The Sturgeon Family Foundation has announced its 2024 charitable contributions to multiple Fort Worth organizations, with donations distributed across the foundation's four primary focus areas: women's services, canine welfare, entrepreneurship, and alternative cancer treatment education. Foundation President Linda Allen confirmed the donations, which represent the organization's ongoing commitment to local philanthropy. In the women's services category, Valiant Hearts received $1,000 as its first gift from the foundation, while Project Beloved was awarded $5,000 for two Soft Rooms at $2,500 each. The canine welfare sector saw donations to Little Dog Rescue of North Texas, Inc. ($750), Code Red Animal Project ($1,500 as a first gift), and Pets Going Places ($1,500 as a first gift). For entrepreneurship support, Create FW received the first of three yearly grants totaling $25,000.
Founded in 2023 by local entrepreneur Ron Sturgeon as part of an estate strategy to distribute wealth accumulated through his auto salvage and real estate leasing businesses, the foundation maintains a strong local focus. Sturgeon, who serves over 1,000 mom-and-pop tenants through his real estate ventures, established the foundation following a personal cancer scare that inspired its alternative treatment mission. The foundation operates https://journeytowellness.org/ to educate the public about alternative cancer treatments. "I have a number of friends who have used alternative methods and recovered from cancer quickly, without the typical surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy," Sturgeon explained. "Their stories are on the websites of the journey to wellness website."
This announcement matters because it demonstrates how local wealth is being strategically reinvested into community organizations addressing specific needs, from supporting women's services and animal welfare to fostering entrepreneurship. The foundation's alternative cancer treatment education component adds a distinctive health advocacy dimension to its philanthropic work, potentially influencing public discourse about cancer care options. The structured approach across four focus areas suggests a sustainable model for community impact rather than one-time charitable giving.
Allen emphasized that the foundation is currently reviewing donations for 2025, continuing its mission to support local charities while spreading awareness about alternative cancer care options. The foundation's leadership includes Joe Mannes as treasurer, with separate committees overseeing asset investment, charity identification, and charity evaluation composed of local community members. The implications of this announcement extend beyond the immediate financial support to the organizations receiving funds. It represents a growing trend of locally-focused philanthropy where donors with specific expertise and personal experiences direct resources toward causes they understand intimately, potentially creating more targeted and effective community support systems. The foundation's multi-year commitment to Create FW indicates a strategic approach to entrepreneurship support that recognizes the need for sustained investment rather than one-time grants.
