“We Can Do More” Initiative
2016 Annual Report
Houston Endowment partners with others in the nonprofit, public and private sectors to enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston and improve quality of life for its residents.
Our funding supports innovative approaches to solving the complex issues facing greater Houston, seeds collaborations and initiatives to make our region stronger and strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations that play a critical role in community systems.
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Community Partners and Supporters,
We are excited to share Houston Endowment’s 2016 Annual Report with you.
We remain deeply committed to our mission: To enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston and advance equity of opportunity for the people who live here. Last year, the Endowment introduced a new strategic framework that outlines the Endowment’s priorities, describing how we approach our work and the ultimate impact we seek to have in the community. The strategic framework identifies four targeted outcomes: strong civic assets that are accessible to all, effective systems that promote thriving residents, post-secondary success for all our children and a strong region able to meet the needs of residents now and in the future.
The 2016 annual report provides an overview of our 2016 grantmaking —more than 200 grants that reflect the Endowment’s priorities. The report also provides a detailed description of three initiatives in which we invested or noted progress during 2016. While they are in various stages of development and implementation, these initiatives are representative of our collaborative approach toward a more vibrant and equitable community.
We look forward to sharing more as we continue to learn and our work continues to evolve, and we invite you to share your feedback and help us continue to drive positive change in the region at connect@houstonendowment.org.
Ann B. Stern
Refining Our Approach
In 2016, we continued to evolve our work in order to better address the complex and systemic nature of problems facing our community.
Refining Our Approach
The social issues that act to limit opportunity for some in our city are complex and systemic, each intertwined with a myriad of other issues and conditions. No one organization, including Houston Endowment, can solve these problems alone. They must be addressed systemically and collaboratively in order to create lasting impact.
With that in mind, in 2016, we sharpened our approach and homed in on areas where we can make the greatest impact. Increasingly, we are looking for promising ideas and innovative solutions that cut across sectors. At the same time, it’s not always about solving problems. When it comes to the vibrancy of our region, we believe that a healthy and diverse arts ecosystem plays an essential role.
In order to provide transparency and clarity to our partners, Houston Endowment launched a new website reflecting our approach and illustrating the outcomes on which we are focused. Learn more about our focus areas and our approach to achieving impact.
Investing in Our Community
In 2016, we awarded more than 200 grants totaling $62 million.
Investing in Our Community
We envision greater Houston as a vibrant community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.
To that end, in 2016, Houston Endowment approved more than $62 million in funding in four interrelated focus areas:
Strong Civic Assets
We believe that world-class civic assets – that are accessible to all – are an essential part of a vibrant, dynamic community. We work to enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston through investments in the arts, cultural experiences and public greenspaces.
Click here for a list of grants approved in 2016 that support Strong Civic Assets.
Thriving Residents
We believe that all residents of greater Houston should have the opportunity to thrive. We work to improve aligned, efficient systems of support for our most vulnerable residents.
Click here for a list of grants approved in 2016 that support Thriving Residents.
Post-Secondary Success
We believe that a strong education is the foundation for building a fulfilling life. We work to ensure that all students in greater Houston have access to a high-quality education that prepares them to become productive, engaged adults.
Click here for a list of grants approved in 2016 that support Post-Secondary Success.
Stronger Region
We believe that a strong region must be forward-thinking to effectively support all of its residents. We work to strengthen greater Houston by protecting the natural environment and increasing the region’s ability to plan for future needs.
Click here for a list of grants approved in 2016 that support a Stronger Region.
Access additional financial information here.
Access our most recent audited financial statements here.
Achieving Impact
In order to have the greatest impact possible, Houston Endowment leverages its resources in a variety of ways.
Achieving Impact
In order to have the greatest impact possible, Houston Endowment leverages its resources in a variety of ways.
The three initiatives showcased below exemplify the different types of promising ideas and innovative solutions in which Houston Endowment is investing to create lasting change.
The “We Can Do More” Initiative started right here in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood. Now we’re hoping to replicate its success in five more communities.
CultureWorks is a successful model from Philadelphia that we are “importing” to Houston with the hope and expectation that it can help arts organizations here.
The college counseling work is a long-term initiative we’ve undertaken with a large institution, the Houston Independent School District.
Read more about each of these efforts below.
CultureWorks Greater Houston
HISD College Counseling
