Good Reason Houston
Dear Community Partners and Supporters,
At Houston Endowment, we envision greater Houston as a vibrant community where all have the opportunity to thrive.
We are proud of our diverse and dynamic region. We love its energy and its “can do” spirit. Yet we also see that many people in our region are facing significant challenges — challenges that prevent them from having full access to opportunity. These challenges are quite complex. They will not be solved by any one entity working alone. And it will take sustained commitment and focus to achieve meaningful impact.
Houston Endowment’s dollars are substantial but limited. We must deploy our resources with utmost care in order to have the greatest impact possible. Increasingly, this means seeking opportunities that are ripe for change, then deploying our resources in alignment and collaboration with others. In some cases, Houston Endowment brings people together to initiate action. In other cases, we are proud to join and support the work of others. Looking back on 2018, we are grateful to the many individuals and organizations from across the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors that make our work possible.
The initiatives showcased in this report are examples of the Endowment working collectively with others on issues that disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations and where we see the potential for transformative and lasting change. These include:
- Creating a nonprofit that is working to improve public education in greater Houston;
- Working side by side with community leaders to restore a historic institution in an underserved community; and
- Introducing community leaders who are working together to ignite greater civic engagement in their neighborhoods.
We continue to build on our learnings from 2018. And we look forward to continuing to work with others to ensure a vibrant future for everyone in our region.
Sincerely,
Ann B. Stern
Coming Together to Solve Problems
We know that our region's most complex challenges won't be solved by any one entity working alone.
Coming Together to Solve Problems
We know that our region’s most complex problems will not be solved by any one entity working alone.
In some cases, Houston Endowment brings people together to initiate action. In other cases, we are proud to join and support the work of others.
The initiatives showcased below are examples of Houston Endowment working collectively with others.
Riverside General Hospital
Houston in Action
Measuring Impact
We're tracking the results of our grantmaking, both to measure impact and to learn.
Measuring Impact
We’re tracking the results of our grantmaking, both to measure impact and to learn.
We believe it’s important to further our understanding of what works well for achieving positive change in the community — and what doesn’t. We also value sharing what we learn.
The initiative showcased below is one example of Houston Endowment tracking the results of our grantmaking.
University Leadership Network
Investing in Our Community
In 2018, we awarded more than $47 million in funding to more than 120 organizations.
Investing in Our Community
We envision greater Houston as a vibrant community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.
In pursuit of that vision, in 2018 Houston Endowment approved more than $47 million in funding in four focus areas to more than 120 organizations.
Strong Civic Assets
We believe that world-class arts, cultural experiences and public greenspaces are an essential part of a vibrant, dynamic community and should be accessible to everyone. We work to enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston through investments in civic assets.
Click here for a list of funding approved in 2018 that supports Strong Civic Assets.
Thriving Residents
We believe that all residents of greater Houston should have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of what neighborhood they live in or where they were born. We work to ensure effective support systems for vulnerable populations.
Click here for a list of funding approved in 2018 that supports Thriving Residents.
Post-Secondary Success
We believe that a strong education is the foundation for 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 funding approved in 2018 that supports Post-Secondary Success.
Stronger Region
We believe that community leaders and residents alike must be forward-thinking so that everyone can thrive as our region grows. 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 funding approved in 2018 that supports a Stronger Region.