The mission of Trinity Collaborative, Inc. is to raise and contribute funds for the Trinity River,
surrounding parks and community programs.
What started as celebration on the banks of the Trinity River has turned into a Fort Worth commodity that benefits the community year-round. In 1973, the first Mayfest festival was a celebration of the hard work and dedication that went into revitalizing and transforming the Trinity River and surrounding parks into beautiful community assets. The event was coordinated by committee members from the Junior League of Fort Worth, Streams and Valleys, the City of Fort Worth and the Tarrant Regional Water District. The success of the inaugural event has been repeated every year since.
Mayfest, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987. The mission of Mayfest, Inc. was established to raise and contribute funds for the Trinity River, surrounding parks and community programs. The mission was accomplished solely through the production of the Mayfest festival.
In 2019, Mayfest, Inc. completed a strategic plan with a goal to develop a thoughtful and deliberate strategy to generate new avenues of support for our organization, community impact and partner agencies. To that end, the new name Trinity Collaborative, Inc. was adopted. This rebranding strategy reflected the expansive operations of the organization to produce other events and programs in addition to the annual Mayfest festival.
Trinity Collaborative will connect people to our parks, the river and each other through events and programs that reflect the established key pillars: Partnerships, Education, Community and Special Events.
Trinity Collaborative strives to support and further the work of our founding organizations in the community. We foster awareness of and engagement in our parks and river through education, volunteer alliances and special programming. Trinity Collaborative cultivates a sense of ownership and belonging to our parks and river through efforts that bring people together in a unique and inclusive way.
For more information, visit the Trinity Collaborative website at www.TrinityCollab.org.
Elizabeth joined the staff of Mayfest, Inc. in July 2008 as the first Executive Director after serving as a volunteer for the previous eight years. Her leadership and event management skills are main components of the festival’s success after the 2009 closure from the H1N1 pandemic. Despite suffering such a large loss that year, Mayfest is on firm financial footing and poised for another 43 years of bringing the Fort Worth community together. Elizabeth is married to her college sweetheart and they have three boys who have literally grown up at Mayfest! Elizabeth loves being a part of the Mayfest family and embraces the mission of giving back to the great city of Fort Worth!
Emily started as a Mayfest volunteer in 2014 and was quickly snatched up to be on staff! Her enthusiasm is infectious and her organizational skills keep everything running smoothly. "From my first day as a Mayfest volunteer, I was hooked! I loved the atmosphere that is created from so many different people working together for the greater cause of benefitting our community. I love the festival even more as a staff member. I cannot imagine being anywhere else!" Emily graduated from TCU where she met her husband. They live in Fort Worth with their two daughters who love to spend hours upon hours at the festival.
Valerie came to Mayfest by way of one its founding partners, Streams & Valleys, Inc. She began volunteering for the festival in response to her desire to serve the organization and its mission in the community. Before she knew it, Valerie had fallen in love with the Mayfest! “Nothing can beat the feeling of coming together with volunteers, sponsors, TRWD, and PACS to create such a special event for this city. Mayfest is a shining example of the partnerships that make Fort Worth unique.” As Project Manager, Valerie relies on her obsession with lists, spreadsheets and details to coordinate Volunteers, the Art & Gift area, and Entertainment for the festival. Fort Worth as been her home since graduating from TCU. She has raised three Fort Worth Proud children, and crosses her fingers that they will each settle here also.
Sarah's Mayfest experience started as many Fort Worth residents did as a childhood attendee and dance participant. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in Marketing. From 2014-2018, Sarah volunteered at the festival through her membership with the Junior League of Fort Worth. She worked as a part-time office assistant at Mayfest before officially joining the staff as Operations Manager in 2019. Sarah has a husband and two children, all of whom love the festival as much as she does.
OFFICERS
Teri McGuill, President
Rachel Phillips, Vice President
Larry Kadaras, Treasurer
Natalie Martin, Secretary
MEMBERS
Katie Briggs
Janet Bubert
JD Granger
Randle Harwood
Kat Hopkins
Larry Kardaras
Cassie King
Darlene Mann
Tiesa Leggett
Elizabeth Knuckley
Walker Turney
Jennifer Massey
Natalie Martin
Nestor Martinez
Teri McGuill
Stacey Pierce
Rachel Phillips
Amber Robertson
Eric Schrader
Bart Tucker
Richard Zavala
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Larry Anfin Debbie Boudreaux Tyler Grant Harriet Harral Joy Ann Havran
Jim Oliver Bob Riley Kathy Saunders Matt Tucker
The proceeds generated by Trinity Collaborative, Inc. are used to provide grants to our three of our founding organizations further enhancing the quality of life for North Texans. Tarrant Regional Water District is a founding partner who graciously gives their portion of the grant distribution back to our other three partners. In the history of Trinity Collaborative, Inc., more than $7,500,000 has been given back to the community!
Streams & Valleys, Inc. has been awarded funds over the years for several projects that have benefitted the trail systems throughout Fort Worth, including:
PARD has received grants for improvements throughout Trinity Park and within their organization, including:
The Junior League of Fort Worth has been awarded grants for several programs that benefit children throughout the community, as well as leadership programs, including:
