hearing aids, wheelchairs, root canals, eyeglasses…
Some children may be excluded from existing programs designed to aid them for a variety of reasons. Every assistance program has to place limits on the type of needs it covers, the services it provides, and on family income. Many programs have a six to eight week application period before services can begin. Gill can handle emergency services.
There is no typical child or family that Gill helps; each is unique and specific. However, the children who are faced with unmet needs, who are “falling through the cracks,” have one thing in common—they have nowhere to turn to for help. Gill is their safety net. |
|
