History
In 1978, First National Bank of Fort Worth, became the sole Trustee of the estate of Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith Gill and was entrusted with distributing his funds. Mr. and Mrs. Gill had no children of their own, but left a simple and meaningful instruction: their funds were to help the “needy children of Tarrant County.”
To understand how those resources could make the greatest difference, the bank asked Ms. Ginny Richards and Ms. Martine Ginsburg to study the needs of children and families throughout the community. For a year, Ginny and Martine listened, learned, and explored the services already available. What they discovered was clear: even in a caring and resourceful community, some children’s needs fell through the gaps.
Together, they developed a plan for an organization that could serve as a funding source of last resort and a safety net for Tarrant County children whose medical, dental, physical, social, psychological, and educational needs could not be met by other community resources.
Rather than duplicate services already available in the community, the organization would work alongside existing providers and help pay for the services a child needed when no other resources could. Gill Children’s Services was incorporated by the State of Texas as a nonprofit corporation and received 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in January 1979. Services began that June.
Although Gill received the final distribution from the Gill Trust in 1988, Mr. Gill’s vision continues today. With the generous support of local foundations, corporations, and individuals, Gill Children’s Services remains committed to making sure that when a child’s needs cannot be met elsewhere, there is somewhere to turn.
Timeline
1978
Martine Ginsburg and Ginny Richards propose that the $1 million be given to children who had needs that were unaddressed by other organizations. Gill Children's Services was founded to honor the late A. Smith and Nina Gill.
1984
The $1 million left by Mr. and Mrs. Gill is distributed to local children, and the mission continued with the generosity of the community.
Gill has helped over 10,000 children in its first 10 years, and served 100 children a month.
2000
2012
Gill celebrates its 30th anniversary at the new Cowboys Stadium.
Ginny Richards passes, having dedicated 36 years of her life to guiding Gill Children's Services.
The Martine Ginsburg and Ginny Richards Endowment Fund grows to nearly $30,000.
2019
A. Smith and Nina Gill pass away, leaving $1 million to the needy children of Tarrant County.
1979
In its seventh year, Gill provided funding for home modification for a 10-year-old boy who was paralyzed from a gunshot wound, an apnea monitor to protect a high-risk newborn from SIDS, counseling to help a child adjust after a colostomy, and more.
1989
At the turn of the century, Gill began receiving increased requests for help. In the year 2000, Gill provided nearly $407,000 for 2,795 services.
2009
Martine Ginsburg passes, having dedicated 33 years of her life to guiding Gill Children's Services. The Martine Ginsburg and Ginny Richards Endowment Fund was established to honor the founders' work and ensure a safety net future generations of children.
2016
Gill Children's Services celebrates its 40th year by acknowledging those who dedicated years of support to the mission.
Read More About Our History
