Bill Sandlin, Chairman of the Board Retirement
We would like to express our gratitude to Bill Sandlin, a true servant-leader and our superhero, for his exceptional contribution to Kids Matter as the Chairman of the Board from 2017 to 2023. Bill has generously given his time, talent, and resources to serve children living in poverty in our community.
What’s remarkable about his involvement is that his entire family has been equally dedicated to serving Kids Matter. A special shoutout to Rexanna, who has been by his side throughout his tenure at Kids Matter. She helped launch the Around the Block program, chaired the annual Charity Ball for over 7 years, and has been a permanent fixture within the organization. Taylor has worked with Kids Matter for over 7 years, and Elizabeth has also been an advocate for the organization.
During his tenure as Chairman, Bill accomplished several critical milestones, including joining the Kids Matter board in 2008 and becoming Vice Chairman in 2010. He then became Chairman in 2017 and chaired the Finance Committee and Board of Director’s Nomination Committee from 2010 until 2023. Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth and recognition of Kids Matter as a formidable nonprofit. Under his watch, Kids Matter has achieved its 7th Platinum rating, which is the highest rating a nonprofit can achieve, through Candid, a national organization that tracks the financial transparency and accountability of over 2 million charities.
Kids Matter provides two core programs, the Around the Block and RampUp Reading Literacy Program. During Bill’s tenure, Kids Matter clothed over 11,000 underserved children through the Around the Block Program in partnership with KOHL’s. This represents over $1.1 million in $100 vouchers provided to kids to shop for clothes in preparation for the winter months. Through the partnership with Kohl’s department stores, Kids Matter generated over $3.5 million in new clothes for the kids. Additionally, Kids Matter distributed over 11,000 new backpacks, 6,000 pairs of high-quality casual shoes through its partnership with Twisted X Global Brands, and 112,000 books through the RampUp Reading Program in partnership with KOHL’S.
Bill has also been instrumental in the success of the two largest fundraisers, the Annual Kids Matter Charity Ball and most recently, the Eagles Challenge Hole in One Golf Tournament, which has generated over $1,000,000 during his Chairmanship. Bill has generated numerous new relationships resulting in sponsorships for Charity Ball, Eagles Challenge Golf Tournament, and new corporate friends. Kids Matter was also voted one of the top nonprofits in Tarrant County and one of the best nonprofits to volunteer for in Tarrant County.
Bill has been an advocate for Victory Christian Center in Tanzania and has raised funds to support the school. He has often referred to himself as the “pack-mule” because of the thousands of hours that he donated to set up tents for ATB at 4:30 am, load and set up for the Charity Ball, run to the warehouse to pick up needed items for events, and direct families participating in ATB. No matter what was needed, Bill always answered the call for help.
Bill is a one-of-a-kind servant leader, sent by God, who has given his heart and soul to Kids Matter.
