That 1 Painter’s mission is to provide exceptional interior and exterior painting services to residential and commercial clients while maintaining a steadfast commitment to helping others. With this in mind, Founder Steven Montgomery established the Paint It Forward program in 2019 to offer free-of-charge home makeovers to those who need it most. By Erika Ortega
GIVING BACK
That 1 Painter’s mission is to provide exceptional interior and exterior painting services to residential and commercial clients while maintaining a steadfast commitment to helping others. With this in mind, Founder Steven Montgomery established the Paint It Forward program in 2019 to offer free-of-charge home makeovers to those who need it most.
“Once a quarter, we partner with Sherwin Williams to paint a home for free for a family in need,” said Montgomery. “We have given back to communities in ways we could not have imagined since we first started our Paint It Forward initiative. This March, we’re so excited to be expanding our program in a big way.”
That 1 Painter took their long-standing relationship with Sherwin Williams to an all-new level, resulting in free paint donations. “After sitting down with some of their leadership, we cast the vision, and they were almost immediately on board,” Montgomery explained.
Offering in-demand services that include limewash, deck and fence staining, pressure washing, and drywall repairs, among others, That 1 Painter has been able to take on significant renovations for individuals, including husband-and-wife Dillon and Morgan Tyndell, Navy veterans who reside in Fort Worth, Texas. Franchisee Abigail Drysdale spearheaded the couple’s Paint It Forward project and decided to take their request for bathtub repairs and transform it into a major renovation.
“When we saw the house and family, we decided that they needed it all,” Drysdale said. Her team delivered a comprehensive exterior and interior paint job for doors, sidings, ceilings, walls, and kitchen cabinets.
“It has been really fun to watch the community get behind Dillon and Morgan,” shared Drysdale. “For me, the Paint It Forward program is awesome because I believe that we should always have a caring and giving heart and think of others.”
Once word got out about Drysdale’s efforts with the Paint It Forward program, others in the community felt inspired to contribute to the cause. Drysdale’s team connected with some of the That 1 Painter’s local referral partners who provided landscaping, pest control, home security, and HVAC services, among others.
“This is a blessing that no one saw coming,” shared Dillon. “The demonstration of how kind and generous everyone has been … it has been overwhelming. It really restores your faith.”
The program utilizes a simple nomination process, enabling franchisees to make a difference in their community. Owners reach out to their customer base and network for nominations. Then, a family in need or a charity is selected.
Since its inception, the Paint it Forward program has steadily expanded its impact. During the first year the initiative was launched, four projects were completed. In 2024, 70 projects were completed.
This year, That 1 Painter will be partnering with news outlets and social media influencers to promote the Paint it Forward program further. The company plans to grow the program into a national initiative, aiming to complete more than 100 home transformations in one week.
Erika Ortega