houston endowment a p h i l a n t h r o p y e n d o w e d b y Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Jones
2009 Annual Report
g
ENGAGE&ADVANCE houston endowment
a p h i l a n t h r o p y e n d o w e d b y Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Jones
Improving life for the people of the greater Houston area for 72 years
2009
Annual Report
g
contents
g The Foundation
5
Grants
7
9
Arts
29
Community Enhancement
47
E d u ca t i o n
65 79
Environment Health
93
Human Services
The Founders
113
Board of Directors
119
Staff
124
Affiliations
127
Financial Report
129
Grant Application
135
Index to Grantees
137
5
Houston International Festival at Sam Houston Park
6
the foundation
g Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones established Houston Endowment on September 25, 1937, to improve life for the people of the greater Houston area. Since then, the foundation has helped achieve and sustain positive and observable progress in the community through its grants to nonprofit organizations, particularly to those that operate efficiently and effectively and that maximize results for those they serve. During the first years of their marriage in the 1920s, the Joneses donated more than $1 million to help initiate and develop institutions and organizations that would nurture Houston’s people and encourage the city’s growth. After they established Houston Endowment, Mr. Jones transferred ownership of his buildings and businesses—including the Rice Hotel, the National Bank of Commerce, the Houston Chronicle and the famous Mayfair House in New York City—to the foundation. In response to the Tax Reform Act of 1969, the buildings and businesses were sold and the proceeds were invested in securities. From the gifts and bequests of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Houston Endowment’s assets have grown to more than $1.43 billion, enabling the foundation to donate $68,635,900 in 2009. Since Mr. and Mrs. Jones established Houston Endowment 72 years ago, the foundation has donated more than $1.4 billion ($2.5 billion in current dollars) to charitable organizations and educational institutions to help fulfill their vision of a vibrant community where the opportunity to engage, advance and thrive is available to all.
What we need most now, as always, is a fairness of attitude toward one another, a willingness to work together for the good of all. Jesse H. Jones, October 13, 1936
Jesse H. Jones with scholarship recipients, 1953
7
8
Grants 2009
g G r a n t d is t r i b u t i o n b y p r o g r a m a r e a Arts
$
7,294,000
11%
C OMMUNITY ENH A N C EMEN t
$
11,937,000
17%
EDU C A TION
$
18,282,400
26%
ENVI R ONMENT
$
9,420,000
14%
HE A LTH
$
6,798,500
10%
HUM A N SE R VI C ES
$
14,904,000
22%
total
$
68,635,900
100%
H o u st o n E n d o w me n t supports nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that generate progress in the community by producing positive and enduring results for those they serve. During 2009, Houston Endowment donated $68,635,900 within six program areas to help improve life for the people of the greater Houston area and to create a community where the opportunity to engage, advance and thrive is available to all. 9
Children at Neighborhood Centers’ Ripley House in Houston’s East End
A R TS
11%
Supporting and Improving Small to Midsize Arts Organizations
44%
$ 3,224,000
Serving and Cultivating Audiences for Large Arts Organizations
33%
2,375,000
Supporting a Vibrant Arts Community
11%
810,000
Providing Arts Experiences for Young People
12%
885,000
total
100%
$
7,294,000
Fostering artistic achievement and providing meaningful experiences
v ‘Beauty Queen’ by Scott Dalton at the Houston Center for Photography
11
A R TS
g
When we put a play onstage, we know that our audience is going to be engaged and have a terrific time. The Alley Theatre—one of the oldest and most highly regarded regional theaters in the United States—was founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, who sent penny postcards inviting others to join the effort. “She was a pioneer,” says managing director Dean Gladden. “She established the theater with a resident company
and located it in a space at the end of an alleyway near downtown. Today, the Alley is one of the few theaters in the United States with a resident company.” Gladden compares the concept to baseball, saying, “After being together for a long time, professional baseball players know where the other person on the team is going to be and what he is going to do. In acting, it’s the same with a resident company. We’re committed to keeping this tradition.”
Vance realized her vision of creating a world-renowned theater company in Houston long before she passed away in 1980: the Alley moved into its current home in 1968. Now, more than 40 years later, the theater is upgrading its facility. “Renovations to the Hubbard Stage will enhance the artistic product we present,” says Gladden. The stage will be closer to the audience and will include trap doors on the floor and fly space above to accommodate moving scenery. I-beams located on the stage will be removed, and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and digital equipment will be installed. “As we look forward to the next 50 years,” says Gladden, “we’re creating an improved space for our audiences to enjoy theater.” ARTS
The Alley is expanding its resident company to include directors, designers and playwrights, and it is investing more in larger shows with bigger casts. “Enhancing our artistic product brings more people to the theater,” says Gladden. Under artistic director Gregory Boyd, the Alley presents at least 10 plays each season to more than 180,000 adults and students. The programming includes literary classics, modern masterpieces, musicals, new works and world premieres. The Alley also performs in schools and sends in specially trained educators to teach playwriting, to prepare students before they attend the theater and to lead discussions afterwards to enhance their experiences. Other educational programs are offered at the theater. “Telling a story is one of the best ways to teach kids how to write and think,” says Gladden. He adds, “The Alley is one of the leading theaters in the country. When we put a play onstage, we know that our audience is going to be engaged and have a terrific time.”
12
ARTS
Jeffrey Bean as Cyrano de Bergerac in the Alley Theatre’s production of ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ 13
ARTS
Rainey Knudson (left) and editor Kelly Klaasmeyer updating the Glasstire Web site 14
A R TS
g
Without critical dialogue and a forum to let people know what’s going on, art just goes out in a vacuum. Within months of folding her print magazine about the visual arts in Texas, Rainey Knudson established Web-based Glasstire (www.glasstire.org) in 2001 to fill the gap. “Any healthy art community has to have a media component in addition to artists, galleries, museums, patrons, collectors and nonprofits,” says Knudson. “Without critical dialogue and a forum to let people know what’s going on, art just goes out in a vacuum.” Knudson, whose mother owned an art gallery, is married to a well-known local artist, has a master’s degree in business and brings knowledge and experience to the enterprise. She compares the Web site’s name—an homage to Robert Rauschenberg and his tires fabricated out of glass—to Apple as a name for a computer company and says, “An unusual name is a great asset to an organization.” Knudson saw Texas as “one big art scene” and realized a Web site would eliminate shipping costs, expensive heavy paper and the lengthy production lead times that often preclude concurrent notices and reviews about shows while they are open. Using her administrative abilities to create a sustainable organization, she built a board, gathered a staff and enlisted paid writers to provide “smart, irreverent, entertaining and readable” coverage about the visual arts in Houston and in Texas. The site posts one or two new feature articles each week and provides a space for self-published, unedited blogs from selected writers, daily news, lists of events, a message board and free classified ads. ARTS
Visits to the site have quadrupled since it went online in 2001. Knudson says, “In the beginning we got excited over 1,000 daily visits. Now we’re disappointed if we don’t get at least 5,000.” She expects one million hits in 2010. More than 60 percent come from Texas; 20 percent come from Houston. Knudson says, “Texas and Houston have an amazing contemporary art scene. People check out Glasstire to plan their weekend, to read the news and to see what their favorite blogger has to say.” She adds, “At the end of the day, it’s about the artists who work here and about the institutions and galleries that support them. Glasstire provides a sense of community to Houston, to Texas, to local artists and to the people who enjoy their work.”
15
A R TS
g
We want to create a new generation of music lovers, who will keep the art form alive for many years to come. Foundation for Modern Music Inc. (FMM) makes modern music accessible and enjoyable. It was established in 1986, originally to produce high-quality recordings of music by 20th-century composers. Then in 1999,
acclaimed composer and performer Robert Avalon became artistic director. He initiated new programs and turned the organization into one of the leading sources of modern music in Houston today. In addition to producing recordings of 21st-century music, FMM now offers concerts, educational programs and a competition for composers that attracts applicants and attention from across the nation.
“Our first three annual competitions were restricted to young composers in the Houston area,” says president Gary Chamness. “But for the upcoming fourth annual Robert Avalon Composers Competition, we now have high school, college and professional categories, and we have received almost 40 applications from all over the country and beyond. We named the competition in Robert’s honor after he passed away in 2004, before his vision of the competition became a reality. Now the competition brings new music and world premieres to Houston, adding to the city’s reputation as a major cultural center.”
ARTS 16
Artistic director Raúl Orlando Edwards explains, “We want to create a new generation of music lovers, who will keep the art form alive for many years to come.” In addition to the competition, FMM’s Music of Today concerts, under Edwards’s guidance, bring modern music to the city throughout the year and in a variety of venues. The concerts, which feature music by composers of our time, are performed by both seasoned and rising young musicians. As Chamness explains, the concerts dispel common notions about the genre. “The aversion to modern music occurred when composers were producing very cerebral music by extremely complicated formulas and rules; they forgot that music was to be listened to and enjoyed,” he says. “We present music that may be more dissonant, more percussive and edgier than was popular 100 years ago, but there is much produced now that is quite beautiful and worth hearing.” FMM has presented the work of more than 140 composers and employed over 200 performers through its popular concert series. Chamness says, “Our modern era can be edgy and noisy, so it’s not inappropriate for some new music to sound the same way. But like life, it’s not always like that. There are new expressions to be made in music, in poetry, in art of all sorts, and they all reflect, inform and grace our time.”
ARTS
Foundation for Modern Music, in collaboration with other performing artists, presents ‘Cabaret of the Americas’ at Stages Repertory Theatre 17
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Su pporting a n d improv ing Sma ll to Midsize A rts Orga niz ations 189 4 Inc. G a lv e s t o n I s l a n d, T X
Toward structural repairs to The Grand 1894 Opera House, and toward replacing the Galveston Symphony Orchestra’s destroyed copper kettle drums
2009
$
515,000
$
515,000
A rs Ly r ica Hous t on Houston, T X
2007
90,000
30,000
2009
90,000
45,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2009
80,000
40,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2006
45,000
15,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2009
160,000
160,000
Toward productions and educational programs at a neighborhood theater
2008
15,000
15,000
Toward productions and educational programs at a neighborhood theater
2009
15,000
0
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
10,000
10,000
Toward presenting Baroque chamber music, operas and oratorios A r t L e ague of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward visual art exhibitions, educational programs and community outreach A r t s A l l i a nce Cen t er at Cl e ar La k e N a s s au B ay, T X
Toward visual, performing and literary arts exhibitions, performances and classes for adults and children Aurora Pic t ur e Show Houston, T X
Toward a micro-cinema that promotes non-commercial film, video and new media artists B ach Socie t y at Chr is t t he K ing E va ngel ica l L u t hera n Church Houston, T X
Toward presenting historically accurate performances of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries C A NTA R E Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting historical and contemporary choral music C ata s t rophic T he at r e Inc. Houston, T X
Toward creating and performing new theatrical works Chorus A mer ica A s s oci at ion Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward a four-day master class in Houston to enhance the skills of conductors and leaders of local choral groups Con t emp orary A r t s Museum Hous t on
ARTS
Houston, T X
Toward presenting regional, national and international contemporary art, toward educational and outreach programs, and toward redesigning the museum’s Web site Coun t ry Pl ay house Houston, T X
Cy pr e s s Cr eek F ine A r t A s s oci at ion Spr ing, TX
Toward educational programs at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in northwest Houston Cy pr e s s Cr eek F oundat ion f or t he A r t s a nd Communi t y Enr ichmen t Spr ing, TX
Toward performing arts presentations and educational programs
19
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
225,000
75,000
2008
20,000
10,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2008
60,000
20,000
2006
105,000
35,000
2009
89,000
89,000
Toward classical music performances by volunteer musicians who are primarily health care professionals
2008
15,000
7,500
Toward classical music performances by volunteer musicians who are primarily health care professionals
2009
15,000
0
2009
50,000
25,000
2009
75,000
75,000
Toward citywide exhibitions and educational programs at FotoFest 2008, a biennial international photography exposition
2007
200,000
50,000
Toward citywide exhibitions and educational programs at FotoFest 2010, a biennial international photography exhibition
2009
220,000
0
2009
20,000
20,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Da C a mera S ocie t y of T e x a s Houston, T X
Toward performances of thematically presented chamber music, contemporary music and jazz by leading local, national and international artists, and toward educational outreach and touring activities Da nce Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting diverse forms of dance at workshops, summer camps, performances and citywide festivals Da nce of A si a n A mer ica Houston, T X
Toward promoting cultural appreciation through Chinese dance and providing young dancers with professional training and performance opportunities Da nce Source Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting performances and providing professional and marketing services for dancers Dion ysus T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward productions by a performing arts troupe composed of disabled and able-bodied performers Di v er se Wor ks Inc. Houston, T X
Toward presenting contemporary visual, literary and performing art that explores artistic, cultural and social issues, and toward Tierney Malone’s ‘Third Ward Stories’ exhibition Doc t ors Orche s t ra of Hous t on Houston, T X
Ear t hen V e s sel s Inc. dba Sa ndra Org a n Da nce Compa n y Houston, T X
Toward contemporary ballet programs and performances ARTS
Ensembl e T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward professional training, educational outreach and theatrical performances by local and national playwrights and artists who focus on African-American experiences F o t oF e s t Inc. Houston, T X
F oundat ion f or Moder n Music Inc. Houston, T X
Toward supporting contemporary classical music composers and performers through concerts, competitions, recordings and educational outreach 20
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
Toward creating, presenting and promoting original productions of dance, film, theater, music and visual arts
2008
20,000
10,000
Toward creating, presenting and promoting original productions of dance, film, theater, music and visual arts
2009
12,000
0
2009
250,000
250,000
2008
60,000
20,000
2007
30,000
10,000
2008
50,000
25,000
2007
225,000
75,000
2008
170,000
60,000
2008
75,000
25,000
2009
15,000
15,000
Toward bringing world-renowned touring chamber music ensembles to Houston, presenting master classes and demonstrations and providing free or discounted tickets to students and seniors
2007
50,000
25,000
Toward bringing world-renowned touring chamber music ensembles to Houston, presenting master classes and demonstrations and providing free or discounted tickets to students and seniors
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
80,000
25,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Fr ene t icor e Houston, T X
Ga lv e s t on A r t s Cen t er Inc. G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward repairing Hurricane Ike damage to the Center’s 1878 National Bank Building Gil ber t & Sul l i va n Socie t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas Gul f Coa s t - A Jour n a l of L i t erat ur e a nd F ine A r t s Houston, T X
Toward producing a biannual literary journal and teaching publishing skills to graduate and undergraduate students in the University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program Hope S t one Inc. Houston, T X
Toward presenting original dance, music and theatrical performances, and toward outreach programs for at-risk and underserved youth Hous t on Cen t er f or Con t emp orary Cra f t Houston, T X
Toward exhibiting original works of art in metal, fiber, clay, glass and wood, and toward offering classes, residencies and school programs Hous t on Cen t er f or Pho t ogra ph y Houston, T X
Toward promoting the appreciation of photography through exhibitions, publications and educational programs Hous t on Ch a mber Choir Houston, T X
Toward performances, outreach and educational activities by a professional choral ensemble Hous t on Ear ly Music M agnoli a , TX
Hous t on Fr iend s of Music Inc.
ARTS
Toward educational outreach and performances of vocal, instrumental and chamber music on historically appropriate instruments Houston, T X
Hous t on In t er n at ion a l Da nce Coa l i t ion Houston, T X
Toward Dance Salad Festival, a weeklong presentation by local, national and international companies
21
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
50,000
25,000
2009
80,000
80,000
Toward creative writing programs and presentations that promote the literary arts
2008
100,000
50,000
Toward creative writing programs and presentations that promote the literary arts
2009
60,000
0
2009
10,000
5,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2007
120,000
40,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2008
120,000
60,000
2008
75,000
37,500
2008
35,000
15,000
2008
50,000
50,000
2009
10,000
10,000
2007
120,000
40,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Hous t on Ma s t erwor ks Chorus, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward choral music performances Hous t on Me t rop ol i ta n Da nce Cen t er Inc. Houston, T X
Toward educational outreach, classes and performances, and toward equipment and improvements to the new studio Inpr in t Inc. Houston, T X
Ins t i t u t e of Hispa nic Cult ur e of Hous t on, T e x a s Houston, T X
Toward the annual Hispanic Folkloric Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre Je w ish Communi t y Cen t er of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward exploring Jewish culture and history by featuring local and international dancers and choreographers in performances, master classes, workshops and outreach at Dance Month 2010 Kat y A r t r e ach Houston, T X
Toward art education programs for underserved, at-risk children, for children with special needs and for crime victims and the elderly Law nda l e A r t a nd Per f or m a nce Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward contemporary art exhibitions, residency programs and educational events Ma in S t r ee t T he at er at Au t ry House Houston, T X
Toward theatrical productions for adult and young audiences, and toward training and outreach programs for young people Ma s q uera de T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward musical theater productions and training programs for children T he Mercury B aroq ue Ensembl e Houston, T X
ARTS
Toward performances of 17th- and 18th-century music using period instruments and historically accurate performance methods Michel e Bra ngw en Da nce Ensembl e Houston, T X
Toward commissioning and presenting new choreography and music Mon t gomery Coun t y F oundat ion f or Per f or ming A r t s Conroe , TX
Toward renovating the historic 1935 Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe Music in Con t e x t Houston, T X
Toward musical performances on historically appropriate instruments Musiq a Houston, T X
Toward an ensemble that promotes and presents contemporary classical music 22
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
75,000
40,000
Toward facility relocation and repair costs due to Hurricane Ike
2009
25,000
25,000
Toward presenting fully staged and costumed classical operas
2009
65,000
0
Toward presenting fully staged and costumed classical operas
2009
65,000
65,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
5,000
5,000
2009
200,000
100,000
2009
20,000
10,000
2008
50,000
20,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
50,000
25,000
2008
15,000
5,000
2008
100,000
50,000
2007
250,000
40,000
2009
75,000
75,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Na mel e s s Sound Houston, T X
Toward presenting contemporary and experimental avant-garde music and providing art education programs to children in public schools, community centers and homeless shelters Opera in t he Heigh t s Houston, T X
Ora nge Show F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward preserving and exhibiting The Orange Show monument and the Beer Can House, toward presenting the Houston Art Car Parade, and toward educational programs that promote visionary art Pa s a den a Phil h ar monic Socie t y Pa s a de n a , T X
Toward purchasing new music and presenting classical music performances Pro jec t Row House s Houston, T X
Toward public art and educational programs that promote neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation and community engagement P s ophoni a Houston, T X
Toward creating and presenting contemporary dances and offering residencies and performances to students in schools R i v er Oa ks Ch a mber Orche s t ra Houston, T X
Toward orchestral concerts for adults and children Ro t hko Ch a pel Houston, T X
Toward programs that explore the intersection of art, culture, spirituality and human rights Se v era l Da ncers Cor e Houston, T X
ARTS
Toward experimental contemporary dance performances, educational programs and community outreach Socie t y f or Pr e servat ion & Encouragemen t of B arbershop Q uar t e t Singing A mer ica Houston, T X
Toward perpetuating and presenting barbershop harmony-style singing through performances and educational outreach Sou t h w e s t A lt er n at e Medi a Pro jec t s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward promoting the creation and appreciation of film, video and new media S tage s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward theatrical plays for adults and young audiences Ta l en t o Bil ingue de Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting, preserving and promoting Latino arts and culture
23
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
90,000
30,000
2008
60,000
30,000
2009
30,000
15,000
Toward presenting free performances of two Shakespeare plays at Miller Outdoor Theatre during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Houston Shakespeare Festivals
2008
30,000
10,000
Toward building awareness of the Texas Musical Festival, a four-week orchestral fellowship program for young professional musicians
2009
15,000
0
Toward Blaffer Gallery exhibitions and publications that reach local, national and international audiences
2009
60,000
60,000
2009
60,000
30,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
T e x a s F ol k l if e R e s ource s Au s t i n , T X
Toward documenting, preserving and presenting Texas folk art in Houston, particularly through the ‘Accordion Kings & Queens’ workshop and concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre and ‘The Big Squeeze,’ a documentary film about an accordion contest T he at er La B Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward presenting contemporary plays Trav e s t y Da nce Group Houston, T X
Toward modern dance performances, new choreography and educational outreach Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Voice s Br e a k ing Boundar ie s Houston, T X
Toward multidisciplinary arts programs that provide performance and educational opportunities for artists and audiences with diverse perspectives and backgrounds
Total — S upporting and Improving Small to Midsize Arts Organizations
$
3,224,000
$
0
Serv ing a n d Cu lti vating Au diences for Large A rts Orga niz ations A l l e y T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward renovating the theater building, producing new works and enhancing productions
2008
Toward theatrical performances and educational and community outreach programs
2009
100,000
100,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2008
5,000,000
1,500,000
2008
200,000
100,000
2009
100,000
100,000
$
3,000,000
Hous t on B a l l e t F oundat ion
ARTS
Houston, T X
Toward performances and educational and community outreach programs Hous t on Gra nd Opera A s s oci at ion, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward the ‘Making a Difference Nexus Initiative,’ a large-scale effort to expand and diversify audiences Hous t on Music Ha l l F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward ‘Uniquely Houston,’ Hobby Center’s arts education and community outreach program Hous t on Sy mphon y S ocie t y Houston, T X
Toward educational and community outreach programs 24
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
Toward preserving and exhibiting the art collection of John and Dominique de Menil
2007
300,000
100,000
Toward preserving and exhibiting the art collection of John and Dominique de Menil
2009
100,000
0
Toward visual arts programs at the Glassell School of Art for special needs and underserved people
2008
50,000
25,000
Toward program support
2008
200,000
100,000
Toward presenting nationally and internationally acclaimed performing artists and companies
2007
300,000
100,000
Toward a weeklong residency and three performances by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2008
50,000
50,000
Toward presenting nationally and internationally acclaimed performing artists and companies
2009
100,000
0
Toward musical theater productions and innovative educational and community outreach programs
2007
300,000
100,000
Toward musical theater productions and innovative educational and community outreach programs
2009
100,000
0
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Menil F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
T he Museum of F ine A r t s, Hous t on Houston, T X
Socie t y f or t he Per f or ming A r t s Houston, T X
T he at r e Under T he S tars Inc. Houston, T X
Total — S erving and Cultivating Audiences for Large Arts Organizations
$
2,375,000
$
25,000
Su pporting a Vibra n t A rts Comm u nit y A r t Council Inc. New Y o r k , NY
Toward supporting individual artists in Houston
2007
$
150,000
A r t L ie s Houston, T X
Toward a journal and Web site about contemporary visual art in Texas
40,000
40,000
2009
30,000
30,000
2009
35,000
35,000
2008
285,000
145,000
ARTS
2009
Fr e sh A r t s Coa l i t ion Houston, T X
Toward building audiences through collaborative marketing efforts and promotional events for 25 small to midsize arts organizations Gl a s s t ir e Houston, T X
Toward an interactive Web site that provides information and commentary about the visual arts in Texas Hous t on A r t s A l l i a nce Houston, T X
Toward sharing patron databases among local arts organizations, and toward connecting skilled business professionals with arts organizations
25
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
25,000
25,000
Toward educating students about the cultures of Africa and Ireland through teachers’ guides that support the 2008 and 2009 Houston International Festivals
2008
50,000
25,000
Toward presenting the Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s Texas music program at the 2009 Houston International Festival
2008
75,000
75,000
Toward educating students about the Caribbean and the Silk Roads through teachers’ guides that support the 2010 and 2011 Houston International Festivals
2009
25,000
0
2009
10,000
10,000
2008
600,000
200,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2009
100,000
50,000
2006
45,000
10,000
2008
50,000
25,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Hous t on B a l l e t F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward the 2009 Dance/USA professional development conference in Houston Hous t on F e s t i va l F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
Hous t on Museum Dis t r ic t A s s oci at ion Houston, T X
Toward collaborative projects among 18 museums to increase awareness of, and advocate for, the institutions within their area Indi a n a Uni v ersi t y B l o o mi n g t o n , I N
Toward an annual survey to determine the impact and quality of Houston art schools and programs Mil l er T he at r e A dv is ory Boar d Inc. Houston, T X
Toward presenting free performing arts programs to the public at Miller Outdoor Theatre Sou t h w e s t A lt er n at e Medi a Pro jec t s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward ‘What If, Why Not: Underground Adventures with Ant Farm,’ a documentary film about the 1970s architecture collective Space ta k er Houston, T X
Toward support services to help local artists manage and advance their careers Spr ing Bra nch Independen t School Dis t r ic t Houston, T X
Toward exhibitions, classes and outreach programs at the Spring Branch ISD Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum T e x a s Accoun ta n t s & Law y ers f or t he A r t s
ARTS
Houston, T X
Toward free accounting and legal services for artists and arts organizations
Total — Supporting a Vibrant Arts Community
$
810,000
$
50,000
Prov iding A rts Ex periences for You ng People A mer ica n F e s t i va l f or t he A r t s Houston, T X
Toward providing music education and performance opportunities to students through the Summer Music Conservatory
2009
$
100,000
A r t Br idge Houston, T X
Toward art classes for homeless children living in shelters 26
2008
120,000
40,000
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
30,000
15,000
2007
30,000
10,000
2009
60,000
30,000
2007
45,000
15,000
2009
38,000
38,000
Toward creating and presenting culturally diverse performing arts programs for children and families
2007
50,000
25,000
Toward creating and presenting culturally diverse performing arts programs for children and families
2009
25,000
0
2009
50,000
50,000
2009
60,000
30,000
2008
14,000
7,000
2008
105,000
35,000
2008
80,000
40,000
2009
40,000
20,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Chil dr en’s Pr is on A r t s Pro jec t Houston, T X
Toward a theater and visual arts program to encourage constructive self-expression and positive self-images in incarcerated, adjudicated and abused youth Ci t y B a l l e t of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward classical and contemporary ballet performances and training programs for young people Cr e at i v e A lt er n at i v e s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward accessible and affordable art classes, particularly for children in lowincome neighborhoods and schools Di a z Music Ins t i t u t e Houston, T X
Toward student ensembles and performances of Afro-Cuban jazz, and toward summer workshops and after-school classes Dion ysus T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward theater arts classes for teens and young adults with disabilities, and toward a Braille embosser and captioning equipment E x pr e s s T he at r e Houston, T X
HITS T he at r e Houston, T X
Toward performances for the community and musical theater training for children ages four to 20 Hous t on Chil dr en’s Chorus Inc. Houston, T X
Toward music education programs and choral performances by children Hous t on Young A r t is t ’s Concer t Houston, T X
Hous t on You t h Sy mphon y & B a l l e t
ARTS
Toward presenting classical music and providing performance opportunities for young musicians Houston, T X
Toward recruiting and developing young musicians and providing them with the opportunity to perform in professional venues In t er Ac t i v e T he at er Compa n y Houston, T X
Toward developing and expanding a program that teaches children history, science, biography, folklore, world culture and literature through interactive plays Ja z z Educat ion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward teaching theory, composition, improvisation, drumming and professional development skills to school-age youth through the Summer Jazz Workshop
27
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
60,000
30,000
2008
30,000
10,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
30,000
10,000
2009
260,000
130,000
2008
50,000
25,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
Kat y V isua l & Per f or ming A r t s Cen t er K at y, T X
Toward performing and visual arts programs, and toward building renovations Ma nh at ta n T he at r e Cl ub, Inc. New Y o r k , NY
Toward including Houston schools in an Internet-based program where students from around the country collaborate on writing and producing a play Mult icult ura l Educat ion a nd Counsel ing t hrough t he A r t s Houston, T X
Toward promoting social, cultural and academic development in inner-city youth through classical and ethnic arts education programs and performances R i v er Per f or ming a nd V isua l A r t s Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward barrier-free, multisensory arts enrichment programs for children with disabilities, chronic illnesses or economic disadvantages T he Sh a k e spe ar e Gl obe Cen t r e Sou t h w e s t Inc. Houston, T X
Toward youth residencies and free performances of Shakespeare’s plays in various venues, particularly in schools Uni v ersi t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward a pilot theater program for children in Fifth Ward elementary schools V ir t uo si of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward a chamber orchestra that provides training and performance opportunities for musicians between the ages of 11 and 18 Wr i t ers in t he School s Houston, T X
Toward placing professional writers and artists in schools to help children learn literacy and writing skills Young Audience s Inc. of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward arts programs for pre-K through 12th grade students and professional development programs for schools
$
885,000
Tota l A rts
$
7,294,000
ARTS
Total — Providing Arts Experiences for Young People
28
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
30
Communit y enhancement
21%
$
17%
2,505,000
Promoting Historic Preservation Providing Educational Resources
44%
5,250,000
Improving Literacy
2%
200,000
Supporting and Improving Nonprofit Organizations
4%
446,000
Enhancing Houston through Urban Planning
3%
350,000
Increasing Self-Sufficiency through Workforce Training
18%
2,148,000
Increasing Civic and Government Participation
3%
370,000
Protecting the Health and Safety of Domestic Animals
5%
590,000
Supporting Philanthropy
>1%
78,000
total
100%
$ 11,937,000
Preserving the past and embracing the future
v The new addition that follows architect Ralph Adams Cram’s original plans for the Houston Public Library’s 1926 Julia Ideson Building
31
Community Enhancement
g
People leave the museum understanding why the Battle of San Jacinto was so important and how it influences our world today. “We have visitors from all 50 states and from more than 60 nations each year,” says San Jacinto Museum of History Association (SJMHA) president Larry Spasic. “One of the first questions almost everyone asks is, Who built this monument and why is it so big? Then we explain the importance of this site.”
With troops commanded by General Sam Houston, Texas won its independence from Mexico in the pivotal San Jacinto battle that was fought at the site in 1836, leading to Texas statehood and to the eventual expansion of United States boundaries west to the Pacific Ocean. Texas Centennial Commission chairman Jesse Jones (also Houston Endowment’s benefactor) laid the cornerstone for the monument at a 1937 ceremony, saying, “There would be no United States as we know it today had it not been for San Jacinto.” The monument was one of many permanent shrines established across the state by the Commission to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Texas Revolution. Today the San Jacinto monument, the battleground site and the Battleship Texas that served in World Wars I and II are part of a 1,200-acre state park operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The SJMHA is located at the base of the monument, which, Spasic says, “may be the tallest memorial stone column in the world.” He adds, “The SJMHA interprets the importance of the battle and shows how it affects people today.” COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The SJMHA houses an extensive collection that covers 400 years of Texas history. It offers exhibitions, a surround-sound movie about the Texas Revolution screened in the Jesse H. Jones Theatre for Texas Studies and an unobstructed view of the battleground from the top of the monument, where explanatory signs and a video presentation bring the ground-level experiences together. Each April the museum stages a reenactment of the momentous battle, and volunteer organizations replicate the Mexican and Texian camps, immersing some 30,000 visitors in experiences from that time. The museum also provides certified in-service training so teachers can take information about Texas and U.S. history back to the classroom. Spasic says, “People leave the museum understanding why the Battle of San Jacinto was so important and how it influences our world today.” He adds, “It’s nice that people can come here and walk on the ground that is so special and sacred to Texas.”
32
In 2009 Houston Endowment also supported the Battleship Texas Foundation Inc. and the San Jacinto Battleground Association, both part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The 1939 San Jacinto Monument 33
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
A Goodwill store, donation and job center at South Shepherd and Westheimer 34
Community Enhancement
g
Goodwill changes people’s lives through the power of work. Goodwill Industries of Houston (Goodwill) has “learned the donated goods business all over again and has changed from a centralized to a decentralized model of operation,” explains president and CEO Steve Lufburrow. “Goodwill is no longer a trailer, a collection box or a storefront in the worst
neighborhood with the cheapest rent, nor is it one centralized location where all of our donations end up for processing and distribution.” Instead Goodwill has combined its retail stores with its donation centers and placed them along busy thoroughfares near popular destinations. This makes donating clothes, small appliances and assorted household goods more convenient, and shopping in the stores more appealing. Donations are now processed on-site and placed in stores within hours instead of months. Since implementing its new model, Goodwill has opened 60 conveniently located donation centers, 29 of which include stores.
Goodwill’s transformation has dramatically increased donations, sales and employment. In addition to helping people with physical, emotional and mental barriers to employment, Goodwill helps veterans, homeless people and the elderly find and keep good jobs through its comprehensive training and placement services, through its contract services where it wraps and packages merchandise for other businesses and at its stores and donation centers. Lufburrow says, “Goodwill continues to be a leader in providing services, jobs and training for all people with barriers to employment who want to work. We help people become taxpayers rather than tax receivers, and a job here serves as their stepping-stone to a better job tomorrow.” He concludes simply, “Goodwill changes people’s lives through the power of work.”
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
In doing so, Goodwill has employed hundreds of people who would otherwise have difficulty finding a job. The organization uses its stores and donation centers to educate, train and employ people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. “We employ 25 new people every time we open a store,” says Lufburrow. “When a bag of donated clothes arrives and is ripped open, the process begins. Someone in the back of the store has the job of hanging, sorting and tagging the merchandise and getting it on the floor within 24 hours.” He adds, “It took months back when everything was collected and sent to one centralized location. We have flipped the system.”
35
Community Enhancement
g
We want to put robust public interest journalism before the eyes of as many Texans as possible. Circulation is dropping, investigative reporters are leaving, the statehouse press corps is shrinking and information about Texas government is evaporating as newspapers continue to downsize and close. To fill the void, a small group of seasoned
journalists and concerned citizens formed Texas Tribune Inc. (TT) to publish The Texas Tribune— an online, nonprofit, nonpartisan media outlet that supplies the news that people need to form opinions and to make decisions. “The decline in print media and in people’s engagement in today’s issues presented an opportunity,” says TT co-founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Evan Smith. “We saw a need to figure out a way for public service journalism to perform its very important function in a society and a democracy like ours. By giving people access to information, we’re enabling them to become more thoughtful, productive citizens. That’s the mission and the purpose of the Tribune.”
TT originates content, aggregates the best of other content, offers searchable public databases and makes the information accessible through any Internet-serving device at www.texastribune.org. Smith says, “We think there is real value in dependable data, open government and transparency. We have over 30 databases addressing such things as government salaries, campaign contributions and expenditures, red light cameras and inmates housed in Texas prisons.”
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT 36
TT’s journalists provide in-depth coverage of the challenges facing the state. “Texas has more uninsured people than any other state in the nation,” says Smith. “We spend less on higher education per capita than any other state in the south. We have school districts on the verge of bankruptcy and major cities that will run out of water within the next 20 years. TT is making people more aware of the issues, the obstacles and the solutions that will help Texas become the best it can be.” TT provides its content at no charge to site visitors, to newspapers, to television stations and to local and national magazines. “We believe we are producing content everybody should see,” says Smith. “Ubiquity is more important to us than money. We want to reach people who otherwise would not have access to reliable, nonpartisan, accurate information.” The unique nonprofit media model relies on support from individual memberships, major donors, corporate sponsors, foundations and earned income. This independent funding enables TT to “make decisions based on the best journalism, not on what’s most commercially advantageous,” explains Smith. “We want to put robust public interest journalism before the eyes of as many Texans as possible.”
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
A reader learning about public policy, politics, government and matters of statewide concern on www.texastribune.org 37
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Promoting Historic Preservation Aus t in F il m S ocie t y Au s t i n , T X
Toward ‘Location, Location,’ a documentary film about Houston’s Allen Parkway Village and Fourth Ward neighborhood
2008
$
40,000
$
40,000
B at t l e ship T e x a s F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward educational programs for young people about the Battleship Texas, the only dreadnought-era warship in existence
2009
50,000
50,000
2009
500,000
0
2008
275,000
100,000
Toward promoting the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s historic architecture and cultural resources
2006
75,000
25,000
Toward the Museum of Houston, an online museum and digital repository of resources from the region’s libraries and archives
2009
150,000
150,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
40,000
40,000
2008
1,000,000
1,000,000
2008
100,000
40,000
2009
20,000
20,000
2009
350,000
350,000
Fr iend s of L ibrar ie s a nd A rchi v e s of T e x a s Inc. Au s t i n , T X
Toward restoring and renovating the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, a repository of the state’s historic treasures Ga lv e s t on His t or ica l F oundat ion Inc. G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward revitalizing and preserving the architectural, cultural and maritime history of Galveston Island through redevelopment, stewardship and special events Gr e at er Hous t on Pr e servat ion A l l i a nce , Inc. Houston, T X
Her i tage Socie t y Houston, T X
Toward maintaining and presenting nine historic structures that date from 1832 to 1905 in Sam Houston Park Hous t on A r t is t s F und Houston, T X
Toward researching and writing a biography about art patrons Dominique and John de Menil Jul i a Ide s on L ibrary Pr e servat ion Par t ner s Inc. Houston, T X
Kat y Her i tage Socie t y K at y, T X
Toward restoring and preserving landmarks and documents in Katy, and toward renovating the Humble Mess Hall in Katy Heritage Park and converting it into a restaurant to generate revenue for the Society L e ague Ci t y His t or ica l Socie t y Inc. Le a g u e C i t y, T X
Toward providing students with hands-on experiences at the 1898 West Bay Common School Children’s Museum, and toward expanding storage space for artifacts and archives
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Toward renovating and expanding the historic Julia Ideson Library building to better accommodate the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Special Collections and the public
Ro senberg L ibrary A s s oci at ion G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward repairing Hurricane Ike damage and restoring the library building
39
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Ru t her f or d B. H. Yat e s Museum Inc. Houston, T X
Toward staff support to help preserve and exhibit historic structures and artifacts in the Freedmen’s Town National Historic District
2008
150,000
75,000
2009
125,000
125,000
2009
175,000
100,000
Toward conducting an oral history project, publishing ‘Houston History’ magazine and writing a comprehensive history about Houston through the Center for Public History
2008
300,000
100,000
Toward finding, preserving and publishing relevant documents through the Hispanic History of Texas Project
2009
165,000
165,000
2009
10,000
0
2008
100,000
50,000
Sa n Jacin t o B at t l eground A s s oci at ion Houston, T X
Toward defining battleground boundaries and studying various battles through archaeological surveys Sa n Jacin t o Museum of His t ory A s s oci at ion L a Porte , TX
Toward collecting and preserving materials and presenting educational programs and exhibitions about the early history and culture of Texas Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Uni v ersi t y of Nor t h T e x a s Denton, T X
Toward publishing and distributing an updated second edition of ‘The Murals of John Thomas Biggers, American Muralist, African American Artist’ by Dr. Olive Jensen Theisen WGBH Educat ion a l F oundat ion Boston, M A
Toward ‘Battle After the War,’ a documentary film about the denial of civil rights to returning Latino GIs in Texas after World War II
Total — Promoting Historic Preservation
$
2,505,000
$
75,000
Prov iding Educationa l R esou rces A si a Socie t y T e x a s Cen t er Houston, T X
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Toward adding staff for educational and program outreach and to accommodate anticipated growth from the opening of the Society’s new center
2009
Toward Asia House, a Museum District educational and cultural center designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi
2009
1,500,000
1,500,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2008
50,000
25,000
$
75,000
A s s oci at ion f or Communi t y Broa dca s t ing Houston, T X
Toward Houston’s public television and radio stations, and toward the conversion to digital broadcasting Be t t er Busine s s Bur e au of Me t rop ol i ta n Hous t on Educat ion a l F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward combating fraud among vulnerable populations through consumer awareness programs Cen t er f or t he He a l ing of R acism Houston, T X
40
Toward expanding programs in schools, businesses, churches and community centers that combat racism through educational experiences and training sessions
Year Approved
Total Grant
Toward exhibits and programs
2008
300,000
100,000
Toward expanding exhibition space and classrooms
2008
600,000
600,000
2008
100,000
100,000
2008
100,000
50,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2008
300,000
150,000
Toward developing new health and science content for students and delivering it in interactive educational formats
2009
200,000
200,000
Toward acquiring additional space to expand interactive educational exhibitions, increase distance learning capacity and enhance educational outreach programs
2009
1,500,000
1,500,000
2007
105,000
35,000
Toward preserving, exhibiting and demonstrating artifacts that show the importance of printing to the development of the civilized world and to the advancement of freedom and literacy
2007
150,000
75,000
Toward preserving, exhibiting and demonstrating artifacts that show the importance of printing to the development of the civilized world and to the advancement of freedom and literacy
2009
75,000
0
2007
60,000
15,000
2009
500,000
500,000
2008
225,000
75,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Allocation
T he Chil dr en’s Museum, Inc. Houston, T X
Czech Cult ura l a nd Communi t y Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward finishing and furnishing the third floor of the Center’s building Hol ocaus t Museum Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward exhibitions and outreach programs about the Holocaust and other genocides Hous t on Museum of Nat ura l Science Houston, T X
Toward free and low-cost educational experiences for students and teachers Hous t on Publ ic L ibrary F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward supporting and improving Houston’s public library system John P. McGov er n Museum of He a lt h & Medica l Science Houston, T X
Ma nned Space F l igh t Educat ion F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward providing disadvantaged schoolchildren with educational activities and tours of Space Center Houston Museum of Pr in t ing His t ory Houston, T X
Progr e s si v e F orum
Toward presentations by leading cultural and intellectual figures T e x a s Tr ibune Inc. Au s t i n , T X
Toward a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that investigates and reports on Texas government and politics Urba n Harv e s t Inc. Houston, T X
Toward creating and maintaining gardens, orchards and wildlife habitat, and toward presenting educational programs
Total — Providing Educational Resources
$
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Bellaire, TX
5,250,000
41
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Improv ing Literac y A dult R e a ding Cen t er , Inc. Pe a r l a n d, T X
Toward literacy programs and citizenship classes for adults in Pearland
2008
$
90,000
$
30,000
Hous t on R E A D Commis sion Houston, T X
Toward staff to recruit and support coalition member agencies that promote and improve literacy in the greater Houston area
2009
70,000
70,000
2008
275,000
100,000
L i t eracy A dva nce of Hous t on, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward expanding services to help more people learn to read, write and communicate effectively in English
Total — Improving Literacy
$
200,000
$
25,000
Su pporting a n d Improv ing Non profit Orga niz ations A mer ica n L e a dership F orum Houston, T X
Toward a leadership program to promote collaboration among Houston’s medical community
2007
Toward the Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 annual symposiums that help improve leadership in local nonprofit agencies
2008
30,000
10,000
Toward scholarships for nonprofit and public sector professionals participating in the Criminal Justice Fellows program
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
5,000
5,000
2007
100,000
50,000
Toward strengthening nonprofit organizations through free consultant services provided by retired business executives and management professionals
2006
45,000
15,000
Toward strengthening nonprofit organizations through free consulting services provided by retired business executives and management professionals
2009
15,000
0
2007
450,000
150,000
2009
20,000
20,000
$
75,000
A s s oci at ion of F undra ising Prof e s sion a l s - Gr e at er Hous t on Ch a p t er Bellaire, TX
Toward educational programs for fundraisers Cen t er f or Fa i t h a nd He a lt h Ini t i at i v e s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward building capacity in nonprofit agencies by mobilizing volunteer services and support E x ecu t i v e Serv ice Cor p s of Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Gr e at er Hous t on Communi t y F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward increasing social services to underserved communities by adding new participants to, and building the capacity of, a network of faith-based emergency service organizations L e a dership Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
Toward scholarships for nonprofit and public sector professionals participating in programs that educate emerging leaders about issues affecting Houston
42
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
R ice Uni v ersi t y Houston, T X
Toward the Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives to train leaders in organizational, financial and strategic management practices
2007
85,000
30,000
Toward placing Leadership Rice students in summer internships at nonprofit organizations
2009
21,000
21,000
2008
120,000
40,000
2008
75,000
25,000
2009
30,000
30,000
Uni t ed Nat ions A s soci at ion of t he US A Inc. Houston, T X
Toward educating Houstonians about the structure, functions, accomplishments and needs of the United Nations Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward preparing undergraduate students for management positions in nonprofit organizations through the American Humanics Nonprofit Certificate Program Vol un t eer Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward linking volunteers with service organizations
Total — Supporting and Improving Nonprofit Organizations
$
446,000
$
75,000
En ha ncing Houston through Urba n Pl a n ning Cen t er f or Hous t on’s F u t ur e Inc. Houston, T X
Toward identifying critical regional issues and solutions
2008
$
150,000
Cen t ra l Hous t on Ci v ic Improv emen t Inc. Houston, T X
Toward improving the pedestrian environment in the city’s core and along urban corridors
2009
40,000
40,000
2009
35,000
35,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
250,000
150,000
Ci t izens f or Bl uepr in t Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward involving citizens in the process of creating and implementing a plan to direct Houston’s growth and development Dow n t ow n R e v i ta l iz at ion Commi t t ee G a lv e s t o n , T X
Gul f Coa s t Ins t i t u t e Houston, T X
Toward improving Houston’s quality of life through research, analysis and policies that preserve communities, protect the environment and maintain economic growth
Total — Enhancing Houston through Urban Planning
$
350,000
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Toward integrating the central business district with the waterfront by improving public areas adjacent to the Port of Galveston
43
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Increasing Self-Su fficienc y through Wor k force Training CC A A l l i a nce Inc. Houston, T X
Toward establishing community and school-based learning centers where adults can learn entry-level computer skills, gain marketable skills and participate in their children’s education
2009
$
150,000
$
150,000
Dr e s s f or Succe s s Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward providing interview-appropriate clothing to low-income women seeking employment
2009
50,000
0
2009
60,000
60,000
2008
325,000
100,000
2008
2,000,000
1,000,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
538,000
538,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2008
450,000
150,000
Ga lv e s t on Coun t y Economic A l l i a nce F oundat ion Inc. Tex a s C i t y, T X
Toward programs to reduce unemployment and encourage community and economic development in Galveston County Gene sys Wor ks Houston, T X
Toward expanding a program that provides underserved Houston area high school students with training, certification and employment in technical services, and toward a study to determine the long-term impact of the program Goodw il l Indus t r ie s of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward increasing the number of Goodwill stores and acquiring a central warehouse and office building Memor i a l A s sis ta nce Minis t r ie s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward comprehensive employment services for unemployed and underemployed people Neighbor hood Cen t ers Inc. Houston, T X
Toward free tax preparation services to increase the number of low- and moderate-income families receiving the Earned Income Credit Ne w spr ing Houston, T X
Toward providing interns to help develop and maintain new businesses and jobs in the Spring Branch area COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Pr is on En t r epr eneur ship Progra m Houston, T X
Toward reducing recidivism by teaching inmates business skills, matching them with a volunteer mentor and providing reintegration and employment services
Total — Increasing Self-Sufficiency through Workforce Training
$
2,148,000
$
100,000
Increasing Ci v ic a n d G ov er n men t Participation Ci t y Ha l l F el l ow s Inc. Pa s a de n a , C A
Toward fellowships for 10 area college graduates to work full-time for a year in Houston’s municipal government 44
2008
$
300,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Cl o se Up F oundat ion A l ex a n d r i a , VA
Toward fellowships for low-income Houston ISD high school students to attend a weeklong experiential program in Washington, D.C., that explores the role of citizens in a democracy
2007
150,000
50,000
2008
150,000
50,000
2008
180,000
60,000
2008
100,000
50,000
2007
90,000
25,000
2006
105,000
35,000
Hous t on In t er fa i t h Sp ons or ing Commi t t ee , Incor p orat ed Houston, T X
Toward developing leaders in Hispanic communities L e ague of Women Vo t ers of Hous t on Educat ion F und Houston, T X
Toward staff support to meet the increased demand for voter education and information programs Nat ion a l A s s oci at ion of Lat ino El ec t ed Of f ici a l s Na l eo Educat ion F und L o s A n ge l e s , C A
Toward expanding programs in Houston that provide training, guidance and information about the naturalization process and civic life in a democracy Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward the Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program, a project that allows minority students attending the University of Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown and Texas Southern University to spend a semester serving as interns in the U.S. House of Representatives Wor l d A f fa irs Council of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward informing students and teachers about global issues and foreign policies through seminars, workshops and direct interaction with U.S. and world leaders
Total — Increasing Civic and Government Participation
$
370,000
$
500,000
Protecting the Hea lth a n d S afet y of Domestic A nima ls Ci t izens f or A nim a l Pro t ec t ion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward building a new facility that will triple the capacity to shelter, care for and place neglected, abused and homeless animals in west Houston
2008
$
500,000
Houston, T X
Toward shelter, care and placement for neglected, abused and homeless animals in central Houston
2008
100,000
50,000
2009
80,000
40,000
Spay-Neu t er A s sis ta nce Progra m Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a mobile clinic that provides free sterilization to dogs and cats that belong to low-income families
Total — Protecting the Health and Safety of Domestic Animals
$
590,000
$
5,000
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
Hous t on Socie t y f or t he Pr e v en t ion of Cruelt y t o A nim a l s
Su pporting Phil a n thropy Cen t er f or Ef f ec t i v e Phil a n t hropy Inc. C a mb r idge , M A
Toward management and governance tools to improve foundation performance
45
2009
$
5,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Conf er ence of Sou t h w e s t F oundat ions, Inc. Da ll a s, T X
Toward educational programs and resources for philanthropic foundations located in the southwest region of the United States
2009
10,000
10,000
2009
10,000
10,000
2008
7,500
2,500
2007
22,500
7,500
2008
21,000
7,000
2008
18,000
6,000
2008
30,000
10,000
2008
20,000
10,000
Toward promoting entrepreneurship, democratic institutions and private initiative through philanthropy
2006
30,000
10,000
Toward promoting entrepreneurship, democratic institutions and private initiative through philanthropy
2009
10,000
0
Council on F oundat ions A r l i n g t o n , VA
Toward educational programs and resources for philanthropic foundations located throughout the United States and in other nations En v ironmen ta l F und f or T e x a s dba Ear t h Sh ar e of T e x a s Au s t i n , T X
Toward a network of foundations that educates funders and nonprofit organizations about environmental issues and grantmaking opportunities in Texas F oundat ion Cen t er New Y o r k , NY
Toward providing research, education and information about philanthropy to grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media and the public Gra n t m a k ers f or Educat ion P o r t l a n d, OR
Toward strengthening philanthropy’s ability to improve educational outcomes for students Gra n t m a k ers in He a lt h Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward providing information to grantmakers about current and emerging health and human service issues Guide S tar US A Inc. W i l l i a m s b u r g , VA
Toward providing the public with information about nonprofit organizations through the GuideStar Web site Independen t Sec t or B a lt im o r e , M D
Toward research, advocacy and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations Phil a n t hropy Round tabl e Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT 46
Total — Supporting Philanthropy
$
78,000
Tota l Communit y Enha ncement
$
11,937,000
EDU C ATION
Increasing Student Success at Community and Open-Admission Colleges
13%
$
2,467,400
Recruiting, Preparing and Retaining Public School Leaders
10%
1,750,000
Increasing Access to Preschool Programs
5%
850,000
Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Scholars Program
28%
5,220,000
Preparing Students for College
23%
4,148,000
Recruiting, Preparing and Retaining Highly Qualified Teachers
7%
1,260,000
Increasing Family Involvement
>1%
50,000
Improving Public Universities and Community Colleges through Good Governance
>1%
10,000
Other
14%
2,527,000
total
100%
$ 18,282,400
26%
Improving opportunities for more students to complete college
v Students at Texas Southern University
49
E d u ca t i o n
g
We provide colleges with data so they can create the experiences that allow students to be successful. One-quarter of community college freshmen do not return for a second semester. By the second year, half of them are gone. “The future of our country rests
on having students educated beyond high school,” says Kaye McClenney, director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at The University of Texas at Austin. “So that is not an acceptable situation.” With Houston Endowment’s support, the CCCSE was able to include Texas’s small community colleges in a national survey about students’ educational experiences. The survey provides administrators with “actionable information” they can use to improve programs and services that “help students reach their goals.” Through that survey, McClenney says, “We discovered that many students, especially high-risk students, are lost during their first semester. Understanding that, we rushed back to meet students at the front door of the community college with the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE). Our goal is to help improve their persistence toward a college degree. The data shows that the more engaged, connected and involved students are, the more likely they are to succeed in college.”
EDUCATION 50
SENSE has been administered to students during the fourth and fifth weeks of their first term at 199 community colleges throughout the nation. The survey asks students about their experiences with admissions, orientation and their first three weeks of class. “We’re finding, for example, that too many students don’t know about helpful services, and that they don’t go to orientation programs if they’re optional rather than required,” says McClenney. The CCCSE helps colleges use the data they gather to understand and improve students’ experiences. “We’re seeing some interesting things happen as a result of the survey,” says McClenney. “Lone Star Colleges–North Harris, using this data, designed a very intensive and intrusive advisory program for their most at-risk students. The preliminary data shows a 97 percent persistence rate for participating students.” The Houston Community College System through the ‘Achieving the Dream’ initiative and using its SENSE results piloted a course that taught incoming students how to study, how to prepare for exams, how to take notes and how to manage time. It also matched them with academic advisors. “The data was so convincing in terms of improving student persistence from the first to second term that the Houston Community College System has now scaled that program up to all campuses,” says McClenney. “The System is seeing annual increases in retention rates from term to term.” She adds, “We provide colleges with data so they can create the experiences that allow students to be successful.”
EDU C A TION
Houston Community College honor students 51
EDUCATION
Don McAdams demonstrating concepts taught at the Texas Institute for School Boards 52
E d u ca t i o n
g
If policies are well aligned and the superintendent effectively implements them, then schools will see positive results. African-American and Hispanic students often fall behind because of the inadequate education they sometimes receive in potentially capable schools. “Civil rights is not primarily about integration,” says Don McAdams, president of Center for Reform of School Systems Inc. (CRSS), “but about providing equal opportunity, closing the achievement gap and educating all of our children to high standards.” McAdams helps school boards gain the knowledge and skills they need to implement policies that ensure their schools prepare all children to succeed in today’s more technology-dependent and information-oriented economy. He warns, “Our country won’t hold together very well if there is a bimodal distribution of wealth and opportunity.”
McAdams speaks from experience. He served on Houston ISD’s Board of Education from 1990 to 2002 and was president for two of those years. He admits he wasn’t sure what to do when he began and studied hard to find out. He realized that school boards could profoundly influence a district’s success; that most board members did not understand their role in making sure schools adapt to the 21stcentury economy; and that like other professionals in responsible positions, school board members needed to be trained. McAdams established CRSS in 2001 and offered the first Texas Institute for School Boards, an induction program for new school board members, the following year.
CRSS annually trains new school board members from Texas’s 57 largest school districts, which enroll more than half of the state’s schoolchildren. Combined, the districts spend approximately $15 billion to operate each year. McAdams says, “CRSS gets board members to think of themselves as reform leaders who can enact policies and who can hire superintendents committed to eliminating the achievement gap and to promoting high achievement for all students. We instill the belief that they can do something about this pressing issue and then we teach them what they can actually do.”
EDUCATION
The intense, four-day program begins by helping new board members learn how to work together and with a superintendent. Then they learn the basic building blocks of effective governance. McAdams explains that boards can implement policies around “standards, assessments, accountability, teacher quality, principal leadership and more.” He says boards select superintendents and determine how resources are allocated, who is hired as well as how they are trained and paid, and how schools operate. He adds, “If policies are well aligned and the superintendent effectively implements them, then schools will see positive results.”
53
E d u ca t i o n
g
When we have more funding and faculty, we’ll have more nurses. “The need for nurses is overwhelming,” declares Dr. Betty Adams, dean of the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) College of Nursing. “The lack of faculty to train nurses is our biggest problem.” Thousands of qualified nursing school applicants are turned away each year in Texas because there are not enough teachers to train them. The median age in Texas for nursing faculty is 53, and positions often remain vacant for months to years after an instructor retires. Nursing faculty typically make less than the registered nurses they train, so few seek positions at current salaries. Adams predicts an exodus of retiring educators within the next five to 10 years. Today Texas needs 20,000 more nurses than it now has; in 10 years the shortage could exceed 70,000.
In response, PVAMU is establishing a doctoral program in nursing that will enhance faculty training, allow program graduates to obtain better salaries and attract more instructors to the field. “Ensuring an adequate supply of nurses for Houston is directly tied to the number of doctoral students who become faculty and who can teach the latest innovations,” explains Adams. The latest innovations include practicing on automated, simulated human bodies.
EDUCATION 54
“Nursing students no longer practice on each other or on patients,” says Adams. Instead students work on simulators where they are far less inhibited and less likely to alarm patients. The simulators look like people and breathe, blink and respond to medical interventions. Students can draw blood, inject medications and react to any symptom an instructor commands the simulator to replicate. “We can introduce a heart attack while a student is treating the ‘patient’ for diabetes and see how astute the response is in that critical instant,” says Adams. “We were the first nursing program in Texas to use a simulator, and now we have nine. Students practice on simulators before they ever touch a patient, just the way astronauts practice on Earth before they go into space.” She adds, “We’re conducting research to determine if students become as competent when using the simulation technology as when they practice on humans.” PVAMU’s reputation for innovation and strong performance brings it many invitations to make presentations at national and international conferences. Despite the faculty shortage, the school leads area academic and health science institutions in the enrollment of nursing students, and the number of its students who pass the stringent registered nurse licensing exams far exceeds state and national averages. Yet the shortage of well-trained nurses persists. Adams sums up the solution, “When we have more funding and faculty, we’ll have more nurses.”
EDUCATION
Nursing students practicing on a simulator 55
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Increasing St u den t Success at Comm u nit y a n d Open-A dmission Colleges A lv in Communi t y Col l ege A lv i n , T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies
2007
$
400,000
$
91,000
Bra zo sp or t Col l ege L a k e Jack son, T X
2007
400,000
102,000
2007
400,000
87,500
2009
20,000
0
2009
20,000
0
2007
400,000
94,000
2007
400,000
100,000
2007
400,000
100,000
2007
400,000
100,000
2007
400,000
100,000
2008
400,000
100,000
2007
400,000
100,000
Toward infrastructure and support for ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies, a unified approach to improving student success at seven community college systems and four universities in the greater Houston area
2006
4,500,000
875,000
Toward improving the academic success of new students by administering the Community College Survey of Student Engagement at small community colleges in Texas
2007
113,000
20,000
Toward infrastructure and support for ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies, a unified approach to improving student success at seven community colleges and four universities in the greater Houston area
2007
550,000
112,900
Toward improving the academic success of new community college students by designing and field-testing the Survey of Entering Student Engagment (SENSE)
2007
1,115,000
385,000
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Col l ege of t he Ma inl a nd Tex a s C i t y, T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Ga lv e s t on Communi t y Col l ege G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Hous t on Communi t y Col l ege Sys t em Houston, T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies L ee Col l ege B ay t o w n , T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies L one S tar Col l ege Sys t em The W o o d l a n d s , T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Pra ir ie V ie w A & M Uni v ersi t y P r a i r ie View, T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Sa n Jacin t o Col l ege Dis t r ic t Pa s a de n a , T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies T e x a s Sou t her n Uni v er si t y Houston, T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Uni v ersi t y of Hous t on-Dow n t ow n Houston, T X
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies
EDUCATION
Toward expanding ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies, a unified approach to improving student success at seven community college systems and four universities in the greater Houston area
T he Uni v ersi t y of T e x a s at Aus t in Au s t i n , T X
57
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2007
400,000
100,000
2009
W h ar t on Coun t y Junior Col l ege W h a rton, TX
Toward improving student success by implementing ‘Achieving the Dream’ strategies
Total — I ncreasing Student Success at Community and Open-Admission Colleges
$
2,467,400
$
50,000
R ecru iting, Preparing a n d R etaining Pu blic School Leaders Cen t er f or R ef or m of School Sys t ems Inc. Houston, T X
Toward promoting recommendations to improve student success and determining other reform measures
2009
Toward an intensive four-day induction program for new school board members, and toward semiannual follow-up programs for previously trained sitting board members
2009
125,000
125,000
2007
3,000,000
1,500,000
2009
75,000
75,000
$
50,000
Hous t on A+ Ch a l l enge Houston, T X
Toward initiating the Regional Principal Leadership Academy to train principals to create and lead successful schools in greater Houston, particularly in low-performing, low-income areas R ice Uni v ersi t y Houston, T X
Toward an annual training and development program for Texas public school superintendents
Total — R ecruiting, Preparing and Retaining Public School Leaders
$
1,750,000
$
850,000
$
850,000
$
5,220,000
$
5,220,000
Increasing Access to Preschool Programs Col l aborat i v e f or Chil dr en Houston, T X
Toward improving the quality of early care and education, and toward ‘College Bound, Beginning at Birth,’ a high school dropout prevention program that focuses on the early years of a child’s life
2008
$
1,700,000
EDUCATION
Total — Increasing Access to Preschool Programs
J esse H . a n d M ary Gibbs Jon es Schol ars Program Je s se H. Jone s a nd Mary Gibb s Jone s Schol ars Progra m Houston, T X
Toward college and university scholarships for graduating Harris County high school seniors
Total — Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Scholars Program
58
2009
$
5,220,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Preparing St u den ts for College A l dine Independen t School Dis t r ic t Houston, T X
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to encourage students to enroll and succeed in college
2008
$
225,000
$
75,000
Col l ege f or A l l T e x a ns F oundat ion: Cl o sing t he Ga p s Au s t i n , T X
Toward the Higher Education Policy Institute of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct research on, and disseminate information about, practices that lead to higher levels of student success in Texas’s community colleges and universities
2008
1,912,500
637,500
Toward developing and incorporating new online materials in the CollegeforAllTexans.com Web site, a resource that provides students, parents and counselors with support and planning tools that encourage college enrollment and graduation
2009
160,500
160,500
2008
225,000
75,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
1,580,000
1,580,000
Toward Career and Education Day, a free daylong event that provides students and parents with information about college admission, financial aid and careers
2006
45,000
15,000
Toward Career and Education day, a free daylong event that provides students and parents with information about college admission, financial aid and careers
2009
15,000
15,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2008
30,000
10,000
2007
2,290,000
515,000
Cy pr e s s -Fa irba nks Independen t School Dis t r ic t Houston, T X
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to encourage students to enroll and succeed in college Goo se Cr eek Cons ol idat ed Independen t School Dis t r ic t B ay t o w n , T X
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to encourage students to enroll and succeed in college Hous t on Communi t y Col l ege F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward improving student preparation, instruction and success through a data system that assembles and tracks individual academic records and identifies problematic issues as they emerge Hous t on Hispa nic F orum Houston, T X
Hous t on Independen t School Dis t r ic t
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to encourage students to enroll and succeed in college L inda L or el l e Schol arship F und Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a conference to help Houston area students successfully apply for college admission and financial aid
EDUCATION
Houston, T X
Nat ion a l Col l ege Acce s s Ne t wor k Inc. Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to help five Houston area school districts implement strategies that encourage motivated, academically capable, lowincome students to enroll and succeed in college
59
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
225,000
75,000
Toward improving college access and success through a study that supplies information to schools and school districts about the college attendance of their high school graduates
2008
600,000
200,000
Toward a study to improve persistence and success by determining the educational aspirations, challenges and needs of graduating high school seniors as they select and enter community colleges
2009
640,000
640,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Spr ing Bra nch Independen t School Dis t r ic t Houston, T X
Toward ‘Preparing to Dream,’ a program to encourage students to enroll and succeed in college T he Uni v ersi t y of T e x a s at Aus t in Au s t i n , T X
Total — Preparing Students for College
$
4,148,000
$
0
R ecru iting, Preparing a n d R etaining Highly Qua lified Teachers Educat ion Pioneers Inc. O a k l a n d, C A
Toward attracting talented graduate students to careers in public education through summer fellowships in Houston area public schools and education reform organizations
2009
$
150,000
Hum a ni t ie s T e x a s Au s t i n , T X
Toward sending Houston area teachers to the 2009 residential summer institute that presents information and innovative strategies for teaching facts about the U.S. Constitution
2009
28,000
28,000
2008
382,000
57,000
2008
450,000
150,000
Toward improving and reforming public education through research and information campaigns that inform the public and legislators
2007
75,000
25,000
Toward an analysis of reading and math standards in Texas public schools
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
2,800,000
950,000
Nat ion a l Council on T e acher Q ua l i t y Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward an in-depth analysis of teacher preparation policies and practices in Texas, and toward publishing ‘State Teacher Policy Yearbook,’ a compendium of current Texas teacher workforce policies and practices that are graded and compared to best practices in other states T e ach f or A mer ica Inc. Houston, T X
EDUCATION
Toward recruiting, training and placing outstanding teachers in Houston’s lowincome, inner-city schools, and toward strengthening programs that encourage area alumni to assume leadership positions in public schools T e x a s Publ ic Educat ion R ef or m F oundat ion Au s t i n , T X
Uni v er si t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward improving teacher preparation programs by sponsoring research and development activities at Texas universities through the Center for Research, Evaluation and Advancement of Teacher Education (CREATE) 60
Total — R ecruiting, Preparing and Retaining Highly Qualified Teachers
$
1,260,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Increasing Family In volv emen t W. Oscar Neuh aus Memor i a l F oundat ion Bellaire, TX
Toward free services to help parents obtain information and referrals about dyslexia and other reading difficulties
2008
$
100,000
Total — Increasing Family Involvement
$
50,000
$
50,000
$
10,000
$
10,000
$
277,000
Improv ing Pu blic U ni v ersities a n d Comm u nit y Colleges through G ood G ov er na nce A s s oci at ion of Gov er ning Boar d s of Uni v er si t ie s a nd Col l ege s Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward improving college and university governance in Texas through educational programs for regents, trustees, presidents, chancellors and senior administrators
2008
$
30,000
Total — I mproving Public Universities and Community Colleges through Good Governance
Other B ay l or Col l ege of Medicine Houston, T X
Toward improving elementary school science instruction by providing teachers with online content, resources and strategies
2006
$
1,085,000
Fr eder icksburg Educat ion Ini t i at i v e Inc. F r ede r ic k s b u r g , T X
Toward placing a project-based aerospace and rocketry course into more Houston area high schools
2009
250,000
0
2009
3,000,000
1,000,000
Toward a Web-based mathematics curriculum that improves students’ success in algebra by emphasizing conceptual understanding and computational skills
2008
500,000
250,000
Toward expanding a Web-based mathematics curriculum that improves students’ success in algebra by emphasizing conceptual understanding and computational skills
2009
1,000,000
1,000,000
Pra ir ie V ie w A & M Uni v ersi t y P r a i r ie View, T X
Toward establishing a doctoral nursing program, and toward a research center to study and develop virtual simulation technology for use in classrooms, hospitals and laboratories R e a s oning Mind Inc.
Total — Other
$
2,527,000
Tota l Education
$
18,282,400
EDUCATION
Houston, T X
61
The Jesse H. Jones and Mary Gibbs Jones
scholars Program 2009
g In 2009, 315 Houston area graduating high school seniors had the honor of being named a Jones Scholar and were eligible to receive up to $16,000 in scholarship funds toward a baccalaureate degree. Houston Endowment established the Jesse H. Jones and Mary Gibbs Jones Scholars Program in 1958, when it gave $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in high schools in the Houston Independent School District. The program later grew to include all Harris County school districts, and the scholarship amount was incrementally
Al di n e High Sch o o l
Linh-Bang N. Dinh Axl Sabastian Jusino Victoria Soeung Tommy M. Tran
G eo rge W. Ca rver High Sch o o l
Nubianna A. Gibson
Dwigh t D. E isen hower High Sch o o l
Jones Scholars are nominated by each high school, and a
Kierra S. Jackson Candace M. Whaley Donald E. Williams
Rotary Club of Houston committee makes final selections
W. T. Ha l l High Sch o o l
increased to make up to $16,000 available to Jones Scholars.
based on scholastic performance, financial need, leadership skills, community service and character. Although Houston EDUCATION
Endowment furnishes the funds, it does not accept applications or select Jones Scholars. Seniors in all participating high schools in Harris County can apply at their school to become a Jones Scholar. Since the program’s inception, 9,858 area students have been named Jones Scholars. While universities in Texas have attracted the largest number, Jones Scholars have matriculated at approximately 250 schools throughout the nation, have pursued careers in fields of every endeavor and have enhanced life in the communities where they live.
62
Aldine Independent School District
Eva S. Zeni
D o ugl a s M acA rthu r High Sch o o l
Cinthya G. Garcia Deidra V. Garcia Soledad Ramirez Rudy M. Torres
Che ster W. Nimi tz High Sch o o l
Alex Espinoza Sarah Elizabeth Kroll Marquise Annette Margin
Alief Independent School District Al ief E l sik High Sch o o l
Shawn N. Borkar Justin D. Castillo Qiunan (William) Chang Yasmin Yaneett Leon Jason Terrence Monteiro
A lief Hasti ng s H igh Sch ool
Arveyonka J. Logan Jennifer T. Nguyen Bianca L. Pena Kinjal Rohit Shah Linh L. Truong
A lief Ke r r High Sch ool
Phi N. Le
A lief Taylo r High Sch ool
Judy M. Motanya Charles C. Nwaogu Ejikeme M. Obukwelu Nayan S. Patel
Channelview Independent School District Ch anne lv iew High Sch ool
Reimberto Fuentes Carmen L. Gutierrez Sylvanus Ly
Clear Creek Independent School District Cle ar B r o o k High Sch ool
Tran (Cindy) N. Au Jonathon J. Bischof Lauren E. Cherewaty Amy K. Waehner
Cle ar C r ee k High Sch ool
Jacquelyn K. Davis Iesha L. McClarty Bobby J. Murphy Brittany Alexandra Rachner Theresa Nicole Smith Meredythe P. Torrence Richard Earl Hicks, III Rathi Priya Kannan Akanksha Verma Willliam F. Vranderic Irene Chiyun Yang
Crosby Independent School District Cr o sby High Sch ool
Maysie M. Ocera Paul Benjamin Skinner, II
Deer Park Independent School District
C y- Fa i r H igh Sch o o l
Emily A. Ewell Bonnie R. Francis Andy Minh Hai Hoang Sora D. Lee Danielle A. Martinez Benjamin Samuel
Taylor K. Concialdi An Thien Ho Amanda Diane Jenkins Arianna E. Thompson
C y pr e s s Creek High Scho o l
Daniel E. Cruz Samantha E. Davis Phinga N. Do Yen-Shen Juan Rashad Sirafi
C y pr e s s Fa l l s High Scho o l
Owen A. Amadin James Ngoc Mai Lydia D. Matar Margeaux Gabrielle Montana
C y pr e s s Ridge High Scho o l
Parisa M. Jalalat Katherine H. Nguyen Naiya Balubhai Patel Jessenia Rucoba
C y pr e s s Springs High Sch o o l
Jennifer L. Blaase Jennifer Kim Thu Ma Idris Yusuf Motiwala Julie M. Vuong Kathryn R. Wilcox
C y pr e s s Wo o ds High Sch o o l
Emily E. Carson Stephanie L. Griesel Snigdha R. Peddireddy Sid Gabriel Quinsaat Marla Rebecca Sobotik Christopher B. St. Julian
J e r s ey Vil l age High Sch o o l
Natalie N. Cavazos Amanda D. Hogan Julie Kim Nguyen Patrick K. Simpson
L a ngha m Creek High Sch o o l
Priyanka Debnath Tanzina Nusrat Islam Iris M. Lopez Julian O. Okuyiga Brittany J. Wang
W i n dfe rn High Sch o o l
Kyle D. Ambrose
D eer Pa rk High Sch o o l
Galena Park Independent School District G a l ena Pa rk High Sch o o l
Guadalupe Garcia Laura C. Gonzalez George A. Mattingly
No rth Sho re High Sch o o l
Liliana Guerra Breanna Symone Lewis Drew R. Lyles Duyen My Nghiem Andrew Benjamin Potter Tiara L. Washington
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District Ro be rt E . Lee High Sch o o l
Catherine A. Anderson Marlene Ochoa Lauren Alyse Pahos
Ro ss S. Sterl ing High Sch ool
Robert C. Dippel Alexandria M. Hill Nancy Alexandra P. Musgrove William C. Whitley
Houston Independent School District Stephe n F. Au stin High School
Claudia E. Arana Abel A. Coli Alma Patricia Ramirez KyReese M. Randle
Bel l a ire High Sch o o l
Owais U. Durrani Cheng-Han Lee Tong Li Xuemiao Liu Grace S. Sun Pin-Fang Wang Qing Xie Tianlong Yi
EDUCATION
Cle ar L ake High Sch ool
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Car negie Va ng ua r d H igh Sch ool
Jarvis W. Sam, III
C e sar E . C h av e z H igh Sch ool
Paul E. Cody Tien T. Hoang Abigail Annette Martinez Gerardo Rangel Gerson Rene Reynoza
M ira be au B. La ma r High Sch o o l
Otobong A. Ekpa Keila E. Fong Sabrina Khwaja Catherine A. Lowe Tariq N. Muhammad-Eli Jena L. Roberson Yahaira Verdejo Rachel C. Walton Tai Lun V. Wu
C o ntem p o r a ry Le a r n i ng C e n t e r
Denise M. Garcia
J effer s o n Dav i s H igh Sch ool
Jeanette Acosta Alexander B. Hernandez Melodie S. Murray Francisco J. Rodriguez
De B akey High Sch ool for He alth P r o fes s i on s
Franky Lam
E. L . F ur r High Sch ool
Matthew Edward Martinez Zulema S. Sosa High Sch o o l for L aw E n for ceme n t
Floyd Darnell Ray
High Sch o o l for t he Pe r for mi ng & Visual A rts
EDUCATION
Crystal E. Aitaegbebhunu Andre L. Brown Crystal M. Williams
Kashmer e H igh Sch ool
Francenta D. Brown
Trivian T. Canada Feefelobari P. Yorka
Dan Q. Dinh Elizabeth C. Jaroszewski LaWanda P. Turner Shanequea N. White
Westside High School
Chiragkumar V. Bhakta DeMarlon D. Carter Jennifer Mendez Xenia A. Paul Ashlee D. Warner
Karen Y. Bermudez Kerry E. Chu Michelle R. Harris Chelsea Louise Jackson Tho H. Tran Thu Huong T. Vu
Cha rl es H. M il by High Sch o o l
Phil l is Whe atl ey High School
Eric A. Avila Maricarmen Chavez David A. Davila Patricia C. Jimenez Derrick D. Smith
Jo hn H. Re aga n High Sch o o l
Barbara Jordan High School for Careers
B o o k er T. Wa shi ngton High School
Ja mes M a di s o n High Scho o l
S am Ho usto n H igh Sch ool
Devontrell S. Copeland Juquita S. Gilbert
64
Jose A. Batz Cheikh A. Beye Tasqeen I. Biradar Samantha G. Blummer
Re ach Cha rter High Sch o o l
J e sse H. J o n e s H igh Sch ool
Abram E. Gutierrez Shelby Elaine Jackson Katie A. McClosky Ray Dorn Sanders
Westbu ry High School Ro be rt E . Lee High Sch o o l
Joshua A. Eames-Cepero Devyn A. Tyler Enrique E. Baez Reynaldo Guerrero Oscar F. Leija Maitryben M. Patel Brenda Ann Ponce
S. P. Wa ltrip High School
Quentin Russell
Alton D. Carr, II Shamekia L. Dorsey Shana Dashaun Hailey
Eva n E . Wo rthi ng High School
Elzary Y. Asberry Mariah M. Stewart
Jack Yates High Sch ool
Noemi P. Arzola Elizabeth Garcia Fernando Moreno, Jr. Jesus Sanchez
G. C. Sca rb o ro ugh High Sch o o l
Edward Carrizales Cristina Trevino
Sha rpstown High Sch o o l
Briejaer R. Huff Kayla Latrice Lee
Ro ss S. Sterl ing High Sch o o l
Zakeisha M. Collier Jelisa R. Watkins
Stacey N. Bension Nerida Estrada Kierra Parnice Lee
Huffman Independent School District Wil l ie J. Ha rgrav e High School
Emily M. Hunter
Humble Independent School District Ata s co ci ta High School
Fatima J. Amin Lauren G. Clifford Tamara M. Dallefeld Lauren E. Gray Rosanna H. Tse
Hu mb l e High Sch ool
Oluwatoyosi T. Adewunmi Gabriel A. Garcia-Cantu Phung Doan Nguyen Jonathan M. Reyes
Kingwo o d High Sch ool
Evan M. Dalton Emily A. Fankell Sharon Cecilia Mika Aaron C. Weldon Candyce Y. Willis Emily I. Zinsitz
K l ein C o l l in s High Sch o o l
Allen Chiang Tiffany M. Chiu Jonathan R. Darwent Olivia Alysse Fisher Thuba Khalid
K l ein Forest High Sch o o l
Katy Independent School District C i nc o R anch High Sch ool
Kevin C. Jones Hans Peng Rahul Rekhi Boying Shui
Katy High Sch o ol
Matthew R. Beckendorff Kristina Alicia Miller Briana Victoria Rogers M ayde C r ee k High Sch ool
Lena J. Fares Maija Charlotte King Kelly J. Serrano
Kiara M. Anderson Jennifer H. Doan Qurat Hassan Diem Ha T. Nguyen Tam Dang Nguyen
K l ein Oa k High Sch o o l
Brooke A. Castillo Kelvin Chan Nadia I. Haj-Ismail Erin M. Valley
La Porte Independent School District L a P ort e High Scho o l
Brittney S. Archie Saba Haroon Lauren Michelle Hebert
M o rto n R anch H igh Sch ool
Andrew K. Hanson Maha Sadia Khan Austin N. LaMarr George Moustakelis
North Forest Independent School District
Seve n L ake s High Sch ool
Pasadena Independent School District
Saakshi Chowdhary Erin E. Flattery Lina M. Hidalgo Jeffrey Craig Stevens
Guanyuan Chung Humayun Habib Jennifer M. Jiang Ashleigh Nicole Schap
Klein Independent School District K lei n High Sch o ol
Mohamed M. Abdellatif Tiffany E. Lu Sarah Ann Neelley Romero N. Santiago Mindy E. Watts
Morgan J. Hale Amanda Renee Holland
Hannah Do Yesenia Guzman Amy J. Lu
Sheldon Independent School District C. E . King High Sch o o l
Jennifer Johnson Kristi M. Torres
Spring Independent School District Spring High Sch o o l
Kathryn M. Barrackman Nancy I. Cook Karolam Obudlia Ramirez Matthew R. Twomey Ca rl Wu n s che High Sch o ol
Diana Cordero Pamela Martinez Melinda Renee Nicewonger
Spring Branch Independent School District M emo ria l High Sch o o l
Julia R. Bell Lauren E. Birdwell Adriana Olivia Molinar Shelby Katherine Sutton
No rthbro o k High Sch o o l
Si Ying Li Kendalisia A. Moss
J. Fr a n k D o bie High Sch o o l
Sholeh Abedinzadeh Nkechinyere Carol Nnabuife Brenda T. Tran Erandi M. Trevino
Spring Wo o ds High Scho o l
Pa s a dena High Scho o l
Stratfo rd High Sch o o l
Pa s a dena M emo ria l High Sch o o l
Westchester Aca demy
Magie M. Annab Elizabeth Benitez Lindsy R. Rice
Abigail R. Corrington Kimberly A. Do Sydney D. Nguyen Garrett C. Rogers
S a m R ay bu rn High Sch o o l
Kathryn S. Adams Micah C. Geisenberg Celia Y. Hernandez
Jacqueline O. Flores Chai Hui Lim Andres F. Perez
Shachi K. Daru Scarlett Mercedes Royston Brillante E. Wang
EDUCATION
Jame s E . Taylo r H igh Sch ool
Nort h Fo rest High Sch o o l
S o u th Ho u sto n High Sch ool
Maria Juliana Gonzalez
Tomball Independent School District To mb a l l High Sch o o l
David C. Brubaker Morgan R. Grebe Jessica Allison Kelly Michelle Nguyen
65
ENVI R ONMENT
14%
Improving Air Quality
7%
Increasing and Enhancing Parks and Open Spaces
41%
$
3,900,000
610,000
Protecting and Preserving the Natural Environment
29%
2,760,000
Other
23%
2,150,000
total
100%
$ 9,420,000
Cultivating a livable community with a healthy, sustainable environment
v Houston Arboretum & Nature Center summer camp students
67
environment
g
We only require that the parks stay open after school and during the weekends so everyone has access. Back in 1983, one sentence in a long report about the lack of parks in Houston struck city councilmember Eleanor Tinsley. It suggested turning school grounds into public parks. Tinsley’s previous tenure on the Houston ISD board
perfectly positioned her to try the novel idea, and within months four public parks were under construction on school grounds. Today more than 200 SPARK parks enhance community life in 11 school districts throughout the greater Houston area.
Schools in underserved neighborhoods get priority. “Some neighborhoods are primarily apartment complexes, where children hardly ever see flowers and trees or have a safe, fun place to play outdoors,” says executive director Kathleen Ownby. “Our parks generally contain modular play equipment, benches and picnic tables, jogging trails and outdoor classroom areas or stages. We only require that the parks stay open after school and during the weekends so everyone has access.” Once a principal applies and a school is accepted for a park, SPARK—short for “school park”—involves everyone. Schools are asked to raise $5,000 toward the $75,000 to $100,000 cost through penny drives, bake sales, spaghetti dinners and other events. Parents, teachers, other school staff and civic club members work on a committee to plan the park. Students, with guidance from the school’s art teacher or a local artist, design and install prominent pieces of public art. Because everyone in the community feels ownership and responsibility, they go on to take care of their prized park. ENVIRONMENT 68
School districts operate the parks, but SPARK returns after ten years to “ReSpark” older installations. Ownby says, “Play equipment evolves over the years and parks need updating.” With city, county and federal government support and private donations, SPARK builds about 10 new parks a year, and there is a waiting list for more. Before Tinsley passed away in 2009, she saw her unique plan flourish. Ownby—Tinsley’s daughter—says with a touch of pride and feeling, “SPARK has clearly improved the quality of life in Houston by creating hundreds of parks for the city’s people to enjoy and cherish.”
ENVIRONMENT
Garden Oaks Elementary SPARK Park 69
ENVIRONMENT
The surge as Hurricane Ike approaches Galveston Island 70
environment
g
Our research will help us live better within and around storm events. “Hurricane Ike was the third-worst hurricane in U.S. history in terms of property damage,” declares professor Phil Bedient, director of the SSPEED (Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters) Center at Rice University. “Ike was a $32 billion storm. It had a huge impact on the fabric of the
community.” Under the direction of Bedient and the SSPEED Center, a stellar group of scientists, architects, engineers, hydrologists, land managers, transportation experts and emergency response teams is studying Hurricane Ike, generating information and creating tools that will protect lives and property the next time a severe storm hits the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Coastal storm surge forecasting drives a large part of the project.
The research will also point the way to managing and developing land with the reality of storm surges in mind. “Somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 people between now and 2035 will move into surge zone areas,” says Bedient. Building codes, structural protection against hurricanes and flood plain maps do not currently include an accurate treatment of storm surge flooding. In addition to predicting surges, the research will provide suggestions about safely managing and developing coastal areas such as Bolivar peninsula.
ENVIRONMENT
“A surge is basically a huge wind-driven wave,” explains Bedient. “It doesn’t always come in as a single wave, but it did during Ike. It came in over a period of 10 to 30 hours and caused massive damage, as did the wind. Everything the surge touched, it took out.” Newscasts offer predictions about the track of a storm and the force of its winds, but, Bedient says, “The information our research generates will help predict surges and their impact, which drives evacuation plans, what’s built along the coast and what’s done to protect infrastructure.” The SSPEED Center will provide customized predictions to government officials and the public about the size and the path of a surge, and offer timely and informed recommendations about evacuation patterns, routes open to travel and actions to take to protect vulnerable installations such as the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Ship Channel.
Bedient says, “Our research will help us live better within and around storm events. We will have a reliable storm surge and flood prediction tool; we’ll know more about our infrastructure, and how and when to evacuate; and we’ll better understand the impact of storms and surges, how to harden the coast and how to make it resilient.” Other universities involved with the research include Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston and The University of Texas at Austin.
71
environment
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Rice farming keeps the land dynamic and productive. Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment (TRICE) enlists rice farmers to help restore native prairies and wetlands in national wildlife refuges, state wildlife management areas and private land along the upper half of the Texas Gulf Coast. Currently TRICE is focused on the 45,000-
acre Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, where it is restoring 15,000 acres of native prairie and 1,600 acres of wetlands by removing Chinese tallow trees and other invasive plants and by reinvigorating the rice fields that were once widespread within the refuge and beyond. In the 1970s, rice grew on 600,000 acres in an 18-county area known as the Texas Rice Belt; today fewer than 183,000 acres are under cultivation. In addition, regional wetland habitat continues to disappear. TRICE executive director Bill Stransky explains, “Rice farms currently offset the ongoing loss of freshwater habitat in the Gulf Coast area by creating seasonal wetlands when the fields are flooded. The fields provide rich habitat for migratory birds, nesting wading birds and shorebirds. TRICE meshes the interests of rice farmers with conservation and environmental goals by building levees and irrigation systems to create productive rice fields, which the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge leases to farmers.” Stransky adds, “Rice farming keeps the land dynamic and productive. Without it, the land doesn’t go back to prairie; it goes to tallow trees.”
ENVIRONMENT 72
TRICE has selectively poisoned and burned thousands of acres of Chinese tallow trees, which once blanketed huge swaths of the refuge. The non-native forest eliminated a vital home for birds, particularly the mottled ducks that live in the region year-round and depend on inland wetlands, freshwater marshes and grassland habitat for their survival. Stransky surveys an expanse of rotting tallows that will soon give way to bluestem prairie and says, “This was once all open shallow wetlands and short grass. I hope one day to look out across the refuge from the highway and see not one Chinese tallow, just grassland prairie, wetlands and thousands of birds.”
ENVIRONMENT
Restored wetlands with destroyed Chinese tallow trees in the distance at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge 73
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Improv ing A ir Qua lit y B ay l or Col l ege of Medicine Houston, T X
Toward improving public health through community outreach about environmental health hazards and educational programs for health care professionals about the effects of exposure to environmental toxins
2008
$
300,000
$
100,000
Ci t izens L e ague f or En v ironmen ta l Ac t ion Now Houston, T X
Toward educating and engaging citizens about the health consequences of air pollution
2008
70,000
35,000
2009
300,000
300,000
2008
200,000
100,000
2007
375,000
75,000
En v ironmen ta l Def ense F und Incor p orat ed Au s t i n , T X
Toward the ‘Clean Air for Houston’ program to reduce diesel and air toxic emissions En v ironmen ta l In t egr i t y Pro jec t Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward using remote sensing technology to improve the measurement and control of Houston’s air pollution Ga lv e s t on Hous t on A s s oci at ion f or Smog Pr e v en t ion Houston, T X
Toward efforts to improve air quality through collaborations with Mothers for Clean Air and Industry Professionals for Clean Air
Total — Improving Air Quality
$
610,000
$
50,000
Increasing a n d En ha ncing Par k s a n d Open Spaces A r t & En v ironmen ta l A rchi t ec t ur e Inc. Houston, T X
Toward preserving and developing the Frost Town Historic Site as a park and an educational destination under and around the McKee Street Bridge
2008
$
50,000
Buf fa l o B ayou Par t nership Houston, T X
Toward acquiring land to connect existing parks and trails from Shepherd Drive to the Port of Houston Turning Basin
2008
1,500,000
500,000
2008
1,500,000
500,000
2008
250,000
100,000
Toward acquiring land and developing new parks along bayou corridors and in underserved neighborhoods
2006
4,500,000
1,500,000
Toward program support
2009
35,000
35,000
Toward acquiring land and developing new parks along bayou corridors and in underserved neighborhoods
2009
1,500,000
750,000
Her m a nn Par k Conserva ncy Houston, T X
Hous t on A rbor e t um & Nat ur e Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward enhancing a 155-acre sanctuary for native plants and animals, and toward educational programs about the natural environment
ENVIRONMENT
Toward implementing conservation, education, accessibility and user amenity improvements through the Green Pedestrian Trail project
Hous t on Par ks Boar d Houston, T X
75
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
90,000
90,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2009
Memor i a l Par k Conserva ncy Inc. Houston, T X
Toward improvements to the 1,500-acre park as indicated by the Conservation Master Plan Nat ion a l Par ks Conservat ion A s s oci at ion Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward promoting, protecting and supporting 13 national parks in Texas Scenic T e x a s, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward enhancing the appearance of streets, thoroughfares and highways through public policy analysis, landscaping and tree preservation SPA R K Houston, T X
Toward constructing community parks on Houston’s public school campuses Tr ee s f or Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward planting and maintaining trees on the perimeter of 25 schools and presenting educational programs that focus on the value of trees T he Trus t f or Publ ic La nd Houston, T X
Toward conserving land for parks, gardens and open natural spaces
Total — Increasing and Enhancing Parks and Open Spaces
$
3,900,000
$
125,000
Protecting and Preserving the Natural Environment Audubon T e x a s Da ll a s, T X
Toward restoring quail populations by preserving grasslands and bird habitat in the greater Houston area, and toward constructing a visitor and education center at Sheldon Lake State Park and managing education and conservation programs
2009
$
125,000
B ayou Pr e servat ion A s s oci at ion, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward improving water quality, implementing a model restoration project, providing information about area bayous and watersheds and ensuring proper watershed management ENVIRONMENT
2009
75,000
75,000
2007
150,000
50,000
Toward conservation programs in the greater Houston area
2009
100,000
50,000
Toward purchasing the 4,472-acre Eagle Nest Lake tract and incorporating it into the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Brazoria County
2009
500,000
500,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2006
150,000
50,000
Ci t izens ’ En v ironmen ta l Coa l i t ion Educat ion a l F und Houston, T X
Toward a coalition of organizations focused on local environmental, health and quality of life issues T he Conservat ion F und A Nonprof i t Cor p orat ion A r l i n g t o n , VA
Ducks Unl imi t ed Inc. M em p hi s , TN
Toward restoring migratory bird habitat destroyed by Hurricane Ike En v ironmen ta l F und f or T e x a s dba Ear t h Sh ar e of T e x a s 76
Au s t i n , T X
Toward establishing employee payroll contribution programs in the greater Houston area and adding environmental organizations to those that exist
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2006
230,000
80,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2007
30,000
10,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2008
175,000
100,000
2009
250,000
150,000
2008
700,000
350,000
2007
600,000
100,000
2009
En v ironmen ta l Supp or t Cen t er Inc. Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward strengthening Houston area environmental organizations through programs that help board and staff improve infrastructure, leadership, fundraising and strategic planning Ga lv e s t on B ay F oundat ion W eb s t e r , T X
Toward preserving, protecting and enhancing Galveston Bay through advocacy, conservation, education and research Gr e at Pl a ins R e s t orat ion Council Houston, T X
Toward a project manager for a program to restore coastal prairies by providing rehabilitative work for incarcerated juveniles and adults in Harris County jails Gul f Coa s t Bir d Ob servat ory Inc. L a k e Jack son, T X
Toward protecting birds and their habitats around the Gulf of Mexico Haw k Wat ch In t er n at ion a l Inc. S a lt L a k e C i t y, UT
Toward monitoring and researching migratory raptors at Smith Point in Galveston Bay Hous t on Audubon Socie t y Houston, T X
Toward promoting the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat in the greater Houston area through land acquisition, sanctuary improvements and educational programs Hous t on Cl e a n Ci t y Commis sion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward reducing urban blight through neighborhood cleanup projects and community education programs Kat y Pra ir ie Conserva ncy Houston, T X
Toward developing a trail in honor of retiring grant officer Ann Hamilton’s service to Houston Endowment L eg acy La nd Trus t Inc. Houston, T X
Nat ion a l F ish a nd W il dl if e F oundat ion Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward increasing the Attwater’s prairie chicken population in Texas from 75 to 1,000 by 2018
ENVIRONMENT
Toward expanding educational programs and providing professional services to increase the preservation of wildlife habitat in the greater Houston area
Nat ion a l W il dl if e F ederat ion Au s t i n , T X
Toward implementing new state policies that protect Texas rivers, bays and estuaries and that promote water conservation as a supply strategy in and around Harris County T he Nat ur e Conserva ncy of T e x a s S a n A n t o n io , T X
Toward a project with the River Systems Institute at Texas State University to study, protect and restore habitat along the lower Brazos River
77
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
70,000
40,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2009
60,000
60,000
2009
30,000
30,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
80,000
40,000
2007
600,000
200,000
2009
T he Nat ur e Dis cov ery Cen t er Inc. Bellaire, TX
Toward improving traveling exhibitions presented in science education programs in Houston area schools R e s t or e A mer ica’s E s t uar ie s A r l i n g t o n , VA
Toward a national conference in Galveston about comprehensive coastal ecosystem restoration, and toward scholarships for local students and nonprofit professionals to attend the conference S t uden t Conservat ion A s s oci at ion, Inc. Ch a r lestow n, NH
Toward recruiting, training and placing students to work with Houston area government agencies and nonprofit organizations as interns on conservation projects, and toward expanding the program to include City of Houston recreation centers and parks T e x a s A & M Agr iL if e E x t ension Serv ice , T e x a s A & M Uni v ersi t y Sys t em C o l l ege S tat io n , T X
Toward conserving water and creating wildlife habitat in Houston by promoting sustainable residential, commercial and community landscapes through educational programs and a Web site T e x a s Coa l i t ion f or Conservat ion Au s t i n , T X
Toward promoting the acquisition and maintenance of local and state parks, open spaces and wildlife refuge areas T e x a s R ice Indus t ry Coa l i t ion f or t he En v ironmen t Pie r ce , T X
Toward restoring 15,000 acres of native prairie and creating 1,600 acres of wetlands in the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge T ur t l e Isl a nd R e s t orat ion Ne t wor k Houston, T X
Toward conservation and educational programs to protect the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and other turtles in the Gulf of Mexico Uni v ersi t y of Hous t on Houston, T X
ENVIRONMENT
Toward faculty, fellowships and equipment at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture to design and produce building components and systems that maximize energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases
Total — Protecting and Preserving the Natural Environment
$
2,760,000
$
50,000
Other Cool Gl obe s Inc. H igh l a n d Pa r k , I L
Toward promoting energy efficiency initiatives through an exhibition of 40 themed globes at Discovery Green
2009
$
50,000
T he Energy F oundat ion S a n F r a n ci s c o , C A
Toward establishing a local coalition to promote energy efficiency and decrease air pollution in Houston 78
2007
300,000
100,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
50,000
50,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2007
450,000
150,000
2008
850,000
300,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2008
50,000
50,000
2009
1,250,000
1,250,000
2009
En v ironmen t T e x a s R e se arch a nd P ol icy Cen t er Inc. Au s t i n , T X
Toward training and placing undergraduate students and college graduates in Houston area environmental organization volunteer and internship positions F oundat ion f or Sus ta in abl e De v el opmen t Au s t i n , T X
Toward promoting a by-product synergy program in Houston to reuse waste as a reliable, alternate and renewable source of energy and raw material Hous t on A dva nced R e se arch Cen t er The W o o d l a n d s , T X
Toward providing policymakers, advocacy groups, industry and the public with data about greenhouse gases and climate change Hous t on A rchi t ec t ur e F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward installing and testing two solar energy systems on the George R. Brown Convention Center roof, and toward collecting, analyzing and reporting data about their performance ICLEI L oca l Gov er nmen t s f or Sus ta in abil i t y US A Inc. Wa s hi n g t o n , D C
Toward establishing an office in Houston’s City Hall to provide local and regional governments with technical assistance and tools to reduce greenhouses gases, save energy and develop a statewide strategy in response to climate change Publ ic Ci t izen F oundat ion, Inc. Au s t i n , T X
Toward a program on four Houston college campuses to engage students in the transition toward a clean energy economy R ice Uni v ersi t y Houston, T X
Toward research to predict coastal storm surges and to define economically, ecologically and socially sustainable coastal development that reduces the damage from severe storms
$
2,150,000
Tota l En vironment
$
9,420,000
ENVIRONMENT
Total — Other
79
HE A LTH
Increasing Access to Health Care
69%
$
Improving Behavioral Health
14%
915,000
Promoting Disease Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles
10%
698,500
Other
7%
500,000
total
100%
$
4,685,000
10%
6,798,500
Advancing prevention, wellness and access to primary care
v Children receiving checkups at Hope Clinic
81
He a lt h
g
We give families tools to work together as a team rather than being at loggerheads and fighting over food. Almost half of Houston’s fourth-graders are overweight or obese. Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes— all once confined primarily to older adults—are beginning to show up in these children with greater frequency. Unless they have a serious medical condition, most children do not need to see a doctor, take medicine or enroll in an expensive hospital wellness program to counter obesity. Instead, they can go with their families to the Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Houston Area (YMCA) and sign up for MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It!), a fun-filled healthy lifestyle program that has proved it can change behavior through play, facilitated parent-child interactions and activities such as sleuthing through grocery stores with magnifying glasses to discover on package labels what’s in the food they eat.
Families attend the free MEND program twice a week for 10 weeks, learning about “healthy eating and active living,” says MEND director Chris Calitz. “We see children make great changes: selfesteem, fitness levels and family commitment improve, and their body mass index falls or stabilizes.” He explains, “This is not a clinical treatment program or a diet. We’re delivering a healthy lifestyle curriculum to parents and children in a supportive community setting.” The program, initiated in 2001 and recently offered in Houston after going through clinical trials, has proven to be very effective. H E A LT H 82
Each program session is divided into two parts: discussion and play. During discussions, a trained facilitator helps parents and children learn together. They establish nutrition and physical activity goals, become aware of unhealthy triggers and discover better ways to communicate. “We give families tools to work together as a team rather than being at loggerheads and fighting over food,” says Calitz. After the discussion, parents stay together and talk about the challenges of changing behaviors at home while kids participate in physically active games, learning that exercise can be fun. Calitz explains, “Physical exercise is never used as punishment, and nobody is ever left out. The kids increase their activity level each time and leave feeling good about themselves. We show them how to play again.” MEND will expand in Houston from three to 45 programs during the next two years. “We train lay people to deliver the program, so capacity can be built at YMCAs, recreation centers and other community-based organizations,” says Calitz. “Given the scale of the obesity epidemic, it’s essential that we deliver evidence-based programs in community settings and empower people to take responsibility for their health and wellness.”
H E A LT H
A mother and daughter learning about nutrition labels 83
H E A LT H
An afternoon DBSA support group 84
He a lt h
g
With appropriate treatment, depression and bipolar disorder are manageable diseases. Approximately seven percent of the U.S. population suffers from depression, and antidepressants are among the most widely prescribed medications today.
“Depression is different from ‘the blues,’” says Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) executive director Glenn Urbach. “If someone feels worthless, hopeless, sad and fatigued for long periods of time, and they’re not able to concentrate, sleep or eat, most likely they have depression.” When euphoria, anxiety, rage, irritability, grandiose thoughts and racing ideas are mixed in, they are typically diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “Bipolar is depression plus mania, or two poles,” explains Urbach. “Whatever goes up must come down.” Depression and bipolar disorder are not character or personality defects. “It is a physical illness of the brain,” says Urbach. “The brain is an organ like the heart or the lungs, and sometimes it doesn’t work the way it should. Depression and bipolar disorder show up in behavior, rather than in organ failure, so often there is an undeserved stigma attached to the illness. With appropriate treatment, depression and bipolar disorder are manageable diseases.” Appropriate treatment includes medication, therapy and support. “Support is where DBSA comes in,” says Urbach.
H E A LT H
DBSA offers 64 support groups each week at 35 churches, community centers and neighborhood clinics. The groups meet at convenient times throughout the day. “We have a model that’s easily replicated,” says Urbach. “If someone will provide a space with chairs in a circle, we can provide everything else.” Trained facilitators help participants share experiences and information with each other. They learn coping skills, find out about doctors, treatments and options, and discover they are not alone or unacceptable because they have depression or bipolar disorder. The groups combat isolation and help participants avoid suicide, divorce, incarceration, homelessness, drug addiction, job loss and abuse. A vast majority of participants have reported that the quality of their lives and their recovery improved because of the groups. “DBSA has support groups all over greater Houston, from Pearland to Pasadena, so we have the area covered geographically,” says Urbach. “Now we’re focusing on unique populations prone to depression, like seniors, veterans, adolescents, single moms and substance abusers. We also provide help to family and friends. DBSA is the one-stop shop for people to go to get their lives back on track.” He adds, “Through our groups we want to help people manage their illnesses, live better lives and remember how to take the time to smell the roses.”
85
He a lt h
g
Legacy has always seized opportunities to help everyone. “Nearly one-third of the people in Houston don’t have health insurance,” says Eric Roland, director of marketing and communications for Legacy Community Health Services (Legacy). “They don’t have doctors and frequently end up at emergency rooms with things like earaches and sore throats.” Legacy helps relieve clogged emergency rooms and assists more than 33,000 Houstonians each year by offering low-cost to no-cost health care at four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), one of which includes a convenient Walgreens pharmacy.
The Montrose Clinic and the Assistance Fund—two venerated organizations that worked together early on to help people with HIV/AIDS—merged in 2005 to become Legacy. “We wanted to expand into other communities and needed to change the name,” explains executive director Katy Caldwell. “The name ‘Legacy’ pays homage to those people who came before us and to those still here.” At first heavily dependent upon uncertain congressional funding through the Ryan White CARE Act, Legacy applied for FQHC status at the time of the merger to stabilize and expand the organization. With enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements as FQHCs, and with other government support, the four clinics now offer adult primary care, pediatric and obstetrical care, family planning services, eye care, psychiatric help, physical therapy and nutrition counseling to men, women and children who would otherwise not have access to this care. H E A LT H 86
Legacy tries to help everyone who walks through its doors. Roland recalls, “In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on Monday, the city flooded on Tuesday and we had our first client here on Wednesday, who said, ‘I’m HIV positive and my medications, records and prescriptions are underwater.’ We realized there would be a lot more coming and set up a system to take care of these people.” Legacy reaches out to everyone in the communities it serves and has started Grand Aides, a program to enlist and train grandparents—typically the most stable and respected members of a community— to promote good health habits and to mentor parents in their neighborhood. Soon Legacy will move from its original facility on lower Westheimer into new headquarters that will double the clinic’s size and, according to Roland, “offer one-stop shopping,” including the addition of dental care. Caldwell, who oversaw the agency’s transformation into the largest FQHC in Houston, says, “If we have a line out the door, we’ll hire more staff and find more money. Legacy has always seized opportunities to help everyone.”
H E A LT H
A patient being treated at a Legacy Community Health Services clinic 87
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Increasing Access to Hea lth Care A si a n A mer ica n He a lt h Coa l i t ion of t he Gr e at er Hous t on A r e a Houston, T X
Toward providing health care services for uninsured and underserved people at the Hope Clinic
2009
Toward providing health care services for uninsured and underserved people at the Hope Clinic
2009
150,000
150,000
2009
100,000
0
2009
50,000
0
2008
2,000,000
1,000,000
Toward health care services for uninsured and underserved people in the East End
2009
150,000
0
Toward health care services for uninsured and underserved people in the East End
2009
150,000
150,000
2008
200,000
75,000
Toward primary health care and dental care for uninsured and underserved families in central and north Houston
2008
200,000
200,000
Toward primary health care and dental care for uninsured and underserved families in central and north Houston
2009
200,000
0
2009
6,000,000
0
2009
350,000
350,000
2009
35,000
35,000
Toward health care services for uninsured and underserved people in southwest Houston
2008
250,000
250,000
Toward expanding a clinic that provides health care services for uninsured and underserved people in the Clear Lake area
2009
250,000
0
$
140,000
$
0
Ber ing Omeg a Communi t y Serv ice s Houston, T X
Toward dental care, adult day care, financial assistance and residential hospice services for people with HIV/AIDS Br e at h of L if e Chil dr en’s Cen t er Inc. K at y, T X
Toward health care services for uninsured and underserved children in west Houston and Katy Chr is t us F oundat ion f or He a lt hcar e Houston, T X
Toward building new headquarters for the San Jose Clinic as part of a multipurpose family health care center in midtown Houston El Cen t ro de Cora zon Houston, T X
E y e C ar e f or K id s F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward free eye exams and glasses for low-income, uninsured children F our t h War d Cl inic dba Good Neighbor He a lt hcar e Cen t er Houston, T X
Harr is Coun t y He a lt hcar e A l l i a nce Houston, T X
H E A LT H
Toward creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated system that meets the needs of uninsured and underserved people through an alliance of public and private health care providers Hous t on Communi t y He a lt h Cen t er s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward health care services for uninsured and underserved people at Denver Harbor Clinic Hous t on E y e A s s oci at e s F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward free eye care services and surgery for low-income and indigent patients Ibn Sin a F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
89
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
Toward a centralized clinic, headquarters building and hub for satellite clinics
2007
3,000,000
1,000,000
Toward expanding marketing efforts to increase access to health care for low-income patients
2008
250,000
250,000
Toward expanding health care services for uninsured and underserved people in the Gulfton area, and toward Grand Aides, a program to recruit and train neighborhood grandparents to link community members with health care services
2009
450,000
0
2007
500,000
100,000
2006
300,000
100,000
2008
40,000
20,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
500,000
0
2008
2,652,000
880,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
L eg acy Communi t y He a lt h Serv ice s Inc. Houston, T X
Me t hodis t Ho spi ta l F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward an obesity and diabetes prevention and treatment program at Denver Harbor Clinic Pl a nned Par en t hood of Hous t on a nd Sou t he a s t T e x a s, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward family planning services, reproductive health care and educational outreach T he Rose Houston, T X
Toward the 2009 and 2010 Breast Health Summits, a collaboration among 70 agencies to provide and improve access to health care for women at risk for breast cancer and for those living with the disease Sa n Jo se Cl inic Houston, T X
Toward health care services for low-income, uninsured people T e x a s Socie t y t o Pr e v en t Bl indne s s Inc. dba Pr e v en t Bl indne s s T e x a s Houston, T X
Toward free eye care services for children and adults TOM AGWA Minis t r ie s Inc. T o mb a l l , T X
Toward a new medical clinic to serve uninsured and underserved people in Tomball, Magnolia and Waller County T he Uni v ersi t y of T e x a s He a lt h Science Cen t er at Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward assembling evidence-based information through surveys, research and analysis to help community leaders and policymakers make decisions about appropriate health care solutions H E A LT H
Total — Increasing Access to Health Care
$
4,685,000
$
30,000
Improv ing Behav iora l Hea lth Cenikor F oundat ion Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a residential vocational and prevention program for men and women who have substance abuse problems, and toward a program to increase employment opportunities for women
2008
$
70,000
C.G. Jung Educat ion a l Cen t er of Hous t on T e x a s Houston, T X
90
Toward therapeutic expressive arts programs at organizations that serve at-risk populations
2007
70,000
10,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
100,000
100,000
2009
40,000
40,000
2008
350,000
150,000
2008
125,000
50,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2009
35,000
35,000
2009
125,000
75,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
400,000
200,000
2009
Cr isis In t erv en t ion of Hous t on Incor p orat ed Houston, T X
Toward 24-hour telephone and Internet crisis counseling and referral services Depr e s sion a nd Bip ol ar Supp or t A l l i a nce DB S A Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward improving and expanding support groups that serve people with depression and bipolar disorder Fa mily Serv ice Cen t er at Hous t on a nd Harr is Coun t y Houston, T X
Toward staff to accommodate growth in counseling, guidance and social services for families, children and individuals Gat her ing Pl ace , Inc. Houston, T X
Toward psychosocial rehabilitation services for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses Hous t on Council on A l cohol ism a nd Drug A buse Inc. Houston, T X
Toward software to track and monitor client outcomes, and toward a new triage and intake department to handle the increased volume Kr is t Sa m ar i ta n Cen t er f or Counsel ing a nd Educat ion Houston, T X
Toward marketing fee-based psychological testing services to support counseling and mental health programs for those in need Men ta l He a lt h A mer ica of Gr e at er Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
Toward improving mental health care services and expanding access through increased referrals by promoting collaboration, counseling, advocacy and initiatives Mon t ro se Counsel ing Cen t er , Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a chemical dependency program, and toward reviewing and enhancing outcome data to improve program effectiveness N A MI Gul f Coa s t A lv i n , T X
Toward educational outreach, referrals, support services and advocacy for people directly and indirectly affected by mental illness
H E A LT H
Ne t wor k of Beh av iora l He a lt h Prov iders Inc. Houston, T X
Toward increasing the number of behavioral health care professionals and improving behavioral health care services T e x a s A ppl e seed Au s t i n , T X
Toward a study about the relationship between school discipline practices, dropout rates and involvement in the justice system by disproportionately large numbers of minority and special education students, and toward educating policymakers about the issue and the study’s results
Total — Improving Behavioral Health
$
915,000
91
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Promoting Disease Prev en tion a n d Hea lth y Lifest y les A C ar ing Sa f e Pl ace Inc. Houston, T X
Toward social services and prevention programs at a transitional living facility for residents and other chemically dependent HIV-positive men in the Fifth Ward
2009
$
50,000
$
50,000
A IDS F oundat ion Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
Toward services for people with HIV/AIDS and prevention programs for the community
2008
225,000
112,500
Toward helping people with HIV make informed decisions about their health care by providing research and treatment information and advocating for accessible, affordable and effective treatment options
2008
120,000
60,000
Toward purchasing headquarters to house programs that provide research and treatment information for people with HIV/AIDS and that link them to medical and social services
2009
100,000
0
2009
400,000
276,000
2008
120,000
40,000
2008
146,000
50,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2009
10,000
10,000
2009
914,000
0
2009
741,000
0
A IDS R e se arch Cons or t ium of Hous t on Houston, T X
A mer ica n He ar t A s s oci at ion Inc. - S ou t h Cen t ra l A f f il i at e Au s t i n , T X
Toward DINE, a project to reduce obesity by offering calorie counts at the point of purchase in Houston restaurants F undacion Lat ino A mer ica n a Con t ra El Sida Inc. Houston, T X
Toward culturally, linguistically and age appropriate HIV prevention programs for Hispanic teenagers Hous t on Communi t y Col l ege F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward hiring students to enter backlogged immunization data into an online registry that enables local physicians to monitor patient immunizations Hous t on-Harr is Coun t y Immuniz at ion R egis t ry Inc. Cypress, TX
Toward increasing immunization rates and eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases in Houston and Texas by expanding a registry, developing and coordinating public and private partnerships and advocating for improved policies and practices H E A LT H
Ta min a Communi t y Cen t er Conroe , TX
Toward social services for indigent people in an underserved community T he Uni v ersi t y of T e x a s M. D. A nder s on C a ncer Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward evaluating the efficacy of a culturally tailored intervention program to reduce obesity and the incidence of cancer in the African-American community Young Men’s Chr is t i a n A s s oci at ion of Gr e at er Hous t on A r e a Houston, T X
Toward a family-oriented weight management intervention program for overweight and obese children
Total — Promoting Disease Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles 92
$
698,500
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Other T he Uni v ersi t y of T e x a s Medica l Bra nch at Ga lv e s t on G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward strategic planning to determine the future of the university’s services to the region
$
500,000
Total — Other
$
500,000
Tota l Hea lth
$
6,798,500
2009
$
500,000
H E A LT H 93
HUM A N SE R VI C ES
Reducing Domestic Violence
2%
$
350,000
Ensuring Access to Basic Human Needs
30%
4,435,000
Preventing and Treating Child Abuse
6%
930,000
Enriching Life for Young People
18%
2,709,000
Providing Services for People with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses
8%
1,140,000
Helping the Homeless
10%
1,490,000
Enriching Life for the Elderly
4%
600,000
Increasing Home Ownership
7%
1,100,000
Improving Neighborhoods
15%
2,150,000
total
100%
$ 14,904,000
22%
Leading people toward independent and fulfilling lives
v Mother’s Day gift bags for people in need at the House of Amos
95
HUM A N SE R VI C ES
g
We help families achieve self-sufficiency, not just pay the rent. Families with children are among the most likely people in Houston to become homeless. Parents often work at minimum wage jobs, don’t earn enough to overcome
obstacles and don’t have the time or resources to pursue an education that will help them become more gainfully employed. Westside Homeless Partnership (WHP) targets homeless and near homeless families with children in the Spring Branch ISD, where in many schools close to 100 percent of the students qualify for free lunches. More than 40 percent of the adults in the area have not finished high school.
Homeless and near homeless families are referred to WHP by teachers, counselors, other human service agencies and area congregations. WHP board chair Mallory Shaddix says, “We help families achieve self-sufficiency, not just pay the rent.” For nine months families in the Hands-Up Housing program receive help with rent, utilities, transportation and childcare in return for a commitment to work intensely with a case manager, who helps parents assess their needs and develop the skills, goals and plans to become self-sufficient. “Each self-sufficiency plan has an educational component,” explains Shaddix. “Many clients have not graduated from high school, so we help them get a GED and take English classes if necessary. Some go to community college. We take care of basic needs so they can become trained and empowered to move forward.”
HUMAN SERVICES 96
WHP case managers connect clients with community resources to avoid duplicating existing services. Parenting classes, furniture and clothes for interviews are provided by these other agencies. “Our case managers are skilled in tapping into what’s available,” says Shaddix. “In a ninemonth period with about $10,000, we can turn around a family’s life.” More than 80 percent of WHP’s families become self-sufficient after they complete the program. On average family income increases 75 percent. Ten percent eventually own their own homes. WHP follows families for two years to make sure they stay independent. Shaddix says, “When families graduate from the program, they leave with confidence and a sense of direction. We give them tools, we encourage them, and we make sure they’re prepared. We don’t do anything for a family that they can do for themselves. We serve only as an agent of change.”
HUMAN SERVICES
Caseworker Mercedes Parrish (right) visiting a client in the Hands-Up Housing program 97
HUMAN SERVICES
Volunteer and board member Ed Smith taking care of a child at Casa 98
HUM A N SE R VI C ES
g
Usually nobody was at their crib to hold them or to change them when they cried. The first baby Kathy Foster and Bill Jones took in at Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos Incorporated (Casa) in 1982 was so small and frail they fed her with an eyedropper and huddled around her to keep her warm in the drafty house they had rented for $280 a month. Soon they had six children whose
parents had vanished, gone to prison or died. “From then on, it was child after child after child,” says Foster. “While some are physically injured, they’re all emotionally damaged and have no skills at forming relationships when they get here. Usually nobody was at their crib to hold them or to change them when they cried.”
Today Casa cares for more than 100 children each year in safe, warm homes with nurturing families, either in one of 10 beautiful houses on-site or in foster homes around the community. New arrivals are on average 16 months old. One-third of the tiny children were abused before arriving at Casa. One-third were homeless. Ten percent are HIV positive. And almost half of their parents have been in prison. “The children can stay one day or as long as needed,” explains Foster. “One boy has been here for 14 years. About half of the kids eventually return to a family member, and half go on to live with a person other than a relative.” After they leave, Casa follows up with financial, medical and personal support to help keep their families stable and the kids safe. HUMAN SERVICES
While they’re at Casa, children get medical care, attend an on-premises school tailored to their emotionally and medically fragile conditions and participate in therapy and in play groups that address the developmental challenges and delays caused by their neglect and abuse. Devoted volunteers and staff form and sustain long-term, committed relationships with the children to help them learn that life can be different and better. “We can serve many children for short periods to relieve a momentary crisis,” says Jones. “Instead we help a smaller number of children very well for long periods of time and change these children and future generations of their families forever. We help our children understand that they are good enough to be loved and that they are good enough to have a valued place in this world.”
99
HUM A N SE R VI C ES
g
We bring resources to the home and to the individual so people can age successfully. Jewish Family Service (JFS) has assisted Houstonians since 1913, when it opened to provide emergency aid for the community’s Jews and to help Eastern European refugees resettle in Houston. As times changed, so did
the agency’s scope of services. But its mission has always remained the same: to strengthen life for individuals and families with counseling, education and support. JFS helps anyone, regardless of ability to pay or religious affiliation, and demand for its services increases each year. Funding cuts and stricter eligibility requirements at public mental health agencies have caused more people to turn to JFS for help. So has the aging population. “People are living longer, but not necessarily living well longer,” says JFS executive director Linda Burger. “Sometimes people outlive their resources and their families, and we are the only ones they can call or rely on.” JFS case managers arrange home health care, transportation to doctors’ appointments and from the hospital, and for meals to be brought in on a regular basis. JFS also provides guidance and solutions to adult children caring for elderly parents, whether they live in town or far away. Burger says, “We’re here to help people deal not only with a crisis, but also with what’s going on in their parents’ lives as they age. We bring resources to the home and to the individual so people can age successfully.” JFS assists approximately 3,800 people each year through its senior adult services and has more than 600 active cases going at any one time. HUMAN SERVICES 100
JFS’s clinical psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists provide counseling services to more than 2,700 children and adults each year. Two-thirds pay a reduced fee; one-quarter receive services free of charge. Burger says, “JFS is one of the few places in the Meyerland area where people can come for expert counseling. We’re even open one night a week so people can come see us after work.” JFS helps people find homes and jobs, and it offers emergency financial aid so cash-strapped people can pay student loans, the rent or the utility bill. The multipurpose agency assists the families of children who have functional and developmental disabilities, helps victims of domestic violence and consoles those who have lost a loved one. “We are a safety net, not just for the Jewish community, but for all of Houston,” says Burger. “Simply put, JFS provides a beacon of light to people who need help.”
HUMAN SERVICES
Case manager Mal Finger counseling a client 101
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
R educing Domestic Violence AVDA Houston, T X
Toward legal representation and safety planning assistance for victims of domestic violence
2008
$
200,000
$
100,000
Br idge Ov er Troubl ed Wat ers Inc. Pa s a de n a , T X
Toward emergency and transitional shelter and support services for women and children in crisis
2008
100,000
50,000
2009
40,000
0
2009
100,000
50,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2009
35,000
0
2008
225,000
100,000
2009
100,000
0
Daya Inc. Houston, T X
Toward direct services and resource referrals for South Asian women who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault F or t Bend Coun t y Women’s Cen t er , Inc. Richm o n d, T X
Toward housing, counseling and case management for survivors of domestic violence who have mild to moderate mental health issues Hous t on A r e a Women’s Cen t er Houston, T X
Toward residential and nonresidential shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault La Ro s a-T he Ro se Houston, T X
Toward direct services and resource referrals for Hispanic women and families who are the victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault Nat ion a l Council on Fa mily V iol ence Au s t i n , T X
Toward providing support services for domestic violence agencies, operating the National Domestic Violence Hotline and hosting the 2008 Texas SUMMIT, a statewide meeting to develop plans to reduce domestic violence in Texas T e x a s Council on Fa mily V iol ence Incor p orat ed Au s t i n , T X
Toward providing family violence agencies with professional development, training, technical assistance and advocacy
$
350,000
$
20,000
Ensu ring Access to B asic H u ma n Needs 3 A Ber e av emen t F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward assisting low-income families with grief counseling and burials
2008
$
60,000
HUMAN SERVICES
Total — Reducing Domestic Violence
Br idge s t o L if e Houston, T X
Toward reducing the recidivism of released inmates by bringing victims and perpetrators together for healing and rehabilitation
2008
50,000
25,000
2009
100,000
0
C at hol ic Ch ar i t ie s of t he A rchdioce se of Ga lv e s t on-Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward support services for children and adults in need
103
Chr is t i a n Communi t y Serv ice Cen t er Inc. Houston, T X
Toward expanding food pantry services
2009
55,000
55,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
300,000
300,000
2008
225,000
75,000
2008
100,000
50,000
2009
15,000
15,000
2007
5,000,000
1,500,000
2009
50,000
0
2007
50,000
25,000
2009
100,000
50,000
2008
190,000
80,000
2007
100,000
50,000
2008
75,000
25,000
2009
600,000
600,000
2008
75,000
75,000
2008
300,000
150,000
2009
Compa s sion at e T ouch Inc. Houston, T X
Toward assistance with housing, food and parking for low-income patients and families receiving services at the Texas Medical Center Ea s t F or t Bend Hum a n Need s Minis t ry Inc. S ta ff o r d, T X
Toward building a new facility and renovating current space to serve more people in need in east Fort Bend County and southwest Houston F oundat ion f or T omorrow Houston, T X
Toward a social worker and parent liaison to provide assistance and social service referrals to low-income parents and students at the Yellowstone Academy T he F ur ni t ur e B a nk Houston, T X
Toward furniture for people in need House of A mo s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a food pantry that serves west Houston and Alief Hous t on F ood B a nk Houston, T X
Toward purchasing and renovating a new facility to improve and increase the distribution of food to the hungry of the greater Houston area Hous t on Vol un t eer Law y ers Progra m, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward free civil legal services for working poor and indigent people In t er fa i t h C ar ing Minis t r ie s Inc. Le a g u e C i t y, T X
Toward assistance for low-income families and individuals in crisis In t er fa i t h Minis t r ie s f or Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward delivering hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program Je w ish Fa mily Serv ice Houston, T X
Toward counseling and senior service programs HUMAN SERVICES
Kat y Chr is t i a n Minis t r ie s K at y, T X
Toward assistance for low-income families and individuals in crisis L oca l Infa n t F or mul a f or Emergencie s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward emergency nutritional assistance for infants L one S tar L eg a l A id Houston, T X
Toward free legal services for low-income victims of Hurricane Ike Memor i a l A s sis ta nce Minis t r ie s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a new facility to provide emergency services to people in need Nor t h w e s t A s sis ta nce Minis t r ie s Houston, T X
104
Toward assistance for low-income families and individuals in crisis
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2007
500,000
500,000
2009
50,000
0
Toward emergency services for children and adults in crisis
2007
120,000
60,000
Toward emergency services for children and adults in crisis
2009
65,000
0
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
200,000
100,000
2009
25,000
0
2009
400,000
400,000
2008
130,000
70,000
2008
150,000
75,000
2009
60,000
60,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
T he Sa lvat ion A r m y G a lv e s t o n , T X
Toward a new facility to provide services for people in need SH A PE Communi t y Cen t er Inc. Houston, T X
Toward strengthening families through community outreach, cultural events, skills training, health and social services and after-school and summer programs for young people Sou t he a s t A r e a Minis t r ie s South Houston, T X
Ta hir ih Jus t ice Cen t er Fa l l s C h u r ch , VA
Toward providing pro-bono legal services and protection for refugee and immigrant women and girls in Houston Targe t Hunger Houston, T X
Toward expanding services that provide food to the hungry T e x a s One Voice A Col l aborat i v e f or He a lt h & Hum a n Serv ice s Houston, T X
Toward a network of public, private and nonprofit organizations that identifies needs, recommends changes and works together to improve health and human service systems throughout the community Uni t ed Way of Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward supporting health and human service agencies and programs that assist the people of the greater Houston area VN T e a m wor k Houston, T X
Toward culturally and linguistically appropriate social services for low-income Vietnamese-Americans W e sl e y Communi t y Cen t er , Inc. Houston, T X
Toward emergency assistance and social services for people in near north Houston W e s t Hous t on A s sis ta nce Minis t r ie s Inc.
Toward assisting people in crisis with food, clothing, household items, financial aid, transportation and employment services
Total — Ensuring Access to Basic Human Needs
$
4,435,000
$
200,000
HUMAN SERVICES
Houston, T X
Prev en ting a n d Treating Child A buse Boys a nd Gir l s Coun t ry of Hous t on Inc. H o c k l e y, T X
Toward house parent stipends, utility bills and support expenses for children at a residential care facility
2009
$
200,000
C a s a de E spera n z a de l o s Nino s Incor p orat ed Houston, T X
Toward residential care for neglected or abused children and for children infected with HIV/AIDS
2009
75,000
75,000
105
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
150,000
150,000
2008
200,000
100,000
Toward ‘No Kidding,’ a school-based program to support teen parents and to help others prevent pregnancy
2008
40,000
40,000
Toward a comprehensive continuum of support, including foster care and adoption services, that protect children and strengthen families
2008
150,000
75,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2008
415,000
100,000
2008
25,000
25,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
130,000
65,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Chil d A dvocat e s Incor p orat ed Houston, T X
Toward training court-appointed volunteers to advocate for the legal rights of abused children, and toward developing a pilot program to improve outcomes for children in permanent foster care Chil dBuil ders Houston, T X
Toward programs that help children and adolescents create and sustain healthy relationships and avoid and cope with dangerous and harmful situations DePel chin Chil dr en’s Cen t er Houston, T X
E sca pe Fa mily R e s ource Cen t er of t he E xch a nge Cl ub s of Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward reducing child abuse and neglect by improving familial relationships He a lt h y Fa mily Ini t i at i v e s Houston, T X
Toward the Nurse-Family Partnership, a home-based nursing program that improves the health and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children Home s of Sa in t Mar k Houston, T X
Toward foster care and adoption services for special needs children Par t ners f or Harr is Coun t y Chil dr en Inc. Houston, T X
Toward providing clothes, hygiene items and other basic necessities to children under the care of Children’s Protective Services Spaul ding f or Chil dr en Houston, T X
Toward securing foster care and adoption for special needs children in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Total — Preventing and Treating Child Abuse HUMAN SERVICES
$
930,000
$
50,000
En riching Life for You ng People A l dine You t h Org a niz at ion Uni t ed t o Hel p Houston, T X
Toward support services and new development programs for at-risk young people and their families
2008
$
150,000
A migo s de l a s A mer ica s Houston, T X
Toward a strategic plan to increase the number of high school and college students who participate in community development and public health projects in Latin America
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
20,000
10,000
A ngel Ou t r e ach Inc. Houston, T X
106
Toward providing technology and tutoring programs for low-income, at-risk children
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
50,000
50,000
2007
300,000
75,000
2008
50,000
50,000
2009
79,000
79,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2008
120,000
60,000
2007
300,000
100,000
2009
1,140,000
1,140,000
2009
100,000
0
2009
200,000
200,000
2009
50,000
50,000
Toward teaching children social skills that prepare them to succeed in school and in life
2007
100,000
50,000
Toward services to help parents, teachers and other adults teach children social skills that prepare them to succeed in school and in life
2009
50,000
0
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Ava nce Inc. Houston, T X
Toward programs that strengthen families, improve parenting skills, promote educational success and foster personal and economic well-being Big Bro t hers Big Sis t ers of Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward one-on-one mentoring programs and enrichment activities that help at-risk children increase self-esteem, achieve goals, improve behavior and succeed academically Boys a nd Gir l s Cl ub of Bra zor i a Coun t y F r ee p o r t, T X
Toward development and recreational programs for young people from low-income families Chil dr en’s Cen t er f or Sel f-E s t eem Inc. Houston, T X
Toward expanding programs that teach skills to parents, teachers and other adult caregivers that enable them to create and sustain healthy relationships with children at home and in schools, homeless shelters, juvenile courts, prisons and community centers Communi t ie s in School s B ay A r e a , Inc. Houston, T X
Toward truancy and dropout prevention programs in Dickinson and Clear Creek ISDs Communi t ie s in School s -B ay t ow n Inc. B ay t o w n , T X
Toward truancy and dropout prevention programs in east Harris County and west Chambers County ISDs Communi t ie s in School s Hous t on, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward coordinated social services to help at-risk Alief ISD students succeed in school T he Educat ion F oundat ion of Harr is Coun t y Houston, T X
Toward improving after-school program quality and access for children throughout Harris County T he F orge f or Fa mil ie s Inc. Houston, T X
Gir l Scou t s of Sa n Jacin t o Council Houston, T X
Toward a Web-based communication system to give girls in a 26-county area access to the organization’s information and resources
HUMAN SERVICES
Toward building a new center to house development and life skills training programs for at-risk children in the Third Ward
Gir l s Incor p orat ed of Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward programs for girls and young women to learn skills, develop self-confidence and have fun Hous t on Achie v emen t Pl ace Houston, T X
107
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2009
45,000
15,000
Toward Exchange City, a hands-on lab where fourth through sixth grade students run a replica city and learn life skills
2006
255,000
40,000
Toward repairs and updates to the headquarters building
2009
125,000
125,000
2009
80,000
40,000
2008
70,000
35,000
2008
35,000
35,000
2007
75,000
25,000
2008
70,000
35,000
2008
80,000
40,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2007
60,000
10,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
80,000
40,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
Hous t on L i v e s t ock Show & Rodeo Inc. Houston, T X
Toward assisting students with agricultural science education through the Calf Scramble Program Junior Achie v emen t of Sou t he a s t T e x a s, Inc. Houston, T X
K ick Drug s Ou t of A mer ica F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward helping at-risk middle school students resolve conflict, set and achieve goals and avoid drugs and gangs through martial arts training K id s Hope US A Inc. Zee l a n d, M I
Toward matching mentors with at-risk students in Houston’s public schools Nehemi a h Cen t er Inc. Houston, T X
Toward academic, social, cultural and support programs for children and their families in the Third Ward Our Promise f or W e s t B ay t ow n Inc. B ay t o w n , T X
Toward social and human services that develop youth, strengthen families and build neighborhoods Pa l mer Drug A buse Progra m-Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
Toward drug abuse prevention programs for children, teenagers and adults R e s olv e I t Inc. Kem a h , T X
Toward intervention and support programs that present at-risk teens with alternatives to violence, drug abuse, delinquent behavior and leaving school Se arch Ins t i t u t e Minne a polis, MN
Toward sending teams of students and adults from low-income Houston area high schools to the 11th annual Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth conference HUMAN SERVICES
US F oundat ion f or t he Inspirat ion a nd R ecogni t ion of Science & T echnol ogy M a n che s t e r , N H
Toward encouraging interest and achievement in math, science and technology by sponsoring Houston area high school teams to design and build robots for regional competition Women’s R e s ource of Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
Toward Project LEAD, a school-based leadership and self-empowerment training program for ninth and tenth grade at-risk girls Wonderwor ks Houston, T X
Toward a summer enrichment program that provides high school students with in-depth, pre-college learning experiences in arts, architecture, literature and media Wor kshop Hous t on 108
Houston, T X
Toward youth and community development programs for Third Ward children and adults
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
150,000
50,000
2008
150,000
50,000
2008
95,000
30,000
2009
Young L if e Houston, T X
Toward school-based clubs for at-risk youth, and toward recruiting, training and deploying interns to lead clubs and promote new clubs in underserved urban areas Young Men’s Chr is t i a n A s s oci at ion of Gr e at er Hous t on A r e a Houston, T X
Toward providing children with partial and full scholarships to attend YMCA Downtown Day Camps Zin a Garr is on A l l Cour t T ennis Aca dem y Houston, T X
Toward providing inner-city children with tennis lessons and life-building skills
Total — Enriching Life for Young People
$
2,709,000
$
15,000
Prov iding Serv ices for People w ith Disabilities a n d Chronic Illn esses T he A rc of Gr e at er Hous t on Houston, T X
$
15,000
Toward replacing office equipment destroyed by Hurricane Ike
2009
Toward improving the education of disabled children by providing parents with information, referrals and resources
2009
40,000
40,000
2009
20,000
20,000
2008
75,000
25,000
2009
140,000
70,000
2007
120,000
40,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2009
75,000
75,000
2008
15,000
5,000
Be s t Buddie s In t er n at ion a l Inc. Houston, T X
Toward helping intellectually disabled high school students develop friendships and social skills by pairing them with non-disabled peers C a mp F or A l l F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward barrier-free camping for chronically ill and/or disabled children and adults and their families C ar eer a nd R ecov ery R e s ource s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward computer training, literacy classes and job placement programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing people Chil dhood C a ncer Fa mily A l l i a nce Inc.
Toward advocacy and support for parents and families who have children with cancer Educat ion a l Progra ms Inspir ing Communi t ie s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward developing a business plan to accommodate expanded employment education and training programs for people with developmental disabilities F oundat ion f or t he R e tar ded
HUMAN SERVICES
Houston, T X
Houston, T X
Toward residential, day care and vocational services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities Hous t on A r e a Par k ins on S ocie t y Houston, T X
Toward providing support services to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders
109
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
30,000
10,000
2008
40,000
20,000
2009
250,000
250,000
2006
150,000
50,000
2009
50,000
50,000
2008
45,000
45,000
2009
250,000
250,000
2009
150,000
150,000
2009
Hous t on Ear R e se arch F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward early identification and intervention programs that help deaf children learn to listen and speak T he La z arus House A Cen t er f or W el l ne s s Houston, T X
Toward helping chronically and terminally ill people who suffer from the deterioration of tissue mass, also known as wasting syndrome Noa h’s House Houston, T X
Toward an independent living facility for mentally disabled adults R e ach Unl imi t ed, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a center that provides educational and recreational activities that help mentally retarded adults reach a high functional level and independence Ron a l d McDon a l d House of Hous t on Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a new parking lot for a facility that provides housing for families whose children are being treated in Texas Medical Center institutions Ta ping f or t he Bl ind, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward recording and broadcasting written material, event descriptions and original programs for the sight-impaired T e x a n a Cen t er R o s e n be r g , T X
Toward a new facility to provide behavioral health care services to the developmentally disabled in Fort Bend County V il l age L e ar ning Cen t er Inc. Ki n gw o o d, T X
Toward acquiring land to expand residential facilities for people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities
Total — Providing Services for People with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses
HUMAN SERVICES
$
1,140,000
$
100,000
Helping the Homeless C at hedra l He a lt h Minis t r ie s Houston, T X
Toward providing basic needs, case management and health care for homeless and near homeless people
2009
$
100,000
Coa l i t ion f or t he Homel e s s of Hous t on/Harr is Coun t y Houston, T X
Toward developing a strategic plan to increase coordinated services for the homeless
2009
25,000
25,000
Toward support services for organizations that provide help for the homeless and develop and implement strategies to prevent and end homelessness
2009
50,000
0
Toward adding staff and programs that help homeless and runaway youth pursue safe and self-sufficient lives
2008
150,000
75,000
Toward emergency support and transitional housing for homeless and runaway youth
2008
300,000
100,000
Cov en a n t House T e x a s Houston, T X
110
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
2008
45,000
20,000
2009
100,000
100,000
2007
60,000
20,000
2009
40,000
40,000
2008
130,000
50,000
2008
50,000
25,000
2008
400,000
100,000
2009
25,000
25,000
2007
400,000
100,000
2007
150,000
50,000
2008
150,000
75,000
2009
55,000
55,000
2009
Cro s sroa d s at Par k Pl ace Inc. Houston, T X
Toward providing food, clothing and basic social and medical services for homeless people in southeast Houston Grace wood Inc. Houston, T X
Toward building a transitional residential home for single-mother families facing homelessness Hous t on Compa s s Inc. Houston, T X
Toward preparing homeless individuals for independence Mis sion of Ya h w eh Inc. Houston, T X
Toward a resale shop and food pantry for the Carverdale community, and toward a shelter for homeless and abused women and their children Mon t gomery Coun t y Emergency A s sis ta nce Conroe , TX
Toward constructing a transitional housing facility for Montgomery County women and children who are survivors of domestic violence Mon t gomery Coun t y In t er fa i t h Ho spi ta l i t y Ne t wor k Conroe , TX
Toward comprehensive social services for homeless families in Montgomery County Open Door Mis sion F oundat ion Houston, T X
Toward shelter, emergency relief and substance abuse treatment for homeless and addicted men, and toward renovating and expanding the kitchen and food service area Pa l mer Memor i a l Epis copa l Church Houston, T X
Toward the Way Station, a program that provides homeless people with a hot breakfast and access to health care and social services Serv ice of t he Emergency A id R e s ource Cen t er f or t he Homel e s s Houston, T X
Toward a continuum of services that help homeless people become self-sufficient S tar of Hope Mis sion
Toward breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and homelessness through counseling and educational and recreational programs for children living in shelters Uni t ed S tat e s V e t era ns Ini t i at i v e Houston, T X
Toward medical, social and employment services and transitional and permanent housing for homeless Houston veterans
HUMAN SERVICES
Houston, T X
W e s t side Homel e s s Par t nership Houston, T X
Toward a transitional housing program that stabilizes families facing homelessness and keeps their children in school
111
Year Approved
Total Grant
Allocation
Toward long-term rehabilitation programs at a transitional residential center for women in crisis situations
2007
90,000
30,000
Toward an 84-unit permanent, affordable housing facility for women prepared to transition to independent living
2008
500,000
500,000
Grantee + Purpose
2009
T he Women’s Home Houston, T X
Total — Helping the Homeless
$
1,490,000
$
60,000
En riching Life for the Elder ly F or t Bend Senior Ci t izens Me a l s on W heel s & Much Much Mor e Inc. R o s e n be r g , T X
Toward hot meals and other social services for seniors
2009
$
60,000
In t er fa i t h C ar epar t ners, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward volunteer services that enable impaired people to stay independent and at home and that support caregivers
2007
150,000
75,000
Toward volunteer services that enable impaired people to stay independent and at home and that support caregivers
2009
75,000
0
2008
80,000
40,000
Toward a collaborative that provides centralized access to quality care for seniors
2008
200,000
200,000
Toward technology upgrades that allow home care staff to access a patient’s medical records through a wireless network
2008
200,000
200,000
2009
7,500
0
2009
25,000
25,000
OA SIS Ins t i t u t e Hous t on Ol der A dult Enr ichmen t Progra m Houston, T X
Toward providing physical fitness, social and health education programs to older adults Shelt er ing A r ms Houston, T X
Vol un t eer In t er fa i t h C ar egi v er s Sou t h w e s t Bellaire, TX
Toward transportation and other support services for frail, elderly and health-impaired people in southwest Houston W. L eo Da niel s T ow er s, Inc. Houston, T X
Toward helping senior and disabled residents maintain independence by providing nutrition, housekeeping and personal care services HUMAN SERVICES
Total — Enriching Life for the Elderly
$
600,000
$
75,000
Increasing Home Ow n ership F or t Bend Habi tat f or Hum a ni t y S ta ff o r d, T X
Toward a Habitat ReStore, a building material recycling center and resale store
2009
$
75,000
Habi tat f or Hum a ni t y Pa s a den a Pa s a de n a , T X
Toward building affordable homes for low-income families
2009
25,000
25,000
2008
1,000,000
1,000,000
Hous t on Habi tat f or Hum a ni t y Inc. Houston, T X
Toward acquiring and developing 117 acres for affordable homes in northeast Houston 112
Total — Increasing Home Ownership
$
1,100,000
Grantee + Purpose
Year Approved
2009
Allocation
Total Grant
Improv ing Neighborhoods Accep t ing Ch a l l enge s t o Improv e Our Nat ion Communi t y De v el opmen t Cor p Houston, T X
Toward social services that help low-income Third Ward residents enhance their neighborhoods
2008
$
100,000
$
50,000
ACCION T e x a s Inc. S a n A n t o n io , T X
Toward small loans and support services for small business owners in Houston who do not have access to traditional credit resources
2007
300,000
100,000
2008
150,000
50,000
2009
75,000
0
2007
200,000
100,000
2009
300,000
300,000
2008
2,800,000
1,500,000
2008
50,000
50,000
Av enue Communi t y De v el opmen t Cor p orat ion Houston, T X
Toward developing affordable housing and encouraging economic development in Houston’s near north side F or t Bend Communi t y R e v i ta l iz at ion Pro jec t s S u g a r L a n d, T X
Toward purchasing office and warehouse space where staff can meet clients and accept, store and dispense materials to repair homes for low-income families in Fort Bend County Hous t on Hope Houston, T X
Toward developing and implementing plans to improve the quality of life in Houston’s poorest neighborhoods L oca l Ini t i at i v e s Supp or t Cor p orat ion Houston, T X
Toward a pilot program that cultivates community leaders, facilitates collaboration and provides resources to improve neighborhoods and encourage community development Ne w Hope Housing Inc. Houston, T X
Toward developing four single room occupancy apartment communities for low-income and homeless people Row House Communi t y De v el opmen t Houston, T X
Toward affordable housing projects, economic development and historic preservation in the Third Ward
$
2,150,000
Tota l Huma n Services
$
14,904,000
HUMAN SERVICES
Total — Improving Neighborhoods
113
Mary Gibbs Jones and Jesse H. Jones with their grandaughter Audrey Jones (Beck)
g
the founders J e s s e H . a n d M a r y G ibb s J o n e s
g After donating more than $1 million during their first years of marriage to help create and develop institutions and organizations that would nurture Houston’s people and encourage the city’s growth, Jesse and Mary Gibbs Jones established Houston Endowment in 1937 to formalize and perpetuate their philanthropy. They both knew they would prosper only if their community thrived.
115
Mr. Jones’s 1898 arrival, the 1900 Galveston hurricane and M.T. Jones Lumber Company, Dallas, Texas, 1894
the discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 changed Houston’s future. The hurricane shifted the region’s inevitable development from Galveston to Houston; Spindletop marked the beginning of the area’s evolution into the nation’s petrochemical capital; and Jesse Jones began building the city that would accommodate the explosive growth. He started building small homes south of downtown that he sold on unique, long-term installment plans. Then he began building Houston’s first skyscrapers, including the 10-story Houston Chronicle Building, which brought him a half interest in the newspaper, and the Texas Company Building, which helped
Jesse Jones was born on April 5, 1874, just nine years after
make Texaco and the petroleum industry a permanent part of the
the end of the Civil War, and grew up on his family’s prosperous
city’s business community. He continued to add office buildings,
tobacco farm in Robertson County, Tennessee. Although the
movie theaters and hotels to the central business district in time
Joneses would eventually live in one of the grandest homes
for the opening of the Houston Ship Channel in 1914.
outside of Nashville, poverty surrounded them. Jesse’s father,
In addition to Houston’s foremost developer, Mr. Jones
William, always kept the farm’s smokehouse doors open so their
became a prominent civic leader. He raised Houston’s half of the
struggling neighbors could help themselves when food was
funds for the Ship Channel (the federal government paid the rest
scarce. Jesse’s Aunt Nancy, who moved in with the Joneses after
in one of the nation’s first public/private partnerships) and was
his mother died when he was six, always kept track of who took
the first chairman of the Houston Harbor Board. The opening of
food so she could make sure they were eventually repaid. From
the Ship Channel internationalized Houston almost overnight
their charitable but frugal example, young Jesse saw that a loan
and elevated the South’s still struggling post-Civil War economy.
worked better than a handout and that most neighbors honored
Mr. Jones’s success with the Ship Channel caught President their obligations when given sufficient time. When able, they Woodrow Wilson’s attention. President Wilson offered him helped others. Jesse saw how his family’s beneficence helped ambassadorships and cabinet positions, but Mr. Jones turned
T H E FOUNDERS
his community, and with enormous success and unparalleled
the president down so he could continue to build his businesses
influence, he applied these early lessons throughout his life in
and his city. However, World War I changed his mind. When
business, public service and philanthropy.
President Wilson asked Mr. Jones to become director general of
At age 20, Mr. Jones moved from Tennessee to Dallas to
military relief for the American Red Cross, he accepted at once
work at his uncle M.T. Jones’s largest lumberyard. M.T. owned
and delegated management of his businesses and buildings to his
sawmills, lumberyards and timberland throughout Texas and
colleague Fred Heyne.
lived in Houston, the home base of his vast operations. Mr. Jones would later recall in a speech, “It may be that my uncle and I were too much of the same temperament to be entirely congenial, but after he found that I had energy and interest for business, as well as for play, we got on better and, I am glad to say, were fast friends long before he died at St. Paul’s Sanitarium in June 1898. In fact, he named me one of his executors and that took
116
me to Houston, the headquarters of his business.” Houston Ship Channel, ca. 1914
American Red Cross recreation center for soldiers in Europe during World War I
Jesse H. Jones and his principal architect, A.C. Finn, 1928
Jesse H. Jones laying the San Jacinto monument cornerstone, 1937
Within months, Mr. Jones had recruited nurses and
Manhattan and filling up Houston’s Main Street with the city’s
doctors for the battlefields, organized hospitals, canteens and
tallest buildings, its most ornate movie palaces and its grandest
ambulance networks throughout Europe, and established
hotels, the couple began making substantial donations to colleges,
rehabilitation centers for the wounded. The Red Cross called
hospitals, orphanages, museums and other civic institutions.
him “big brother to 4 million men in khaki.” He was also an early
In addition to real estate development and philanthropic
advocate for women’s rights and lobbied President Wilson to
activities, Mr. Jones served as finance chairman of the
give Army nurses military rank and authority.
Democratic National Committee and helped bring the party’s
After the war, Mr. Jones accompanied the president to the
national convention to Houston in 1928. It was the first major
Paris Peace Conference and helped reorganize the Red Cross
political convention to be held in the South since before the Civil
from a loosely knit group of local societies into the permanent War and was one of the first to be heard widely on the radio. An international relief agency it is today. He wrote to Mr. Heyne Rice Hotel, ca. 1914
associate wrote Mr. Jones after the location was announced,
from Paris, “I am very sorry not to be home during this opportune “You have caused the South and Texas to receive greater recognition time, for no doubt I could accomplish a good deal if I could bring
than any other individual in the history of this country.”
myself to believe that my real duty did not lie here. The situation
Mr. Jones continued to realize his vision of a great city and
of the world is most alarming and chaotic, and I do not know how
in 1929 completed a 35-story Art Deco building for the Gulf Oil
it is going to be adjusted. Surely there can be no peace unless Company and his National Bank of Commerce. Shortly after the building was completed, the nation plunged into the Great
After the peace treaties were signed, Mr. Jones returned to Depression. When two failing Houston banks were about to Houston, embarked on the most ambitious phase of his building
bring down many others throughout the region, Mr. Jones
career and married Mary Gibbs Jones in 1920. Mary Gibbs, a
gathered the city’s leaders for three days and nights to work out
doctor’s daughter, was born on April 29, 1872, in Mexia, Texas, a plan that allowed the stable banks and several local companies and grew up with nine brothers and sisters in a home filled with
to rescue the two faltering banks. As a result of Mr. Jones’s
music and books. With her family’s encouragement, she attended
leadership and determination, no banks in Houston failed
T H E FOUNDERS
people have the necessities of life—food and clothes.”
Methodist College in Waco, Texas, at a time when few women went during the Great Depression. After the successful meeting, Mr. to college or finished high school. Mary’s exposure to literature, Jones wrote to one of his colleagues, “I believe that all we have music, education and other cultures through extensive travel done, are doing and must continue doing is necessary for the kindled an interest in learning and the arts that would flourish general welfare, and we cannot escape being our brother’s keeper.” throughout her life. While Mr. Jones was building in midtown Mr. Jones’s work did not go unnoticed.
117
Mr. Jones’s business acumen and civic leadership were his RFC position, the ‘Saturday Evening Post’ reported, “Next called upon during the depths of the Great Depression when to the President, no man in the government and probably in President Herbert Hoover asked him in 1932 to serve on the board the United States wields greater powers.” Today scholars of the newly created Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC). give Jesse Jones a tremendous amount of credit for saving After his inauguration, President Franklin Roosevelt expanded capitalism during the Great Depression and mobilizing the RFC’s powers and made Mr. Jones its chairman. Under his industry in time to fight and win World War II. leadership, the RFC disbursed more than $10 billion (about $120
After 14 years of public service in Washington, D.C., the
billion in today’s dollars) to reopen banks, save homes, farms Joneses returned to Houston in 1946 and began to focus on and businesses, rescue the railroads and bring electricity to rural philanthropy. They felt education was the key to a healthy areas. Fannie Mae and the Export-Import Bank are only two of community and established scholarship programs to help the many enduring agencies created by Mr. Jones and the RFC. students attend college. The programs included minority Remarkably, the funds allocated for the massive RFC recovery students and always were divided equally between men and efforts were returned to the United States Treasury, along with women. By the time Mr. Jones passed away on June 1, 1956, a $500 million profit. Vice President John Nance Garner once the foundation had helped more than 4,000 students attend said about Mr. Jones, “He has allocated and loaned more money 57 colleges and universities. In her later years, Mrs. Jones to various institutions and enterprises than any other man in the brought opera to Houston radio, served on the general council THE FOUNDERS
history of the world.”
of New York’s Metropolitan Opera and helped first lady Mamie
As World War II loomed, Mr. Jones shifted the RFC’s Eisenhower support military widows. She joined Houston focus from domestic economics to global defense and Endowment’s board in 1954, and one year later the foundation used the corporation’s enormous clout to build and equip made a $1 million grant to build the Mary Gibbs Jones College at more than 2,000 plants that manufactured everything Rice Institute (now Rice University) so women, for the first time, from airplanes and battleships to penicillin and synthetic could live on campus. More than 30 scholarship programs were rubber, an industry the RFC developed from the lab. In named for Mrs. Jones, and since her death on August 20, 1962, 1940, after Congress passed a special resolution allowing many more Houston Endowment grants have carried her name Mr. Jones to become secretary of commerce while maintaining as a tribute to her public service and philanthropy.
118
(l-r) Jesse H. Jones inspecting San Francisco’s Bay Bridge, a Depression-era RFC project Jesse H. Jones with President Roosevelt in Houston, 1930s Jesse H. Jones delivering a national radio address Mary Gibbs Jones receiving an honorary degree from Texas Woman’s University, 1950s (opposite) Downtown Houston, 1950s
In a 1936 speech to the Princeton-Harvard-Yale Conference on Public Affairs, Mr. Jones said, “Success is measured by the service you render and the character of citizen you make rather than by the amount of money you amass.� The Joneses devoted their lives to service and were exemplary citizens. Seventy-two years ago, they began donating the money they amassed to Houston Endowment so they could, in perpetuity, continue to help create a thriving community where they had prospered.
THE FOUNDERS 119
B OARD OF DIRECTORS
g Houston Endowment is governed by a self-perpetuating board of directors who are elected to three-year terms. Directors, who can serve up to four terms, typically are chosen from business and civic leaders in Houston. D. K en t A nderson Elected January 18, 2000
Kent Anderson is a graduate of Rice University and the Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is president of Anderson Family Partnership, a private investment company. In his 30-year banking career, Mr. Anderson served as special consultant to the chairman of Compass Bank, chairman and chief executive officer of Post Oak Bank, chairman and chief executive officer of First Interstate Bank and president of Allied Bancshares. He is in his third decade as a trustee of Rice University and has been a recipient of the university’s Gold Medal Award. Mr. Anderson previously served on the boards of Pulte Homes, Sam Houston Race Park, Central Houston, Texas Bankers Association, Texas Chamber of Commerce, Texas Research League, Texas Presbyterian Foundation, Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Ballet, the Houston Symphony, the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He was one of the inaugural recipients of the Men of Distinction Award, which recognizes Houstonians who have distinguished themselves through excellence in community service. Other honors include serving as president of The Coronado Club, participating in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference and receiving the National Humanitarian Award from The National Jewish Hospital. Mr. Anderson served in the U.S. Air National Guard and received the American Spirit of Honor Medal. a nne ch ao Elected February 2, 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Anne Chao graduated from Wellesley College and received master’s and doctoral degrees from Rice University, where she lectures in the History Department in the field of modern Chinese history. Dr. Chao serves on the governing boards of the Alley Theatre, the Houston Ballet, the Houston Public Library Foundation and St. John’s School. She serves on the advisory boards of Inprint, Teach for America, Rice University Asian Studies, the Rice University Shepherd School of Music and the Rice University Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality.
121
LINNET DEILY Elected February 13, 2007
Linnet Deily graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and received a master of arts in international management from The University of Texas at Dallas. She currently serves on the boards of directors of Chevron Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent and Honeywell International Inc. She has served as deputy U.S. trade representative and U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization, vice chairman of the Charles Schwab Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of First Interstate Bank of Texas. Ms. Deily currently serves on the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the boards of the Houston Zoo, the Greater Houston Partnership, St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, The Jung Center of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Ms. Deily previously served on the board of regents of The University of Texas System. l arry R . Faul k ner , president Elected January 31, 2006
Dr. Faulkner has been president of Houston Endowment since 2006. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University (B. S., 1966) and The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D., 1969). In an academic career spanning four decades, he served on the chemistry faculties of Harvard University, the University of Illinois and The University of Texas. At Illinois he was also head of the Department of Chemistry, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and provost. In 1998, he returned to The University of Texas at Austin as the 27th president and served into 2006. He is co-author (with Allen J. Bard) of the prominent text ‘Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications’ and is co-inventor of the cybernetic potentiostat, which had a lasting impact on the design of commercial analytical instruments. He has been recognized with awards from the American Chemical Society, the Electrochemical Society, the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry and the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2003, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He serves currently on the boards of Exxon Mobil Corporation and Temple-Inland, Inc. A n t hon y W. Ha l l , Jr ., chair Elected January 28, 2003
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 122
An attorney now in private practice, Anthony Hall previously served as the chief administrative officer and city attorney for the City of Houston. He is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Mr. Hall has served as a representative in the Texas Legislature, a council member-at-large on the Houston City Council and chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. Mr. Hall serves on the board of directors of El Paso Corporation and is a past member of the board of directors of Coastal Corporation. He is chairman of the Boule Foundation and is past national president of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He serves on the boards of the Houston Symphony, the Boy Scouts of America–Sam Houston Area Council, Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, Inc., the Ensemble Theatre and the Texas Cultural Trust. Mr. Hall is a Vietnam veteran who attained the rank of captain and received the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars.
je s se h. jone s II Elected February 13, 2007
Jesse H. Jones II is the grandnephew of Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and currently has interests in several wireless communication ventures in the Southwest and in a snack food company in Georgia. Mr. Jones is former chairman of the Houston Ballet Foundation and is currently serving as board chairman of the Foundation for DePelchin Children’s Center and the Society for the Performing Arts. He also serves on the boards of the Texas Freedom Network and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and is a board member and treasurer of the Houston Public Library Foundation. He has served as president of DePelchin Children’s Center and was on the boards of the Alley Theatre, Houston Achievement Place, ChildBuilders, the Mental Health Association and Planned Parenthood. Dav id l ouis Mende z Elected January 31, 2006
David Mendez is chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase Bank, Texas. He began his career at the bank after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 1975. Mr. Mendez serves on the boards of Texas Children’s Hospital, the Center for Houston’s Future, the Houston Downtown Parks Corporation and the Dean’s Executive Board of the University of Houston’s C. T. Bauer College of Business. His recent accomplishments and civic contributions include chairman of the Center for Houston’s Future for 2004-2005, member of the board of trustees and the executive committee of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, where he served as a co-chairman of the 2003-2004 citywide fundraising campaign, and member of the executive committee of the Greater Houston Partnership. He has served on the Galveston-Houston Diocese Bishop’s Finance Council, the 2004 Super Bowl Host Committee and the board of directors of Catholic Charities. He was honored by the Houston Area Women’s Center with its 2005 Making a Difference Award and in 2007 was honored by the Jewish Community Center at its annual Children’s Scholarship Ball. paul b. mur ph y, Jr . Elected January 31, 2006
Dougl a s L . F oshee was elected to the board of directors on February 2, 2010. His term will begin on September 1, 2010.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paul B. Murphy, Jr., is chief executive officer of Community Bancorp LLC, a recently formed company that will make investments in the banking industry. He was previously chief executive officer of Amegy Bank of Texas. A graduate of Mississippi State University, he also earned an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. He began his banking career at Allied Bank of Texas and helped found Southwest Bank of Texas, the predecessor to Amegy Bank. Mr. Murphy serves on the governing boards of Hines Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.; the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch; The Kinkaid School; The Children’s Museum of Houston; and the Mississippi State University Foundation. He is active in the Young Presidents Organization and is a member of the Governor’s Business Council.
123
Indep endent Memb er s of t he Inve s tment C om m it t e e
g L . E. Simmons graduated from the University of Utah, studied at the London
School of Economics and received his master’s from Harvard Business School. He is president and founder of SCF Partners and serves on the boards of directors of Continental Airlines, Zions Bancorporation and Ellison Ranching. He is on the board, and former chairman, of Texas Children’s Hospital; a trustee of Rice University and former chairman of the Council of Overseers for its Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business; and a trustee of The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation. He also serves on the Harvard Business School Visiting committee, the London School of Economics North American Advisory Council and the boards of directors of The Kinkaid School; the Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council; and the Methodist Hospital Research Center. S cott W ise is president of Rice Management Company at Rice University
and has served as chief investment officer of the university for more than 20 years. A graduate of both Rice University and The University of Texas at Austin, he serves on the governing boards of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed company; the Catholic Endowment Foundation of Galveston-Houston; St. John’s School; and the Investment Advisory Board to the Texas State Comptroller. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 124
Bruce Zimmerman is chief executive and chief investment officer of The
University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO), one of the largest university endowments in the nation. A graduate of Duke University and the business school at Harvard University, he began his career at Bain and Company and served in a variety of management roles at Texas Commerce Bank (now JPMorgan Chase). Mr. Zimmerman served as chief investment officer at Citigroup before joining UTIMCO.
in appr eciation
g
Houston Endowment’s board and staff offer their sincere appreciation to L. E. Simmons for his 12 years of exemplary service on the board of directors. Mr. Simmons first joined the board on January 27, 1998, and served until February 2, 2010, the maximum time of service provided under the bylaws. He served as chair during 2008 and 2009. During his tenure, Houston Endowment donated more than $777 million to improve education, to assist the underserved, to support the arts, to protect the environment and to increase access to health care. More than 3,700 students were named Jones Scholars during that time. With Mr. Simmons’s leadership, Houston Endowment has added to the vitality of the greater Houston area and has honored Mr. and Mrs. Jones’s vision and purpose. Although no longer a member of the board of directors, Mr. Simmons was elected to serve as an independent member of the investment committee for the foundation.
B OARD OF DIRECTORS 125
staff
as of May 2010
g
STAFF 126
Larry R. Faulkner President
Sheryl L. Johns Executive Vice President
Anna B. Leal Vice President and Grant Director
George V. Grainger Director of Research and Planning
G r a nt St a f f
g
Harriet W. Garl and Grant Manager
George V. Grainger Senior Grant Officer
Lydia L. Hickey Grant Manager
E. Jane Kennedy, CPS Grant Manager
elizabeth G. Love Grant Officer
Debbie A. McNult y Grant Officer
M. A. Toni Moreno Jones Scholars Program Officer
Leslie Chandler Wang Grant Officer
Sharie Wood Grant Manager
STAFF
Matthew C. Barnes Grant Officer
127
Fi n a nc e a nd A d m i n i s tr ation St a f f
g
Deborah Bessire Human Resource and Office Manager
Constance G. Bickham Assistant to the President
Rosa H. Cervantes Investment Accountant
Steven L. Fenberg Community Affairs Officer
Dougl as E. Garst, CPA Real Estate Officer
Peggy J. Howell, CPA Controller
Jerry N. Leonard Accounting Assistant
Paul W. McKinney Office Assistant
sta f f Thomas C. Nall, Jr. Information Officer
128
Kaye Williams
Jane A. Wirth
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
affiliations
g Houston Endowment is affiliated with a variety of professional associations and organizations that support philanthropy. Participating with these groups provides opportunities for the foundation’s board and staff to learn from, and collaborate with, colleagues from other grantmaking and nonprofit organizations. Houston Endowment and members of its board and staff support or maintain memberships in these organizations: Association of Small Foundations BoardSource Center for Effective Philanthropy Conference of Southwest Foundations, Inc. Council on Foundations Environmental Grantmakers Association The Foundation Center Foundation Financial Officers Group Grantmakers for Education Grantmakers for Effective Organizations Grantmakers in Health Grantmakers in the Arts Hispanics in Philanthropy Independent Sector The Investment Fund for Foundations National Scholarship Providers Association
a f f i l i at i o n s
Grant Managers Network
The Philanthropy Roundtable Technology Affinity Group Texas Environmental Grantmakers Group
129
financial Report g
131
financial report
g
Investments
During 2009, the value of Houston Endowment’s investments increased from $1.248 to $1.431 billion. The $183 million increase included $78 million in grant payments and expenses and a net investment increase of $105 million. Total investment return (income plus capital appreciation), after investment fees, for the year was 17.2 percent. The average annual compound return for the past five years, net of fees, was 4.6 percent; and for the past 10 years it was 4. 1 percent. At year-end, the foundation’s endowment was invested as follows:
21.2%
Domestic Equity
FINANCIAL REPORT 132
8%
7.7%
8.8%
Private Equity
Natural Resources
Cash
20.5%
12.8%
7.0%
14.0%
International Equity
Absolute Return Strategies
Real Estate
Fixed Income
100
grant spending in millions of dollars
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
g ra n t s p e n d i n g
In 2009, Houston Endowment’s allocation for grants was $92 million. Each year’s grant allocation is based on five percent of a three-year average of the endowment’s market value. The goals of this spending policy are to provide a relatively stable pattern of spending on grants, despite fluctuations in security markets, and to preserve the inflation-adjusted value of the endowment in perpetuity.
In addition to its regular grantmaking program, Houston Endowment matches, on a twofor-one basis, personal gifts made to charitable organizations by the foundation’s directors and staff. In 2009, $322,790 in grants was paid under the matching gift program. Under a directed grant program that allows directors and other program participants designated by the board to designate up to $50,000 each in grants to charitable organizations of their choosing, $445,000 in grants was paid in 2009.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Grant allocations for any given year will differ from the total grants approved and total grants paid during that year. In 2009, the board of directors approved 833 grants totaling $50.2 million, some of which will be paid in future years. Also, $61.7 million was paid on 1,979 grants, some of which were approved in prior years.
133
Financia l Statements
g The foundation prepares financial statements on a modified basis of cash receipts and disbursements that generally follows accounting principles used for federal excise tax purposes. Unaudited summary financial information is presented below. Once audited financial statements for the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2008, are complete, they will be posted on the foundation’s website at www.houstonendowment.org. Statements of Assets and Fund Balance
As of December 31, 2008
As of December 31, 2009 B o o k Va l u e
Mar k e t Va l u e
B o o k Va l u e
Mar k e t Va l u e
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
$
129,962,990
$
129,782,588
$
60,076,370
$
59,018,365
Marketable securities: Equity investments
703,428,230
651,584,623
805,110,606
554,098,044
Fixed-income investments
183,992,610
198,499,496
250,596,906
253,009,983
212,595
1,474,983
5,162,783
6,487,239
Total marketable securities and related receivables
887,633,435
851,559,102
1,060,870,295
813,595,266
Other investments
357,022,632
389,364,271
326,457,718
315,316,977
16,565,058
58,980,198
16,643,177
58,980,198
1,002,304
1,004,233
990,365
899,493
$
1,392,186,419
$ 1,430,690,392
$
1,465,037,925
$
1,247,810,299
$
64,165,735
$
$
77,023,621
$
77,023,621
Accrued interest and dividends
Real property F I N A N C I A L S T AT E M E N T S
Other assets (net of depreciation) Total assets
Fund Balance
Appropriated for grants payable in future years Unappropriated fund balance Total fund balance
134
$
64,165,735
1,328,020,684
1,366,524,657
1,392,186,419
$ 1,430,690,392
1,388,014,304 $
1,465,037,925
1,170,786,678 $
1,247,810,299
Statements of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance Years ended December 31 2009
2008
Revenues
Dividends
$
17,231,020
$
24,005,204
Interest
7,616,950
15,297,319
Royalties and rents
3,691,125
6,879,267
Partnership income
1,807,246
1,995,202
432,676
1,363,078
30,779,017
49,540,070
13,580,941
10,882,179
3,570,693
3,323,011
Other income
Expenditures
Investment expenses Administrative expenses
(831,046)
Federal excise taxes
1,925,000 16,130,190
Excess of revenues over expenditures before grant payments
14,458,429
33,409,880
Grant payments
61,669,606
76,630,364
(47,211,177)
(43,220,484)
Excess of expenditures over revenues
Fund balance at beginning of year
1,465,037,925
Realized capital gains (losses) Fund balance at end of year
1,485,710,657
(25,640,329) $
1,392,186,419
22,547,752 $
F I N A N C I A L S T AT E M E N T S
16,320,588
1,465,037,925 135
136
G RANT APPLICATION
g
Houston Endowment makes grants to nonprofit organizations that are recognized as charitable organizations by the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation provides funds to organizations that serve Harris County and contiguous counties.* Grants seldom are given outside of Texas and never are made outside of the United States or to individuals. The foundation prefers not to fund religious activities, fundraising events or galas. Houston Endowment provides funds to organizations that support and promote the arts, community enhancement, education, the environment, health and human services. The foundation also provides funds to organizations outside of its primary geographic scope that support and promote Texas history.
For complete grant application guidelines, please see www.houstonendowment.org or call 713.238.8100.
* Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
G RANT APPLICATION 137
index to grantees g
139
1894 Inc. 17
Boys and Girls Country of Houston Inc. 103
3 A Bereavement Foundation 101
Brazosport College 55
A Caring Safe Place Inc. 90
Breath of Life Children’s Center Inc. 87
Accepting Challenges to Improve Our Nation Community Development Corp 111
Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc. 101
ACCION Texas Inc. 111
Buffalo Bayou Partnership 73
Adult Reading Center, Inc. 40 AIDS Foundation Houston Inc. 90 AIDS Research Consortium of Houston 90 Aldine Independent School District 57 Aldine Youth Organization United to Help 104 Alley Theatre 10, 22 Alvin Community College 55 American Festival for the Arts 24 American Heart Association Inc. - South Central Affiliate 90 American Leadership Forum 40 Amigos de las Americas 104 Angel Outreach Inc. 104 The Arc of Greater Houston 107 Ars Lyrica Houston 17 Art & Environmental Architecture Inc. 73 ArtBridge 24 Art Council Inc. 23 Art League of Houston 17 Art Lies 23 Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake 17 Asia Society Texas Center 38 Asian American Health Coalition of the Greater Houston Area 78, 87 Association for Community Broadcasting 38 Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Houston Chapter 40 Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges 59 Audubon Texas 74 Aurora Picture Show 17 INDEX
Austin Film Society 37 Avance Inc. 105 AVDA 101 Avenue Community Development Corporation 111 Bach Society at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church 17 Battleship Texas Foundation Inc. 37 Baylor College of Medicine 59, 73 Bayou Preservation Association, Inc. 74 Bering Omega Community Services 87 Best Buddies International Inc. 107 Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston Educational Foundation 38 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston 105
140
Boys and Girls Club of Brazoria County 105
Bridges to Life 101 Camp For All Foundation 107 CANTARE Houston 17 Career and Recovery Resources Inc. 107 Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos Incorporated 97, 103 Catastrophic Theatre Inc. 17 Cathedral Health Ministries 108 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 101 CCA Alliance 42 Cenikor Foundation Inc. 88 C.G. Jung Educational Center of Houston Texas 88 Center for Effective Philanthropy Inc. 43 Center for Faith and Health Initiatives Inc. 40 Center for Houston’s Future Inc. 41 Center for Reform of School Systems Inc. 51, 56 Center for the Healing of Racism 38 Central Houston Civic Improvement Inc. 41 Child Advocates Incorporated 104 ChildBuilders 104 Childhood Cancer Family Alliance Inc. 107 Children’s Center for Self-Esteem Inc. 105 The Children’s Museum, Inc. 39 Children’s Prison Arts Project 25 Chorus America Association 17 Christian Community Service Center Inc. 101 Christus Foundation for Healthcare 87 Citizens for Animal Protection Inc. 43 Citizens for Blueprint Houston 41 Citizens League for Environmental Action Now 73 Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Educational Fund 74 City Ballet of Houston 25 City Hall Fellows Inc. 42 Close Up Foundation 43 Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County 108 Collaborative for Children 56 College for All Texans Foundation: Closing the Gaps 57 College of the Mainland 55 Communities in Schools Bay Area, Inc. 105 Communities in Schools - Baytown Inc. 105 Communities in Schools Houston, Inc. 105 Compassionate Touch Inc. 102
The Forge for Families Inc. 105
The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation 74
Fort Bend Community Revitalization Projects 111
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston 17
Fort Bend County Women’s Center, Inc. 101
Cool Globes Inc. 76
Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity 110
Council on Foundations 44
Fort Bend Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels & Much Much More Inc. 110
Country Playhouse 17
FotoFest Inc. 18
Covenant House Texas 108
Foundation Center 44
Creative Alternatives Inc. 25
Foundation for Modern Music Inc. 14, 18
Crisis Intervention of Houston Incorporated 89
Foundation for Sustainable Development 77
Crossroads at Park Place Inc. 109
Foundation for the Retarded 107
Cypress Creek Fine Art Association 17
Foundation for Tomorrow 102
Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment 17
Fourth Ward Clinic dba Good Neighbor Healthcare Center 87
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District 57
Fredericksburg Education Initiative Inc. 59
Czech Cultural and Community Center 39
Freneticore 19
Da Camera Society of Texas 18
Fresh Arts Coalition 23
Dance Houston 18
Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas Inc. 37
Dance of Asian America 18
Fundacion Latino Americana Contra El Sida Inc. 90
Dance Source Houston 18
The Furniture Bank 102
Daya Inc. 101
Galveston Arts Center Inc. 19
DePelchin Children’s Center 104
Galveston Bay Foundation 75
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance DBSA Greater Houston 83, 89
Galveston Community College 55
Diaz Music Institute 25
Galveston County Economic Alliance Foundation Inc. 42
Dionysus Theatre 18, 25
Galveston Historical Foundation Inc. 37
Diverse Works Inc. 18
Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention 73
Doctors Orchestra of Houston 18
Gathering Place Inc. 89
Downtown Revitalization Committee 41
Genesys Works 42
Dress for Success Houston 42
Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston 19
Ducks Unlimited Inc. 74
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council 105
Earthen Vessels Inc. dba Sandra Organ Dance Company 18
Girls Incorporated of Greater Houston 105
East Ft. Bend Human Needs Ministry Inc. 102
Glasstire 13, 23
The Education Foundation of Harris County 105
Goodwill Industries of Houston 33, 42
Education Pioneers Inc. 58
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District 57
Educational Programs Inspiring Communities Inc. 107
Gracewood Inc. 109
El Centro de Corazon 87
Grantmakers for Education 44
The Energy Foundation 76
Grantmakers in Health 44
Ensemble Theatre 18
Great Plains Restoration Council 75
Environment Texas Research and Policy Center Inc. 77
Greater Houston Community Foundation 40
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated 73
Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Inc. 37
Environmental Fund for Texas dba Earth Share of Texas 44, 74
GuideStar USA Inc. 44
Environmental Integrity Project 73
Gulf Coast - A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts 19
Environmental Support Center Inc. 75
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Inc. 75
Escape Family Resource Center of the Exchange Clubs of Houston 104
Gulf Coast Institute 41
Executive Service Corps of Houston Inc. 40
Habitat for Humanity Pasadena 110
Express Theatre 25
Harris County Healthcare Alliance 87
Eye Care for Kids Foundation 87
HawkWatch International Inc. 75
Family Service Center at Houston and Harris County 89
Healthy Family Initiatives 104
INDEX
Conference of Southwest Foundations, Inc. 44
141
INDEX 142
Heritage Society 37
Houston Museum of Natural Science 39
Hermann Park Conservancy 73
Houston Music Hall Foundation 22
HITS Theatre 25
Houston Parks Board 73
Holocaust Museum Houston 39
Houston Public Library Foundation 39
Homes of Saint Mark 104
Houston READ Commission 40
Hope Stone Inc. 19
Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 43
House of Amos Inc. 92, 102
Houston Symphony Society 22
Houston A+ Challenge 56
Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, Inc. 102
Houston Achievement Place 105
Houston Young Artist’s Concert 25
Houston Advanced Research Center 77
Houston Youth Symphony & Ballet 25
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center 64, 73
Humanities Texas 58
Houston Architecture Foundation 77
Ibn Sina Foundation Inc. 87
Houston Area Parkinson Society 107
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA Inc. 77
Houston Area Women’s Center 101
Independent Sector 44
Houston Artists Fund 37
Indiana University 24
Houston Arts Alliance 23
Inprint Inc. 20
Houston Audubon Society 75
Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, Texas 20
Houston Ballet Foundation 22, 24
InterActive Theater Company 25
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 19
Interfaith Carepartners, Inc. 110
Houston Center for Photography 8, 19
Interfaith Caring Ministries Inc. 102
Houston Chamber Choir 19
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston 102
Houston Children’s Chorus Inc. 25
Jazz Education Inc. 25
Houston Clean City Commission Inc. 75
Jesse H. Jones and Mary Gibbs Jones Scholars Program 56, 60-63
Houston Community College Foundation 57, 90
Jewish Community Center of Houston 20
Houston Community College System 49, 55
Jewish Family Service 98, 102
Houston Community Health Centers Inc. 87
John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science 39
Houston Compass Inc. 109
Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners Inc. 28, 37
Houston Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Inc. 89
Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, Inc. 106
Houston Ear Research Foundation 108
Katy Artreach 20
Houston Early Music 19
Katy Christian Ministries 102
Houston Eye Associates Foundation 87
Katy Heritage Society 37
Houston Festival Foundation Inc. 24
Katy Prairie Conservancy 75
Houston Food Bank 102
Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center 26
Houston Friends of Music Inc. 19
Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation 106
Houston Grand Opera Association, Inc. 22
Kids Hope USA Inc. 106
Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc. 110
Krist Samaritan Center for Counseling and Education 89
Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry Inc. 90
La Rosa - The Rose 101
Houston Hispanic Forum 57
Lawndale Art and Performance Center 20
Houston Hope 111
The Lazarus House A Center for Wellness 108
Houston Independent School District 57
Leadership Houston Inc. 40
Houston Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, Incorporated 43
League City Historical Society Inc. 37
Houston International Dance Coalition 19
League of Women Voters of Houston Education Fund 43
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Inc. 106
Lee College 55
Houston Masterworks Chorus, Inc. 20
Legacy Community Health Services Inc. 84, 88
Houston Metropolitan Dance Center Inc. 20
Legacy Land Trust Inc. 75
Houston Museum District Association 24
Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund Inc. 57
Literacy Advance of Houston, Inc. 40
OASIS Institute Houston Older Adult Enrichment Program 110
Local Infant Formula for Emergencies Inc. 102
Open Door Mission Foundation 109
Local Initiatives Support Corporation 111
Opera in the Heights 21
Lone Star College System 55
Orange Show Foundation 21
Lone Star Legal Aid 102
Our Promise for West Baytown Inc. 106
Main Street Theater at Autry House 20
Palmer Drug Abuse Program-Houston Inc. 106
Manhattan Theatre Club, Inc. 26
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church 109
Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Inc. 39
Partners for Harris County Children Inc. 104
Masquerade Theatre 20
Pasadena Philharmonic Society 21
Memorial Assistance Ministries Inc. 42, 102
Philanthropy Roundtable 44
Memorial Park Conservancy Inc. 74
Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. 88
Menil Foundation Inc. 23
Prairie View A&M University 52, 55, 59
Mental Health America of Greater Houston Inc. 89
Prison Entrepreneurship Program 42
The Mercury Baroque Ensemble 20
Progressive Forum 39
Methodist Hospital Foundation 88
Project Row Houses 21
Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble 20
Psophonia 21
Miller Theatre Advisory Board Inc. 24
Public Citizen Foundation, Inc. 77
Mission of Yahweh Inc. 109
Reach Unlimited, Inc. 108
Montgomery County Emergency Assistance 109
Reasoning Mind Inc. 59
Montgomery County Foundation for Performing Arts 20
Resolve It Inc. 106
Montgomery County Interfaith Hospitality Network 109
Restore America’s Estuaries 76
Montrose Counseling Center, Inc. 89
Rice University 41, 56, 69, 77
Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts 26
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra 21
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 23
River Performing and Visual Arts Center 26
Museum of Printing History 39
Ronald McDonald House of Houston Inc. 108
Music in Context 20
The Rose 88
Musiqa 20
Rosenberg Library Association 37
Nameless Sound 21
Rothko Chapel 21
NAMI Gulf Coast 89
Row House Community Development 111
National Association of Latino Elected Officials NALEO Education Fund 43
Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum Inc. 38
National College Access Network Inc. 57
San Jacinto Battleground Association 38
National Council on Family Violence 101 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 75 National Parks Conservation Association 74 National Wildlife Federation 75 The Nature Conservancy of Texas 75 The Nature Discovery Center Inc. 76 Nehemiah Center Inc. 106 Neighborhood Centers Inc. 6, 42 Network of Behavioral Health Providers Inc. 89 New Hope Housing Inc. 111
San Jacinto College District 55 San Jacinto Museum of History Association 30, 38 San Jose Clinic 88 Scenic Texas, Inc. 74
INDEX
National Council on Teacher Quality 58
The Salvation Army 103
Search Institute 106 Service of the Emergency Aid Resource Center for the Homeless 109 Several Dancers Core 21 The Shakespeare Globe Centre Southwest Inc. 26 SHAPE Community Center Inc. 103 Sheltering Arms 110
Newspring 42
Society for Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing America 21
Noah’s House 108
Society for the Performing Arts 23
Northwest Assistance Ministries 102
Southeast Area Ministries 103
143
Southwest Alternate Media Projects Inc. 21, 24
Urban Harvest Inc. 39
Spacetaker 24
US Foundation for the Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology 106
SPARK 66, 74 Spaulding for Children 104 Spay-Neuter Assistance Program Inc. 43 Spring Branch Independent School District 24, 58 Stages Inc. 21 Star of Hope Mission 109 Student Conservation Association, Inc. 76 Tahirih Justice Center 103 Talento Bilingue de Houston 21 Tamina Community Center 90 Taping for the Blind, Inc. 108 Target Hunger 103 Teach for America Inc. 58 Texana Center 108 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University System 76 Texas Accountants & Lawyers for the Arts 24 Texas Appleseed 89 Texas Coalition for Conservation 76 Texas Council on Family Violence Incorporated 101 Texas Folklife Resources 22 Texas One Voice A Collaborative for Health & Human Services 103 Texas Public Education Reform Foundation 58 Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment 70, 76 Texas Society to Prevent Blindness Inc. dba Prevent Blindness Texas 88 Texas Southern University 46, 55 Texas Tribune Inc. 34, 39 Theater LaB Houston 22 Theatre Under The Stars Inc. 23 TOMAGWA Ministries Inc. 88 Travesty Dance Group 22 Trees for Houston 74 INDEX
The Trust for Public Land 74 Turtle Island Restoration Network 76 United Nations Association of the USA Inc. 41 United States Veterans Initiative 109 United Way of Greater Houston 103 University of Houston 22, 26, 38, 41, 43, 55, 58, 76 University of Houston-Downtown 55 University of North Texas 38 The University of Texas at Austin 48, 55, 58 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 88 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center 90 The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston 91
144
Village Learning Center Inc. 108 Virtuosi of Houston 26 VN Teamwork 103 Voices Breaking Boundaries 22 Volunteer Houston 41 Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers Southwest 110 W. Leo Daniels Towers, Inc. 110 W. Oscar Neuhaus Memorial Foundation 59 Wesley Community Center, Inc. 103 West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc. 103 Westside Homeless Partnership 94, 109 WGBH Educational Foundation 38 Wharton County Junior College 56 The Women’s Home 110 Women’s Resource of Greater Houston 106 Wonderworks 106 Workshop Houston 106 World Affairs Council of Houston 43 Writers in the Schools 26 Young Audiences Inc. of Houston 26 Young Life 107 Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Houston Area (YMCA) 80, 90, 107 Zina Garrison All Court Tennis Academy 107
houston endowment a p h i l a n t h r o p y e n d o w e d b y Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Jones
writer, photographer and producer
Steven Fenberg design
CORE Design Studio, Houston, Texas proofreader
Polly Koch 146
O t he r p ho t o g ra p h y:
Page 2 Stockyard Photos, Jim Olive Page 11 Alley Theatre, Michael Daniel Page 15 Foundation for Modern Music, Eric Kane Page 28 SpawMaxwell, Mark Crippen Page 46 Texas Southern University Page 64 Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Page 71 Associated Press, David J. Phillips Pages 78, 81 dabfotocreative, David A. Brown
Houston Endowment’s 2009 annual report was printed entirely on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper using soy-based inks. FSC certification ensures that the paper used in this report contains fiber from well-managed and responsibly harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.