Dallas, TX

BIG THOUGHT

EIN 75-2170035

Education & Youth Development Tutoring, Enrichment & After-School Children & youth Low-income Communities of color

Mission

To make imagination a part of everyday learning.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

About BIG THOUGHT

Big Thought is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 75-2170035) that works as a learning-systems intermediary and direct-service provider to close the opportunity gap for young people by embedding creative learning across school, out-of-school and community settings. The organization manages large-scale initiatives such as Dallas City of Learning and a Learning Partners network that connects teaching artists, cultural institutions, schools and community organizations to deliver arts, STEAM and social-emotional learning experiences. In recent years Big Thought has published evaluation findings with university partners, expanded its Learning Partners catalog to reach hundreds of school campuses, and maintained a program-focused budget directing the majority of expenses to youth services.

Notable achievements

Dallas City of Learning reach

Led Dallas City of Learning (DCoL), a citywide out-of-school learning ecosystem that in summer 2022 reported more than 47,000 total participants (about 22,600 unique students) and over 1.4 million cumulative learning hours.

Expanded Learning Partners network

Built and sustained a Learning Partners catalog and partner network that has been shared with hundreds of Dallas ISD campuses and supports hundreds of community organizations and teaching artists to deliver year-round enrichment and summer learning.

High program-investment

Operates with a program-first financial profile: recent filings and organizational reporting show a program-expense ratio in the neighborhood of 80%+, reflecting substantial funds directed to program services and direct youth engagement.

At a glance

Total assets: $4.0M
Annual revenue: $12.7M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 75-2170035
Location: Dallas, TX
Website: bigthought.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Recognized as a national model in arts education, out-of-school-time systems and summer learning for its intermediary role and program design.

Named among community partnerships scaling social and emotional learning (SEL) best practices nationally as part of Big Thought Institute’s scaling work.

Dallas City of Learning (Big Thought’s citywide initiative) was highlighted in civic recognition for Dallas’ community-wide learning efforts and featured in public reports and convenings with Dallas ISD, Southern Methodist University, and the City of Dallas.

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