How did Serve Denton grow from an idea into a community hub?
When the CEO of Serve Denton, Pat Smith, retired from the Air Force, he wasn't planning to start a nonprofit. But after his father passed away in 2009, Smith felt called to carry on his legacy of service.
“When my dad passed away, I learned that he had helped hundreds of people across the community over many years. People came from all over the country to say goodbye to him, and I was struck by the impact he had on people's lives," Smith said. "I felt convicted that I wasn't doing much like that, so I decided to go into ministry, and I went to work for Denton Bible Church.”
Through his work with the church, he was challenged to find new ways to serve the Denton community. The result was Serve Denton, which launched in 2012 with a mission to bring both secular and faith-based nonprofit organizations together under one roof, making help easier to find for those in need.
The organization grew steadily in its early years before reaching a major milestone in 2018, when it secured significant funding to purchase and renovate its current campus.
$6.5 million of that funding came from a New Market Tax Credit, and Serve Denton recently announced its exit from the loan. This has given the team more financial flexibility, leading to "Serve Denton 2.0," which has expanded the organization’s educational offerings, reimagined how it engages with the community and more.
What makes Serve Denton's model different?
Serve Denton currently brings 24 organizations together under one roof, eliminating barriers for residents seeking help and allowing nonprofits to stretch limited budgets. It supports over 30,000 people annually and serves as a model for other communities looking to replicate its approach.
Mental health counseling
Food assistance
Health care
Foster care support
Financial assistance
Services for survivors of human trafficking
The campus offers affordable Class A office space, shared meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces. Organizations can utilize the campus in two ways, depending on their needs:
Members can access shared areas seven days a week to host programs, meetings and events.
Partners can lease dedicated office space tailored specifically to their organization's needs.
When a Partner joins, Serve Denton helps customize the space to fit their mission. For example, construction is currently underway for a new WIC grocery store that will allow eligible families to conveniently redeem benefits.
“Families who are enrolled in WIC often have a hard time accessing their benefits, because grocery stores may only have a few items available to them, which are not easily identifiable,” Smith said. “This will be a space dedicated to WIC products. Families can come here, or order online ahead of time, redeem their benefits and get nutritional foods for their children.”
Serve Denton also helps younger nonprofits navigate the industry, so they can scale their impact efficiently.
“We had an affordable housing organization that was here for several years. They started out with only two office spaces, and they grew to a whole hallway,” Smith said. “Because they were here, they were able to save and raise funds to then outgrow us and [open] their own building.”
How does Serve Denton support the community beyond office space?
Serve Denton 2.0 has allowed the organization to expand its leadership and operational training, which is available through two programs:
Leading with Excellence: A two-hour educational seminar workshop, focused on leadership training. It is offered several times throughout the year.
Operating with Excellence: A twice a year hands-on course developed with the Toyota Production System Support Center. It focuses on streamlining workflows, reducing inefficiencies and creating consistent, effective operations in a nonmanufacturing setting.
“We now have a special designation from Toyota called Showcase,” Smith said. “When [Toyota] wants to show corporations, nonprofits and businesses what using the Toyota Production System looks like in a non-manufacturing context, we show them.”
How is Serve Denton funded, and how can you help?
Serve Denton does not receive government funding, so community events have become a primary way for the organization to generate support while bringing people together.
Rather than traditional fundraising galas, Serve Denton 2.0 has shifted toward family-friendly experiences designed to be memorable and engaging, such as their recent Lake Lewisville Dragon Boat Festival.
"All of our events now have a theme: great food and great entertainment or a fun activity," Smith said.
On Oct. 9, the organization will host its second annual Atomic Bingo Bash.
"The Atomic Bingo Bash is a family-friendly, high-energy bingo event during Halloween with costume contests, fun prizes, a live DJ, and a focus on bingo and community fun," development associate Francine Almodovar said.
Other upcoming events include:
North Texas Giving Day (Sept. 1-17): Serve Denton is accepting donations from Sept. 1-17, with the goal of raising $35,000. Every donation directly supports expanding and enhancing the center.
Haunt Out Hunger (Oct. 31): Serve Denton will partner with Tarrant Area Food Bank to distribute 300 food boxes, alongside children's activities, community resources and free lunch.
Annual Christmas Concert (Dec. 13): A concert featuring David J. Pierce and the Denton Holiday Orchestra.
Fool’s Gold Celebration (April 1, 2027): A night where laughter turns into impact. More details coming soon.
What is most rewarding for the Serve Denton team?
Both Almodovar and Smith find many aspects of their work rewarding. Before joining Serve Denton, Almodovar was an employee at one of its Partner agencies.
"I admire Serve Denton's reputation in the community. We provide great customer service and delivery,” Almodovar said. “Our customers are nonprofits, [so our support] trickles down into the community through the services they deliver. I appreciate being a part of something so well known, respected and loved in the community."
For Smith, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing people leave with renewed hope after connecting them with resources.
"I get a lot of joy from seeing people come in who are having a really bad day, and we're able to get them connected to resources, encourage them and coach them," Smith said.
As Serve Denton looks ahead, its leaders remain focused on strengthening nonprofits, creating meaningful partnerships and ensuring every person who walks through its doors can find both practical support and a sense of hope.
"You can go three weeks without food, three days without water and three minutes without air, but you can't go three seconds without hope,” Smith said. “We try to make the center a place where people can find hope if they don't have it, because if you don't have hope, nothing else matters."
For those interested in learning more or attending a Serve Denton event, resources can be found here:
Website: www.servedenton.org (upcoming events can be found in the “Events” tab)
Phone number: 940-735-3234
Address: 306 N. Loop 288, Denton
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon
A quick recap FAQ
What services are available at Serve Denton?
Serve Denton's campus, located at 306 N. Loop 288 in Denton, houses 24 health and human service organizations offering mental health counseling, food assistance, health care, foster care support, financial assistance and services for survivors of human trafficking, all under one roof.
How can a nonprofit organization join Serve Denton?
Organizations can join as Members, which provides access to shared areas seven days a week, or as Partners, which includes dedicated office space tailored to their mission.
How is Serve Denton funded?
Serve Denton does not receive government funding. It is supported through private donations, community events and lease revenue from partner organizations. The organization is currently accepting donations through North Texas Giving Day (Sept. 1-17), with a goal of raising $35,000.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
