ARLINGTON, Texas – Sept. 19, 2024 — The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) and Texas Trust Credit Union named philanthropist Elizabeth “Liz” Levitt Hirsch, the 2024 Dream Builder. This is the ninth year for the award, which honors individuals who have made the greatest contributions to revitalizing downtown Arlington and making Arlington the American Dream City.

Levitt Hirsch, a champion of the arts, community, and social justice, is receiving this recognition posthumously as DAMC’s highest honor. She left a lasting legacy for downtown and all of Arlington.

Levitt Hirsch was born in New York City in 1951 to Mortimer Levitt, a rags to riches American who made his fortune as a clothier, and Mimi Levitt, who loved arts and culture and exposed her children to experiences including opera and ballet. Levitt Hirsch attended college on the West Coast, and met and married the love of her life, Howard Hirsch, who was an internationally-known hospitality designer based in Los Angeles.

In 2001, Levitt Hirsch took over the reins of the family foundation – the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation – that was her father’s dream, bringing free music under the stars to people across America. Within her first year of overseeing the foundation, Levitt Hirsch led the first venture philanthropy effort to develop the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena, Calif. In addition to the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena, her engagement in other communities helped bring the Levitt program to life in Los Angeles (2007), Arlington, Texas (2008), Memphis (2008), Bethlehem, Pa. (2011), and Sioux Falls (2019).

Levitt Hirsch came to Arlington for the first time in 2006, meeting with local leaders and embracing the vision of building a Levitt Pavilion here as a new centerpiece for the city’s downtown revitalization strategy.

“You cannot tell the story of Downtown Arlington’s revitalization without talking about the impact that the Levitt Pavilion has had on our downtown, creating a beloved citywide destination where all feel welcome, while sparking economic growth and new businesses in every direction,” said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.

The Dream Builder Award was presented to the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation and the Levitt family on behalf of the DAMC by Jim Minge, CEO of Texas Trust Credit Union, during the DAMC’s annual meeting and luncheon. Texas Trust is actively involved in the DAMC and conceived of the Dream Builder Award as a way to honor and recognize the visionaries that are making downtown Arlington a thriving destination. 

About Downtown Arlington 

Downtown Arlington is a 501-c3 non-profit organization that forges alliances between property owners, businesses, residents and the City of Arlington to improve, enhance and promote Downtown Arlington. Downtown Arlington is also the steward of the Arlington Cultural District.  

About Texas Trust Credit Union

Texas Trust Credit Union has been helping build brighter financial futures since its modest beginning in 1936. Today, the full-service credit union serves more than 137,000 members. With assets of more than $2 billion, Texas Trust is the 7^th largest credit union in North Texas and the 18^th largest in Texas. With a focus on the community, Texas Trust is creating a legacy of giving through generous financial donations that support local school programs and activities, non-profit organizations, and student scholarships; and by providing volunteer resources through its Community Unity team, which supports scores of charitable events each year. For more information, visit TexasTrustCU.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/texastrustcu or Twitter at @texastrustcu.

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Photo caption: The DAMC honored Liz Levitt Hirsch as the 2024 Dream Builder. Pictured (left to right) are Maggie Campbell, Downtown Arlington President and CEO, Jim Minge, Texas Trust President and CEO, Stephen Zimmer, Levitt Pavilion Legacy Board of Directors Member, Jane Alexander, Levitt Pavilion Board of Directors Member, Letatia Teykl, Levitt Pavilion Executive Director, John Arnot, Downtown Arlington Board Chair, and Garret Martin Downtown Arlington Vice President.